The

Unsealing
ing to answer our prayers. The devil is obviously very eager to prevent those prayers from it with these words: “Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou stand-
being answered. est is holy” (KJV). Significantly, there is one other place where such words are recorded in
3. The devil is no match for the Lord. While it is clear that there is a struggle between Scripture. God got the attention of Moses with a burning bush that was not consumed by
evil and good forces, Daniel 10 encourages us with the fact that God’s angels prevail over the fire that engulfed it. The Bible says that “God called unto him out of the midst of the

of Daniel
evil angels, even if that means that the Lord needs to send added reinforcements. bush, and said, ‘Moses, Moses.’ And he said, ‘Here am I.’ And He said, Draw not nigh
4. All human beings are under the influence of unseen intelligences. Persia is an earthly hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy
kingdom, apparently under the charge of human beings. On the human level, Persia has ground. Moreover he said, ‘I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of
its own king and various rulers of rank and authority. But Daniel’s insight brings to view Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God”
a behind-the-scenes “prince of the kingdom of Persia.” This is obviously not a human (Exodus 3:2-6). Study Number 12
prince, since the angel Gabriel is himself engaged in personal warfare with this being. Later on the divine personage whom Moses encountered in the burning bush identi-
Verse 20 informs us that not only is there a demonic prince over Persia, but also the fied Himself by a special title: “And God said unto Moses, ‘I AM THAT I AM’: and
angel mentions “the prince of Grecia.” We can only conclude that Satan is running a very He said, ‘Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you”
highly organized operation. It seems that he has divided up this world with all its various (Exodus 3:13-14). In the New Testament, the Lord Jesus Christ identified Himself by
human kingdoms and appointed demons to focus their deceptive and destructive energies this very same title: “Jesus said unto them, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, before Abraham

T
on territories he has delegated to them. One demon-prince obviously is responsible for the was, I AM” (John 8:58, NKJV). he last three chapters of Daniel are linked together by one vision. Chapter 10 offers
kingdom of Persia. Another is responsible for Grecia. The I AM whom Moses encountered in the burning bush was none other than Jesus an introduction to the vision, chapter 11 contains most of the vision itself, and
We would not be stretching our imaginations to believe that Satan is still just as orga- Christ in His preexistent Deity before His incarnation. It was also Jesus Christ who intro- chapter 12 contains a small portion of the vision and a close to the book of Daniel.
nized today as he was during the time of Daniel. No doubt he has demons exercising their duced Himself to Joshua as “the Commander” of all of heaven’s angelic forces. Likewise, In this study we will consider Daniel’s personal experience with God as portrayed
unseen influence in every governmental structure of mankind on earth today. Michael, the chief angel brought to view in the book of Daniel, is the Lord Jesus Christ. in chapter 10. As we do, a clear and sobering revelation will confront us: there is
Of course, Jesus is not an angel in the common sense in which we think of angels. They absolutely nothing in us that can recommend us to God. However, this is not because
Michael are created beings—created, in fact, by Him. He is not a created being. He is the Son of He doesn’t love us. He does, infinitely so. “For God so loved the world that He gave
But his power and cunning are no match at all for even one human being who has God. But the word angel literally means “messenger.” In this sense, even we fallen human His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish but have
allied his entire heart and life with the Lord. While the angel refers to the prince of Persia beings can be angels. The book of Revelation portrays the people of God at the end of everlasting life” (John 3:16).
and the prince of Grecia, he also speaks of another prince named “Michael.” To Daniel, time as three angels, messengers, flying in the midst of heaven declaring the everlasting It is His great love that leads Him to relate to us on the basis of His “unearnable”
the angel says that Michael is “your prince.” Michael is the ally prince of God’s followers gospel to the inhabitants of the earth. It is in this sense that Jesus Christ is spoken of as grace rather than on the basis of our personal merit. The plain fact of the matter is, if
on earth and the chief opponent of Satan and all of his angels. Michael, the archangel. He is the supreme Messenger, sent from heaven to earth with the God were to treat us as we deserve, not one of us would be able to garner in ourselves
The incident recorded in Daniel 10 is not the first time Satan and his demons en- message of eternal salvation. There are at least two Old Testament prophecies of the Mes- a sufficient quality or quantity of righteousness to earn divine favor. So rather than
counter Michael. Revelation 12:7 tells us that “there was war in heaven: Michael and his siah that designate Jesus as God’s Messenger. (See Isaiah 42:19; Malachi 3:1.) condemn us and cast us off, our God of infinite love pours forth His favor as a free gift.
angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; There is no threat to the deity of Christ in recognizing Him as Michael, the archan- “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ
neither was their place found anymore in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that gel, or chief Messenger of God the Father. Actually, it brings us great encouragement and our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
old serpent, called the devil, and Satan which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out comfort to know that the one whom Daniel was told is our Prince is the Lord Jesus Christ. With those few words of introduction, now let us explore Daniel’s personal encoun-
into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Revelation 12:7-9). He is our principle Defender in the great controversy between good and evil. All matters ter with God.
