Today we will study Principalities. Just what does this word mean, and how are we to fight this war of Principalities for the LORD? We need to first begin with the word “Principalities”. It is G746 archē pronounced ar-khay’ and like most words in the Greek language it has more than one meaning. This particular word has 5 meanings and they are; 1. beginning, origin. 2. the person or thing that commences, the first person or thing in a series, the leader. 3. that by which anything begins to be, the origin, the active cause. 4. the extremity of a thing, a. of the corners of a sail. 5. the first place, principality, rule, magistracy, a. of angels and demons. Notice the last meaning; A. Of angels and demons. This number 5 is the one that is attributed to in the New Testament 6 times, we will go to all 6 in this lesson. But for now, I want to go to the beginning or origin, (2. The person or thing that commences, the first person or thing in a series, the leader.) I am speaking of course of that Dragon, the old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, Rev.12:9. But, in Ezekiel he is called prince of Tyrus and king of Tyrus. Let’s begin our study in Eze.28 and verse 1 reads.
Eze.28:1] The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,
[2] Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:
We go all the way back to the first earth age. Satan has become full of pride at this time.
Eze.28:3] Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee:
Yes, Satan is wiser than Daniel, who was one of the most-wise in the flesh. But, here in the first earth age Daniel is also in spirit. Satan knows scripture, this is why it is so important for God’s children to study his word. Remember he tempted Jesus in the wilderness with scripture, Mat.4. But blessed are God’s Elect who the LORD will open the eyes of in due season.
Eze.28:4] With thy wisdom and with thine understanding thou hast gotten thee riches, and hast gotten gold and silver into thy treasures:
[5] By thy great wisdom and by thy traffick hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches:
Two things here, one through traffic (merchants should ring a bell). Second, lifted up is Pride, Satan’s downfall is mentioned here, this being the first earth age.
Eze.28:6] Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God;
[7] Behold, therefore I will bring strangers upon thee, the terrible of the nations: and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of thy wisdom, and they shall defile thy brightness.
When the enemies of Satan are mentioned, know it is God’s Elect that does this. Terrible should have been translated awesome, and the swords are the Word of God.
Eze.28:8] They shall bring thee down to the pit, and thou shalt die the deaths of them that are slain in the midst of the seas.
Rev.17:15 “The seas are the peoples”.
Eze.28:9] Wilt thou yet say before him that slayeth thee, I am God? but thou shalt be a man, and no God, in the hand of him that slayeth thee.
[10] Thou shalt die the deaths of the uncircumcised by the hand of strangers: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.
[11] Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
[12] Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.
Lamentation means; a sad song. We see here that Satan, king of Tyrus now, wasn’t created evil. But that he became evil and full of pride thinking he was equal to God. We have here the second earth age, which we are in now.
Eze.28:13] Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.
[14] Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
He was set before God as one who protected the mercy seat, until full of pride he wanted to not protect, but sit on the mercy seat. Notice how he even sat by the very altar of God. We went back to the first earth age.
Eze.28:15] Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.
God loved Satan until sin was found in him, a very great sin.
Eze.28:16] By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.
Removed from his place and being full of pride took a third of God’s children with him. Rev.12;4. Again this is back in the first earth age.
Eze.28:17] Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.
This sentence was carried out when he commanded the serpent to slither in the dust.
Eze.28:18] Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.
His sentence has been given here, turned to ashes from within. Up in smoke and will never exist again, him and all who follow him. For our God is a consuming fire, Heb.12:29. This being at the end of the millennium, the end of the second earth age.
Eze.28:19] All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.
[20] Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
[21] Son of man, set thy face against Zidon, and prophesy against it,
[22] And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Zidon; and I will be glorified in the midst of thee: and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall have executed judgments in her, and shall be sanctified in her.
Zidon is Jerusalem. Satan will first be there claiming to be Christ, sixth trump. But the seventh trump comes quickly, and our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ will come at the second advent. This will be the beginning of the millennium.
