Subject: Daniel Engaging in Spiritual Warfare
by Rick Welborne
Daniel 10:1-14 (NKJV)
1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the appointed time was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision.
2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks.
3 I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
4 Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, that is, the Tigris,
5 I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz!
6 His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude.
7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.
8 Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength.
9 Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.
10 Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands.
11 And he said to me, "O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you." While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.
12 Then he said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.
13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.
14 Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come."
1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the appointed time was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision.
2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks.
3 I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
4 Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, that is, the Tigris,
5 I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz!
6 His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude.
7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.
8 Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength.
9 Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.
10 Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands.
11 And he said to me, "O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you." While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.
12 Then he said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.
13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.
14 Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come."
--Thank you so much your willingness to spend the last two Wednesdays in prayer and to do spiritual warfare for the Easter Production and for those who need a breakthrough…again I say “Wow!”
--Your prayer and your warring in the Spirit truly pushed back darkness and made room for the awesome presence of God to show up in a beautiful way.
--The singing was great, the music selected was great, the musicians did great, the tech people did such a wonderful job, but what made the difference was the anointing of God.
Isaiah 10:27 (KJV)
27 And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.
27 And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.
--The Assyrians had used and abused God’s people long enough and God was tired of it…as we push back darkness tonight let us pray God is fed up with our Assyrians.
Isaiah 10:24-26 (NLT)
24 So this is what the Lord, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, says: “O my people in Zion, do not be afraid of the Assyrians when they oppress you with rod and club as the Egyptians did long ago.
25 In a little while my anger against you will end, and then my anger will rise up to destroy them.”
26 The LORD of Heaven’s Armies will lash them with his whip, as he did when Gideon triumphed over the Midianites at the rock of Oreb, or when the LORD’s staff was raised to drown the Egyptian army in the sea.
24 So this is what the Lord, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, says: “O my people in Zion, do not be afraid of the Assyrians when they oppress you with rod and club as the Egyptians did long ago.
25 In a little while my anger against you will end, and then my anger will rise up to destroy them.”
26 The LORD of Heaven’s Armies will lash them with his whip, as he did when Gideon triumphed over the Midianites at the rock of Oreb, or when the LORD’s staff was raised to drown the Egyptian army in the sea.
--Tonight we want to look at Daniel doing spiritual warfare and how that will apply to us as we confront our enemies.
1. Daniel chose in the middle of his spiritual warfare to fast and pray.
--Why was he fasting and praying…because God’s people, Israel and Judah and turned from God and had rebelled…it broke Daniel’s heart. I hope and pray that our hearts are broken for the sin of the church and US.
--This year, May 4, is the National Day of prayer and how fitting is it that the verse Daniel spoke will be used as the theme.
Daniel 9:19 (NLT)
19 “O Lord, hear. O Lord, forgive. O Lord, listen and act! For your own sake, do not delay, O my God, for your people and your city bear your name.”
19 “O Lord, hear. O Lord, forgive. O Lord, listen and act! For your own sake, do not delay, O my God, for your people and your city bear your name.”
--Isn’t this what we want Jesus to do in the middle of our spiritual warfare…To hear! To forgive! To act!
--Daniel made a decision that things were bad enough that something had to be done in the spiritual realm… he figured fasting and praying was all that would work…what about us?
--Daniel was saying the battle is on! As we fast and pray for our miracle (whatever that is) with a sincere heart we have the assurance that God will move on our behalf! We should have high expectations!
2. We can expect many wonderful things in our lives as we do this spiritual warfare.
A. We can expect an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ!
Matthew Henry – A description of the glorious whom Daniel saw in vision, which, is generally agreed, could be no other than Christ Himself, the Eternal Word. There he looked up, and saw One man Christ Jesus. It must be He, for He appears in the same resemblance wherein He appeared to St. John on the Isle of Patmos.
Revelation 1:13-15 (NKJV)
13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.
14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire;
15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters;
13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.
14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire;
15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters;
--Pastor Rick, this was way before Jesus was born…that is true, as far as, Jesus being born on this earth but He has been with the Father since the beginning.
John 1:1-3 (NKJV)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
B. You may be alone in your encounter with God.
--Don’t expect others to understand what God has spoken or revealed to you…verse 7&8.
--I believe God is going to bless us corporately for our spiritual warfare but I also believe He will make it personal to our battles.
--Daniel was overwhelmed by the Presence of the Lord and that can happen to us also. Daniel could hear God speaking even though he was in a deep sleep. Ezekiel and John also had this experience. Slain in the Spirit.
C. We are going to experience some “Suddenly-s” as we fast, pray, and do spiritual warfare.
--V 10 Suddenly a hand touched me…not just any hand…Day of Pentecost – Suddenly there was a sound…study the suddenly verses.
--How many of you want the hand of Jesus to touch you…just one touch can change everything.
D. As we seek God I believe we will hear Him speak incredible words to us.
--11 And he said to me, "O Daniel, man greatly beloved…You are greatly loved…you too!
--understand the words that I speak to you…You will receive wisdom in your situation.
--and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you…stand up and get ready for what I am about to do! Eph. 6 says when you have done all to stand, keep standing.
--V.12 says Do not fear, Daniel…Don’t be afraid for I am with you! I know you are seeking Me and I am here.
I have come because of your words…your prayer has been heard.
3. God is keenly aware that we are in a fierce spiritual war and He is here to rescue us.
Daniel 10:13 (NKJV)
13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.
13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.
--To me, this sounds exactly like the spiritual warfare that Paul was talking about:
Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee - Again, here are the gradations of rank in the forces of Satan. Their power may explain the reason your prayer and my prayer have not yet been answered. Actually, prayer is fighting a spiritual battle always. Paul made it clear that prayer was a spiritual battle for him. "Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me" (Rom. 15:30). "Strive together" is the Greek word sunagonizom -- from this root we get our English word agonize. You and I are to agonize in prayer. Prayer has been made a light sort of thing today. Most of the prayers I hear are either very flowery or very theological, and I think we could do without both kinds. Real prayer is agonizing. It is getting through the barriers to release spiritual power. It is not done by trying to entertain the Lord with flowery language or by trying to be very profound and theological. My friend, we are fighting a spiritual battle!
--So what are we trying to say…the answer or request you are asking of God may be delayed but hang in there.
--We need to learn to pray agonizing prayers that actually produce or birth something in the middle of this spiritual warfare.
--In this day of social media we can have a prayer request every few minutes from someone who is in a desperate situation. We can see news live with people being killed!
--It is easy to “Like” something or even say “praying” or even give one of those token prayers and passively say a quickie…Lord, help them. Our sincerity is questionable at best.
--It is only when we are moved by Holy Spirit to take up the cause, to take up the battle, and to do spiritual battle until something breaks.
Galatians 4:19 (NLT)
19 Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I’m going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives.
19 Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I’m going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives.
Colossians 1:28-29 (NIV)
28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
--Here’s the question…where is the struggle, where is the agony, where is the anguish? Oh, you need prayer, you are in a desperate situation…here comes a token your way.
--Do not grow weary in your battle…persevere until the end!
Luke 18:1-8 (NLT)
1 One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.
2 “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people.
3 A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’
4 The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people,
5 but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’”
6 Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge.
7 Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?
8 I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”
1 One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.
2 “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people.
3 A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’
4 The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people,
5 but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’”
6 Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge.
7 Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?
8 I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”
Daniel 10:12 (NKJV)
12 Then he said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.
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