Here are the two sides clearly portrayed. On the one hand, there is “Michael and his regarding each one of us rests primarily in the hands of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Under His
angels.” On the other hand, we have “Satan . . . and his angels.” authority there is enlisted all the angels of heaven to hear and answer our prayers. Glimpses of Jesus
The little book of Jude in the New Testament calls Michael “the archangel” (Jude Like Daniel, each of us is greatly beloved of God. His sympathetic ear is ever open Can you image what it would be like to suddenly find yourself in the visible presence
9). The expression archangel literally means “the chief angel.” From the descriptions of to the faintest cry of the human heart. He is ready to respond immediately to the needs of God? The very idea seems both exciting and terrifying. Although we have not had
Michael given in Daniel and Revelation, Michael is the one who leads the heavenly angels of every soul, however wayward and unworthy. Satan has enlisted the full force of his the experience for ourselves, we do have the privilege of reading in Scripture a number
in their warfare against Satan and his angels. energy to oppose all who put their trust in Christ. Jesus said that Satan is “the prince of of firsthand testimonies from those who have found themselves, on certain occasions, in
At the battle of Jericho, Joshua encountered this same commander of heavenly angels: this world” (John 12:31), and he is using his influence to try and block the steady stream the immediate presence of Deity. The prophet Daniel is one of those individuals.
“And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and of light God issues forth from heaven to earth. But he will not succeed, as Daniel 10 so Daniel’s final vision, recorded in chapters 10 through 12 of his book, is a follow-up to
behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went graphically communicates. Though he may appear to be the prince of this world at pres- what he had been shown in previous visions, only this time with greater detail. The vi-
to Him and said to Him, ‘Are You for us or for our adversaries?’ So He said, ‘No, but as ent, ultimately he will be defeated. Day by day, as the world seems at times to be spinning sion was so impressive, and Daniel desired so earnestly to understand its meaning, that he
Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.’ And Joshua fell on his face to the out of control with sin and suffering, Michael and all the heavenly hosts are breaking committed himself to a three-week time of prayer and fasting: “In those days I Daniel was
earth and worshiped, and said to Him, ‘What does my Lord say to His servant?” Then the through the barriers of darkness. They are enlightening the minds of all who truly want to mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth,
Commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, ‘Take your sandal off your foot, for the know the healing truth of the gospel. neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled” (Daniel 10:2-3).
place where you stand is holy.’ And Joshua did so” (Joshua 5:13-15, NKJV). With all of this insight from Daniel 10, we ought to pray, and pray without ceasing. Toward the end of his fast, the aged prophet was “by the side of the great river,
Interestingly enough, the word commander in this text is exactly the same Greek word We ought to plead with God for understanding of His Word, for insights into His great re- which is Hiddekel.” Suddenly, something incredible happened—unlike anything Dan-
that is translated prince in Daniel chapter 10. The Hebrew word is sar and designates “one deeming love. We ought to pray to God for the salvation of our friends, families and neigh- iel had ever experienced: “I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man
who is a captain, chief, prince or ruler.” Joshua encountered the same personage brought bors. We ought to pray that Satan’s power will be crippled continually and that the world clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: His body also was
to view in the book of Daniel as Michael, the prince, or commander-in-chief of all the will be flooded with the knowledge of Christ as “the Savior of all men” (1 Timothy 4:10). like the beryl, and His face as the appearance of lightning, and His eyes as lamps of fire,
angelic forces of heaven. We ought to pray! and His arms and His feet like in color to polished brass, and the voice of His words
Who exactly is this commander of the heavenly hosts? like the voice of a multitude” (Daniel 10:4-6).
The passage we have just quoted from the book of Joshua clearly answers the question.
You will notice that when Joshua encountered Michael, he fell on his face to the earth and
“did worship.” You will also notice that this worship was not refused. On another occa-
sion, the apostle John encountered an angel who refused his worship, acknowledging he
was merely an angel and not divine. (See Revelation 19:10.)
