Monday, March 17 – Daniel 10, 11

1. Why was Daniel in mourning for three weeks? (Daniel 10:2, 3)

2. What happened to Daniel physically when he saw Jesus? (Daniel 10:8)

3. How does the enemy defile the sanctuary with the abomination of desolation? (Daniel 11:31)

Daniel 10 begins with the account of the fourth vision in the book.

Daniel was distressed over the difficulties faced by those who had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. He was an elderly man, mourning and fasting. He was praying by the riverbank when he received the vision. He saw a heavenly being, whom we understand to be Jesus Himself, revealing the reason for these difficulties. There was a great spiritual conflict beyond the earthly and visible realm. It was not just about the king of Persia and the political interests of the nations; there was a spiritual battle at play. Spiritual forces were seeking to hinder God’s plan for His people.

As Paul says: “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.” (Ephesians 6:12)

In Daniel’s words: “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. But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.’” (Daniel 10:20, 21)

There are forces at work beyond what we can see or perceive. Supernatural forces influence and, in some cases, govern rulers and nations.

1. There is no other explanation for the massacres in today’s conflicts. The enemy is furious because he knows his time is short.

2. How else can the genocide of the Jews by Hitler be explained?

3. Or the wars in forgotten places like Yemen and Sudan that have lasted for years?

4. The enemy has led governments that have followed the directions of papal Rome.

5. Who inspired and led the Inquisition in Europe?

6. Who guided the establishment of the U.S. as a refuge for God’s people?

7. Who has subdued nations through atheistic communism?

8. Whose idea was nuclear weapons?

9. Who will be behind establishing the Sunday law in the U.S. and enforcing the mark of the beast?

10. In Revelation 7:1, four angels hold back the winds.

11. In Revelation 12, a great voice exclaims: “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.” (Revelation 12:12)
All these are examples of the spiritual battle taking place beyond the control and even the awareness of rulers.

“Thus the events of history are the product both of supernatural agencies and of human free choice. But the final outcome is God’s. In this chapter, as perhaps nowhere else in Scripture, the veil that separates heaven from earth is drawn aside, and the struggle between the powers of light and darkness is revealed.” — SDA Bible Commentary, Daniel 10:13

Daniel 11 is a more detailed explanation of the same prophetic periods covered in previous visions. There is no universal agreement among interpreters on the exact application of each prince and king mentioned, such as the king of the North and the king of the South. However, the overall picture is clear: The Lord is in control of history, the enemy is numerous and strong, and he attacks the sanctuary and God’s people, causing the “abomination of desolation,” but Michael fights for His people and will ultimately triumph.

“Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.” (Daniel 11:32)

What beautiful words! The enemy seduces with flattery, but those who know their God stand firm and “carry out great exploits”. “Carry out great exploits” refers to obedience amid trial, keeping the commandments, and fulfilling the mission of preaching.

The conflict goes beyond what humans can control or understand—beyond what even rulers can control or comprehend. The battle is fierce, but “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Victory is assured.

I pray that Daniel’s experience and words become ours: “Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. And he said, ‘O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!’ So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, ‘Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.’” (Daniel 11:18, 19)

May Jesus touch and strengthen you today.