Eze.28:23] For I will send into her pestilence, and blood into her streets; and the wounded shall be judged in the midst of her by the sword upon her on every side; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
The sword is the Word of God.
Eze.28:24] And there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel, nor any grieving thorn of all that are round about them, that despised them; and they shall know that I am the Lord GOD.
[25] Thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shall they dwell in their land that I have given to my servant Jacob.
[26] And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the LORD their God.
After the millennium there will be no more tears, and we will be his people and he will be our God. That was the beginning and the end for Satan. Now, we come to the New Testament where we find 6 places where the word Principalities is used. We will see it is the last option or meaning; A. of angels or demons. Let’s go to Romans 8 and verse 33 reads.
Rom.8:33] Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
Speaking about God’s Elect, those chosen from the first earth age, and proved to be justified then. It is impossible to understand the New Testament without understanding the first six chapters of Genesis. One must understand that we have three earth ages (lengths of time).
Rom.8:34] Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
[35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
[36] As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Written (prophesied) in Psa.44 and verse 22 reads.
Psa.44:22] Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.
This will happen, “for thy sake” being called Christians. Written 3,000 years ago. Back to Rom.8 and verse 37 reads.
Rom.8:37] Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
We are more than conquerors, we are the Elect, chosen by God. Listen, here is why we came here.
Rom.8:38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
[39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Look at the examples given, angels nor principalities, being demons. It is a spiritual war. Let’s go to Colossians 1 and we find our second verse where our word principalities are used, and verse 16 reads.
Col.1:16] For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
We are seeing this word being used with the utmost of importance in the most critical of times. Change the word principalities to demons, and read it again. We can now see that all in this earth age are created for his plan for our salvation. The third verse with our word Principalities is in Colossians 2:15 but we’ll begin in verse 14 and it reads.
Col.2:14] Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Becoming the Lamb of God, the sacrifice once and for all time, taking away the blood ordinances, so that on repentance our sins are forgiven and blotted out.
Col.2:15] And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
For the reason of destroying Satan and his demons, God himself came through the flesh. Let’s go to Hebrews 2 and verse 14 reads.
Heb.2:14] Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Destroying Satan’s power of death, through his blood on the cross. Now comes the fourth place where we find our word Principalities, Titus 3 and verse 1 reads.
Titus 3:1] Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
G746 5. the first place, principality, rule, magistracy, a. of angels and demons. Remember it is not only demons, but angels as well, as we see in “To be ready to every good work.” Speaking also of God’s Elect.
Titus 3:2] To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
[3] For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
We also are sinners in the flesh, but through repentance our sins are blotted out. Only God’s children who accept that Jesus Christ is the Son of God have their sins forgiven.
Titus 3:4] But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
[5] Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
This word Regeneration is a special word, it is G3824 paliggenesia pronounced pal-ing-ghen-es-ee’-ah, and it means; (spiritual) rebirth (the state or the act) that is (figuratively) spiritual renovation; specifically Messianic restoration. a. hence renovation, regeneration, the production of a new life consecrated to God, a radical change of mind for the better. The word often used to denote the restoration of a thing to its pristine state, its renovation, as a renewal or restoration of life after death. b. the renovation of the earth after the deluge. c. the renewal of the world to take place after its destruction by fire, as the Stoics taught. This word regeneration was used to describe the restoration of the world after the destruction of the first earth age and after this second earth age. Also used to describe our souls after conversion to Christianity. Spoken here in Titus to show how that through his mercy saving us by his self-sacrifice he renewed the Holy Spirit.
Titus 3:6] Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
[7] That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
That through repentance he saved us through his cross. I hope you are seeing the very important lesson here with the word Principalities. Now we come to the fifth verse in the New Testament, Ephesians 3 and verse 9 reads.
Eph.3:9] And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
This is why I said how important it is to understand the three earth ages, the lengths of time. Also note that all things were created by Jesus Christ. John 1 and verse 1 reads.
