INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PRAYER–KC MIKE BICKLE

END TIMES RESOURCES

Overview of Daniel 10: How Intercession Affects the Spirit Realm

I.    INTRODUCTION TO DANIEL 10

A.    Daniel 10 gives us insight into what happens in the spirit realm when we pray. We see the impact that Daniel’s intercession had on governmental structures in both the spirit and natural realm.

B.    There are angelic and demonic authority structures over cities and nations.

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Eph. 6:12)

C.    Natural governmental leaders and their infrastructures are greatly affected by angels and demons. Behind every national government there is an angelic and demonic authority structure in conflict with each other. The result of their conflict impacts the decisions that human leaders make.

1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. (Prov. 21:1)

1 I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions…be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life… (1 Tim. 2:1-2)

II.    OVERVIEW OF DANIEL 10

A.    Daniel prayed with fasting for 3 weeks to affect the international events related to Israel. He was about 85 years old and he lived in Babylon (modern day Iraq). The Babylonian empire had been conquered by the king of Persia (modern day Iran) three years earlier in 536 BC (Dan. 10:1).

1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia (536 BC) a message was revealed to Daniel…2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. 3 I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth…till three whole weeks were fulfilled. (Dan. 10:1-3)

B.    Daniel saw a high ranking angel similar to the angel that John saw (Rev. 10:1).

4 I was by the side of the great river, that is, the Tigris…5 Behold, a certain man (angel) clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold…6 His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude. 7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. 8 Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength. 9 Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground. 10 Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees…11 And he said to me, "O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you." While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling. (Dan. 10:4-11)

C.    Daniel understood the angelic and demonic powers working behind the scenes to affect the king of Persia. He saw the demonic prince (principality) over Persia warring against Israel by seeking to stir up the king of Persia against Israel (Dan. 10:13, 20-21). The angel came because of Daniel’s prayer (Dan. 10:12). If Daniel had not prayed, the two angels would not have come.

12 He (the angel) said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. 13 But the prince (demonic prince) of the kingdom of Persia withstood me 21 days; and behold, Michael (archangel), one of the chief princes (chief angel or archangel), came to help me, for I had been left alone (without another high ranking angel) there with the kings of Persia.” 14 I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come." (Dan. 10:12-14)

D.    Even the mighty angel could not overpower this prince of Persia without help from Michael.

20 Then he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come. 21 But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.” 11:1 "Also in the first year of Darius the Mede (538 BC, two years earlier), I, even I, stood up to confirm and strengthen him (Michael). (Dan. 10:20-11:1)

E.    Why did the angel come to Daniel (v. 20)? He came to aid Israel in fighting against the prince of Persia and to give Daniel prophetic insight into Israel’s future (Dan. 11-12). Michael has been entrusted with protecting Israel. No one except Michael had the ability to help this angel. He is called a prince by Daniel (Dan. 10:21; 12:1) and an archangel by Jude (Jude 9).

F.    Before giving the details of Dan. 11, more parenthetical information was given. The first year of Darius was 538 BC (or two years earlier than this current vision). The angel's unusual authority is seen in his strengthening Michael, but Daniel does not explain how. This occurred in the first year of Darius’ reign when Babylon fell (Dan. 5) when the "seventy weeks" prophecy was given to Daniel (Dan. 9). This is when the decree of Cyrus was given to release the Jews to return to Jerusalem (Dan. 9:1). Michael’s involvement implies that it involved Israel's destiny and danger. The demonic principality of Persia (Iran) who resisted this angel is still very powerful today.

G.    In the end times, Michael will again stand up to help Israel. He will do it in response to prayer.

1 At that time (Antichrist’s reign of terror on earth Dan. 11:36-45) Michael shall stand up, the great prince (archangel) who stands watch over the sons of your people (Israel); and there shall be a time of trouble (Great Tribulation), such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And at that time your people (Israel) shall be delivered... (Dan. 12:1)

7 War broke out in heaven: Michael (archangel) and his angels fought with the dragon (Satan); and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. 9 The great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan…he was cast to the earth, and his angels (demons) were cast out with him…12 Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time." (Rev. 12:7-12)