Have you ever stopped to think about this question? We are clearly told by scripture that our fight is not against physical enemies but against spiritual ones, but why is this? Just something to think on this week.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Eph 6:13–18.

Spend some time looking at the specific armor items. (Truth, Righteousness, Gospel of peace, Faith, Salvation and the Word of God) Think about each and how each protects us. Also think about each of them and what some of them have in common.

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.” (Ephesians 6:12 NKJV)

These powers that we are in direct spiritual battle are those very powers that have “been made subject” to Jesus. In the Old Testament book of Daniel we find a very interesting story of these spiritual powers and the battles that are taking place.

²In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the appointed time was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision. ² In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. ³ I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

⁴ Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, that is, the Tigris, ⁵ I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz! ⁶ His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude.

⁷ And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. ⁸ Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength. ⁹ Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.

¹⁰ Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. ¹¹ And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.

¹² Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. ¹³ But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. ¹⁴ Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.”
(Daniel 10:2-14 NKJV)

An answer to Daniel’s prayer, being delivered by a mighty angel, is held up for twenty-one days by an evil prince (an evil spiritual power). It is only after a chief prince named Michael assists this powerful angel that the answer to Daniel’s request is delivered. There are many things we could highlight in this scripture but let’s focus on the fact that this evil power was not quickly dismissed by the powerful angel. The angel (a messenger of God) was delayed 21 days and the help of Michael was required at that point to get the message delivered. Later in verse 20 this messenger of God tells Daniel “now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia.” God is giving us a glimpse of the spiritual warfare that goes on in the invisible spiritual world around us. We also get a look into this spiritual warfare in the New Testament book of Jude.

⁸ Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones. ⁹ But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” ¹⁰ But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively. (Jude 9-10 ESV)

It is interesting in this situation to see Michael again in a spiritual battle but this time with the devil himself. But note that even Michael, one of the great princes, does not pronounce judgment against the devil but simply says “the Lord rebuke you.” As powerful as Michael is in the spiritual realm, he understands that true power, true authority is in God Almighty alone and does not rest with himself. The great news when looking at these powers of darkness, even though it is evident that they are powerful, they have now “been made subject to” Jesus and one day will come under His wrath and judgment.

One of the most important things we must understand when entering into spiritual warfare is Jesus’ position. Any ability or power that we have comes from Him and therefore His position is critical. Scripture makes it clear that Jesus has been raised from the dead, He has ascended to the Father and He is now “seated at the right hand of the power of God.” But what exactly does this mean? Let’s look at several scriptures to get a better picture.

Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV)
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

1 Peter 3:21b-22 (NKJV)
Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

Acts 2:32-38 (NKJV)
This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: ‘The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

Note that Jesus, in His current position has been given authority over angels, authorities and powers. These entities are subject to Him but from other scripture we know that His enemies are not yet a “footstool” for His feet. It is important to understand that while Jesus’ first coming and all that includes, earned the resurrected man – Jesus, the authority over His enemies. It will be at His appearing (second coming) that he will start to execute judgment over His enemies and they will become a “footstool” for His feet. I could look at several places in scripture to explain this idea further, but for today we will simply look at one.

In Acts 2:34-35, Peter preaches at Pentecost and during his sermon he quotes from Psalms 110.

“For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: ‘THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET.’

This is the only part of Psalm 110 Peter quotes, the Psalm actually goes on to talk of events that have to do with His return.

Psalm 110:5-6 (NKJV) The Lord is at Your right hand; He shall execute kings in the day of His wrath. He shall judge among the nations, He shall fill the places with dead bodies, He shall execute the heads of many countries.

This is a common thing for the writers of the New Testament. They often will quote a portion of an Old Testament scripture that directly relates to something that Jesus’ first coming fulfilled but they will stop short and not quote the portion that Jesus will fulfill when He returns. In the case of understanding Jesus’ current position, it is important to know that while Jesus sits in a place of authority over the current evil powers of this world, He has not yet executed final judgment over them. This time of judgment will begin at Jesus’ appearing (second coming). Next week we will continue to dive into the idea of Jesus position and the authority He has in that position. We will also begin to look into what impact that has on our (as Christ followers) position.