CHAPTER TWO
Where Did That Come From?

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.

Ephesians 6:12 AMP

The apostle Paul, when writing to the church in Ephesus, explains the struggle believers are facing on earth. This struggle is a kind of wrestling, which is a contest in which each participant endeavors to throw the other down or off balance. The contest is decided when the victor is able to hold his opponent down, preventing him from moving. This meaning also reflects the Christian’s struggle with the power of evil.1 Sometimes victory over evil requires wrestling, but far too many Christians overlook the reality of the struggle between light and darkness. We approach the issue of faith and prayers thinking that we only need to ask and wait. This is a common misconception. Seeing responses to our prayers not only includes asking in faith but gaining revelation concerning—and dealing with—any hindrances to our prayers.

In his description of the struggle between believers and the powers of darkness, Paul was describing an ongoing resistance. The goal of hell and its evils is to delay responses to our prayers. We are each grappling or wrestling in the Spirit against assignments of hell targeting our destinies. These assignments not only war against you to control your destiny, they war to gain control over your portion. Each of us has been given a portion from God; this is our inheritance. As we walk in dominion in some area, we gain access to our portion as we exercise rulership in that area. Hell’s agenda is to stop you from accessing and walking in your portion.

APPLICATION

Ask the Lord to let you see (in the spiritual realm) how the forces of hell are operating against you, covering your portion.

Demon Structures

Paul not only provides a description of our spiritual struggle against the powers of darkness, he gives us a glimpse of the way the kingdom of darkness is structured when he explained to the Ephesian believers that their wrestling was “against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places” (Ephesians 6:12 AMP). The powers of hell are structured in such a way as to maximize their efforts against believers. Paul was using military language to describe the reality of the spiritual contest that confronts every believer every day. He was describing spiritual warfare. This warfare takes place continually across the earth, on several different levels. In his book Warfare Prayer, C. Peter Wagner describes three levels of spiritual warfare: ground level, occult level and strategic level. Let’s take a closer look at each of these.

Ground-Level Warfare

The term ground-level warfare is commonly used to describe personal deliverance ministry, the ministry of casting out devils.2 Deliverance ministry is an important aspect of Kingdom living and has been since Jesus was practicing it. When the disciples returned from their mission trips, they rejoiced that the demons were subject to them (see Luke 10:17). Casting out demons is part of the overall ministry of deliverance.

Much has been written about the debate over whether or not a Christian can have a demon. I believe the issue is not can Christians have a demon; in many instances, Christians do have a demon. This is because prior to salvation through Christ, our sin nature controls us. This sin nature causes the flesh to become accustomed to certain ways of living and being. Habits are entrenched in the soul realm. The ministry of deliverance is not about the demons; it is about bringing spiritual victory and freedom to those who are in bondage. Deliverance is about setting the captives free, which is accomplished through ground-level spiritual warfare. In Mark 7:27, Jesus made it clear that believers are entitled to deliverance; it is the “children’s bread.” This does not mean that believers are not responsible for praying, fasting and studying the Word of God. It does mean, however, that the supernatural ministry of deliverance is available to each and every believer.

In her book How to Cast Out Demons, Doris Wagner writes,

After passing the temptation in the wilderness, Jesus began to weaken the kingdom of darkness by casting out demons and showing his disciples how to do the same. In Mark 16:17–18 He even states, “These signs will follow those who believe. In My name, they will cast out demons . . . they will lay hands on the sick and they will recover.” That seems to include us today. We should be continually pushing back the kingdom of darkness by being obedient to these orders. This level of ministry is ground-level warfare and should be a common level of ministry for all believers.3

Deliverance is part of the supernatural ministry of all believers and a significant area of ministry in the Church, especially for new believers. As a new believer, I was fortunate to join a Pentecostal ministry that believed in fasting, prayer, baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of tongues and deliverance. Corporate deliverance meetings were known as “casting-out services.” Prior to these services, we would fast for several days in preparation for personal deliverance.

During this season, I learned that I did not have to wait for the monthly corporate deliverance service; I could and did include deliverance in my times of personal prayer at home. I carried considerable anger and bitterness and needed much deliverance. I did not want to be saved and angry or saved and bitter, so I sought the Lord continually for deliverance. I believe that this pattern in my early Christian walk was a significant contribution to my continuing in the Kingdom, living a life of freedom and victory.

