The Celestial Visitor and the Secret Battle
by Rev. Kirby Williams
A stunning glimpse into the supernatural realm and the spiritual warfare that rages there.
Text: Daniel 10:1-21
Date: 10/21/2018, the Evening service.
Series: "Daniel: Divine Dominion and Deliverance" Part 26
Description:
We turn now to the final vision in the book of Daniel. Unlike the previous visions, this one spans three chapters, so our text tonight will concentrate on just the prelude to the vision. Daniel will be visited by a mysterious celestial visitor who will strengthen him and prepare him for the vision to come. The most extraordinary aspect of this chapter is the stunning glimpse it gives us into the spiritual warfare that is waged in the heavenly realms between the champions of heaven and the angels of darkness over the nations and the souls of men. We will discuss this "Secret Battle" and the profound impact it has on our own lives, though for the most part we remain oblivious to it. Ultimately, we will discover through Daniel's interaction with this celestial visitor that our great defense against the impact of this secret battle is none other than the sacred privilege of prayer.
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Daniel 10:1-21.
A. Context
B. Conversation with a celestial visitor.
1. A time of trial, vs. 1-3.
a. Prelude to the visit, vs. 1.
i. Determining the date.
ii. Determining the author.
iii. Playing with fire, Matt. 24:15.
iv. Spiritual warfare.
b. Preparing for the visit, vs. 2-3.
i. Three weeks of mourning, vs. 2.
ii. Three weeks of fasting, vs. 3.
2. The arrival of the celestial visitor, vs. 4-6.
a. The location of the visit, vs. 4.
b. Describing the celestial visitor, vs. 5-6, Ezek. 9:2, Rev. 1:13.
c. Identifying the celestial visitor.
3. Daniel's reaction, vs. 7-9.
a. A solitary vision, vs. 7.
b. Daniel collapses, vs. 8-9, Gen. 15:12.
4. Words of comfort and the touch of strength, vs. 10-12.
a. Daniel restored, yet trembling, vs. 10-11.
b. The importance Daniel's prayer, vs. 12.
5. The stunning reason for the delay, vs. 13-14.
a. A struggle with the prince of Persia, vs. 13.
i. Recognizing the delay, Dan. 9:21.
ii. Identifying the "prince of Persia", 2Chr. 32:20-21, Eph. 6:12.
iii. A window into the spiritual realm.
iv. Help from the arch angel Michael, Rev. 12:7-8.
b. The visitor reveals his mission, vs. 14.
6. Strengthening Daniel again, vs. 15-19.
a. Analyzing the angel's second touch, vs. 15-16, Isa. 6:7.
b. Yet another strengthening touch, vs. 17-19, Josh. 1:6.
7. Revealing the Secret Battle, vs. 20-21.
a. The urgency of the revelation, vs. 20.
b. The importance of the revelation, vs. 21, Rev. 5:1.
III. Application
A. The biblical record of spiritual warfare.
B. The mystery of the nature of spiritual warfare.
C. Cluelessness concerning the existence of spiritual warfare.
1. The black death.
2. Misinterpreting current events.
D. Armies organized against the church.
E. Comfort in the turmoil.
F. Our great defense: prayer.
IV. Conclusion
