Series: The Book Of Daniel — Integrity

Message Outline

Series Message 8
Spiritual Warfare that Shapes History
Text: Daniel 10:1 - 11:35

(Chapter 9 next week by Dr. Bob Keyes)

Themes:
This series will be another amazing encounter with God's Word! May we be transformed as we fully enter into the profound and relevant themes and truths presented through the life and book of Daniel:

1. God's sovereignty over world events and kingdoms will thrill us.
2. God's reliability, even when appearances seem otherwise, will amaze us.
3. Powerful stories of real faith under pressure will encourage us.
4. Detailed prophecies already fulfilled will reveal a great God who loves us.
5. Daniel's trust of God and confidence with men is a model of integrity that will inspire us.

Today's Outline

Introduction

View the Watchmen video shown during this message. Last week we proved that Biblical prophecy is accurate and trustworthy, and we will get another taste of that in both this week and next week's studies. We learned that the outcome of world events will be favorable for those who trust God, and very difficult for those who don't. For believers, this life will be difficult and possibly dangerous - however, we will eventually be given the Kingdom that Jesus inaugurated! One day, we will live under his perfect rule as he restores the entire cosmos.

This week's study will also give us an introduction into the reality of spiritual warfare. We will see how the spiritual realm affects things in the physical realm and vice versa. WWhat we pray and battle for in the spiritual realm moves God and affects history!e will see that Daniel's obedience and his life of prayer has moved God to action - in giving Daniel deep revelation, the interpretation of dreams, and in mobilizing angelic messengers to action. We will see how Daniel previews the New Testament's teaching on how we are to use our "Jesus authority" in spiritual warfare today.

The timeline of chapter 10 is set in 536 BC - the third year of Cyrus' rule. This is the Cyrus foretold almost two hundred years earlier by the prophet Isaiah (44:28). Cyrus did order Jerusalem to be rebuilt (2 Chronicles 36:22) and he did allow the Jews to return to their homeland, as documented in the book of Ezra. This all takes place about 70 years after the exile began in 605 BC, as foretold by Jeremiah (25:11-12, 29:10). Unfortunately, Daniel's vision would throw a cloud on this return from exile because much suffering was yet to come before God would fulfill his purposes for Israel through the arrival of Jesus.

1. Daniel's vision of heavenly beings and spiritual warfare (10:1-11:1)

- The weight of the vision leads Daniel into fasting and prayer (v 2-3)
- The vision comes right after the feasts of Passover and Tabernacles - Exodus timing?
- Who did Daniel initially see in verses 4-9? (see Revelation 1:12-16)
- it seems an angelic messenger then comes to minister to Daniel in v. 10ff
- angelic resistance occurs, but it is doubtful Jesus would have any trouble with it (v 13)
- the events of verse 16 remind me of Isaiah 6:7

2. The warfare shapes the future unfolding of history (11: 2-32a)

- verses 2-4 include a very brief summary of the Persian kings who will follow Cyrus
- the fourth will be wealthy and attack Greece - these likely correspond to:

- Cambyses (529-522 BC)
- Smerdis (522-521 BC)
- Darius Hystaspes (521-486 BC)
- Xerxes (486-465 BC)

- There were other Persian Kings later, but none matched Xerxes or attacked Greece
- Then we see the rise of Alexander the Great and the division of his Kingdom
- verses 5-20 focus on the conflicts between the Ptolemies and the Seleucids
- The detail and subsequent accuracy of this prophecy is amazing
- verses 21-35 focus on Antiochus IV Epiphanes whose rule of terror we saw in Chapter 8
- He was nicknamed "Epimanes", meaning 'Madman".

- throughout all these twists and turns of earthly warfare, there is a corresponding spiritual battle
- God is responding to the prayers of his saints throughout history and moving in these battles!
- He is moving in your battles too!

3. The battle will continue until the "time of the end" - with a purpose (11:32b-35)

- those who know their God will firmly resist evil (James 4:7)
- the importance of teaching
- the reality of suffering
- the battle is part of our growth and refining
- spiritual warfare is a critical component of Kingdom Life (Ephesians 6:10-18)
- there is likely a segue here: verses 36-45 likely occur at a different time

Personal Application:

God hears our prayers, and the saints on earth affect things in heaven! Many saints throughout the Bible have shown us that God answers earnest prayer, and that he actually changes his mind at times. What things in your life do you want to change? This text should be an encouragement to grow in our lives of prayer - what are your next steps?

Study Questions for group discussion:

1. Give an example of Spiritual warfare that you have experienced. What happened and what tactics did you employ to change the situation?



2. Read Ephesians 6:10-12. How could this passage change the way you do spiritual warfare?



3. Print the "6-minute" spiritual warfare prayer that is on our web site. Pray it through once. What do you notice about this prayer?



4. What experience do you have with fasting? How do you think Daniel's fasting discipline would contribute to his walk with God? How might you get started in a discipline of fasting for more effective prayer?

Resources for further growth:

1. COME AND PRAY! Come to a prayer meeting and learn by doing with people who are committed to prayer and to helping others grow in prayer. Wednesdays at 7p in the Chapel, or Sundays 9a in the Committee room. Please contact Susan Carson, the leader of our prayer ministry, or just come!

2. Prayer, by Andrew Murray. A timeless, accessible, and motivating book by an anointed prayer warrior! (See more in Series Resources)

3. Six minutes a day of intense spiritual warfare - A wonderful prayer written by author John Eldredge. This prayer includes 40 bible verses and promises and brings the protection of heaven over your family!

4. Rees Howells, Intercessor, by Norman Grubb - a great documented story of how a prayer warrior changed the course of history. (Resource available in Series Resources.)

5. Seven Basic steps to Successful Fasting and Prayer by Bill Bright