I remember watching people hear about the type of church I belonged to, and an eerie expression would come over their faces. It was almost as though they did not know if they should continue our conversation or if they should run. That reaction was typical of many misconceptions about Pentecostals that were common at the time. Some of the biggest misconceptions were in the area of deliverance. Unfortunately, these misconceptions continue among those who believe that Christians do not need deliverance. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Life in the earth realm brings many frustrations, disappointments and traumas. During these times we can suffer wounds in the soul realm that require deliverance. Jesus described deliverance as the children’s bread. This is merely an indication that believers suffer wounds that need to be healed. Sometimes we are confronted by generational iniquities like gambling, pornography, lust and other issues passed down through our bloodlines. Looking back, we are able to see how these things were problematic to our forefathers. While some Christians are delivered at the time of salvation, others find that these areas continue to plague them. Deliverance is the answer.

APPLICATION

Commit to building and maintaining a life of prayer and worship and to developing a habit of studying the Word of God so your mind is renewed each day.

It is important to understand that deliverance is only the beginning. You must build and maintain a life of prayer and worship and develop a habit of studying the Word of God so your mind is renewed each day. In other words, you must allow the Spirit of God to fill you each day. When you do not, the enemy comes back with reinforcements.

Now when the unclean spirit has gone out of a man, it roams through waterless (dry, arid) places in search of rest, but it does not find it. Then it says, “I will return to my house from which I came.” And when it arrives, it finds the place unoccupied, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and make their home there. And the last condition of that man becomes worse than the first.

Matthew 12:43–45 AMP

As an apostle in a ministry, I have found that new believers are more successful living Kingdom lives when they have access to deliverance. Let’s say a new believer has a demonic spirit of anger that manifests through his quick temper. A way to overcome this is through personal deliverance. The apostle Paul exhorted the Colossian church to put off “anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth” (Colossians 3:8 NKJV). We are also instructed, “Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools” (Ecclesiastes 7:9 NKJV). Paul was speaking to believers in the Church who had not overcome these behaviors. Therefore, corporate and individual deliverance must be available to believers.

We need to understand ground-level warfare if we are going to experience a greater manifestation of answers to prayers. It is critical for us to recognize that the kingdom of darkness works against believers on a personal level.

Occult-Level Warfare

The occult promotes good works as a means of attaining salvation. Individuals under its influence promote an outward observance of spiritual things without redemption through the blood of Jesus and transformation by the Holy Spirit. This is another way that the kingdom of darkness withstands mankind to prevent us from moving in Kingdom truths. Occult-level warfare exposes the organized forces of darkness behind the occult, such as witchcraft, shamanism, Satanism, Freemasonry, Eastern religions, New Age and similar religious practices.

Interest in the occult is growing in Western society. We see this in the rising popularity of movies and television series such as the Harry Potter movies, Charmed, Lucifer and Supernatural. These are centered in the practice of magic, and many children and adults enjoy watching these programs. Wicca, a contemporary form of witchcraft whose practice is usually hidden by its adherents, is also growing. According to the New York Times,

It is unclear how many Wiccans and other pagans there are. The 2001 American Religious Identification Survey by the City University of New York found that Wicca was the country’s fastest-growing religion, with 134,000 adherents, compared with 8,000 in 1990. The actual number may be greater.4

We also see increasingly violent and sexually explicit materials bombarding society through movies, video games and television programs. In 2000 Doris Wagner wrote,

With so much violence, skewed values, and improper sexual input bombarding the minds and eyes of society, it is no wonder that after a time Generation X has become callused and confused and they just don’t know right from wrong. But worse yet, they have almost no concept of evil . . . this leaves them vulnerable to innocently inviting demons into their lives because they don’t know any better.5

All of this has led to a rejection of biblical values in American society since the 1960s, and subsequently it has continued.

This rejection of biblical values is seen in the percentage of millennials (reported by the Barna Group) who no longer identify with the Church:

Over half of Millennials with a Christian background (fifty-nine percent) have, at some point, dropped out of going to church after having gone regularly, and half have been significantly frustrated by their faith. Additionally, more than fifty percent of eighteen to twenty-nine-year olds with Christian backgrounds say they are less active in church compared to when they were fifteen.6

While the reasons associated with the exodus from the Church are varied, the adverse effect on many believers of the attack on biblical values must be considered. The apostle Paul described the nature of this attack to his son in the faith, Timothy: “Holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]” (2 Timothy 3:5 AMP).

Rather than embracing Kingdom values, far too many believers have been influenced to find another door. Jesus reveals Himself in Scripture as the good shepherd who leads His sheep. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber” (John 10:1 NKJV). Throughout the gospels, Jesus reveals Himself as the access point to the Father: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6 NKJV).

Strategic-Level Warfare

Strategic-level warfare is also referred to as territorial warfare. Ephesians 6:12 is packed with descriptions of the kingdom of darkness; it shows us that the kingdom of darkness operates through an organizational, hierarchical structure. This demonic network is committed to interfering in the affairs of mankind, hindering our prayers and holding entire regions in captivity. Let’s take a closer look at the biblical terms that describe this structure; their definitions and Strong’s numbers are listed in the following table.

Greek Word	Strong’s Number	Meaning	Notes
archē	746	principality	first-place rulers, magistrates of demons
exousia	1849	power
kosmokrator	2888	world ruler	refers to the lords of this world, princes of this age of darkness; the devil and his demons
skotos	4655	night darkness	to have darkened eyesight or blindness (i.e., ignorance)
ponēria	4189	wickedness	depravity, iniquity, evil purposes and desires
epouranios	2032	high places	established in the heavenly places

From these word studies, several things should be noticed—the first being the hierarchical structure that operates within the kingdom of darkness. At the top of this structure are principalities and powers, which are territorial spirits assigned to regions, cities and nations. Throughout the New Testament, several other words are used in conjunction with the terms in Ephesians 6:12 to denote supernatural beings: dynameis (powers), archōntes (rulers), thronoi (thrones), kyriotētes (lordships), and stoicheia (elemental spirits).7 The terms arche and dynameis are used primarily by Paul to designate angelic beings, both good and evil, but more commonly refer to the realm of Satan. In Ephesians, where there are more references to principalities and powers than in any other epistle, they are regarded as evil and under the authority of the devil.8

The point here is that principalities and powers are ruling spirits whose will and commands must be obeyed by the demon spirits with less authority. These fallen angels are subject to Satan’s rule. Believers are called to resist their influence by appropriating the power of God, for the compelling influence of these evil powers has been broken by the finished work of Christ. When Christ was exalted to the right hand of God, He was placed in a position of authority far above every conceivable evil angelic being (see Ephesians 1:20–21).9

The Holy Spirit will come upon you and you will be filled with power.

Acts 1:8 TPT

Now you understand that I have imparted to you all my authority to trample over his kingdom. You will trample upon every demon before you and overcome every power Satan possesses. Absolutely nothing will be able to harm you as you walk in this authority.

Luke 10:19 TPT

Believers have been given power and authority to enforce the victory won by Christ at Calvary. In so doing, we access the blessings God has purposed for us. We have a choice as to which power we will serve, Satan’s or God’s.

Because principalities are territorial spirits, they work through the cultures of the regions to which they are attached. Cultures, of course, vary significantly from region to region, leading to distinctions in cultural practices, socioeconomic status and identity, among other factors. I remember a conversation on social media about adding sugar to grits. In case you do not know, grits, a hot breakfast dish popularized in the southern United States, has grown in popularity throughout the country. This dish is made from ground corn and can be eaten several ways. The fuss on social media was whether the most appropriate seasonings were butter, salt and pepper, or butter and sugar. I am still not sure which side won the debate. This is an example of how even minor practices vary from region to region. I have spent considerable time traveling and noticing differences in people. In some regions, they are very friendly, greeting and smiling at strangers they pass on the street. In other places, they are cold and distant, rarely making eye contact and hardly ever saying a friendly “hello.”

