As we look at our world we can see that change and sometimes upheaval is an ongoing process. We can see the political battles unfolding in various nations as new leaders seek power and we can see nations such as China, Russia, and Iran contending for hegemony in their region. We can only see what we can see with our own eyes and hear or read what is reported to us in the news.
We cannot see spiritual battles that are taking place. Being physical, we cannot see into the spiritual realm. However, the Bible gives us some insight into the world we cannot see.
Colossians 1:16 tells us that Jesus Christ was the one who created both the visible and the invisible. From this scripture we know there is a world that we as physical human beings cannot see. We may not be able to see it, but it is there nonetheless.
In John 3, Jesus Christ gives us some insight to that unseen world that is spirit. He told Nicodemus, "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit" (John 3:8). Like wind, we can see the effect of spirit, but we cannot see spirit.
The prophet Daniel was given insight into what transpires in the spirit world unbeknownst to humanity unless God chooses to reveal what is taking place.
Daniel 9:2-4 tells us “in the first year of his reign (Darius, who is likely Cyrus) I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. And I prayed to the Lord my God, and made confession, and said, "O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments””
Notice how he finishes his prayer in Daniel 9:21-23, “Yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, "O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand. At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision.”
When Daniel started praying the decision was made by God to do something about it. From Daniel’s perspective nothing happened immediately. But in the invisible world of spirit, God took immediate action.
If we continue down to Daniel 10, Gabriel says in verse 13, “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.”
What do we know so far? First, Daniel understood by reading Jeremiah that the time of captivity in Babylon would be seventy years. Daniel knew those years were now completed. The prophet knew the people of Judah were sinful, but he besought God to remember His promise to permit the people of Judah to return to their land. He was asking God for this in the first year of Darius.
There is a short delay because a demon was influencing the ruler of Persia. We are told the angels, Gabriel and Michael together, were able to get rid of that demon and then Gabriel remains with the prince of Persia.
Why did Gabriel remain with the prince of Persia? Obviously to carry out God’s commands and to influence the Persian ruler to issue a decree that would allow Judah to return to the Promised Land.
What Persian ruler was influenced? It was Cyrus who issued the decree, “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing” (Ezra 1:1).
There was a short 21-day period of delay until the demon that was working closely with Cyrus to influence his mind was moved out of the way. Then Gabriel remained to carry out the commandment. Ezra tells us that God stirred up the spirit of Cyrus to issue the decree. In other words, it was not just some brilliant idea Cyrus came up with.
In the world we cannot see, a demon was impacting the mind of the ruler of Persia. He was being influenced not to allow God’s plan for the Jews to return to their land to be fulfilled. Gabriel with help from Michael was able to get rid of the demon and impact the mind of Cyrus in a way that allowed God’s purpose to move forward.
What can we glean from Daniel’s experience? There is an unseen spirit world where we find angels and demons and they play a part at times in what unfolds in the physical world. The encouraging thing is that God hears our prayers and acts upon them. Even when an answer is delayed we can be assured that God has heard and acted on our behalf. As the Apostle James tells us, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
Enjoy the Sabbath day being assured that, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
Gary Smith
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