Spiritual Warfare and Territorial Spirits

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Malvaro

Daniel 10:20-21 (Amplified Bible)

Originally Posted by Malvaro

20 Then he said, Do you know why I have come to you? And now I will return to fight with the [hostile] prince of Persia; and when I have gone, behold, the [hostile] prince of Greecewill come.

21 But I will tell you what is inscribed in the writing of truth or the Book of Truth. There is no one who holds with me and strengthens himself against these [hostile spirit forces] except Michael, your prince [national guardian angel].

the scriptures show us that regional princes can also occasionally "move" out of their territory for greater purposes.... has anyone noticed this either???

That's a great observation. I think there's a couple of ways to approach this issue. One way, like ILG mentioned (and perhaps is the most important way) is to first approach The Throne of the One Who rules every "territory." The repentance, rebirth and renewal discovered there conquers all foes.

What I think the original question involves is what Malvaro and others discuss. This approach looks at the enemy "in place" on the battlefield and attempts to knock him down where he has control (Mark 3:27).

To frame the abstract nature of spiritual warfare, Christians have traditionally gone to Daniel 10:20-21. This is the approach Peretti and so many others have taken, and in my view is overly simplistic. There really is no strong scriptual support for the naming of "rulers" over various cities and such.

I have heard the names of alleged spirits called out in various assemblies within the same city- and each "revelation" names a different name. It's like tongues and interpretation, in the way it's presented, but there's nothing solid that you can hold onto or use.

It just doesn't seem like there's a map of the enemy's heirarchy that's only waiting on the right spiritually talented prayer warrior to reveal. The whole exercise is too subjective.

I think Rhoni was on to something better when she describes the different manifestations of wickedness (homosexuality in S.F. and etc) as opposed to the idea of there being a particular "evil ruler" over a particular geographic hotspot.

In the traditional "Territorial" model you have "spirits" or "powers" (Greek=archon, or "rulers") over specific geographic territory. As Malvaro points out, these "powers" can expand their holdings, seemingly at the cost of other "powers." Where a strict application of this model breaks down, however, is in the continuing context of the Scripture.

The "archons" that Daniel, Paul and Peter discuss are clearly identified in the book of Enoch - which Paul, Peter and Jude all quote from. These were the "Bene Elohim" or "Sons of God" (not to be confused with angels- angels are a different kind of being in this model). The "Bene Elohim" were 70 in number and were given territory analogous to the Table of Nations described in Genesis 10. According to "Enoch" (the writer of the book, not necessarily the Enoch of Genesis, though Jude seems to identify the two as being the same, Jude 1:14) it was these 70 "Bene Elohim" that "fell" and took human wives in Genesis 6 and not "the angels in general" that Jesus refers to in Matthew 22:30.

These "Bene Elohim", or the "Divine Council" as some scholars refer to them, are noted for their lusts and depraved nature. The only problem in doing spiritual warfare with these beings is that they have already been conquered and are currently chained in "darkness." Unless of course they have already been, or are going to be released for a time. Or if we understand that the "chains" do not isolate these beings from ourselves.

Now FWIW, I personally have some difficulty accepting the whole Territorial Rulers from a literal standpoint. It all makes for a good metaphor, but not even Rosemary's Baby seems capable of destroying lives the way I've seen some "spirits" in the real world do.

But on the battlefront, consider:

"For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment..." 2 Peter 2:4, along with the almost identical statement in Jude 1:6.

Next:

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12

Assuming that these apostles are speaking of the same "spirits" (whoever, and whatever else they may be) I find it striking that we are battling an enemy that is already "chained." Being “angels” or “spirits” they are not bound to a specific geographic location- not even “hell” but can be multi-present (something far short of omnipresent).

The "chains" are manifested in our eyes as being the spiritual darkness that plagues our world. And so, like malevolent Jacob Marleys, these beings drag their chains around and ensare those who are unaware of their own peril.

So, taking our cue from Mark 3:27 can we then conclude that the "strong man" has been bound (with the chains of darkness) and that Christ is "plundering" the house of the devil even as we speak? Perhaps this is what "spiritual warfare" is all about - Jesus Christ won the war, now we are to "plunder" the enemy and release his prisoners by shining our light into that darkness.

Of course, we should not neglect to also recognize the toll that the “darkness” can take upon a person’s soul, especially the soul of the warrior. Those "chains" represent Hell and Death, and as the prophet said, "Hell hath enlarged herself..." That is, Hell has open its mouth wide and is engorged with the lives of those we love; but it is encouraging to think that we are at war with a defeated and chained enemy. Even in my own weakness, perhaps I have a chance to prevail.