When we see from a spiritual perspective, we realize that many differences we observe from region to region can be attributed to various territorial spirits operating over them. Since we cannot see these spirits naturally unless God reveals them, we must look at how their presence manifests in each region: In one region it could be gambling; in another, sex trafficking or higher levels of drug addiction and violent crime. We might see a combination of crimes. This is not simply due to different locations on the map. Cultural distinctions can be attributed to spiritual principalities, powers and rulers that operate over different cities, regions and territories. We can think of this as spiritual “air traffic control.”

Recently, I dreamed I was inside of what looked like a demonic outpost. Everyone was dressed in military uniform. I noticed that the leader was not just overweight, he was grotesquely overweight. He was giving commands to other demons who reported to him. As I looked at him, I wondered why he was so large. The Lord imparted an answer to my spirit: The leader was so large because he was consuming the inheritance of believers. This ruling spirit was able to consume what belonged to believers who had become discouraged over what appeared to be unanswered prayers. The kingdom of darkness seeks to frustrate our purposes by hindering our prayers through delay.

As I looked around in the dream, I saw what looked like a communication structure, which was a command center. Lesser spirits manned the phones, and reports were completed and passed along to other spirits so that everyone knew what was going on. Because believers are not taking their positions in prayer and standing in their positions in the Kingdom of God, this highly organized and efficient demonic infrastructure has the capacity to prevail over many believers. This is a picture of how the kingdom of darkness operates.

Locating the Source of the Problem

Our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.

Ephesians 6:12 AMP

Principalities, rulers, powers and spiritual wickedness operate in high places, which are, as I wrote before, heavenly places. But where are they located? To understand where these demonic hindrances dwell, it is important for us to understand how God structured the heavens.

First Heaven

The first heaven is commonly referred to as the atmospheric heaven and includes the air that we breathe and the area immediately surrounding earth. Science refers to this as the troposphere, which extends from the surface of the earth to approximately 6 miles above, and the stratosphere, which extends 25 miles beyond the troposphere. The realm of the first heaven is referred to in Genesis 1:20: “Let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens” (NKJV). Jesus indicated in Matthew 6:26 that our heavenly father would provide for all our needs in the realm of the first heaven, as he did for the “birds of the air” who dwell in it. James also makes mention of the first heaven when he said, “He prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit” (James 5:18 NKJV). In another translation, the word heaven is referred to as “sky”: “Elijah prayed that it would rain. And the rain came down from the sky, and the land grew crops again” (James 5:18 ERV).

Second Heaven

The second heaven is the solar system (i.e., outer space). It is thought of as the stellar heaven, the place where the sun, moon and stars dwell. This is where powers of darkness reside, between heaven where God dwells and earth where mankind dwells. The biblical account of Creation reveals how God formed the second heaven on the fourth day.

God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness.

Genesis 1:16–18 NKJV

When speaking of future events, Jesus also referred to this realm: “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Matthew 24:29 NKJV). Scripture refers to both heaven and the highest heavens in Deuteronomy 10:14 (NKJV): “Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the LORD your God, also the earth with all that is in it.” This helps us to understand the existence of the highest heaven where God dwells and the celestial heavens. Scripture also refers to heavens of heavens, indicating the same distinction: “Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens!” (Psalm 148:4 NKJV).

Third Heaven

The realm of heaven where God’s throne is established is often referred to as the third heaven. In the Scriptures, this realm of heaven is called “the dwelling place of God.”

The LORD set his throne up in heaven, and he rules over everything.

Psalm 103:19 ERV

I looked, and there before me was an open door in heaven. And I heard the same voice that spoke to me before. It was the voice that sounded like a trumpet. It said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.” Immediately the Spirit took control of me, and there in heaven was a throne with someone sitting on it.

Revelation 4:1–2 ERV

Heaven belongs to the LORD, but he gave the earth to people.

Psalm 115:16 ERV

Heaven is God’s command center. God mobilizes angelic forces from His throne in heaven, and He has assigned earth to mankind to steward. Although we are able to ascend to heaven through the door of worship and prayer, our human bodies are assigned to the earth realm.

Then I saw Heaven open wide—and oh! a white horse and its Rider. The Rider, named Faithful and True, judges and makes war in pure righteousness. His eyes are a blaze of fire, on his head many crowns. He has a Name inscribed that’s known only to himself. He is dressed in a robe soaked with blood, and he is addressed as “Word of God.” The armies of Heaven, mounted on white horses and dressed in dazzling white linen, follow him.

