Powers and Authorities

      Comments Off on Powers and Authorities

1. All powers and authorities originate in God.

Rom 13:1-2 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. (NIV)

See also Col. 1:16, 1 Pet 2:13-14

2. Some powers and authorities, even heavenly ones (notably Satan), have been in rebellion against God.

Rev 12:7-8 And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. (NIV)

See also Rev 20:2, Matt. 12:25-30, 13:37-39

3. Jesus has triumphed over the rebellious powers by the cross (including Satan).

Col 2:15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. (NIV)

See also Rev 12:11, Heb. 2:14-15

4. Jesus’ reign now is over all authorities and powers, including even the rebellious angels.

1 Pet 3:22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand– with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. (NIV)

See also Eph 1:21, Rev 1:5, 17:14, 19:16, Matt. 28:18-20

5. Though defeated, the devil and his allies still struggle against us.

Eph 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (NIV)

See also Rev 12:13, 17, 2 Cor. 11:1-4, 1 Tim. 4:1-2, Phil. 3:17-18

6. Because Jesus is supreme, no power or authority can come between him and those who belong to him.

Rom 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV)

See also James 4:7-8, 1 Pet. 5:8-9, 1 Cor. 15:57-58

7. Victory over Satan and all other authority does not give God’s people a license to be careless abusive or mock authority and power – which actually is an avenue toward self-deception and failure.

Jude 1:8-10 In the very same way, these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings. 9 But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals– these are the very things that destroy them. (NIV)

See also Zech 3:1-2

8. Neither Michael the archangel in particular, nor angels in general, slander (blaspheme, vilify, speak evil of) celestial beings, which include Satan. Nor are Christians to do so. It is a serious mistake to have a careless, mocking or ridiculous attitude toward celestial beings, or even human governing authorities, even when we know that they are in the wrong. As in Jude (#7 above), such things are best turned over to God. Rejoice in the victory of Jesus, but don’t be arrogant!

2 Pet 2:10-12 This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings; 11 yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not bring slanderous accusations against such beings in the presence of the Lord. 12 But these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like brute beasts, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like beasts they too will perish. (NIV)

See also 1 Pet 2:13-18

Share this article:
FacebooktwitterredditpinterestFacebooktwitterredditpinterest