We should, by now, be familiar with “the meekness and gentleness of Christ.”1 Christ in us leads us to “live a life of love.” He leads us into submissive service. He trains strong men to nurture and care for children! 2 What a surprise, then, to find in Ephesians 6 that all these lessons in kindness relate to a raging war!
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:11-12). M
The entire Christian “walk” is a march into battle. “Children of light” (Ephesians 5:8) continually clash with “the world rulers of this darkness.”3 These rulers are not “flesh and blood,” meaning, they are not humans.4 Rather they are fallen angels5 and demons. We are suffering the after-shocks of Satan’s rebellion and defeat in heaven.
Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.… “Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”… the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring,6 on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea (Revelation 12:7-9,12,17).
This explains so much about the tragedy and sorrow all around us. A powerful enemy full of “fury” has invaded our world. He has become “the prince of this world”7 because he “leads the whole world astray!”8 He wreaks terrible damage in the limited time left to him. He especially hates God’s family, “those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” Do you obey your Father? Are you a loyal brother to Jesus? Then you are the special target of Satan’s wrath.
1. 2 Corinthians 10:1 cf. Matthew 11:29; 12:19-20
2. Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21; 1 Thessalonians 2:11; Research Subject – The example of Jesus with children: Matthew 11:25; 18:5; 19:13-15; 21:16; Mark 5:22-24,35-43; 7:25-30; 9:17-27,36-37; 10:13-16; Luke 10:21; John 4:46-54
3. “The world rulers of this darkness” is the more literal wording for “the cosmic powers over this present darkness,” Ephesians 6:12.
4. Ephesians 6:11; “flesh and blood” refers to humanity in fleshly form, 1 Corinthians 15:50; Hebrews 2:14.
6. Satan raged at “the woman.” Revelation uses symbols. This symbol of “the woman” refers to God’s people from whom the male child (Christ) was born, Revelation 12:13. “The rest of her offspring” refers to Christians, the loyal followers of Christ, as shown by Revelation 12:17.
8. Revelation 12:9 Research Subject – Satan’s control of this world: Matthew 4:8-9; Luke 4:5-6; Ephesians 2:2; 6:12; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 5:19; Revelation 2:9; 12:9 13:14; 20:3,8,10 cf. Matthew 10:22; 24:9; Mark 13:13; John 15:18; 1 Corinthians 4:13