Revelation 19:11–14 MESSAGE

Like the apostle John in the book of Revelation, the apostle Paul described a supernatural experience wherein he was taken to the third heaven. The third heaven is where God’s throne and the activity of heaven are centered. It is God’s command center, often referred to as His war room. Paul describes being “caught up” or “taken up” to the third heaven and not knowing whether he was in his body or not. John describes falling down as though he were dead. From these encounters we know that overwhelming glory emanates from the place where God’s throne and presence are.

I know a man in Christ who was taken up to the third heaven. This happened 14 years ago. I don’t know if the man was in his body or out of his body, but God knows. And I know that this man was taken up to paradise. I don’t know if he was in his body or away from his body, but he heard things that he is not able to explain. He heard things that no one is allowed to tell.

2 Corinthians 12:2–4 ERV

Paul describes his encounter in the third heaven during which he did not know whether he was in his body or not. He describes receiving revelation that he was not permitted to reveal. Similarly, John heard an utterance from the seven thunders and was told to seal the things the seven thunders uttered and not to write them (Revelation 10:4 KJV). When we encounter the third heaven, we encounter the place where God resides and all of the surrounding activity of worship. There is no demonic activity in the third heaven.

Second-Heaven Interference

Each realm of heaven, first, second and third, reflect different functions. As discussed, the first heaven is the immediate domain that we encounter in the form of night, day, rain, etc. The third heaven is where God our Father, Jesus our Redeemer, the Holy Spirit, His angelic messengers and citizens of heaven live. It is the center of worship and mobilization of heaven’s forces on behalf of God. The second heaven is where demonic principalities, powers, rulers and spiritual wickedness in high places reside. This realm is where demonic rulers and principalities operate to hinder the plans and purposes of God. It is here that responses to our prayers are often delayed.

Satan attempts to frustrate us by delaying answers to our prayers and, in some cases, deceiving us into believing that God has not responded. I want you to know that God always responds to our prayers. God’s responses are yes, no or not yet. Do not be deceived into believing that God, our heavenly Father, the supreme ruler of the universe, is ignoring you. That is a lie of Satan. Not only is God not ignoring you, God has the capacity to do what you are asking of Him.

God is omnipotent, meaning He has all power. There is no power on earth or in the heavens that is stronger than God. The name El Gibhor in Jeremiah 32:18 reveals God as almighty! God cannot increase in might because He possesses all might.

God is omniscient, meaning God is all-knowing and cannot increase in knowledge. God is also omnipresent, meaning He is everywhere at the same time. In the psalms, David acknowledges that no matter where he goes, God is there with him, and God is with you.

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead), behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will take hold of me.

Psalm 139:7–10 AMP

Finally, God is immutable, meaning He does not change. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. “For I am the LORD, I change not,” He said (Malachi 3:6). And, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8).

God’s will for you was planned in eternity before you were born. God knew who you would be, where you would live and what you would look like. He established your purpose, identity and destiny before you were born. As a matter of fact, God purposed that you would be sent to earth with His purposes in mind, to perform His will and to advance His Kingdom. God knows every thought of your mind and desire of your heart. Satan does not possess these characteristics. He would like us to think of him as a supreme being, but he is not. He is a fallen angel, who was cast out of heaven.

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms?

Isaiah 14:12–16 KJV

The enemy’s efforts to delay our prayers is a carefully orchestrated attack against us. If you continue to bombard heaven with your requests, breakthrough will come. Responses will come from heaven. Delayed does not necessarily mean denied.

APPLICATION

Ask the Lord to let you “see” how the forces of hell are operating against you, covering your portion.

Key Scripture: Ephesians 6:12

Key Points: There are three realms of heaven:

• The first heaven refers to the atmospheric heaven and includes the air we breathe, the surface of the earth and the area directly above.
• The second heaven refers to outer space, where we find the solar system. This is where powers of darkness reside, the place between heaven where God dwells and earth where mankind dwells.
• The third heaven is where God dwells. In this realm, the throne of God is established.

Reflection: Have you sensed resistance in any area of your life or family? Ask the Lord to show you how demonic structures are operating against you or your family.