Spiritual rulers of darkness

By John Chopores

 

Ephesians 6:12  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

This verse is dealing with the “spiritual hosts”, not human beings (in themselves) but with groups of evil spiritual beings.

There are many that only think of angels and demons, when they think of spiritual beings. However, there are a great many different kinds of spiritual beings, angels and demons only being two of the groups.

Cf. Romans 8:38  For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,

 

None of the spiritual “powers” talked about here is more powerful than God! Cf. Colossians 2:15  Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

 

For God is the Maker of all spirits. Cf. Hebrews 1:7  And of the angels He says: "Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire."

Hebrews 12:9  Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?  

Exodus 20:11  For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

 

Not all spirits are still holy. Cf. 1 John 4:1 ¶ Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 

The Greek word for “wrestle” is the word, “pale”, it means: “wrestling (a contest between two in which each endeavours to throw the other, and which is decided when the victor is able to hold his opponent down with his hand upon his neck)”.

The word for “principalies” is “arche”, it means: “the first place, principality, rule, magistracy”.

    

   

 

2 Corinthians 4:4  whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

It would seem, that Satan (the Devil) has, for a time some power as a ruler over unsaved mankind! Cf. Matthew 4:8  Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.

Matthew 4:9  And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me."

We will note that in Matthew 4:8&9 Jesus does not correct the Devil when he says that “All these I will give you”.

See also: John 12:31  "Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.

 It may be a little while longer, before the Devil loses his power over many people. Cf. Daniel 7:25  He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time.

Rev. 20: 10  The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

 

Let us be glad, that this power of Satan will end! Cf. Rev.19: 5 ¶ Then a voice came from the throne, saying, "Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!"

6  And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, "Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!

15  Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

16  And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.