Angels & Demons

In Chapter 10 of Daniel, he is about to have a massive vision, but the setup is important because it gives us a glimpse into the angelic realm—an open window to the unseen world.

Cyrus had allowed the exiles to return to Jerusalem, but Daniel was suffering and praying for them as he heard of the hard time they were having. For three weeks, he relentlessly asked God for mercy. Suddenly, he saw a man dressed in linen, the outfit of the priesthood, but he was far more than a man. He was bright like lightning, and his voice sounded like a crowd. Daniel had a hard time grasping what he saw in a way he could articulate. The men with him could not see what was happening but could feel its power and ran. The encounter was so overwhelming that Daniel passed out.

A hand touched him and set him back up. He told Daniel that he was sent from Heaven because of Daniel’s prayers. How his prayers moved Heaven is a mystery—but it happened. Why did it take twenty-one days to get there when the last time an angel showed up mid-prayer? Because he was withstood by the Prince of Persia and needed Michael, who was also a Prince, to help him fight. Daniel was praying for something personal and political, but an agent from Heaven was sent to address the spiritual opposition. When Daniel heard this, he fell again.

Daniel was strengthened again, and the angel told him more about what would come. He didn’t stay long because he had to get back to continue the fight with the Prince of Persia. There is also a Prince over Greece, and the Prince over Daniel’s people is Michael.

Only two angels are mentioned by name in the Bible: Gabriel, who proclaims messages, and Michael, who is always in a fight of some sort. Jude talks about Michael and calls him the Archangel, meaning he’s the first, preeminent, and top. This lets us know there is a hierarchy in the supernatural. In Revelation 12, Michael leads his angels in a fight against the dragon. It’s interesting that in Daniel, he is called a Prince because that denotes he is a ruler. He is an archangel, not just over angels but Daniel’s people. So, when the Prince of Persia and Greece are mentioned, we know that spiritual authorities in the supernatural realm are somehow connected to state power.

There are supernatural beings throughout the Bible. They rejoice at creation and are associated with earthly powers. They are ministering spirits to do God’s will but are bit characters. They pop in and out to move the plot along in the Bible.

Isaiah 24:22 teaches that not only will there be a day of judgment for earthly powers who use their power to hurt people, but the same is true for heavenly powers with earthly connections that did the same thing. Isaiah 14:12-15 starts by talking about the King of Babylon but then switches to discussing Daystar, Son of the Dawn, a beautiful star in Heaven that fell. Ezekiel 28:12-16 starts with the King of Tyre but ends with a casting down. Satan was cast down when he said he would be like God.

So, what do we do with evil? The Bible offers the most satisfying answer. We don’t decide what’s evil by vote. We believe in a holy standard at the foundation of all things above any earthly power. Evil is not equal to good; it’s a distortion and a parasite. There is a good God, and He is holy; spiritual forces rebelled against Him, so there is a present spiritual darkness. Satan means adversary; the devil means accuser. He does have power and is the origin of sin. The original sin is pride. We want things our way. Multiple verses say we are children of the devil if we haven’t put our faith in Jesus.

The goal of spiritual darkness is to oppose the work of God and oppose the people God made. He does this through deception, which is meant for destruction. You were made in the image of God, and the devil loves to distort and destroy the image in you.

God’s solution for our problem with Satan is to send us a Savior. 1 John 3:8 spells it out plainly. Jesus came to destroy the devil; we can’t do this in our power. Jesus did it all for us. The only weapon that the Devil has against you is the accusation that you’re a sinner. Jesus, who had no sin, became sin for us, taking our penalty. He disarmed the rulers and authorities with HIs death and resurrection. There is no power greater than Jesus.

So, how do we overcome the devil's temptation? We answer with God’s word and pray. Your power comes in Christ and Christ alone.