Daniel 10:1-3. The final vision given to Daniel came in the third year of Cyrus in 536 B.C. The Jewish people were already beginning to return from Babylon and the Temple was in the process of being rebuilt. Daniel probably remained in Babylon because of his age or because of his value to the King. This word from the Lord would remove the hope that Daniel may have had that Israel would experience her new freedom and peace for long.
The first group of exiles had returned to Jerusalem under Zerubbabel, who had been appointed governor of Judah by Darius along with Joshua, the high priest. They cleared the rubble of the temple area, resumed daily sacrifices, and laid the foundation of the temple. But then the work stopped for 15 years until God sent Haggai to call Israel to resume the work, which they did. Daniel likely learned that work on the Temple had ceased and was burdened by it.
God revealed that the nation would be involved in many great conflicts. In response to the vision he was given, Daniel fasted for three weeks. During this time of mourning he abstained from his normal diet of royal foods and sought the Lord in prayer. Daniel 10:20-21 The angel asked Daniel if he knew why he had come to visit him.
Before Daniel could respond, the angel tells him that he would soon return to fight against the prince of Persia. Then later he will be fighting the Greek powers and so we are given a glimpse into the battles that are unseen that are going on in the world (Ephesians 6:10ff). It is only in God’s righteousness and the restraining power of his angels, and later his indwelling Holy Spirit that otherwise evil would run rampant across the face of the earth and destroy humanity.
Before the would leave he would tell him why he had come. To reveal to Daniel the events in the Book of Truth (Daniel 10:21), which reveals God’s plan for world history, part of which was to be revealed in Daniel 11-12. This book is fully revealed in the entire Scriptures which is a revelation of God’s plan for the world. This chapter teaches the importance of prayer. God answers prayer.
If we seek God to move and act and are fervent in prayer, He will. Because of prayer God strengthens and helps us. He brings salvation in answer to prayer. He delivers from the bondage of destructive habits through prayer. He brings blessings and healing in our marriages and friendships and understanding and wisdom through prayer. He provides for us and delivers us from or in the midst of trials that confront us through prayer.
The fervent prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective (James 5:16). But this passage also teaches us that because of the power of prayer, demonic forces of hell will oppose us. Satan will do everything he can to keep us from praying or continuing in prayer. When we pray every temptation imaginable will be thrown across our path. Temptations related to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life will come against us (1 John 2:15-16).
This is why we need to put on the whole armor of God: the belt of truth; the breastplate of righteousness; the shoes that are readied with the gospel of peace; the helmet of salvation; the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and prayer and intercession for others (Ephesians 6:10-18). Many today scoff at the idea of the devil and demons. They think that such ideas are part of the superstitious and ignorant religious teachings. Yet what is so interesting is that these same people readily accept ideas that embrace the sub-conscious on people’s mind and body.
But God’s Word reveals the truth of the unseen world (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). Why would God allow Satan and his demonic forces to oppose believers, hindering our prayers? Because they serve to strengthen us and to teach us endurance (Romans 5:1-5). It is through prayer that we learn to draw closer to God, to fellowship and commune with Him more. Fellowship is one of the basic reasons God created us.
It is through such battles that we learn to trust the LORD more, depending on Him for strength as we walk through life. Scripture tells us that Jesus has broken the power of Satan. He did this in two ways: First, He broke the power of Satan by never giving in to his temptations (Matthew 4:1-11) through the power of God’s Word. He never sinned (2 Corinthians 5:21).
He overcame sin through His obedience to God and His Word. Secondly, Yeshua broke the power of Satan by destroying his power over death. When Jesus was crucified on the cross, death could not hold Him in its grip (Hebrews 2:14-15). He arose from the dead and ascended to God’s right hand.
Through His death on the cross, Jesus triumphed over the powers of darkness. He took away their weapons and made a public spectacle of them (Colossians 2:15). Satan and his demons have already been defeated. Because of what Jesus has done, we no longer have to fear the power of Satan and his demonic forces, not we completely rely on and trust in Yeshua (Romans 8:31; Hebrews 2:14-15).
