Angel Battles

Feb. 19

Daniel 10:1-20

Angel Battles

“The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia…” (v.13)

We don’t often think of the angelic beings around us having epic battles… do we? It is so easy to lose sight of the cosmic war that is raging in our midst. There are indeed “spirits” at work … “princes”… that seem to attach themselves to people and even nations. Here, the “kingdom of Persia” had a “prince” that fought against the angel that was bringing a message from the Lord to Daniel. This messenger angel received help when Michael - one of the “chief princes” (read arch-angel) - shows up to his rescue! (I wonder what an angel fight even looks like!?!) It is wild to think of this happening… a message from God stalled out by an angel battle until reinforcements show up and “punch tickets”. There is actually a great deal of truth we can learn from this as well :

1.) There is always MORE at work than meets the eye. Nations are wrapped up in spiritual battles as well whether they know it or not. (cf. Persia here) When we view the world through a purely material / physical lens we miss this truth. Some of what we might think is a “material” problem is actually a “spiritual” problem.

2.) The “prince” or “spirit” of a nation can war against the message of God being delivered… but they will never prevail! God will send reinforcements. God will be victorious. This is true for ALL of God’s messengers… they cannot be silenced or stopped if the Lord is behind them and sending the message.

3.) Sometimes things are “held up” because of this spiritual battle. We must be patient. Imagine praying for 21 days… waiting for an answer that is enroute but held up by a stand-off between two “princes”! It is fascinating to see that the messenger angel said it was 21 days of battle. Imagine God sending this angel out with a message, then the angel has to “travel” to get to Daniel? Where did God drop him off anyways… like some kid getting brought to the movies or school or something! I think it is hilarious that God dropped him off on the other side of town and told him to walk. LOL. This angel had to walk to meet Daniel and he got mugged on the way. Even angels have to work out / take a journey of obedience to the Lord. Even angels have to “walk out” their faith.

4.) To be fair, the term used to describe the match up is actually the term “to withstand”. The “prince of Persia” withstood the advancements of the messenger angel for 21 days. Eventually the “prince of Persia” gave way. We ought to be reminded as God’s children that “ every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” (cf.Rom. 14:1, Phil. 2:10) Nothing - no spirit, angel, person, or creature - can forever “withstand” or oppose the message of God… sooner or later EVERY knee will bow. Every opposition will be set aside, knocked over, or destroyed. This should be a source of great hope and encouragement for us. Evil empires will be destroyed sooner or later… God will make sure of it.

5.) The truth is that the physical world is being merged with the spiritual world. This has been God’s plan all along… the Kingdom of God. In the same way a spirit or “prince” can have sway over or belong to a nation (cf. Persia) so also we as people are spiritual vessels… we have been created to interact with the spiritual realm. More specifically, we as believers / followers of Jesus Christ / God’ people / God’s children we are inhabited by the Holy Spirit of God (as well as the Father and the Son). We are spiritual “houses”. (cf. Matt 12:44) The unfolding of the material world around us is actually interwoven with the spiritual in ways we will miss / overlook if we are not careful.

In the same way that God opened Daniel’s eyes to see these visions and the spiritual realm, we pray that he would open our eyes. For everyone who is praying and waiting for a message from the Lord… it is coming… for sure. Be patient and take heart… his words will come to you. There is a very real battle that rages around us… it need not consume us nor make us afraid… but it is real. When the spirit of a nation is set against the message of the Lord… seeking to hinder it being delivered… it cannot “withstand” forever. God hears our cries for help and sends reinforcements… sometimes even as our very own angels! Love you guys. - JDP