John 1:1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
This word “Word” is Logos in the Greek and means; Jesus Christ.
John 1:2] The same was in the beginning with God.
[3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
We see here that Jesus is the Living Word, the Word of God is his name. Back to Ephesians 3 and verse 10 reads.
Eph.3:10] To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
We can see here that there are two spirits who are in heaven, the Holy Spirit and the spirit of the antichrist. Remember there were two trees in the Garden of Eden, that was Jesus Christ (The tree of Life) and also Satan (The tree of knowledge of good and evil). Verse 10 just said that the Holy Spirit makes known to us the Wisdom of God. It is said in Revelation 3, speaking to the church of Philadelphia, and verse 6 reads.
Rev.3:6] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Speaking to his Elect.
Rev.3:7] And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
This was what was written above in Ephesians 3:10 concerning the knowledge that is given to those who study the Word of God. Notice the Key of David, the knowledge of God’s seed and the Serpent’s seed. These two powers that are in heaven today which are called Principalities.
Rev.3:8] I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
[9] Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
They only worship at our feet because we are set before them when all knees will bow.
Rev.3:10] Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
[11] Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
[12] Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
I want you to catch that it is the Word that is opened to his Elect in the end times. It is God that opens the eyes of his Elect. Back to Ephesians 3 and verse 11 reads.
Eph.3:11] According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
Christ had his purpose, for our Salvation, from the beginning of this earth age. And we are given our purpose as his Elect, to be delivered up to the antichrist in the end times.
Eph.3:12] In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
[13] Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
Which is our destiny, to be delivered up to the antichrist so that the Holy Spirit will speak through us. Are you seeing the two spirits in high places, the two trees from the Garden?
Eph.3:14] For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
[15] Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
[16] That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
[17] That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
This faith is our Shield against Satan in these end times.
Eph.3:18] May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
[19] And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
By studying his Word we are given his knowledge which without we have no chance of fulfilling our destiny. Now, let’s go to the sixth place in God’s Word for this word Principalities. Ephesians 6 and verse 10 reads.
Eph.6:10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
[11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
The armor of God is his Word.
Eph.6:12] 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.
Here is our word Principalities, the spirit of the antichrist. This is the war we must fight in these end times. Have you noticed how wicked this world has become lately? That third of God’s children that Satan drew with his tail to follow him in the first earth age I believe to be on earth today. It would only make sense that this should happen, since they followed him then that they would be given this opportunity now. So, the question is how to fight them, the answer is given to us in the next verses.
Eph.6:13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand and not fly away.
Eph.6:14] Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
The truth is God’s Word. All these will be defensive weapons with the exception of one.
Eph.6:15] And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Your feet are shod with the Gospel (The Word of God) to deliver to others his Word.
Eph.6:16] Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
The shield is our faith in Jesus Christ, the Word of God. It is Jesus that protects us from all evil.
Eph.6:17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
The helmet is our Salvation and Christ is our Savior. And here we have another place in God’s Word that it is said “The Sword of the LORD is the Word of God”. This is the only offensive weapon we are given to fight the evil in this world. So, you see here we are only protected by his Word, and only it is our weapon against all evil.
Eph.6:18] Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
The power of prayer for all his Elect by his Elect is in the Holy Spirit. Don’t overlook the Watchmen here, God’s Elect are his watchmen.
Eph.6:19] And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
[20] For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
And here we have our destiny. To be delivered up to the antichrist during the sixth trump, so that the Holy Spirit may speak through us. We see it comes down to the two spirits. The Spirit of God our Father, and the spirit of Satan, the father of the Kenites, those of that wicked one. We have much wicked in the world, just look in our streets today. But know this, the Holy Spirit is within us, and they can see our fruits just as we can see their fruits. The answer today was his Word, having the knowledge of his Word Sealed in our hearts only comes to us by our faith in Jesus Christ and understanding that he is the Living Word. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible