The Spirit Realm Revealed To Daniel

Daniel Enlightened About The Spiritual Realm

Their are occasions in scripture when the curtain is lifted so as to unveil things which are normally hidden from the natural eye. Such unveiling is centered around the reality of the spirit realm. Let`s examine how deeper insights relative to the spirit realm were given to Daniel. LTB version, Daniel 10:11-14 "And I heard his voice-O Daniel, greatly beloved of God." he said, "Stand up and listen carefully to what I have to say to you, for God has sent me to you." So I stood up, still trembling with fear. Then he said, "Don`t be frightened, Daniel, for your request has been heard in heaven and was answered the very first day you began to fast before the Lord and pray for understanding; that very day I was sent here to meet you. But for twenty-one days the mighty evil spirit who rules the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael one of the top officers of the heavenly army, came to help me, so that I was able to break through these rulers of Persia. Now I am here to tell you what will happen..."

The book of Daniel reveals four extraordinary visions the prophet Daniel received while serving under the reigns of three kings; Belshazzar, Darius, and Cyrus. The above passage reveals aspects of the final and longest vision. It`s important to note that at this point in the text that despite being used by God to interpret dreams, miraculously being delivered from a lion`s den, and having such a intimately spiritual connection with God, Daniel was struggling trying to rap his mind around the encounter with the angelic and the subsequent revelations. I refer to this particular passage because what`s conveyed is so clear about some of the activities that occur when the spirit world and the physical world actually merge. Based on my focus I`m compelled to zoom in on the unseen yet very vivid aspects of spiritual activities going on behind the scene of our physical reality.

Let`s start by considering what was conveyed to Daniel by the angel, about a conflict or battle that occurred between himself (being an angel of light) against a (dark angel) evil spirit. Much is revealed when the angel says that the very first day that Daniel began to fast and pray that God had sent (him) an angelic messenger to answer Daniel`s prayers. The demonic interference began as soon as the angel was sent by God. From a military perspective the timing of an attack is always calculated. As stated elsewhere, spiritual beings move with great precision. I mean their timing is impeccably precise, they don`t miss a beat and they do it with incredible speed. "Time" as we experience it in the physical world does not exist in the spirit realm. Perhaps this points to how they operate so swiftly. The precision also tells us something about how swiftly determined the evil one (Satan) moves to protect the godless system he has established in the physical world. This particular battle had been going on for twenty-one days, and was not over, since this messenger was relieved or temporary replaced in battle by Michael in effort to reach Daniel. Subsequently, the diabolical interference Also points to how very powerful evil territorial spirits must be since they can hinder an angelic messenger for three weeks or more, even though it`s been sent directly by God. In essence, we are shown how unseen diabolical influence operates with impeccable precision, incredible speed, evil determination and supernatural power.

Therefore the Archangel Michael being higher in rank and much stronger was sent to relieve the angelic messenger. This passage also reveals the unseen reality of how spirit forces were working behind the scene within the minds of the rulers over the Persian nation. Hebrews 1:14 " Are not all angels ministering spirits to serve those who will inherit nations." Angels of light provide sound advice; dark angels mislead humankind into sin. Know this: as it was in Daniels day, such battles over the hearts and minds of earthly leaders have continued throughout human history. What is it about humankind that creates such conflict between spirit beings? Is it possible that humans would be totally under the paralyzing power of evil, if not for angelic assistance? The answer is heavens "NO!" The evil one can`t force us to do anything. If the demonic had that capacity they surely would do so. James 1:14-16 " But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it it bringrth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren." To be truly tempted we must be enticed. To be enticed points to what`s inside each of us that desires or agrees with the object we`re being tempted with. Therefore, we are held accountable for our own choices.

As I prayerfully contemplated the angelic being saying "Oh Daniel, greatly beloved...I was sent here to meet you. But for twenty-one days the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me. Then Michael one of the top officers of the heavenly army, came to help, so I was able to break through....now I am here to tell you what will happen..." It`s important to note that when the angel tells Daniel he was withstood for twenty-one days that by speaking of actual days, reveals that the battle did not occur within the spirit realm, It had to take place within the physical realm. As stated elsewhere "time" as we experience it, does not exist in the spirit world. I was given, through God`s grace and mercy the (above graphic art work) depicting the personal revelation of this particular biblical episode. I wrote the details down and, once again, employed Mr. Michael Z. Ruolngul, and awesome professional artist who captured every detail. I envisioned Michael having the Prince of Persia in a "double full Nelson" (wrestling technique or maneuver) whereby rendering the evil one totally incapacitated! His helmet is cracked and falling and he couldn`t even hold on to his sword. The angel in the background has just been relieved by Archangel Michael and is on its way to meet Daniel. I entitled this revelation Good Prevailing Over Evil.

