Sunday: An Angel Delayed
Daily Lesson for Sunday 2nd of March 2025
As we have seen, the false “gods” of the nations were demons in disguise. And elsewhere we see evidence that demonic celestial rulers are sometimes behind earthly rulers. Even angelic agents sent by God can be opposed by the forces of the enemy.
Read Daniel 10:1-14, with special attention to verses 12, 13. What do these verses teach that is relevant to the cosmic conflict? What do you make of the angel sent by God being “withstood” for twenty-one days?
Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com
How could it be that an angel sent by God could be “withstood” for three weeks? Being all-powerful, God possessed the power to respond to Daniel immediately—that is, had He chosen to. If He exercised His power to do so, He could make an angel appear to Daniel right away. Yet, the angel sent by God was “withstood” by the “prince of the kingdom of Persia” for three entire weeks. What is going on here?
“For three weeks Gabriel wrestled with the powers of darkness, seeking to counteract the influences at work on the mind of Cyrus. . . . All that heaven could do in behalf of the people of God was done. The victory was finally gained; the forces of the enemy were held in check all the days of Cyrus, and all the days of his son Cambyses.”—Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings, p. 572.
In order for such a conflict to transpire, God must not be exercising all of His power. The enemy must be afforded some genuine freedom and power that is not removed capriciously but is restricted by some parameters known to both parties (the details of which are not revealed to us). It seems there must be parameters in the cosmic conflict that even God’s angels are operating within, which in the coming lessons will be referred to as the “rules of engagement.”
In a certain sense, understanding these limits might not be hard if we grasp the idea, already talked about, that God works only by love, and that love, not coercion, is the foundation of His government. This idea, that God works only through the principles emanating from love, can help us better understand the great controversy.
|
How have you experienced the limits of working only through the principles of love and not coercion? What lessons did you learn about the limits of power? |
(18)
It is sobering to note the magnitude and intensity of the ongoing warfare in the spiritual realm. This is vividly captured in Daniel chapter 10. The delayed angel in this chapter is likely to be Gabriel based on Daniel 8:16 and 9:2. This is likely to be one of the rarest passages in the Bible where two of the most high-ranking celestial beings (Gabriel and Michael) are collaboratively involved to accomplish God’s mission. Gabriel was delayed (Daniel 10:13) because of the intense spiritual warfare in the spirit realm, between the forces of God and demonic forces. Michael the Archangel, the chief warrior of God’s angels, came to assist Gabriel to complete his mission (Daniel 10:21, Jude 1:9). The work of demonic forces is real, intense and deadly (Ephesians 6:12). God’s angels are engaged in real combat to deliver the message of salvation to all inhabitants of the earth. Demonic forces are enraged about the salvation of mankind, and they are doing what they can to prevent it, but God’s forces will ultimately win.
Perhaps it might be helpful to highlight the roles of the two high-ranking celestial beings (Gabriel and Michael the Archangel).
Michael is the only angel in the Bible who is explicitly referred to as “archangel” (chief messenger) -Jude 1:9.
Michael – He is a warrior battling the Prince of Persia - Daniel 10:13
Michael – He protects God’s people - Daniel 12:1
Michael – He has great authority to contend with Satan - Jude 1:9
Michael – He leads God’s angelic army against Satan - Revelation 12:7-9
The name “Gabriel” means God is my strength. He is God’s main messenger in delivering key revelations about God’s plans. He is a cherub or seraph, part of God’s inner circle of messengers.
Gabriel – He provided an explanation to Daniel about end time prophesies - Daniel 8:16
Gabriel – He delivered 70 week prophesy about the coming of the Messiah - Daniel 9:21-23
Gabriel – He announced the birth of John the Baptist - Luke 1:11-20
Gabriel – He announced the birth of Jesus Christ - Luke 1:26-38
These two angelic beings show how God works to protect, guide, communicate, and save mankind. The cosmic battle is so intense that God involves His key messengers to support us, human beings who are so weak before the formidable enemy, Satan.
“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armour so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” – Ephesians 6: 11-12 (NLT)
I plead ignorance and claim trust when talking about the involvement of heavenly and demonic forces in the affairs of men.
Last year I visited a beautiful peaceful rainforest scenario in Queensland known as the Babinda Boulders. Water flows through a series of pools gently descending over smooth granite rocks. The whole area is surrounded by beautiful rainforests and the sounds of tropical birds echo through the trees. Yet Babinda has a well-deserved reputation of being a dangerous place. In the last 60 years, over twenty people have died swimming in the pools. The problem is that hidden between the rocks there are holes that act as surge chambers. If you slip into these holes the pressure of the water holds you there and you cannot escape. The surface looks calm and peaceful, but underneath there is a raging torrent.
What we see and experience in the battle between good and evil is just the surface, the visible interface, of the cosmic battle.
There is a lot happening behind the scenes that is not revealed to us.
