At the very top of Satan's dark domain, there is a group of demon spirits whom Paul calls "principalities." The word "principality" is taken from the word archas (arch-as), an old word that is used symbolically to denote "ancient, ancient times." Furthermore, it is also used to depict individuals who "hold the highest and loftiest position of rank and authority."
By using the word archas ("principalities"), Paul emphatically tells us that at the very top of Satan's domain is a group of demon spirits who have held their lofty positions of power and authority since ancient times - probably ever since the fall of Lucifer.
Then Paul continues to mention "powers" as those evil forces that are second in command in Satan's dark dominion. The word "powers" is taken from the work exousia (ex-ou-sia), and it denotes "delegated authority."
This tells us that there is a lower-ranking group of demon spirits who have received "delegated authority" from Satan to do whatever they want to do, wherever they desire to do it. This second group of demon spirits have "delegated authority" to carry out all manner of evil and wickedness.
Next, Paul mentions "the rulers of the darkness of this world." What an amazing work this is! It is taken from the work kosmokrateros (kos-mo-kra-te-rose), and is a compound of the words kosmosand kratos. The word kosmos denotes "order" or "arrangement," while the work kratos has to do with "raw power."
When these two words are compounded together into the word kosmokrateros, they depict "raw power that has been harnessed and put into some kind of order." This word was technically used by the Greek to describe certain aspects of the military.
Why did the ancient Greeks use the work kosmokrateros to depict certain aspects of the military? Because the military was filled with young men who had a lot of natural ability—raw power, if you will. In order for that raw power to be effective, it had to be harnessed and organized (kosmos).
Thus, young soldiers with abounding energy were taught to be submitted, discipline, ordered and perfectly arranged. This is the picture of rank and file. In the end, all of those men, with all of that raw ability were turned into a massive force.
Now Paul uses this same idea! By using the phrase "rulers of the darkness of this world," he tells us that the devil deals with his dark legions of demon spirits like they are troops! He puts them in rank and file, gives them orders and assignments, and then sends them out like troops who are committed to kill.
It is a fact that we have more authority than the devil. We have more power than the devil. And we have the Greater One living within us. In light of this, one day I asked the Lord, "If we have more authority, and if we have more power, and if we have the Greater One living inside us, then why does it seem that the Church is full of so much defeat?"
I will never forget what the Holy Spirit whispered to my heart. He said, "The reason the Church is experiencing so much defeat is because the devil has something that the Church does not have!" I quickly asked, "Lord, what is that?" It was then that the Lord quickened Ephesians 6:12 to my understanding. The word kosmokrateros came alive in my heart, and then I understood!
The word kosmokrateros ("rulers of the darkness of this world") is a military term that has to do with discipline, organization and commitment!
The devil is so serious about doing damage to humanity, that he deals with demon spirits as though they are troops! They are put in rank and file, and are organized to the hilt—while the average Spirit-filled believer doesn't stay in one church for over one year at a time!
Yes, we do have more authority than the devil has, and we do have more power than the devil has, and we do have the Greater One living in us. The Church of Jesus Christ is loaded with heaps and heaps of raw power—but at this particular time, that power is disconnected and disjointed by a body that lacks discipline, organization and commitment!
The Church of Jesus Christ has no power shortage, nor is the Church short of God-given authority. We simply have a great lack of discipline, organization and commitment. In order to change this, we must buckle down in the local church and begin to view ourselves as the troops of the Lord! If we will match the discipline, organization and commitment that the enemy has in his camp, them we will begin to move into the awesome demonstration of God's power!
Finally, Paul mentions "spiritual wickedness in high places." The word "wickedness" is taken from the word poneros (po-ne-ros), and it is used to depict something that is "bad," "vile," "malevolent," "vicious," "impious" or "malignant."
It is important that Paul would save this word until the end of this verse. By saving this phrase until the last, he is telling us the ultimate aim of Satan's dark domain: these spirits are sent forth from the spirit realm to afflict humanity in a "bad, vile, malevolent, vicious, impious and malignant" way.
Excerpt permission granted by Albury Publishing
Rick and Denise met while they were each on an individual quest to wholeheartedly follow God's plan for their lives. Rick was a college student, growing in his teaching ministry. Denise was a talented vocalist. She chose not to pursue a course that held the prospect of performing with the Metropolitan Opera so that she could instead pursue a relationship with Rick and fulfill her heart's desire to enter full-time ministry.
