Whenever the subject of angels is discussed, someone always brings up the incident in Daniel where an angel was hindered by a demonic principality. People wonder if our angels can be held up in this manner.

Before we answer that, let us look at the passage of Scripture in question.

In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.

I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel; Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man, clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:

His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude (Dan. 10:2-6).

After three weeks of fasting and waiting for an answer, Daniel finally experienced a breakthrough. Suddenly, he was visited by an angel. The appearance of this awesome and powerful "man" is a far cry from the images of chubby little children the world has envisioned as angels!

"And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright; for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling" (Dan. 10:11).

After Daniel pulled himself together, the angel explained why it had taken three weeks for Daniel to receive his answer.

"Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words" (Dan. 10:12).

Notice two things about the angel's words to Daniel:

Firstly, he told Daniel, in essence, "I have arrived in response to your words."

This confirms what we have seen elsewhere in the Bible, angels listen to your words. When you speak covenant words of faith, angels leap into action.

Secondly, the angel told Daniel when he responded to Daniel's words, and that was the very first day he prayed. So why did it take three weeks for the angel to get to Daniel? The answer is in the very next verse.

"But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and 20 days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia" (Dan. 10:13).

This "prince of the kingdom of Persia" is a demonic principality. It resisted the angel, and they struggled for 21 days. Finally, the archangel Michael came in and helped the angel break through.

Can demonic powers hinder the angels of God like that now? No way! Satan was stripped of his authority in the spirit realm when Jesus defeated him, conquering death, hell, and the grave.

"And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it" (Col. 2:15).

"Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him" (1 Peter 1:22).

It is a whole new ballgame since Jesus took his seat at the right hand of the Father. All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus. As a result, the angels of God operate unhindered and unchallenged for those who speak God's Words of promise.

Source: Uprooting The Spirit Of Fear by Creflo A. Dollar Jr..
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishing