In Heavenly Places

IN HEAVENLY PLACES

Read Daniel 10:1-21

Read Daniel 10:1-21

The prince of Persia withstood me for twenty-one days. Daniel 10:13

In his letter to the Church in Ephesus, the Apostle Paul informs the saints about the reality of spiritual warfare and the nature of the opposition the Church and each Christian faces:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Eph. 6:10-12)

These spiritual forces in the heavenly places (i.e., the spiritual realm of angels and the invisible but real dimension of the cosmos) wage a war against the Kingdom of God on several fronts. They harass and oppress individual believers, they attempt to deceive and discourage the Church and they lead astray the nations of the earth.

Angelology (the study of angels) has long debated over whether or not believers have assigned to each of them a “guardian angel.” Historically, the Church has believed this is so. I hold that view. We know that Churches have angels assigned to guard and preserve them. These angels are mentioned in Revelation 2 and 3. The word “messenger” in most English texts is really the Greek word angelos, rendered either “angel” or “messenger.” The English Standard Version translates it literally (“angel”), and is one of the few English translations unafraid to render the Greek in that manner.

In Daniel 10, we meet an even more startling revelation about angels. It appears that powerful angels––both holy and fallen––are assigned to nations by God to preserve them and by Satan to pervert them. In a massive vision that spreads from Daniel 10:1 to the end of the book, the prophet learns that “the prince of Persia” grappled with a heavenly messenger until Michael, the archangel, who is also the guardian of Israel (12:1), came to break the stalemate and release the messenger to speak to Daniel (10:10-14).

The Scripture seems to allude to some order of rank, power and glory among the angels. Lucifer, the devil and Satan, was a cherub in the angelic ranks, the “Son of the Dawn” or the “Day Star,” as he is called in Isaiah 14:12. Michael, the archangel, is the commander of the heavenly ranks of angels (Revelation 12:7). Then came the cherubim to carry the throne of God; followed by the seraphim to guard the throne of God; then “rulers” (principalities), “authorities” (powers) and “cosmic powers” (forces) seen in Ephesians 3:10 and 6:12. Last in line would likely be the “messengers” (like Gabriel and the “man” of Daniel 10), the “angels of the churches” (Revelation 2 and 3), and “guardian angels” especially of children, and the ones who aid us unseen or unknown (Hebrews 13:2).

Here is the sobering reality of life: As we pray, worship, work, witness and go about our daily lives as God’s people in the world, angelic forces fight all around us––from the White House, to your house of worship, to the nursery in your home. God’s heavenly forces are there to protect and preserve you, to strengthen and encourage you, and to push forward the Kingdom of God against evil’s spiritual forces.

The first Psalm in the Bible (Exodus 15) calls God “a Warrior” (in the ESV “a man of war;” Ex. 15:3). And with the Lord of Hosts (armies) goes forth the legions of angels from Michael to the guardian of the crib. We are not in this alone. Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world, and great is His army of heavenly watchers He sends to our aid. Praise the Lord for our powerful friends in heavenly places!

PRAYING FOR THE PCA

AC: Pray for the Administrative Committee office staff: Bob Fiol, Assistant to the Stated Clerk; Angela Nantz, Operations Manager; Sherry Eschenberg, Meeting Planner; Priscilla Lowrey, Documents manager; Susan Cullen; Monica Johnston; Peggy Little; Ashley Cloud; Carla Schwartz; and Jeanne Dunham. Ask that in the day-to-day work of the Stated Clerk’s office each will demonstrate the mind of Christ.

CTS: Remember Covenant Seminary graduates serving as missionaries and church planters around the globe, especially those in areas that are actively hostile to Christianity, and pray that they will reflect the character of Christ in all they do, drawing many to eternal life in Him.

MTW: Pray that God will continue to bless and protect new believers, protect them from false teaching and cultural pressures, give them courage in persecution and bring them to maturity as disciples

RUM: Please pray for the RUF groups that continue holding meetings during the summer months. Pray that this unique opportunity to minister will be a time of fellowship and learning for those who remain on campus.

RBI: A number of our PCA churches have limited financial resources for providing benefits for their pastors and staff. Please pray that these congregations may be able to adequately supply their pastor’s compensation and benefits, especially during the difficult economic times.