Gabriel appears to Daniel to help him understand a vision and the future of Daniel's people. Gabriel tells Daniel that he had been fighting with the spiritual forces influencing the king of Persia for three weeks to allow the Jews to return to Jerusalem according to God's word. Michael, another chief prince who is actually Jesus, had come to help Gabriel in this battle. Gabriel then explains to Daniel that he has come to help Daniel understand what will happen to his people in the latter days, as foretold in the visions, and that God wants His people to understand the prophecies in Scripture.