DANIEL REVEALS A GLIMPSE INTO SPIRITUAL RULERS OF EMPIRES
Did you ever ask yourself why there is so much EVIL AND CHAOS IN HISTORY? God gives us just a brief glimpse into this dark spiritual world resisting God's messenger, Daniel, and it is very revealing.
Daniel 9:19-22, “O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name. 20 Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel…while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel…being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering. 22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, ‘O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand.’” (NKJV)
He wanted God to forgive his nation and return them home to Jerusalem. God gave him that information and a lot more. After that, notice the resistance the messenger angel receives from the dark empire’s spiritual dictators.
Daniel 10:12-13, “Then he 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 of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.’”
Clearly a spiritual struggle had delayed a messenger from God by the demon empire that ran the Persian human empire. Whoa! This is shocking. Did they fight with energy swords ? The angel messenger from God had to call on the archangel Michael who stands for Israel to break free to reach the prophet.
Daniel 10:20-21, “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 …(No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.’”
Who was really behind the bloody wars between the Persian and Greek Empires? The demonic powers were really calling the shots. Human beings are sometimes the proxy warriors of the demons. Regardless of ultimate outcome, the demons enjoy getting people to kill each other. Look at events like WWI. It was as if no matter how hard the diplomats tried in the summer of 1914 to avoid a world wide war, it happened anyway. What people cannot see is the spiritual power’s influence upon carnal human beings.
FALLEN DEMONS ARE DANGEROUS AND TO BE AVOIDED
Paul warns of overconfidence and disregarding the dangers of demons. Some in Corinth were even going to pagan temples to eat. Cheap meat was available! They knew that the pagan gods were nothing –– an idol statue had no power.Yet, Paul warns the strong Christians to not get too close to the flame.
1 Corinthians 8:1-4 , “Concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies… concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.” (NKJV)
Pagan revelry, idolatry and the occult are contaminated with dangerous demons. I know of a man who started a long-running conversation with the demon in a possessed person because he was spiritually “strong” enough. He had to spend three weeks in a mental facility after a nervous breakdown for his efforts!
1 Corinthians 8:10-11, “For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? 11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?”
Paul states that the newer brethren with a rich pagan background may be lost to demonic influences. Therefore, set a good example of avoiding pagan demonic venues. He warns about what really lies behind much of worldly pagan systems.
1 Corinthians 10:19-21, “What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons.”
Satan and his minions are very subtle and deceptive. They can use religion to mislead people as well as the openly occult. Satan wishes to be worshiped.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.”
Deceiving the non-pagan world is also an objective of the evil spiritual empires. Daniel also predicts great deception at the end of this age.
Daniel 11:29-32, “…therefore he shall be grieved, and return in rage against the holy covenant, and do damage. So he shall return and show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant. 31 And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation. 32 Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong…”
Some who should know better will be deceived by lies and flattery and others will be strong for the truth. Read also II Thess. 2:4 and Matt. 24:15.
ISSUES
WHAT PERCENTAGE OF MEDIA OF ALL TYPES ARE BEING CONTAMINATED BY DEMONIC POWERS ?
IS SOCIAL MEDIA WITH ANONYMITY THE WORSE ?
