In the last couple of posts, we have shown that our position as God made us, and our partnership with angels give us authority that makes us useful warriors in the army of the Lord. Just what kind of authority do we have? Let’s explore that topic today.

Listen to what the Apostle Paul told the church at Ephesus, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way” (Ep 1: 17-23, NIV).

Did you get that? He said God has given us “great power” if we put our faith and trust in Christ Jesus. How did he do that? He disarmed the powers and authorities who had control of us and made a public spectacle of them by taking on our sins on the cross. This allowed him to forgive us and cancel the legal charges Satan had against us which condemned us to be forever separated from God (Cl 2:13-15). He now strengthens us with his power and qualifies us to share in his inheritance in the kingdom of light (Cl 1:11-12). In Ephesians, we read: “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” (Ep 2:6). Therefore, we have been made joint-heirs with Christ, and Paul goes on to say we have been given authority with the same power that raised Christ from the dead if we yield to the power of the Holy Spirit (Ep 1:19-20).

Christ is the head of his Church and we, as part of his Church, are part of his body. He is above all rule, authority, power, and dominion. As his body, we also can overcome these forces as well by using spiritual weapons he has given us. Paul tells us we have the power to demolish strongholds (1Co 10:4-5). These are thoughts and arguments that Satan has set up to go against the knowledge of God. Paul is telling us we have the power to destroy them. We do this in concert with angels (Why Should We Care About Angels) by putting on and utilizing the spiritual armor and tools God has given us (Ep 6:10-20). We don’t plea and beg for God to answer our prayer, but we pray in the authority and power he has given us. Jesus’ words are powerful and cut to one’s very core (Hb 4:12), and angels respond to his words (Ps 103:20). Jesus’ name is powerful and one day all will confess his name and lordship just by being in his presence (Pp 2:9-11). And there is power in his blood to cleanse (1Pt 1:18-19), forgive, and one day all will confess his name and his lordship (Cl 3:17), and his blood protects us and helps us overcome spiritual attacks (Rv 12:11).

So, if you have placed your trust and hope in the Lord Jesus Christ, you, my friend, have far more power than you may think. We are now able to have the mind of Christ (1Co 2:26) which means we can see and act in the way Christ would. And if we resist the devil and his forces by utilizing the power Christ has given us and utilize the armor he has bestowed to us, the devil will most definitely flee (Ja 4:7). This is not always easy because we can never let our guard down or give the devil a foothold in our lives (Ep 4:27) because he will most definitely take any and all advantages he can. But we definitely have authority to push back. So, let’s do so. The rewards are far greater for us if we do than if we do not. It is always darkest before the dawn, but that dawn is coming, and it is coming soon.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

In our previous post, we began a discussion about Christian authority and whether we were created lower than angels. Now, let’s look at the second argument we mentioned: since the archangel Michael did not go against Satan when disputing over the body of Moses (Ju 9), this is an example many use to claim we do not have the authority to go against Satan either.

There is an important point to consider: Michael likely did not fight with Satan in this instance because of the difference in their rank, not necessarily because Michael was not willing, or able, to fight Satan. After all, we see that one future day Michael will fight and defeat Satan (Rv 12:7-9). Michael was likely putting Satan in his place, by implying with his words that God was superior to Satan and had the ultimate say. Since Satan was trying to use his authority being over Adam’s kingdom (see previous post), Michael was reminding Satan that his authority was limited.

In a previous post, I also showed how Christians work with angels and we each have a role in God’s ultimate plan (God Uses Both Christians and Angels to Accomplish His Plan). Our actions can be just as powerful as those of angels. In some ways, we are examples to them (1Co 4:9; 1Pt 1:12). Also, angels respond to God’s word, so when we pray God’s word, we activate angels as well because they obey his words, and his words do not return empty (Ps 103:20; Is 55:11).

There are many types and ranks of angels and each have their specific duties which God has given them (Partnering with Angels). Yet, while we may not be able to see them, we work with them to achieve God’s overarching plan. So, while they are more powerful than us humans in a physical sense, we have just as much responsibility and spiritual power if we work in concert with them obeying the will of Christ in our lives.

Besides, we often quote 1 John 4:4, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world (NIV).” This implies that we do have authority through the Holy Spirit to go against Satan and the angels who follow him.

