Principality and Power

2018-08-18

What Are They?

Principalities and powers in the Bible are demonic forces in high places that have rule over the world. This is alluded to in the book of Daniel:

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. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days. (Daniel 10:12-14)

Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come. But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince. (Daniel 10:20-21)

An angel came to speak with Daniel after his prayers to God. This angel was delayed in his coming because he was fighting with the “prince of the kingdom of Persia.” Another angel of God, Michael, came to assist him. He also said that afterward, the “prince of Grecia” would come. Behind the nations and empires of the world are fallen angels that are the real authorities behind the human rulers.

Where Did They Come From?

These angels were created for God’s service originally, but they rebelled against His rule. The Bible tells us, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him” (Colossians 1:16).

These Entities Are the Real Adversary

The Bible tells us, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). People are not the real enemies; these demonic powers, including Satan, are. Because of this, we are warned to enlist spiritual defenses and weapons to withstand them.

They Have Been Defeated

The Word of God tells us, “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:15). Christ’s death on the cross might have looked like defeat, but the Lord rose from the dead, and God “set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come” (Ephesians 1:20-21).

They Cannot Affect Our Salvation

We are encouraged, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). They cannot take away what the Lord has given us in Jesus Christ.