Good Prevailing Over Evil

Know this: Good will always prevail over evil. Although, above, this truth points to incapacitating the evil Prince of Persia the goodness reaches above and beyond the Archangel Michael. You see, this visual imagery paints a picture with the prominent intent of revealing the " goodness of God". The goodness of God is one of His attributes, but this goodness is also a description of God`s very core. What I mean is that by nature God is innately good. Get this: the more we learn about God`s goodness the greater our capacity to distinguish between good and evil, grows. This equates to developing a level of discernment needed to overcome the methods (wiles) of the devil. Almighty God is the foundation of goodness and everything good. God`s goodness is personal.

Think about how the supernatural being approached Daniel. This angel of light said, "Oh Daniel greatly beloved of God." Then , "...the very first day you began to fast and pray...I was sent here to meet you..." I read the following on O Bible.org 3. The Goodness of God. We cannot separate what is good from God. You cannot have goodness without God, just as you cannot have God without goodness. God alone is good." Psalms 34:8 "O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him." Imagine what it must have been like for Daniel as the angel told him that the Archangel Michael was sent to deal with the Prince of Persia so he could deliver God`s answers to Daniels prayer as illustrated above.

Consider how profound the insight was for Daniel. Let`s backtrack a little bit. Daniel knew about the God given-prophecy Jeremiah received which foretold of the Babylonian invasion (Jeremiah 25:1-11) whereby God`s people would be up-rooted from their homes in Jerusalem and taken into captivity and serve the king of Babylon for seventy years. Although Jeremiah maintained his faithfulness to God, the nation of Jerusalem as a whole repeatedly turned away from God by practicing idolatry and other sinful forms of disobedience. Obviously, Daniel was very young prior to being taken into captivity. During the seventy years in captivity Daniel found himself in a world but not of it. His external surroundings had changed tremendously. His home town,; the nation of Jerusalem was demolished, as was the holy temple. The Babylonian system Daniel found himself in was quite similar to the godless worldly system we live in right now.

Furthermore, although seventy years was about up, the wicked reins were tightening, and evil was rapidly accelerating throughout: politically, economically, religiously, and quite frankly the evil one appeared to be winning throughout the land. Despite all of this, Daniel had a unique perspective because he would not compromise by going with the godless cultural flow of the times. Nor would he agree with anything else that would dishonor his God. He held on to his faith, God-given convictions, the Holy Word and every promise of God no matter what godless changes, storms and diabolical tactics produced around him. Daniel`s strong determination and faith opened the door whereby in time he would be filled with profound insights. Oh yes! Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled."

You see, Daniel also believed and held onto the prophecy of Jeremiah 29:10 that foretold of how God would have his people released after the seventy year period of captivity was served. Then his people could return to their homeland and begin reconstruction of the city and the temple. These were the circumstances which prompted Daniel to fast and pray for answers about his people. Then after twenty-one days; BOOM! Daniel got his answer, but he also received much more. He received a bigger picture of reality, which flooded his soul with profound insights. The angel touching his shoulder, calling him by name, telling details about the angelic/demonic battle (illustrated above) hindering his arrival, telling Daniel he was greatly loved by God had to overwhelm Daniel. However, he received more! The angel provided understanding as Daniel got a glimpse into the unseen activities unfolding behind the scene in the spirit realm, which had to be indescribable. Similarly, every impression he experienced while listening as the angel foretold him of the future history of the region all the way to when Jesus would come and establish God`s kingdom on earth, were inexpressible.

Imagine the cumulative effect upon Daniel as he stood there trying to concentrate on it all in real time. Daniel 10:15-17 records the effect the encounter and the revelations had upon him. Observe Daniel`s response. "All this time I was looking down unable to speak a word. The someone-he looked like a man-touched my lips and I could talk again and I said to the messenger from heaven, "Sir, I am terrified by your appearance and have no strenght. How can such a person as I even talk to you? For my strength is gone and I can hardly breathe."

Oh yes! To say that Daniel was speechless would be a gross understatement. Prayerfully, try placing yourself in Daniel`s shoes. Now it is you contemplating the revelations conveyed. Think about these truths personally. One of the lessons in this text screams for our attention. It compels us to acknowledge how some struggles in life involve spiritual aspects we don`t even see, because they occur in the spirit realm. Furthermore, this lesson emphatically reveals how unseen spiritual powers , both good and evil, are actively involved in and at times even create the headlines in politics, economic, military decisions, cultural shifts, religious movements, educational changes, and judicial rulings throughout every structural system on the earth. How much more would God reveal to us, and how much closer to God would we be if we chose not to dishonor our God, hold on to our faith, God-given convictions, the Holy Word, and every promise of God no matter what godless changes, storms and diabolical tactics produced around us? Perhaps such strong determination and faith will open doors whereby in time we too shall be filled with profound insights. In conclusion, John 16:33 Jesus said, "These things have I spoken unto you, that ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." My brother, my sister, no matter what it looks like, be of good cheer; Good prevails over evil. God bless.