There are many pictures of God’s people in the book of Ephesians such as: legislative assembly, a family, a temple, the bride of Christ. However, the final picture most Christians have no real knowledge of, is that of an army in Ephesians 6:10-12.
When you think of an army, you understand its mission is to defend territory and also to defeat any opposing force. Paul is talking about a Church army that is committed to fight a war that is global in proportions, and affects every segment of the earth on which we live. There is also another side in which this conflict goes beyond the earth into the heavenly realms. So I would say that this is universal and not just global. Paul took it for granted that we as Christians, understood the universal dynamics of the forces that war for change to the universe. How? Paul says that we are to put on the full armor of God. To most Christians these are but words in another scripture of the bible. But to a Christian soldier, they are battle armor.
Paul in verse 12, goes on to explain more fully the nature and size of this war: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places”(NASV). I now would like to offer a translation from Derek Prince: “For our wrestling match is not against flesh and blood, not against persons with bodies, but against rulers with various areas and descending orders of authority, against the world dominators of this present darkness, against spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenlies.” Notice from the scripture that this evil dark kingdom is highly structured and well organized. This dark kingdom has various areas and different levels of rule in these various areas. Paul states that we are not at war with people, but against spirit beings. Who are these evil dark spirit beings? According to the bible and my experience in spiritual warfare, they are first fallen angels who rule in the heavenly realms, or the second heaven. Some scriptural evidence is Daniel 10; 2 Corinthians 12; and in Revelation 12 of a coming war in the second heaven of God’s Angels lead by Michael, and Satan, with his fallen angels. Actually, in my encounters with these evil dark angels, they call themselves fallen angels and not demons. Paul lists the hierarchy in Colossians 1 as first thrones, second dominions, third principalities and fourth powers. Most ministries make the mistake as calling or thinking that they are demons, and they are not. We learn from New Testament scripture that demons seek bodily possession. Fallen Angels do not seek or desire bodily possession, but seek and desire to control and dominate the course of this fallen age.
Secondly, there are spirits of wickedness. They have many different names, but most of them function through murder and witchcraft. I liken them to territorial spirits. The nature of their evil far outweighs spirits called murder and witchcraft. In the earth, they also have various areas such as cities which they control lower class evil spirits. Then we have other levels of demon spirits called, familiar spirits, demons or devils and infirmities. The point is that the Church is to wrestle against, or fight against these evil forces. Yet, most Pastor’s or believer in Christ don’t know anything about spiritual warfare. They know this, come out in Jesus’ name, yet legion in Mark 5 did not come out until Jesus ministered to the demoniac. Someone who is trained in spiritual warfare will completely understand what I just said. Some come out in Jesus’ name, others must be driven out or expelled by force; made to leave.
I’ve always judged a teacher or professor by the amount of knowledge one has in their subject and the practical application in the way they teach. We also should look to those who have the know-how in demon possession and the years of battle experience. An opinion is just an opinion unless they can teach it and demonstrate what they teach. We should never listen to the voice of someone who has little to no experience in spiritual warfare.
Obviously there is so much more, and even the subjects we talked about could fill books. My purpose in writing this letter is to awaken the Church to an unseen battle that will go on until the return of Christ Jesus to the earth