Day 218 – Daniel & Gabriel’s Visit re: Persia & Greece

• We finish the book of Daniel today with more incredible visions of the supernatural forces at work in our world. Read through all the passages and, as you go, consider what you think about when you hear or read words such as “angel”, “demon”, and “spiritual battles”. Don’t be tempted to explain away these concepts in human or scientific logic. They don’t claim to be part of the physical world we know. As Christians, we need to be aware of the nature of the spiritual realm, and that it is as real as you and I.
• At the start of Daniel 10, Daniel is mourning and fasting for the state of the nation of Israel. How long did he mourn for?
• At the end of the three weeks, an angelic being appeared to Daniel. As you might expect in this situation, Daniel was awestruck (verse 10, 11, 15 and 16).
• Daniel didn’t expect the angel to appear, did he! How did he prepare himself to meet the angel anyway?
• What did the angel say to Daniel about why it took him three weeks to arrive? What was he doing for those 21 days? Daniel 10:12-14 will help. This shows that God instantly heard Daniel’s prayer when he started praying, and instantly responded by sending the angel, but that angelic forces are in continual battle with demonic ones.
• Demons are described as being “princes” over specific areas. The devil, unlike God, cannot be in all places, but is described as having demonic helpers battling around the world. Satan, himself, is described as “prowling around” the earth (he doesn’t “live” in Hell – that’s where he will be thrown at the end of time).
• Which angel is named twice in this chapter? How is he described at the end? How can we be reassured about the battle we face against demons with these words? Think about the passage in Revelation in this regard, and the opening verses of Daniel 12, to see how Michael fights for us.
• What does Daniel 12:1-4 say about the future of people, both of those who trust and Jesus and those who do not?

I hope this brief time in the book of Daniel has been enlightening and encouraging. There is plenty we skipped and I’d encourage you to continue to explore these texts more one day. For now, the major theme to take away is the knowledge that God is in control of all things, including future events. Take these passages seriously. They should make you ever thankful for the heavenly Saviour we have to protect us from the forces against us, and for our salvation from sin. It should also challenge you to feel compassion for those you know who aren’t saved. Name some people you would love to see come to faith, and pray for them individually today.

It’s worth also saying, if my notes didn’t already suggest it, but Daniel 7-12 massively points to Jesus. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. All the prophecies, all the victories and all the eternal events find their full completion and reality in Christ Jesus. How wonderful it is to be able to read this book in light of the glorious news of the New Testament, which shows us the fulfilment of Daniels prophecies in brilliant reality.