It takes faith to anchor our hope and trust in God knowing that He is working out these hidden scenes for our good, just as He did in Daniel's vision!!!!!!
Answering the lesson’s question –
When trusting God explicitly, I found it actually liberating to know that there is a right way to interact with the people I encounter in my life. The encounter is no longer ruled or interfered with by my emotions, but rather directed conscientiously by thoughtfulness to find a way to establish common ground.
I find it of paramount importance to establish a non-confrontational tone in any type of communication - verbal, written, or through behavior. This is now my new focus when interacting with people in an non-supportive environment; start out with taking a deep breath.
Not only the angels, but we too have been given the tools to live our life expressing kindness and caring; it’s just buried under so much hurt and unforgiveness. I can be patient and kind, or, if the ‘temperature in the kitchen’ rises, I have the means to withdraw before tempers cause an explosion.
The adversary would love this, but God has shown us a better Way – His Way!
There are plenty of things surrounding us that we have no idea about. The great controversy between evil and good continues as a mystery. Lately, however, I have found dealing with teenagehood in the family quite challenging. In what spiritual phase are we, as a Church? When will we be able to face the reality of spiritual maturity and genuinely claim the Holy Spirit, which is needed to finish the works within ourselves so we can preach the return of the Lord around us with true impact?
Is it because the angel was using the principles of love why he was unable to overcome the evil angel? What principles then did Michael use to gain the victory immediately. Isn’t. Love a power too since God draws us with the cords of love?
I am not sure where you are coming from Kenny on this one. I am unable to surmise even. You maybe talking about limits of power. I can only surmise. Yet, Christ immediately gained the victory over the devil because , as He told His disciples, to cast out demons it takes a lot of prayer and fasting. He fasted in prayer for 40 days. During that time He was able to say no to turning rocks to bread. His strength was in His Father, partially because He was met with sustenance by Angels of God. Though it was difficult from the hunger stand point, He had another Help from above. He knew His mission, and He knew His Fathers will.
Matthew 4:3. I do believe that it was also the words of Satan that made Christ even more firm on His answer. “If You are God’s Son, command these stones to be made [loaves of] bread.” Again Christ knew His mission and what He wanted to do. Good example for us.
Absolutely. Love is a strong power, the issue then is do we reject that power of Love. I should hope not.
Good day my friend.
This passage is very interesting - there are a lot of things going on in it. However, I'm not sure that it's the best example of God being constrained by love, because ultimately God's purposes are achieved here. Satan's forces did get in the way of God's purposes for a time, but ultimately Michael (who we believe is Jesus) overcame them and Daniel received the message. I don't think it makes sense to say that it was love that ultimately led Michael to be successful here.
God is more powerful than Satan's forces and though He gives Satan some ability to work out his kingdom, God is always supreme and we know from the Bible that many times He does intervene to protect His people. Anytime He does this, He is to some extent limiting the free will of some entity.
We need to trust that how all this works is not known to us. We can know the broad strokes but not understand the specific details. And that's okay.
Hi Christina
Good point. Maybe it was love that was perservering to make sure Daniel got his answer. After all it was a prophetic answer! What makes us put up with what we put up with from our loved ones sometimes? Love isn't it?. However you have a great question.
Blessings
As I have studied these lessons thus far, I am deeply impressed with the almost insurmountable challenges God has in not only maintaining a kingdom here on earth, but expanding it, (in keeping within the law of his character.)
In 1952 during the Malayan emergency , General Sir Gerald Templer began a counter insurgency program which he termed, "Battle for the Hearts and Minds." This week's Lesson, "Rules of Engagement" outlines how this war is to be conducted within the power of individual free thought, and persuasion.
Last week's lesson gave us a term, "protoevangelium" (proto being a Greek term for first, foremost, earliest form of) and as we examine the battle for the hearts and minds of the cosmos, the point of contention always begins with that proto-sin, pride. I am struck at how close this cosmic conflict could have been only a threat of war, and not an actual conflict. Speaking of Lucifer, Ellen White writes:
"The time had come for a final decision: He must fully yield to the divine sovereignty or place himself in open rebellion. He had nearly reached the decision to return, but pride forbade him." Patriarchs & Prophets (P.P) page 39
Pride is that "point of the spear" sin from which all other sin finds entrance into the mind. Notice again how the tempter uses flattery to stoke the flames of pride on our first human mother, Eve" But the serpent continued, in a musical voice, with subtle praise of her surpassing loveliness; and his words were not displeasing." P.P 53 Oh how baleful is the the result of eating the fruit of pride. It must have been pride in his heart that led Cain to offer the fruit of his own hand, upon the alter of sacrifice, and his wounded pride at God's rejection that enraged him to kill his younger brother, Abel. (Genesis 4:1-8) We have all heard of the expression, "flattery will get you nowhere", but that is only true of the meek and humble, but to the proud, flattery can actually get you what you want. (See Daniel 6:6-9)