Lucifer was a Archangel and is now a fallen angel. A principality is a kingdom ruled by a king or prince. There are two types of kingdoms. There are earthly kingdoms, and then there are spiritual kingdoms. The scriptures reveal that spiritual kingdoms can rule over physical kingdoms.
It is imperative that we grasp the biblical truth that physical things--the things we can see and touch--are always subordinate to spiritual things which cannot always be seen.
The word "principalities," found in Ephesians chapter six, can be used in reference to either a kingdom or to the ruler of a kingdom. The word is translated from the Greek word "Arche." It is interesting to note that the word is derived from a family of Greek words, all containing the word "arch," which includes the word "archangel" as found in 1 Thessalonians 4:16.
A Principality or Archangel denotes precedence or great authority, and the principalities we are warned against in Ephesians 6:12 are powerful spiritual entities (archangels/princes) who rule kingdoms here on earth.
Although the title “Principality” denotes rank, it carries no inherent connotation of either good or evil—that must be specified within the context of whatever passage it is found in. In Satan’s kingdom, aside from Satan himself, principalities are most likely the highest ranking (therefore the most powerful) order of devils (or fallen angels) we will ever be likely to come up against.
They are also part of a class of devils that can only be successfully fought by adding fasting to our prayers.** We see an example of this in Daniel 10:12-13 where an angel was dispatched in answer to Daniel's prayer. But the angel was hindered by the "Prince of Persia"—a principality.
The "Prince of Persia" is ("is" not "was," because this is a spirit being who still exists) a very powerful demon/fallen angel who was able to delay Heaven's messenger for 3 full weeks!
Although the title “Principality” denotes rank, it carries no inherent connotation of either good or evil—that must be specified within the context of whatever passage it is found in. In Satan’s kingdom, aside from Satan himself, principalities are most likely the highest ranking (therefore the most powerful) order of devils (or fallen angels) we will ever be likely to come up against.
They are also part of a class of devils that can only be successfully fought by adding fasting to our prayers.** We see an example of this in Daniel 10:12-13 where an angel was dispatched in answer to Daniel's prayer. But the angel was hindered by the "Prince of Persia"—a principality.
The "Prince of Persia" is ("is" not "was," because this is a spirit being who still exists) a very powerful demon/fallen angel who was able to delay Heaven's messenger for 3 full weeks!
**In this study, for convenience sake, the terms fallen angel, devil, or demon may be used interchangeably as they are all purely evil, fallen, beings. We do not really need to be concerned about the differences between them except to understand the four sub-categories listed in Ephesians 6:12, which this series will look at in detail.
In the book of Daniel, the "Prince of Persia" is a principality so powerful that God dispatched another angel, Michael (another principality--only a good one), to assist the first angel in getting through the lines to Daniel (the battle was not completely won in 21 days--only Daniel's part--because the angel who spoke to Daniel said he was going back to finish the fight).
This principality (the Prince of Persia) was directly responsible for hindering the answer to Daniel's prayer for 21 days. But the fact that Daniel persevered and stuck to his commitment not to eat any pleasant bread (partial fast) is relevant to the final outcome.
Are there times we pray and feel that we receive no answer, and then give up because we believe that no answer is forthcoming? It is possible that a very powerful devil known as a "principality" is responsible for the hindrance. Daniel did not give up when no answer to his prayer seemed forth coming, and neither should we!
In the book of Daniel, the "Prince of Persia" is a principality so powerful that God dispatched another angel, Michael (another principality--only a good one), to assist the first angel in getting through the lines to Daniel (the battle was not completely won in 21 days--only Daniel's part--because the angel who spoke to Daniel said he was going back to finish the fight).
This principality (the Prince of Persia) was directly responsible for hindering the answer to Daniel's prayer for 21 days. But the fact that Daniel persevered and stuck to his commitment not to eat any pleasant bread (partial fast) is relevant to the final outcome.
Are there times we pray and feel that we receive no answer, and then give up because we believe that no answer is forthcoming? It is possible that a very powerful devil known as a "principality" is responsible for the hindrance. Daniel did not give up when no answer to his prayer seemed forth coming, and neither should we!
** Matthew 17:21 (kjv) tells us that there are some devils which will not come out except by prayer and fasting--if your Bible version does not contain this verse, or has a footnote saying the "oldest and best mss" omit it. Toss it! And get a Bible that retains it.
This verse has around 4000 witnesses [in mss, quotes from church fathers, and version evidence] that it is indeed an original part of the Word of God. It has not been added. The subjective statement about the "oldest and best mss," that are referred to, are only two [very controversial] manuscripts out of thousands—not only have they not been proven to be the best—they also have not been proven to be the oldest.
This verse has around 4000 witnesses [in mss, quotes from church fathers, and version evidence] that it is indeed an original part of the Word of God. It has not been added. The subjective statement about the "oldest and best mss," that are referred to, are only two [very controversial] manuscripts out of thousands—not only have they not been proven to be the best—they also have not been proven to be the oldest.
Hungry for more? Listen to a podcast of Armor of God part three (not a transcript of this post)
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