The kingdom of darkness is well equipped and very ready to fight a pitched battle using any and all

means at its disposal. Remember, you are engaged in a battle with a very organized system of protocol
and chain of command. The following is a description of the kingdom of darkness. This may be the first
time you are learning about the elaborately organized kingdom and nation of darkness. But like all good
generals, it is to your benefit to be well aware of the inner workings of the enemy.

1. Principalities The word principality comes from the Greek word archomai, which, literally translated,
means “first in rank and order.” Principalities derive their power directly from Satan and are the highest-
ranking entities in Satan’s army. They influence the affairs of humanity at a national level, impacting
laws and policies. They are so purpose specific that they often embody world leaders. Take Hitler, for
instance. A careful examination of his life will undoubtedly point toward definite, demonic influence.
(See Ezekiel 28:11–19; Acts 8:6–25; Ephesians 3:10.)

2. Powers Next in the chain of command we find powers. The Greek word for power, exousia, speaks of
delegated authority. These are demonic spirits that derive their jurisdictional and delegated authority
from principalities. They affect and infect structures, systems, and the five pillars of our society:
marriage, family, government, education, and church. (See Ezekiel 28:1–10; Colossians 2:15.)

3. Rulers of the darkness of this world Kosmokrator and skotos3 are the Greek words used for this
category of spirits. These spirits are very high-ranking officers that have specialized jurisdiction over the
twelve cosmological systems of the universe and rule in the kingdom of darkness. They are responsible
for blinding the minds of people to truth and for facilitating sin, wickedness, and iniquity within the
nations of this world. They are also responsible for keeping people in a state of darkness. (When I speak
of darkness, I am not merely speaking of the absence of light, but of the absence of God. God is light and
divine inspiration.) They affect the thoughts, feelings, and perceptions of humanity through mass media,
music, movies, fashion, sports, philosophies, and religious ideologies. (See Colossians 1:13; Revelation
16:10; Jude 6, 13.)

4. Spiritual wickedness in high places The Greek phrase pneumatikos poneria epouranios speaks of types
of spirits found in high and lofty places that are responsible for anything that is perverted, depraved,
debased, warped, or corrupt. This spirit is spoken of as working from high, lofty, and heavenly places
that speak of not only celestial zones and dimensions but also the mind, which is a type of a heavenly
place. It influences, seduces, and falsely inspires actions, perceptions, motivations, fantasies,
imaginations, and appetites through the overt or covert attack and influence of the mind, affecting
terrestrial and celestial domains. (See Jeremiah 1:10; Luke 11:16–26; Romans 8:14–23.) According to
Daniel 10:10–13 these spirits, operating in the second heaven, frustrate and prohibit the manifestation
and answers to believers’ prayers. Perceptions, mindsets, paradigms, ideologies, and belief systems are
twisted and perverted to accommodate the personality of these evil spirits. (See Isaiah 14:12–14; 2
Corinthians 10:4–5; Ephesians 2:6; 3:10.)
PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS

Who are these evil forces that are constantly working behind the scenes to seduce, deceive, control, and
manipulate the flesh and the mind? Paul answers that question as he continues: “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.”

Paul tells us that there are four classifications of demon spirits:

1. Principalities 2. Powers 3. Rulers of the darkness of this world 4. Spiritual wickedness in high
places

THE DEVIL’S RANK-AND-FILE FORCES

All serious scholars agree that the language of Ephesians 6:12 is military in nature. It seems evident that
Paul received a rev elation of how Satan’s kingdom has been aligned militarily.

At the very top of Satan’s dark domain, there is a group of demon spirits that Paul calls “principalities.”
The word

At some point in our Christian experience, we will come into direct contact with evil forces.

“principality” is taken from the word archas, an old word that is used symbolically to denote ancient,
ancient times. Furthermore, it is also used to depict individuals who hold the highest and loftiest
positions of rank and authority.