Daniel, Persia, and Greece

by Asher Intrater

The prophet Daniel engaged in spiritual warfare that changed the course of history. After praying and fasting for 21 days the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said:

Daniel 10:12-13 – “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, but the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me 21 days; and behold Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me… Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.”

The process of spiritual warfare started with Daniel humbling himself and studying the Scriptures to find out God’s plan for Israel and the end times. This combination of humility, Scripture study, and God’s plan for Israel and the end times is the foundation for spiritual warfare in our generation as well.

There is a battle in the heavenlies between good angels and bad angels. In this case, the Angel of the Lord and Michael, a leading angel whose job is to protect Israel, are fighting against two leading bad angels, one called the prince of Persia and one called the prince of Greece.

Daniel 10:20 “I must return to fight with the prince of Persia, and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come.”

The prophet Daniel is not here today, but we are to stand in his place in prayer, fasting, and spiritual warfare. We must humble ourselves, study the Scriptures, understand the end times and understand God’s plan for Israel. The moment Daniel began to pray, angels went into action, yet continuous intercession was needed to cause a breakthrough. This same pattern holds true for us: prayer moves angels which change the world. But we must persevere.

In every nation there are also good and bad angels. The good angels are connected to the righteous remnant of faith; the bad angels are connected to the worldly powers of that nation. I believe that since there is a restored remnant of faith within Israel today, the role of Michael, the protecting angel of Israel, has renewed special importance.

So who are the leading bad angels, called Persia and Greece? My discernment is that the bad angel of Persia is the demonic prince leading Islamic extremism in the world today, and interesting enough, one of the key geographic centers of this spirit is in the regime of the ayatollahs in Iran, modern-day Persia. The prince of Greece seems to represent Western atheist humanism, and one of its centers of power is in the United Nations.

It is more than a coincidence that these two powers: Islamic extremism and the United Nations have concentrated their efforts in condemning Israel.

We are facing the same spiritual battle that Daniel faced. In fact the Angel of the Lord explicitly told him that the fullness of this battle would take place in the end times. Daniel is not here, but Michael, the prince of Persia, the prince of Greece, and all the other angels, both good and bad, are still here. The battle is the same.  (End) http://www.reviveisrael.org/2012/03-03-Daniel-Persia-and-Greece.html

To access more articles by Asher Intrater and the Revive Israel team or to find out more about the Ministries of Revive Israel, please go to www.reviveisrael.org

And we are here as well for such a time as this.  I encourage you to take a few moments today and pray for Israel and the Peace of Jerusalem.  Specifically pray that the meeting between our President and the Prime Minister of Israel today goes better than previous meetings.  And that our nation would stand courageously with the Nation of Israel.

Pastor Juan

A Call to Corporate Prayer for Israel

Dear Friends,

The Israeli government has reached a point where more and more the question is not whether there will be a war, but how it can prepare its citizens to survive it.  I invite you to partner with me in prayer beginning Monday, March 5th – Saturday, March 10th.                

It has recently become clear that the dangers are both greater and more                         immediate than previously thought. The chief of I.D.F. military intelligence, Aviv Kochavi, says that there are more than 200,000 rockets and missiles pointed at Israel. With advances in technology, those weapons have extended ranges of hundreds of kilometers; from their bases in Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza, they are capable of hitting targets anywhere within Israel. Because the missiles are more powerful and have greater targeting precision, they will result in much higher casualties than in past attacks.

The I.D.F. Intelligence Chief went on to say at the Herzliya Conference on Israel policy that Israel has “lost the battle to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.” According to the I.D.F., Iran has enough enriched enough uranium for four atomic bombs – more than what Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said he would need to “rid the world of the Zionist entity.”

Now Israel is struggling with whether to attempt to put off the threat of nuclear war a while longer by attacking the Iranian nuclear reactors. But any Israeli attack will surely be met by a hail of missiles from Iran and its allies in Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza. Home Front Defense Minister, Matan Vilnai, believes that will cause a complete breakdown in services, like fuel and electricity, as well as mass shortages in food and other necessities.

But, I thank God that together we have a chance to make a real difference.  Beginning Monday, March 5th – Saturday, March 10th will you set aside 5-15 minutes to pray? 

• ·         Pray for the meeting President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu will be having on Monday March 5th. 
• ·         Pray for the relationship between America’s and Israel’s leaders to be strong and unwavering.
• ·         Pray for Divine protection for Israel and Jewish people around the world.
• ·         Pray for the leaders of all the nations involved to have an encounter with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
• ·         Pray that as we bless Israel, God’s Word would be true and our nation will be blessed.
• ·         Consider sowing financially into Israel over and above your tithe and offerings.  Join Deidre and I every Sunday as we sow financial seed into ministries that bless Israel both in the State of Israel and here at home. 
• Join us on Saturday, March 10th at 9am@New Life Church to corporately pray for Israel.

 The Legend of Honi the “Circle Maker” has impacted my prayer life significantly.  During this 21 day fast I’m learning that bold prayers honor God and God honors bold prayers.  God isn’t offended by your biggest dreams or boldest prayers.  He is offended by anything less.  If your prayers aren’t impossible to you, they are insulting to God.  Why?  Because they don’t require divine intervention.

It’s imperative during this 21 day fasting journey that you come to terms with this simple yet life-changing truth: God is for you.  If you don’t believe that, then you’ll pray small timid prayers.  If you do believe it, then you’ll pray big audacious prayers.  And one way or the other, Your small timid prayers or your big audacious prayers will change the trajectory of your life and turn you into two totally different people.

Prayers are prophecies.  They are the best predictors of your spiritual future.  Who you become is determined by how you pray.  Ultimately, the transcript of your  prayers becomes the script of your life.

During this fast determine to answer the question that I believe God is asking you: “What do you want me to do for you?”  Be specific.  Be bold.  Be amazed at what God will do as you begin to infuse faith into your prayers.  I am believing with you for great breakthrough and miracles this year.  Remember, If God be for you, then who can be against you!  Pray circles around your biggest dreams and greatest fears and watch what God will do!

(adapted from Mark Batterson’s book: The Circle Maker)

GOD SEES THE HEART

Hello to my fasting family.  I am so excited to  connect with you today, Day 6.  I know the audience of readers includes  those who have been on the 21 day fasting journey from the beginning,  some who jumped on board recently, some who  feel you’ve failed because you stopped somewhere along the way, and  possibly some who are reading today and haven’t even started the fast –  perhaps just checking this fasting thing out.  To every person reading,  welcome.

Fasting is an amazing and wonderful element of  the Christian walk.  Our corporate 21 day fast is set at the beginning  of the year as a driver to set the course for our entire year.  I like  to think of it as a foundation set in place.   Deidre and I have participated in a fast every year for the last ten years or more, and we have seen the fruit of  fasting in our lives.  Fasting is one of the most powerful tools  available for miracles and breakthroughs.

Fasting does not always make sense to the logical  thinker.  That is because fasting is a God-breathed announcement of  Wisdom for our lives.  In Proverbs chapter eight, we hear Wisdom  calling.  I can tell you the most prosperous paths  I have taken have not come from logic; they have come from the call of  Wisdom saying, “Walk this way.”  Our bodies will say, “I see no point in  not eating what I want.”  But Wisdom will instruct, “Press on.”  Wisdom  is that voice that says, “There is a greater  purpose at work!  Don’t give up!”  Proverbs 8:22 tells us that Wisdom  was brought forth by the Lord as the first of His works, before His  deeds of old.  If God had Wisdom present as a necessary foundation for  creation, we certainly must do the same.  Wisdom  tells us that He has “worthy things to say,” instruction to follow,  straight paths that will guide us to blessing.  He will guide us to  durable riches, not financial only, but the enduring prosperity of life  for you and your family.  Wisdom says, “My fruit is better  than fine gold.”  I know to be true that heeding the voice of Wisdom to  fast has yielded a great reward for my family,  of greater value than anything we could desire.

As you fast today, know this:  God sees your  heart.  I referenced several groups within the fasting audience.   Whether you have been moving forward with great zeal, or whether you  feel you’ve failed and missed the mark, or even if you  haven’t joined the fast up to this point, GOD WILL SEE YOUR HEART THESE  LAST TWELVE DAYS.  Begin today with a new resolve that says, “I WILL  listen to Wisdom as He says, ‘Make this a walk of simple faith –  that if you seek God and surrender to Him during  this time of fasting, He will be faithful to move on your behalf.’”

In closing I want to take one final look at  Proverbs chapter eight.  When Wisdom tells us He was with God in the  beginning as He “set the heavens in place… gave the sea its boundary,”  Wisdom says, “I was filled with delight day after  day, rejoicing always in His presence.”  How many have had a difficult  and possibly devastating 2011, and long to be filled with delight again  in your relationship with the Lord and in life in general?  This is the  FOUNDATION that will set that tone throughout  2011 as you give of yourself with the purpose of seeking God for a  closer daily existence with Him.  Remember, He sees your heart!

Looking forward to seeing many of you on Sunday!

IF THIS, THEN THAT

First and foremost I want to say thank you for joining our 21Day Fast 2012! As we continue on our fast I want to encourage you with quick thought. Number one is to make sure that as we fast we increase our time of prayer and devotion to the Lord. Fasting without increased prayer is simply a diet! And as we seek God’s face in prayer combined with fasting we can be confident that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him! (Hebrews 11:6) I believe that we serve an “If this, then that” kind of God.  What do I mean by that?  Well it would be like this, if you practice playing football for 3 hours a day for the next 5 years then you will be a better football player than you were today. Seems simple, and yes obvious but often times we miss this simple principle in our walk with God. We tend to want the blessings of God, the direction for our lives from God, the divine intervention of the spirit of God to just drop into our laps while we sit idly by and do nothing. If we are waiting on things to fall in our lap, we need to grab some snacks and a pillow because we are gonna be there for a long time. I hear people say you don’t have to do anything to be saved and I strongly disagree.  Even on the topic of salvation I believe our God to be an ‘If this, then that” kind of God.  The Bible is very clear, we will never be good enough to earn salvation and that even on our best day, our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). However the Bible is also very clear that it does take action on our part to receive salvation.  The Word declares in Romans 10:9 “if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”  If you believe and confess, then you will be saved!  Matthew 7:7 says “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”  Therefore it seems to me that if you do not knock it will not be opened, if you do not seek then you will not find, and if you do not ask, you will not receive.  So as we continue to fast I encourage and exhort you, seek the Lord more than ever before, pray and know that our God hears you. I love what the Word says in 2 Chronicles 7:14. “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” This is a direct promise from God for his people.  Humble yourself, seek His face, pray, and turn from your wicked ways, and THEN God will hear us, forgive our sin, and heal our land. As we fast and pray, humble yourselves with an understanding that without God we cannot make it.  He is the very giver of life and apart from Him we can do nothing. (John 15:5)  Pray and seek His face. Set aside time daily to commune with God, seeking His face not for what He can give you, but for who He is.  Seek His face, not His hand, and repent. Turn from your wicked ways and the Bible makes a promise. The promise is that God will hear from heaven and forgive our sin and heal our land. God I pray that as the body of Christ takes this time at the start of a new year to fast and pray that You would find humble and repentant hearts that are seeking your face not your hand. God I pray that your Word would prove itself true, that those who need healing in their bodies would receive it, those who need healing in relationships would receive it, those that need healing financially would be restored. God wherever your people need healing I pray and stand on Your word that we would receive it.  You are our God and apart from you we can do nothing, We thank You Lord for who you are, not what you can give us. We turn from our sin and into Your arms.  To God be the glory, in Jesus name. AMEN

Here we are day 3 of our 21-day fast.  We are excited and expecting to see God move in our lives in 2012 in great and mighty ways. The discipline of fasting releases the anointing, the favor, and the blessing of God in the life of a Christian. So if you are not content to go though this year the way you went through last year, you have made the right choice to join this fast. I am really looking forward to hearing the numerous testimonies that will come forth as a result of this fast, and I also look forward to blogging with you all on this 21-day journey.   I have a couple of thoughts I would like to share with you, and I pray they will be a blessing and a help to your life.

In Mathew 6:17 Jesus said “But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;” This scripture tells us that during the time of fasting two things shall take place. There is “washing” and there is “anointing”. Washing represents the removal of that which is not needed; it means to cleanse and remove dirt or stains. Know that when you fast you position yourself for spiritual cleansing. What are some things in your personal life that you are not pleased with? What are some mentalities and mindsets that you have been battling? What habits or even addictions are you struggling with that you just can’t seem to shake? Know that in this time of fasting you are in position for washing. You are in the right posture to allow the word of God and the Spirit of God to bring a fresh washing to you spiritually, mentally and physically. In Psalms 51:7 David said “Purge me with thy hyssop and I shall be clean: wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. (v) 10 Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me.”  If you desire to be washed afresh and see the struggles, the old habits and mindsets removed, read Psalms 51 the entire chapter and make it your prayer unto God during this time of fasting and watch what He does!
The second thing is there is “anointing”. “Washing” is a method of removal, but “anointing” is a method of applying. Know that during this time of fasting that not only can you expect God to wash and remove, but you can expect God to apply and anoint you with a fresh anointing for 2012. Understand that last years anointing is not sufficient enough for this year. In the book of Exodus the 16th chapter, God provided manna for the children of Israel daily. If they tried to keep the bread from the previous day it would rot. Daily they had to receive fresh manna from God, which signifies God wants to continue to do fresh and new things in our lives. Whether you are a pastor, a lay person, a business person, parents or single, regardless, we need a fresh anointing and God wants to give you one! In Mark 2:22 it says “and no one puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the bottles destroyed; but new wine is to be put in new (fresh) wineskins” (AMP). What you are doing during these 21 days of fasting is providing God with new skins so he can pour in new wine which represents the anointing! I am in agreement with you that God is not only going to bring forth a “washing”, but you shall receive a fresh “anointing” also for 2012!
I would encourage you to even take time during the fast and anoint yourself and your family with oil and go ahead and thank God in advance for a Fresh Anointing!

This Sunday January 8th we will begin our 21 days of Prayer & Fasting!  Deidre and I will be doing what’s called a “Daniel fast” as described in the scripture above.  A setting aside of 21 days to pray and seek God.  Abstaining from drink (other than water), meat, sweets and anything that is not a fruit, vegetable or from the earth (grains & nuts) that is not overly processed.

There are obvious physical benefits to this kind of fast.  The body will begin to cleanse itself of harmful toxins and the like.  However, our three-fold purpose while on this fast will be number one to draw closer to God.   I am looking forward to my time of solitude with God, praying, reading His word and hearing from heaven.  Secondly, we are praying circles around the big dreams we have in our hearts.  We are believing God for breakthrough in areas that need a God intervention.  Thirdly, we will be praying & fasting for souls.  This year God has given me a strategy to see hundreds of people come to know Him in our community.  These folks are your friends, relatives, neighbors and co-workers.  God loves them and I believe we are in the greatest season of harvest New Life has ever seen!

This Sunday we begin a 5 part series on evangelism titled, “Mission Possible”.   During this series you will understand God’s heart for the lost, be encouraged to be His voice, and receive practical tools to see friends and family come to know Jesus!

We will kick-off our Sunday evening service with a new 3 part series titled, “Plug into the Power of Prayer & Fasting”.  Here you will learn the valuable principle of seeking God at the beginning of your year through prayer & fasting.  We will walk you through in a very practical way how to have a successful 21 day fast.  Teach you the physical & spiritual benefits to that fast.  And, stand with you as you believe God for breakthrough in areas of your life.

We encourage you to pick up the book by Mark Batterson titled: “The Circle Maker” and Mahesh Chavda’s book, “The hidden power of prayer & fasting”.  These books along with time spent with God and in His word will help you through the next 21 days as we seek Him together.  Looking forward to experiencing God with you as we take this 21 day journey together!

There are different kinds of fasts, there are private fasts that you do privately, the Bible teaches that when you do it privately He will reward you openly.  But then in the Bible there are called or corporate fasts.  Times and situations that because of the unusual times sometimes you need to take unusual measures to meet the unusual times that your living in.  I believe that the greatest time to fast is at the beginning of the year.  Because it’s the Matthew 6:33 principle – “Seek first the kingdom of God and all of these things will be added unto you”  If you give God time at the beginning of the year, if you put God first He’ll do amazing things in your life.

Every assignment has a birthplace, and many of you are going to birth God’s assignment and God’s purpose in your life while you’re fasting and praying.

During this 21 Day Fast I will praying and fasting for three specific reasons and encouraging you to do the same.  The first reason is to draw closer to God.  Every time I fast I get closer to God.  If I didn’t give you any other reason to fast I just told you a powerful reason to just now.  Number 2 we are praying and fasting for the dreams that God has given us and see them come to pass.   God is for you!  If you believe this and internalize it as reality you will be well on your way to seeing all of God’s promises be realized in your life.  Finally, number 3 we are praying and fasting for souls.  I am believing God that as we pray and fast together for your loved one, friend, co-worker, folks in the community that don’t know Jesus, we are going to see hundreds come to know Him this year.

Deidre and I will be doing a Daniel fast during the 21 Day Fast.  I will share in my next blog this week what this entails and how you too can be a part.  There are two books we are recommending to read during this time beside the bible of course.  The first is a new one by Mark Batterson titles “The Circle Maker” and secondly “The hidden power of prayer & fasting” by Mahesh Chavda.  Both of these are great tools to get you through the 21 day fast and will encourage you tremendously. 

You were redeemed…with the precious blood of Christ. 1Pe 1:18-19 NIV