By Christopher Dryden
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12 ESV
We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
1 John 5:19 ESV
God rules. He is sovereign over all. He who began all things will end all things, and they will end in His glory in the brand new heavens and the brand new earth. This is reason for hope in the future and motivation to live for Him today.
The reason for the new heaven and the new earth has much to do with what’s going on in the current earth. People sometimes reassure themselves that because there is good in the world, maybe we’re all born good, and it’s just how we’re conditioned that corrupts us. Some even think that if we can all work together in harmony, we can combat all the problems in the world.
God informs us of some realities that we need to be aware of, which gives us reason to have hope in the new heaven and the new earth. Man’s act of rebellion in the garden caused his exit from God's presence and brought about significant influence from heavenly beings on earthly matters that were not in line with God.
The kingdom of darkness exerted its influence by promoting every enterprise that sought to rebel against God and glorify man. Those influences can be seen in the upper levels of power structures in countries, organisations, and even smaller structures. When policies are promoted that go against the standards of God, that’s a blatant way in which the counter-kingdom exerts its influence.
Different systems with different methods, but all looking to impose their rule at the expense of true allegiance to the Creator of the heavens and the earth.
All those who acknowledge Jesus as Lord operate in a world where the counter kingdom’s influence is significant. The issue is not primarily about people; it’s about those spiritual forces that stir the minds and hearts of those who can effect change to do so against the rule of God. Those influences operate at all levels of life – they influence dysfunctions in relationships and families; they stir those elements such as selfish ambition, pride and lust that distort society; they inflame divisions for any and every reason that perpetuates conflicts and discontent. These influences are not only blatant – they’re subtle and are as much at work in key religious organisations as they are in the ungodly institutions that give the face of respectability, whilst pushing evil agendas.
This is something that those who follow Jesus must be aware of. Jesus rescues us from this as we turn to Him in repentance and faith. We must be aware and, as the Apostle Paul instructed, we should be, at all times, thoroughly equipped to deal with the nature of this conflict. These influences, however, are not ones to cause fear, distress and great anxiety. We are aware of these influences because of the God who rescues us. We are aware of these influences in the light of the Christ who defeated the evil one. We are aware of these influences as we’re led by the indwelling Spirit of God that gives us hope that as we live in the light of the rule today, we have a brand new heaven and brand new earth to look forward to where all these influences will be forever removed from the equation.
Our eyes are to remain on the prize, which is the Lord Jesus Christ. We’re aware of the efforts of the counter-kingdom; they should reinforce our focus on our Lord, who has overcome and waits for the time when all His enemies will be His footstool.
Ask: How does the counter kingdom influence the world?
Seek: How can you identify the influence of the counter kingdom in your world? What are you doing in response to the influence?
Knock: Lord of hosts, we look to you to equip us for the warfare. Open our eyes to the influence of the counter kingdom around us, then lift our eyes to the Captain of heaven’s armies as you display your victory as we faithfully share the gospel of the Kingdom. For your glory, Lord.
