Chapter 39, Footnote 4:
Demonic hierarchies:
There is much speculation on the exact structure of the demonic hierarchy. Some scholars believe that it is very similar to that of the angels. Others hold that the demonic structure of command is far more complex; after all, it is a kingdom of beings that cannot be trusted. Many demons have been relegated to an unimportant “imp” status; demons that hold little influence over other demons outside of their own low rank.
The Bible does speak to command levels of demonic forces, though. Paul deals with this in his letter to the churches at Ephesus. He writes, “For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”9
During my research into how best to describe this hierarchy, I found a website that got into a lot of terrific detail about demonic rankings. The owner of the site dutifully sought out the meanings of certain words in the Greek and Hebrew to make sure that proper defining of roles was included. I’ve put the link to that site below. Understand that all websites are subject to the owner’s removal at any time.10
It is believed that “Principalities” hold the second-highest ranking within the demonic kingdom, second only to Satan. Below Principalities are “Powers and World Rulers of Darkness.” I believe that these Powers include “Powers of the Air.”
Paul goes on to mention “Spiritual Wickedness in Heavenly Places.” It’s possible that this is not so much a classification of class, but rather the whole of the demonic realm, including the weakest of impish demons.
Satan is portrayed as a god (a false one), a prince, and a king in Scripture. But there is One who is greater, who, in fact created all of the angelic realm in which Satan and his minions exist. It is He, Jesus, who is the True God, the Prince of all princes, the King of all kings, and the Lord of all lords. He reigns as the Second Person of the Godhead, who is supreme commander of all that exists.
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1 ‘Multiple Personality Disorder - Demons and Angels or Archetypal aspects of the inner self,’ Dr. Haraldur Erlendsson ©Haraldur Erlendsson 2003
2 1 Corinthians 13:8-10
3 Luke 11:11-12
4 Romans 8:26; 1 Corinthians 14:14-15; Ephesians 6:18
5 Jude 20-21
6 2 Timothy 4:1, 3-4
7 1 Corinthians 12:10
8 Matthew 12:22-29; Mark 3:21-27; Luke 11:14-26
9 Ephesians 6:12
10 battleinchrist.com/principalities_powers_world_rulers_of_darkness_spiritual
_wickedness_in_spiritual_warfare.htm (visit site here)