As Joshua worships before Michael, his response to this level of reverence is to accept Glory Dust
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 This description of the person Daniel saw is strikingly similar to what the apostle John Undone tery, “I do not condemn you,” are words that apply equally to all human beings. God is
was shown as recorded in the first chapter of Revelation: The prophet Isaiah had a similar experience as he saw a vision of the glory of the Lord in eager to forgive, not reluctant. In fact, His forgiveness is lavished upon the human family
“Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven gold- His heavenly temple: as a free gift in the person of Jesus Christ. Hanging upon the cross, under the curse of all
en lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted human transgression, Jesus poured forth the true sentiment of His heart when He prayed,
with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. When we realize the true quality and depth of God’s love for us, that love will banish
were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He And one cried to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is all fear from our hearts. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because
had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His full of His glory!’ And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love Him, because He
countenance was like the sun shining in its strength” (Revelation 1:12-16, NKJV). and the house was filled with smoke. So I said: ‘Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am first loved us” (1 John 4:18-19). Speaking of the born again Christian, the apostle Paul
There is no question that this “One like the Son of Man” is none other than the Lord a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have says, “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the
Jesus Christ in His glorified form. And Daniel’s vision is precisely the same as John’s. We seen the King, the Lord of hosts” (Isaiah 6:1-5, NKJV). spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15). When we come to God
can only conclude that Daniel, like John, beheld the glorified Christ. Isaiah was a holy prophet of God, one of whom we have no record of unfaithfulness to through Christ, the disposition of fear gives way to a sense of adoption into God’s family.
the Lord. The same is true of Daniel. The entire record of his life in Scripture reveals faith- We perceive Him as our loving, gracious Father, not as a condemnatory dictator of whom
Glory Dust fulness and loyalty to God. On one occasion an angel from heaven told Daniel that he was we should be terrified.
Not only did Daniel and John both behold the same vision of the Son of God, but “greatly beloved” in heaven. (See Daniel 9:23.) In fact, he had such an impeccable integrity There is absolutely no question about it; God is holy. It is equally true that we
both men were affected in the same way by what they saw. John says, “When I saw Him, and an excellent spirit that even his enemies could find no fault with him. And yet, in the humans are unworthy sinners. This great contrast erects a wall that cannot be penetrated
I fell at His feet as dead” (Revelation 1:17). Daniel is more graphic as he explains how he presence of the Lord, in the splendor of God’s glory and perfection, we find prophets such from the human side. Only from God’s side of the wall can it be broken down, and only
felt in response to the vision: “And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were as Daniel and Isaiah turning pale with weakness. Their own righteousness became as filthy by His love. There is a grand canyon that separates our sinfulness from God’s righteous-
with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide rags before them. Daniel said that his comeliness, his beauty of character, became as corrup- ness. The Lord does not call upon us to build the bridge from our side to His. He is the
themselves. Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no tion before his own eyes. bridge builder, in Jesus Christ. From His side of the canyon the bridge of redemption is
strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no Such is the experience that all of us must constructed. As if it were not enough for Him to build the bridge, He even crosses over
strength” (Daniel 10:7-8). have if we are to truly be partakers of the to our side rather than simply urge us to venture across on our own. In Jesus Christ, He
This is what is known in laymen’s terms as “laying the glory of man in the dust.” righteousness of Christ. He does not expose takes us by the hand and leads us over into the glorious security of His righteousness. The
Christ has a way of doing this with even the holiest of men. Righteous as Daniel’s char- our weakness and sin in order to crush us, character of God, as revealed in Jesus Christ, persuades us that we need not be afraid of
acter was, all his goodness became as corruption as he beheld the contrasting purity of but rather to bring us to a place where we God. The Savior’s life of tireless ministry, and the self-sacrificing reality of His death on
Christ. Daniel sensed, in other words, that he was wholly dependent upon the mercy and can truly sense the enormity of our need for our behalf, is sufficient proof that God’s love for sinners is both tender and strong.
goodness of God. He could see nothing in himself that would make him worthy of God’s His grace. Only when we are humbled before In His state of weakness and complete self-renunciation, the prophet Daniel found
favor and salvation. God through a realization of our total unwor- that there was a gentle hand extended to lift him up. The glory and majesty of God does,
thiness can we be exalted into the abundant indeed, lay the glory of man in the dust, but He does not leave us there. The same hand
Rubbish life that He wants so desperately to bestow that touched Daniel reaches out to each one of us.
Consider also the experience of the apostle Paul. As a Pharisee of the Pharisees, he had upon us.
become quite impressed with himself. He reveled in his own righteousness, believing him- Spiritual Warfare
self to be worthy of God’s favor due to his long list of religious accomplishments. But after No Fear Like other places in Scripture, Daniel 10 opens to our astonished gaze the intense spiri-
his vision of Christ on the road to Damascus, he regarded his righteousness, though it may As you might imagine, Daniel’s encoun- tual battle that is continually waging all around us. If we had eyes that could see beyond our
have been blameless in the sight of men, as mere “rubbish.” Listen to Paul’s own testimony: ter with the glorified Son of God produced in finite senses, we would behold a very real warfare between good and evil transpiring in our
“I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confi- him a great fear. “I stood trembling” (Daniel very world over human souls. Notice what the angel says to Daniel regarding this warfare:
dence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe 10:11). What kind of fear was Daniel feeling as he stood before the Lord? The context leads “And he said unto me, ‘O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that
of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, us to only one conclusion. The infinite holiness of God’s character made painfully distinct I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent.’ And when he had
persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But Daniel’s sinfulness as a fallen human being. The fear he felt was fear of condemnation, fear spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. Then said he unto me, ‘ Fear not, Daniel:
what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count that in his fallenness he could not find favor and acceptance with such a righteous being. For from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself
all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I It is right here, in the midst of Daniel’s terrified trembling, that we observe one of the before thy God, thy words were heard and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the
have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ, truly tender and beautiful moments recorded in Scripture. Rather than condemn, the angel kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief
and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that informs Daniel that he is “a man greatly beloved.” With words that are obviously intended to princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. . . . ’
which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith” (Philip- arouse a sense of acceptance and confidence, the angel tells Daniel to “stand upright” before “Then said he, ‘Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? And now will I return to
pians 3:4-9, NKJV). him. And then he tells Daniel to do what may seem impossible: “Fear not” (Daniel 10:11-12). fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall
This man, who had been so tireless and careful in his efforts to do what is right in the Later on in this stunning encounter, the angel again encourages Daniel with words that come. But I will show thee that which is noted in the Scripture of truth: and there is none
sight of God, once he encountered the true beauty of the holiness of Christ, confessed restore his strength to him: that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince” (Daniel 10:11-13, 20-21).
himself to be the chief of sinners: “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that “Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he There are a number of enlightening and helpful insights brought to view in these verses:
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this rea- strengthened me, and said, ‘O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, 1. There is a spiritual warfare occurring beyond the realm of human sight. The angel
son I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern yea, be strong.’ And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, ‘Let my informed Daniel that he has been engaged in a conflict with “the prince of the kingdom
to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life” (1 Timothy 1:15-16, NKJV). Lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me” (Daniel 10:18-19). of Persia.” This prince, whomever he is, “withstood” the angel Gabriel in his efforts to
You will notice in this passage of Scripture that the very fact that Paul was a great When the apostle John encountered Christ, the same words of encouragement were approach Daniel to communicate God’s message. Finally, as the warfare progressed, it was
sinner is the reason why he obtained such great mercy. And the mercy God manifested in spoken to him: “Fear not” (Revelation 1:17). I have heard it said, although I have not con- necessary for the chief of all heavenly princes, Michael, to assist Gabriel in his fight against
Christ toward Paul is to be taken as “a pattern” of how God deals with all fallen human firmed the claim, that these two words are the most often repeated phrase in all the Bible. the prince of Persia.
beings. We are each one of us, if we truly see ourselves as we are in the light of Christ’s If that is an exaggeration, we are at least safe in saying that it is definitely an often-repeated 2. Our prayers are the focal point of great interest for both heavenly agencies and demonic
purity, the chief of sinners. We are all in need of great mercy from the One who alone is admonition. God does not want us to be afraid of Him. Reverence? Yes. Sense of holy awe? forces. It is Daniel’s prayer for understanding that brings on the intense opposition of this
the source of forgiveness and eternal life. Apart from that mercy, not one human being Yes. But not fear of condemnation and rejection. prince of the kingdom of Persia. Conversely, it is in answer to Daniel’s prayer that Gabriel
would be able to stand before God and live. The words of Jesus in John 8:11, spoken in earnest love to the woman caught in adul- is sent forth from the Lord to fulfill Daniel’s request. God is obviously very eager and will-