August 7

August 7

Daniel & Gabriel's Visit re: Persia & Greece -- Michael the Archangel.

Today's Readings:

Reading 1: Daniel 10

Reading 2: Revelation 12:7-9

Reading 3: Daniel 12

So many believers, like Daniel's companions in chapter 10, have no idea that there is an unseen realm throughout our universe, where battles between good and evil, God and the devil, are fought.

Today we read the account of how precious Daniel is to God, and this seems to qualify him to get the inside scoop on what is going on in the spiritual realms. We also learn that there is a spirit prince over the kingdom where Daniel is a captive, just as there are spirit princes over territory in our world today. It seems that every earthly authority has a demonic stronghold associated with it.

These authorities are granted by satan in his role as the ruler of this world.

Revelation 12:7-9  (a "flashback" passage that sheds light on the motives and actions in the surrounding verses) tells us how God's archangels won the battle over satan in heaven, resulting in his fall to the earth. Later his authority is taken away by Jesus on the cross (which is why Jesus can say "all authority in heaven and earth has been given to me"). Today, satan is a defeated foe with a loud voice and a threatening, lying character, who is powerless to harm anyone who will ignore him. Soon he will be finally defeated, but in the meantime believers do well to avoid being deceived by him.

We have the truth of God's Word and the love of our heavenly Father, why would we listen to a defeated foe?

Have a great day!

Mark.