They rule and have authority over the Kingdoms of this world.
Christ will subjugate all Kingdoms.
Seventh Trumpet: The Kingdoms of this World have Become the Kingdoms of our God and of His Christ
15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” 16 And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying:
“We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty,
The One who is and who was and who is to come,
Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.
18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come,
And the time of the dead, that they should be judged,
And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints,
And those who fear Your name, small and great,
And should destroy those who destroy the earth.”
19 Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.
” (Revelation 11:15–19, NKJV)
Currently they have been delivered to Satan
5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.” ” (Luke 4:5–7, NKJV)
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones (thrones) or dominions (areas of dominion) or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
” (Colossians 1:15–18, NKJV)
Do Not Neglect Salvation
2 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
The Son Made Lower Than Angels
5 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. 6 But one testified in a certain place, saying:
“What is man that You are mindful of him,
Or the son of man that You take care of him?
7 You have made him a little lower than the angels;
You have crowned him with glory and honor,
And set him over the works of Your hands.
8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet.”
For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.
Bringing Many Sons to Glory
10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying:
“I will declare Your name to My brethren;
In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.”
13 And again:
“I will put My trust in Him.”
And again:
“Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.”
14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
” (Hebrews 2:1–18, NKJV)
20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 27 For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. 28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.
” (1 Corinthians 15:20–28, NKJV)
A Throne is a Chair, and a Dominion is an area of control (domain).
Thrones and Dominions are not personal demonic figures but are structures of creation that create, establish and maintain command and control, order, authority, symmetry, systemization and method to the world.
Examples of Thrones and Dominions would be the state, the family, the clan and tribe, and the nation.
In the modern world, examples of Thrones and Dominions can be seen everywhere. Men create these Thrones & Dominions and usually come under the influence of demons, mostly without knowing that, and cease to be subordinate to God as the creator. There is then inevitably the tendency to establish their own hegemony and absoluteness. The tower of Babel is a prime example.
Each of these structures in a fallen creation, are then invisibly occupied by the demonic Powers and Principalities along with human Kings, Lords, pastors and popes. They claim to be the legitimate representatives of God, the “Vicar of Christ” as it were.
A few examples:
Paul makes clear that in the ancient world, the Thrones and Dominions occupied by Principalities and Powers were tutors and keepers of the world and functioned often in a relatively benign way. With the coming of Christ, and with His death and resurrection, the Principalities and Powers are “disarmed and…triumphed over” and again are called to take their rightful ruling place under the power of the now triumphant King.
Elements/Basic Principles
Stoichea: Elemental Spiritsστοιχεῖον (elementum),
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements (stoichea) will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements (stoichea) will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. ” (2 Peter 3:10–13, NKJV)
(b) a rudiment, an element, a rudimentary principle, an elementary rule; but in Gal. 4:3 there is much to be said for taking the word in the sense of spirit, demon (possibly also in (a)).[1]
Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements(stoichea) of the world. ” (Galatians 4:1–3, NKJV)
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world (stoichea), and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. ” (Colossians 2:8–10, NKJV)
20 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world (stoichea), why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations ” (Colossians 2:20, NKJV)
8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements (stoichea), to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain. ” (Galatians 4:8–11, NKJV)
Idols
εἴδωλον (simulacrum), an image of a god.[2]
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 2 You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. ” (1 Corinthians 12:1–2, NKJV)
The course of this world, the prince of the power of the air
And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. ” (Ephesians 2:1–3, NKJV)
Lists of Requirements, Food, Drink, Festivals
14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. 16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. ” (Colossians 2:14–17, NKJV)
Baptism Breaks Authorities and Powers Hold
21 There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him. ” (1 Peter 3:21–22, NKJV)
The Whole Armor of God
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. ” (Ephesians 6:10–13, NKJV)
Christ as Head of the Church has Pre-eminence
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. ” (Colossians 1:15–18, NKJV)
Christ has overcome the Powers, the Principalities, and thus emptied the Thrones and the Dominions of their demonic host, the demons that sat on them. This left the Thrones and the Dominions bound and powerless and easy to break down and reduce to rubble, just like King Josiah did in 2 Kings 22.
Now where does this leave the church? What does this mean for our Ecclesiology and how does the Church flow in this dynamic of Thrones and Dominions?
It's very easy to see how the Roman Catholic Church was the resurgent Roman Empire endeavoring to restructure it itself according to essentially Pagan lines with the Christian veneer over it?
We thank God for Martin Luther, John Calvin, and the Reformation. They endeavored to correct many of the power abuses and of the secular political structures of the Roman Catholic Church, but sadly, both Calvin and Luther are part of what we call the magisterial reformers, and they never managed to separate the Church from political secular structures.
It took the Anabaptists and the Radical Reformers to take one step further in separating church and state, separating spiritual power and authority and the headship of Christ and the throne of Christ from that of the magistrate, from that of the politics, from that of the king. And from that of Mammon.
I was recently involved in a leadership crisis with a commercial church. The pastor had developed a habit of moral failure and the International Apostolic oversight team was displeased with this when it came to their attention and they moved against him. The pastor himself refused to admit guilt. The weak yes-men elders that he had appointed around him to protect him also refused to address the situation. These weak elders in fact failed to investigate the situation and made no contact with any of the victims of the atrocities during the so-called investigation.
The International Apostolic team came to speak to them and to minister to them with the authority that was vested in the international Apostolic team through the constitution of this specific commercial church. Although the pastor and the elders disagreed with the accusation and refused action, the power vested by this commercial church’s constitution made it possible for the international Apostolic team to remove the pastor.
This created a leadership void and one of the young men who had been substitute pastor stood up and said that he would be the leader. The puppet elders agreed with this, seeing as not one of them had any strong biblical and spiritual authority. The International Apostolic Team moved against this and pulled out the constitution again and said the constitution proves that the International Apostolic Team has the authority to appoint the pastor. Although the leaders were as sweet and gentle and patient and kind as they could have been, the net effect is still that the power vested in the international Apostolic team overrode the power of the pastor and the power of the elders.
I'm not debating the morality of this individual situation, but I'm listing this as an example of the fact that this is a throne, and seated on the throne is the International Apostolic Team. Whether this throne is good or bad, we can debate for a long time, but what we cannot debate is that this throne is not the Bible, does not align with the Bible in any significant way, and it is an alternative source of authority and power for this local commercial church other than the Bible.
No, human action, sadly, is ever devoid of either the work of the Holy Spirit or demonic working, whether it be petty local demons or the powers and the principalities who are seated on the Thrones and have authority over the dominions below them. So that leads us to the conclusion that the throne and the dominion is either that of the Holy Spirit or it is demonic. For a baby Christians and pastortutes this is a shocking, scary thought. But for any vaguely intelligent Bible believing Christian, this is crystal clear.
The commercial churches are not structured according to the biblical pattern, and they are not spiritual. Neither can they be. They are commercial and their product is the gospel. They have CEO, CFO, COO, board, a product and customers.
Is it really possible that you are comfortable to sit in such a commercial arrangement that is dumbed down for mass production and honestly think that you're going to have a biblical Holy Spirit revival? Or even salvation?
The Light of Christ’s Gospel
4 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
” (2 Corinthians 4:1–6, NKJV)
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. ” (1 Timothy 4:1–5, NKJV)
7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. ” (Matthew 10:7–8, NKJV)
[1] Alexander Souter, A Pocket Lexicon to the Greek New Testament (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1917), 242.
[2] Alexander Souter, A Pocket Lexicon to the Greek New Testament (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1917), 72.