Introduction: In Lesson 7 of this series we discussed how
the two trees of Eden and the test of Job were agreed-upon
contests between God and Satan. They had “rules of
engagement.” What does that mean for us? Are Satan and his
fallen angels allowed to directly engage us? If so, are we
in denial about this? One of my best friends in law school
was a Methodist minister. It was a delight to discuss the
Bible with him. Decades later he read something I wrote
about those who are enemies of the gospel. I might have
mentioned “demonic.” He thought I had gone too far. I
should not label those who disagree “enemies” or “demonic.”
My old friend is a very smart man, and he is not the only
one to suggest caution to me. But is he in denial? How
should we view the opposition? This week our study of the
Bible takes us behind the curtain to reveal the true nature
of the cosmic conflict. Let’s dive into our study and see
what the Bible teaches!
I. Tossed Out of Heaven
A. Read Revelation 12:7-8. Do you think this was a
physical war? (It sure sounds like it.)
B. Read Revelation 12:9. Where are Satan and his
fallen angels now? (On earth with us.)
C. Read Revelation 12:12. What is the bad news for
us? (Woe! We have an angry Satan who is motivated
by the short time he has available for his work.)
D. Read Revelation 12:17. Who is the target of the
work of Satan and his demons? (Those in the church
who take the Bible and their relationship with
Jesus seriously.)
E. Is it fair to call our opponents “demonic?”
II. Understanding the True Nature of the Conflict
A. Read 1 Corinthians 10:19-21. Paul has been
discussing the Christian life, and he turns to the
topic of pagan sacrifices to idols. What does Paul
say is the nature of idols? (He says that they are
nothing and that sacrificing to them is nothing.)
1. Why then does Paul even discuss the topic?
(Because the real issue is participating “with
demons.”)
B. Let’s discuss this. If an opponent of the gospel
promotes something you know is wrong or perhaps
merely silly, is that promotion “demonic?” (Yes.
The person is not a demon (those are fallen
angels), but their position promotes the demonic
side of the cosmic conflict.)
III. Wrestling
A. Read Ephesians 6:10-12. What does this tell us
that Christians are up against? (“Cosmic powers.”
“Spiritual forces of evil.” Once again Paul wants
us to know the dangerous nature of our opponents.)
1. How can we possibly stand against demons
(fallen angels)? (Read again Ephesians 6:10.
We stand in the strength of God.)
B. Read Ephesians 6:17-18, what specific steps can we
take to fight against such fearsome opponents?
(The Bible, the Holy Spirit, and prayer.)
IV. Celestial Travel
A. Read Daniel 10:1-3. Has Daniel received a positive
message in his vision? (No. He understood the
vision and it made him mourn.)
B. Read Daniel 10:4-5. When did this vision begin?
(It began on the 24th day of the month. That means
for more than three weeks Daniel was fasting and
in mourning because of the message of the vision.
And after those three weeks Daniel saw another
vision.)
C. Skip down to Daniel 10:8-11. We will skip the
content of the second vision because it is not our
focus, but Daniel has a negative reaction to the
second vision as well. What is happening to
encourage Daniel? (Someone has been “sent” to
speak with Daniel because he is “greatly
beloved.”)
D. Read Daniel 10:12. Who is hearing Daniel’s words?
(The suggestion is that God heard Daniel’s words
and sent this messenger from heaven.)
E. Skip down and read Daniel 10:18. What does this
tell us about the messenger that is giving Daniel
strength? (He was not a human. But he had the
“appearance of a man.” His mere touch was able to
strengthen Daniel.)
F. Now let’s turn to this supernatural messenger’s
trip to see Daniel. Read Daniel 10:13-14. How long
has the messenger been delayed? (Three weeks.
Heaven immediately dispatched this messenger to
come to Daniel, but the trip was delayed for three
weeks because the “prince of the kingdom of Persia
withstood” the messenger.)
1. Who is this heavenly messenger? (Read
Daniel 9:20-23. In the previous chapter the messenger
is identified as the angel Gabriel. While
Daniel 10 does not specifically identify the
one bringing the message to Daniel, it is
reasonable to conclude this is still Gabriel.)
2. Who is the prince of the kingdom of Persia who
has “withstood” Gabriel for three weeks? (Read
again Daniel 10:1 This tells us that Cyrus was
the King of Persia.)
G. Let’s go back to Daniel 10:13. Is it possible that
an earthly king could delay a heavenly messenger
on a trip from heaven to see Daniel? Could a
human wrestle Gabriel for three weeks?(The answer
to both questions is “No.” My original draft of
this study explored in detail Bible texts on who
is the Persian Prince and who is Michael. We do
not have the space for that complicated
discussion, so I will simply recite my conclusion
that the Persian Prince is either Satan or one of
his chief lieutenants and Michael is either Jesus
or an archangel.)
H. What does the identification of the cast of
characters tell us about the “rules of engagement”
when it comes to helping out poor old Daniel? (It
tells us that the supernatural is heavily involved
in human struggles. Just like us Daniel needed
help. This account shows that Satan has the
ability to slow aid coming to God’s followers.)
V. Human Limitations
A. Read Job 1:9-12. In Lesson 7 we studied this part
of the story of Job. What is the impact of the
supernatural on Job’s life? (Devastating. And the
worst part is that Job has no idea that Satan is
his immediate foe. Job is standing as God’s hero,
Satan is trying to take Job down, and Job does not
understand the “rules of engagement.”)
1. How would Job’s reaction have been different
if he understood that Satan was attacking him
because of his righteousness? What if Job
understood that he was God’s champion in this
battle? (It would have completely reversed
Job’s attitude. He would have known that Satan
was his enemy, not God. He would have taken
courage in the obvious importance of God’s
trust in him.)
B. Read Mark 6:1-3. What is the attitude of the
people who lived in Jesus’ hometown? (They are not
only skeptical, they take offense because they
believe He is falsely claiming access to the power
of God.)
C. Read Mark 6:4-6. To what degree did the attitude
of the local people tie Jesus’ hands in performing
supernatural miracles?
D. What does Job’s lack of knowledge and the unbelief
of the hometown locals teach us? (It is critical
to understand the nature of the players and the
rules of engagement. If we think that the
opposition is simply ignorant, bigoted pagans, we
badly misunderstand the rules of engagement.)
E. Read Matthew 5:43-45. How then should we treat
those who are agents for demons? (This is another
critical rule of engagement. We cannot defeat
demons on our own. Only God has that power. We
should show “common grace” love(rain and sun on
the good and bad) to our enemies, but we should
not for a minute believe that the opposition is,
like offerings to idols, nothing. The opposition
is not benign.)
F. Friend, will you trust that the power of heaven is
supporting you and that your opposition is the
angry and terrible Satan and his fallen angels? If
you do, then you will take seriously the cosmic
conflict of which we are a part. Choose wisely!
VI. Next week: What More Could I Have Done?
Copr. 2025, Bruce N. Cameron, J.D. Scripture quotations are
from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard
Version ), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing
ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All
rights reserved. Suggested answers are found within
parentheses. If you normally receive this lesson by e-mail,
but it is lost one week, you can find it by clicking on this
link: http://www.GoBible.org. Pray for the guidance of the
Holy Spirit as you study.
