The Old Testament Book of Daniel is full of prophecies of the secular world that were later fulfilled. Daniel, as a young Jew, in 605 B.C. was taken into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon. Jerusalem fell to a Babylonian siege in 586 B.C.. The ruler of Babylon was Nebuchadnezzar, who had a dream one night, and only Daniel could interpret the dream, after which Daniel was elevated in power. Later in Daniel's life in 534 B.C. (two years after the return of some Jews in captivity to Jerusalem). Daniel was again moved to prayer in chapter 9 and in chapter 10. "God...showed some realities of the unseen world---conflicts going on between superhuman intelligences, good and bad, in their effort to control the movements of nations." (Comfort: 405). The purpose of Satan in those times was to stop the first appearance of Jesus. In today's world Satan in my opinion has a mission to keep a veil of deception over the world's people to block the propagation of the Christian faith.
Daniel's prayers were received in Heaven immediately and an angel was sent down, but was held back and the Archangel Gabriel, guardian angel of Israel, was sent as reinforcement to join a "'...fight with the prince of Persia" (Daniel 10:20). This supernatural conflict between God's angels and a negative spirit indicates the possibility "...that Satan, who is 'the prince of the power of the air' (Eph.2:2) may well have his demons currently indwelling world rulers, attempting to thwart the plans of God for mankind. This scene should alert all believers that we are indeed in a great spiritual conflict in which we need to walk holy before God in order to enjoy his supernatural protection." (Lahaye: 915).
As individuals we are subject to domination and infiltration by Satan's demons, if we have unconfessed sin and unforgiveness toward others. We are indeed in a massive spiritual battle for our own soul and spirit. Every day in the secular world we are engaged in a personal war of good versus evil. This battle is an actual war! "The war in which we are involved is with the demonic realm...The Bible says that we 'wrestle' against demonic forces (see Eph. 6;12)...This is a spiritual battle for your life. You aren't the enemy, but the Bible says that you have been taken captive by him (see 2 Tim. 2:26) and that Satan has blinded your mind (see 2 Cor. 4:4)." (Evidence: 1217). This is the key issue in the world for every single being. Do we believe that Jesus is the Son of God, crucified on a cross as a sacrifice for all of us, and if, we accept that, then we have won the ultimate personal battle and the earthly war and will have eternal life.
References: Halley, Henry H. Halley's Bible Handbook (NIV). Zondervan: Grand Rapids, MI. 2007.
Lahaye, Tim. Prophecy Study Bible (KJV). Power Publishing. Korea.
Comfort, Ray. (Commentary). The Evidence Bible (NKJV). Bridge-Logos:Alachua, FL. 2011.
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