Powers and Principalities

In Ephesians 6:12, the Apostle Paul writes, "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." But what exactly is Paul referring to when he lists these dark forces?

Daniel 10 gives us an example. In this chapter, we see that there is an unseen realm of both benevolent and malevolent forces that exert influence on the decisions and actions of humanity in the sociopolitical spheres of governments, nation-states, and global affairs, particularly in opposition to the people of God and the plan of salvation. However, the forces of darkness are limited in their power and cannot prevent the purposes of God from being accomplished. In fact, God accomplishes his sovereign will through the agents of evil and often by means of the prayers of his people.