So, now that we have addressed the counterargument to the notion that we as followers of Christ have authority, what kind of authority do we actually have? We’ll explore that next time. I hope you come along with me for that discussion.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

There seems to be some controversy over what spiritual authority Christians actually have. Some claim that Christians must be careful because angels are more powerful than humans so we should not overstep our authority. Often, two pieces of Scripture are used to support this tenant:

1.      Psalm 8:4-5 (NIV) – what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.

2.      Jude 9 (NIV) – But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

So, is this correct, or are there arguments to these supporting Scriptures?

Well, yes, there are counter arguments. Yet, we also need to understand that Scripture does not contradict itself. So, how can we have a counter argument to this but still not contradict Scripture at the same time?

To look at this, there are several aspects we need to consider.

If we look at the Hebrew word for “angel” we find that it is almost always the word malak (which means messenger), except for Psalm 8:5 where the word is elohim (which everywhere else in Scripture this word is translated God or god). For this reason, there are some translations of Psalm 8:5 that have it read, “You have made him a little lower than God and crowned him with glory and honor” (G&H).

The reason for the “discrepancy” is how certain words are interpreted. Just as in English, a word can mean different things depending upon its context. If we look at these words more literally, we get something like this: What is a mere mortal that you think of him? Or the son of a man, that you care for him? For you have made him a little god and crowned him with glory and honor. The text then goes on to show the glory and honor given: all the animal kingdoms of the earth are under man.

That creates a new way of looking at this verse, doesn’t it? I think the main point here is that human beings are subservient to God and there is no real reason for God to have any concern for us, but contrary to how things look, God does care about us, and cares about us deeply.

Why did the biblical scholars translate the word elohim, which is almost always translated as God to be translated as angels in only this Old Testament verse? I can’t say for sure, but it may partly be due to how the writer of Hebrews used this verse. Yet, this writer modified the quote slightly. Hebrews 2:6-9 (NIV) says “But there is a place where someone has testified: ‘What is mankind that you are mindful of them, a son of man that you care for him? You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honor and put everything under their feet.’ In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them. But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.”

The New Testament is written in Greek, so the word for angel is not the same actual word as used in Psalms. The Greek word used here for “angels” is angelos and is the word used almost exclusively for a word meaning messengers and can therefore be talking about spiritual beings or humans depending upon their capacity and role as a messenger.

Is this a discrepancy between this passage in Psalms and Hebrews? Well, no. Why? When God created mankind, i.e., Adam and Eve, they were created lower than God, not necessarily lower than angels. It’s hard to compare rank when their roles are so different. Power and strength are not necessarily the same. For example, we say that a king is the most powerful person of a kingdom, but that does not mean he is so in actual strength. There are many under him who could easily defeat and overthrow him, but they are loyal to his leadership and commands. They are subservient to the king, although not necessarily weaker than the king. God was giving Adam the kingdom of the Earth. Yet, when Adam rebelled, his status changed because his actions turned his kingdom over to Satan.

This is the point the writer of Hebrews is making. Jesus Christ was not made lower than God because he is God (Jn 10:30). He was placed where Adam placed all his descendants: lower than the angels, and within Satan’s domain.

Why did Adam’s position change? What exactly did he do that resulted in such a drastic turn of events? He rebelled. Can eating a piece of fruit really be classified in the same category as a coup? To answer that, we need to understand the definition of rebellion. One of its simplest definitions is going against authority. What did Adam do? We went against God’s authority, against God’s will (see Are We Going Backwards?). In some ways, the position of Adam and Satan changed. Rather than humans being born in Adam’s kingdom, we are now all born into Satan’s kingdom. How do we know this? One way to know is understanding that when Satan tempted Christ in the wilderness, he offered Christ the kingdoms of this world (Mt 4:8-10). How did he obtain these kingdoms? From Adam (Lessons Moses and Elijah Give Us).

In addition, Jesus himself stated that he did not come into the world to condemn the world because we are already condemned (Jn 3:18). That is why we don’t need to do anything to be lost forever, because we already are! But we must make a decision to be transferred into God’s kingdom (Struggle for the World). Satan has cleverly made us believe that we must choose to be with him or be with God. Therefore, many people say, “Well I certainly don’t won’t to have anything to do with Satan, but I’m not sure I’m ready to turn my will over to God either,” like they are in their own domain and can decide to follow Satan, Christ, or themselves. Satan is the father of lies (Jn 8:44). You only have one choice. Remain in your current state which leads to destruction and forever separated from God and all those you love or yield to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and receive Jesus Christ as your Savior. That’s when you are transferred into His kingdom and will be with him forever.

Before we go further, let’s look at the second verse provided above. We’ll do that next time. I hope you join me.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens