While Satan was striving to influence the highest powers in the kingdom of Medo-Persia to show disfavor to God's people, angels worked in behalf of the exiles. The controversy was one in which all heaven was interested. Through the prophet Daniel we are given a glimpse of this mighty struggle between the forces of good and the forces of evil. 572 For three weeks Gabriel wrestled with the powers of darkness, seeking to counteract the influences at work on the mind of Cyrus; and before the contest closed, Christ Himself came to Gabriel's aid. "The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days," Gabriel declares; "but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia." Daniel 10:13. All that heaven could do in behalf of the people of God was done. The victory was finally gained; the forces of the enemy were held in check all the days of Cyrus, and all the days of his son Cambyses, who reigned about seven and a half years.

Mens Satan arbejdede på at påvirke de øverste myndigheder i det medo-persiske rige til at vise Guds folk deres mishag, arbejdede himmelske engle på de landflygtiges side. Hele Himmelen var interesseret i denne strid. Profeten Daniel giver os et indblik i den vældige kamp mellem det godes og det ondes kræfter. Gabriel kæmpede med mørkets magter i tre uger for at modvirke den indflydelse, som blev øvet over Kyros sind. Inden kampen sluttede, kom Kristus selv Gabriel til hjælp. Gabriel sagde: "Perserrigets fyrste stod mig imod i en og tyve dage, men se, da kom Mikael, en af de ypperste fyrster, mig til hjælp; ham lod jeg blive der hos perserkongernes fyrste." Dan. 10,13. Himmelen gjorde alt for at hjælpe Guds folk. Til sidst var sejren sikret. De fjendtlige kræfter blev holdt i skak, så længe Kyros levede, og ligeledes under hans søn Kambyses, som regerede omkring syv et halvt år.