The Devil and His Demons
Heavenly Realms
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 6:10-18
Key Verse: Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Where are these demons and evil forces? Are they floating around us? Our scripture for today mentions “heavenly realms.” There are other scriptures that indicate that, indeed, the devil and his demons operate in what theologians have called the “middle zone.” Let’s look at three levels mentioned in the scriptures concerning the “heavens.” (I am indebted to Peter Lundell’s book: “Armed for Battle” for these levels.)
The first “heaven” in the scriptures is the sky, the clouds, the sun, and the stars. As the Psalmist David wrote: “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1). The third “heaven” is the dwelling place of God. The apostle Paul writes of it in 2 Corinthians 12:2-3, describing it as Paradise. It is here that the apostle Paul said he heard “inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell.”
The last level is likely, according to Lundell, where the “holy war” goes on…where the devil and his demons operate. Revelation 14:6 speaks of the “mezzouranos,” the middle heaven (often translated “midair”). It is here that theologian Gregory A. Boyd terms “the world in between” us and God.
From these verses, we can be assured that the Biblical writers were very aware and understanding of the principalities and powers of the evil forces in the heavenly realms. The early church approached their daily lives with a determination to be strong in the Lord; they understood the great battle going on in the unseen world. It is for this very reason that so much emphasis is given in the Bible for Christ followers to stand firm and not give the devil a foothold.
“Father, please help me to stay diligent and alert to the real battle that I must fight. Thank you for being greater in me than he that is in the world. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”