Daniel 10:12-14 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. 14 Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days [acharit hayamim (in the end of days), for the vision refers to many days yet to come.”
Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the world’s rulers, of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Make no mistake—the spirit of antisemitism is very much alive today. Yet this isn’t a new struggle. It is an ancient spiritual war that has been ongoing for thousands of years. As people worldwide celebrate Purim, recalling the Jewish people’s deliverance from Haman’s evil schemes that took place in the ancient Kingdom of Persia (Iran), we are reminded of a deeper reality: a spiritual conflict between heavenly powers and demonic principalities.
In Daniel’s time, this battle was clearly depicted as the Principality of Persia waged war against the angels of God, delaying Daniel’s answer to prayer for twenty-one days.
When the Apostle Paul wrote of our battle being not against flesh and blood but against spiritual principalities, I firmly believe he was recalling this ancient conflict revealed to Daniel. The very same spiritual enemy who opposed God’s people then continues to oppose Israel today.
When we witness this in the rhetoric and actions of modern-day Iranian leaders who openly call for Israel’s destruction, this is not just geopolitics; it’s the continuation of the spiritual war that was present in Esther’s day, a prophetic battle outlined long ago.
This ongoing struggle reaffirms the truth and power of our faith. The persistent hatred towards the Jewish people testifies to the existence of our God. The unrest and conflict we see today in the Middle East serve as undeniable evidence of Daniel’s prophecy unfolding before our eyes. Indeed, these are signs of the “acharit hayamim,” the end of days.
So let us grasp this truth clearly: the conflict Israel faces physically is, in reality, a spiritual war.
We have been divinely positioned, just like Esther, for such a time as this. (Esther 4:14) And like the sons of Issachar (1 Chronicles 12:32), who understood their times and knew precisely what Israel should do, we too must discern our role in God’s prophetic plan.
Let us rise boldly in this hour! Stand firm in prayer, passionately seeking God’s divine purposes for Israel and the Middle East. Remember, we have indeed been born for this very moment in history — for such a time as this!
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[worthy_plugins_devotion_single_body]Carl Armerding wrote a funny story in Moody Monthly, about his experience at the zoo. “As I stood there,” he said, “an attendant entered the cage through a door on the opposite side. He had nothing in his hands but a broom.
In my travels across the United States, I’ve come to a greater understanding of the racial divisions which seem to characterize much of the restlessness in America. While I was in Little Rock, Arkansas I spent time with a black pastor who was taught of the true legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. While historians will rightly record MLK as a civil rights leader, he was first and foremost a Baptist pastor, and was a biblical rights leader who saw that, in the Kingdom of God … there is NO RACE! That was the revelation which inspired MLK to speak out against the social injustice of his generation.
As we’ve been traveling across the United States, one of the messages we’ve been carrying is being a minister of reconciliation for bringing restoration of relationship between parties that have been divided and wounded.
As we’ve been traveling across the United States, the spiritual warfare is more tangible than ever before. Whereas years ago, it was done in secret, open, and public occult demonic activity is increasing in numerous places. We are facing principalities and powers in heavenly places and here on Earth, and we must fight as the saints of old, with the spiritual weapons of faith, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. And ultimately it IS His battle.
Samson is a powerful example of a man of God who won his battles over and over again because the Spirit of the Lord came upon him. Yet when he was finally defeated by Delilah's temptations he didn’t realize that the Lord had left him, so effective was the woman's spell...
When Saul was king of Israel, there were no giant slayers in their midst; so when Goliath stood against the armies of Israel, the Israelites trembled! There was, however, a young shepherd, whose intimate knowledge of His God inspired and empowered him to fight the evil giant, and defeat him.
An ancient story is told of a King of Spain who was to visit a poor country village. Upon hearing of his plan to visit them, the people seemed excited to offer a great celebration that would show their adoration and love for their king. But the villagers didn’t have much to offer.