In Ephesians 6 Paul describes the Christian’s warfare and armor. This article will focus on who we fight. Carefully examine this passage. Eph. 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. So our real battle isn’t with other humans (flesh & blood). Then who are those “rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places?”
First, a truth we all know, God made everything. Col. 1:15-16, “For by Him (Christ) all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.” Did you notice that “visible and invisible” part? How about the “rulers and authorities”? There is an “invisible” realm in “the heavenly places” and our fight is against the enemies there.
Second, that unseen realm is the angelic domain, which existed BEFORE God’s Gen. 1 creation. Job 38:4-7 “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? … 7 as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?” The angels were “shouting for joy” when God “laid the foundations of the earth.”
Third, when a rebellion in that angelic realm occurred, the war between God and His children began against the devil and his forces. Remember, this is in the “invisible” realm. Jude 6 “And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day …” This rebellion is figuratively described in Rev. 12, and closes with the devil and his army making war against “those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.”
Fourth, so what is our role in this war? Eph. 3:10-11 “God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (NLT) God’s plan has always been to use the church (every faithful believer) to portray His rich wisdom in our salvation through Christ, for all of the “rulers and authorities” to see; causing the good angels to shout for joy and producing remorse and shame in every evil angel.
Fifth, so what is to be the outcome of this war? Col. 2:15 “Having disarmed the powers and authorities, He (Christ) made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross”
1 Cor. 15:24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 1 Cor. 15:57 “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The outcome? The evil “powers and authorities” are disarmed and destroyed on the final day, leaving Christ and His faithful followers VICTORIOUS!
So remember, “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” And in our faithful wrestling with the enemy, we demonstrate the rich wisdom of God’s scheme of redemption for rescuing those who would follow His Son. And the invisible enemies cringe at what they lost in their rebellion.
Mike “Pawdad” Sublett, Pastor @ Hi-Land Christian Church, Pampa, Texas 79065, 630-730-8015
