[Biblemat] A) QUESTION AND ANSWER

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  A very good Tuesday
morning to each and everyone.  May God bless you and yours.
It is good to be back at my computer after a few days away.
Here is a question and answer that may be helpful in your studies:

QUESTION AND ANSWER

QUESTION: -- Would you please explain Eph. 6:10-13?  Espec-
                       ially the statement: "Spiritual forces of wicked-
                       ness in the heavenly places"?

ANSWER: --  This text reads:  "Finally, be strong in the Lord,
                      and in the strength of His might.  Put on the 
whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the
wiles of the devil.  For our wrestling is not against flesh and
blood, but against the principalities, against the powers,
against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual
host of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Wherefore take
up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand
in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand" .

     The emphasis in this entire text is on the battle we face in
Christ.  It is "not against flesh and blood" (that is, physical or
material), this is a spiritual battle.  Notice that our fight is
against "principalities, powers, rulers of darkness."  Satan 
rules the realm of darkness, while God rules the light: "And
this is the message which we have heard from Him and annou-
nce unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at
all.  If we say that we have fellowship with Him and walk in the
darkness, we lie, and do not the truth" (1 Jno. 1:5,6).  That is
why we are told that God, "called you out of darkness into His marvelous 
light" (1 Pet. 2:9).

     Again, this battle is not a battle fought with physical weap-
ons.  "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh,
but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds,
casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalt-
ed agains the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought
into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:4,5).  Our
battle is one for men's minds and hearts.  That means that
the "the powers, principalities adn rulers of darkness" is in
the spiritual realm, not the physical.  The same is true with the phrase 
about which you ask.

     The "spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places" re-
fers to the effort of Satan to entice us and others into sin.
Thus, the "spiritual hosts" of that phrase has to refer to those whom Satan 
uses to undermine our efforts to live for
Christ.  They are working in his behalf to oppose Christians.
As Paul wrote, "Even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel
of light.  It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion 
themselves as ministers of righteousness" (2 Cor. 11:
14,15).  In this battle for the souls of men the only weapon we
have been given is "the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word 
of God" (Eph. 6:17).  That Word (Sword) can change people's
hearts and minds, and thus overcome Satans's hold and make them servants of 
Christ.  ----- Clem Thurman in Gospel
Minutes, Vol. 56, No. 29, July 20, 2007.   </HTML>
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