THE “in-between” REALM
It seems that in the Church we know a little bit about spiritual warfare on this
earth and we know somewhat about heaven itself. But we do not know much about, (and are taught little about), the warfare that takes place in the heavenlies, the “in between” realm. The place where angels
and demons do battle. There is such a place and in this place there is constant activity.
A battle rages for control and position of people and places on the earth.
In the
scripture above it appears that Michael may have been given the duty of burying Moses’ body. Satan disputed with him
about it. Michael simply reminded Satan that he is defeated and said, The Lord rebuke you. He did not rant and rail against
him, he did not challenge him, he put him in his place. There is wrestling going in the heavenlies, in high places.
This
is where intercession is mighty. As demons
wrestle
for control of individuals and of territories, the prayers of the saints release angels to warfare in our behalf. Remember,
it is against principalities and powers that we wrestle, not against flesh and
blood. It is against the rulers of darkness and against spiritual host of wickedness in the heavenly places. This is a level
of warfare that takes on a different dimension.
WE COULD JUST BIND THEM ALL AND BE DONE WITH IT
When
Jesus gave authority to believers, in His Name, the authority was over demon
powers on this earth as has to do with individuals. He sent the 12 disciples and the 70 disciples among men, to the “earth
bound” demonic realm. He commissioned them to heal the sick, to cleanse lepers and to cast out demons. He did
not send them to do battle against demon powers in the heavenlies. The authority did not/does not extend to that realm.
If it did, we could just bind them all send them to the abyss and be done with it.
If a
demon power has consent, that is, legal permission, to someone’s life (such as unforgiveness, unrepented sin, ancestral
curse etc), the authority is no good. My experience has been that if permission is granted by believers, it does not matter
who commands the demons to leave, It is true that they very will may leave but
they do not have to. It is important to understand permission as well as authority.
Now,
when contending with the devil, there are at least two levels of spiritual warfare. On this earth we have been commissioned
with authority over all the “works” of the devil and have been given power to tread on serpents and scorpions,
earth bound demons. But what
about the second level in the heavenlies?
What about the princes and
powers of the air?
PRINCE OF PERSIA ... A TERRITORIAL SPIRIT
When
Daniel was given revelation and prophecy it overwhelmed him and for 21 days he fasted and sought God. It appears that the
angel was sent tothe revelation clear. The angel told Daniel, “From the first day your prayer was heard but the prince
of the kingdom of Persia withstood the angel
for 21 days, but Michael one of the chief princes (angel) came to help me...” Daniel 10:13.
Prince
of Persia? Michael,
the archangel? Fighting and resistance in the heavenlies? Does it still go on? Absolutely. What is our role? As it has to
do with principalities and powers in the heavenlies we must pray. Binding and loosing authority does not seem to extend there
except as it has to do with us individually. I believe we open ourselves up to demonic attacks when we challenge these
ranking principalities.
The
scripture in Jude clearly indicates that Michael himself dared not bring a railing accusation against Satan. It is a different
realm of warfare that is won in intercession and removal of legal permissions.
Box 575