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.
