Now I am not implying that I have special access to CIA files or Presidential Counsel. I am not scouring the country trying to gather the latest secrets behind political maneuvering, congressional decisions, or military proposals. I am simply declaring that there may be more to what is happening in our world than we are aware or than it may be possible for us to know.

I take this position based on Biblical teachings concerning spiritual warfare and I also postulate that unless we take the Biblical data into account we will not be able to handle what seems to be a barrage of conflicting and confusing information. Although we may not have enough information to completely make sense of current events, we will be able to resolve in our minds what is happening and come to terms with our role in the scheme of things.

First, the Apostle Paul talks with the Ephesians about the battle that is raging in their world and ours. He tells them that the wrangling and wrestling is not between people alone; we are waging a spiritual battle – not with “flesh and blood” but against spiritual forces.

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)

Some see in this verse a hierarchy of spiritual authority, each given charge by Satan of certain areas. This may be true. However, what must garner our attention here is the pervasiveness and exceeding power of forces at work in the invisible realm that affects ours. “Cosmic powers” ought to catch our immediate attention and sober us to realize that on a daily basis we face spiritual battles against a powerful, organized and pervasive network of dark spiritual forces seeking to destroy us.

Why are we surprised at the stubborn resistance to reason and diplomacy from a Putin or Kim or Admenajab? Why do these world leaders seem bent on domination, subjugation, and violence? Could the answer lie in the spiritual forces behind the scenes, working in them to harden their hearts to the truth, to their neighbors, to their own people?

Why are we surprised when we hear stories in our own locale of people who seem to become possessed with evil and do unspeakable acts, and those around them who thought they knew them left in shock, shaking their heads and wondering why? Why are we shocked when pastors in the public eye become moral failures after preaching and standing against the very behavior they then commit? We who know human nature, that “man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7) and that the “heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick” (Jeremiah 17:9), should not be surprised at what people are capable of doing. We who know that there are real evil spiritual forces (Satan and fallen angels) at work should not be surprised at the depth and breadth of evil in our world.

This is not a time to become fearful and reticent at this point. We must remember that God has “disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (Christ, Colossians 2:15 ESV). We are “more than conquerors.” So, we just need to remind ourselves that, when we are confused, perplexed, or dismayed at what we see taking place, we must not be overwhelmed, but sober, understanding that there is more to what we see than what we see.

Daniel the prophet was given great insights into his times and those to follow him. On one occasion he was mourning and praying for three weeks. A heavenly messenger appeared to him to explain the vision and the circumstances that had prevented him from coming earlier.

 Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.” (Daniel 10:12-14 ESV)

This passage rolls back a spiritual curtain and allows us to get a glimpse of what happens on a higher plane in the course of world events. The heavenly messenger tells Daniel that he was detained by the “prince of the kingdom of Persia”, whom I believe we are to understand as a spiritual being influencing the events in Persia. Although he had been dispatched to appear before Daniel, he had encountered a spiritual conflict and waged spiritual warfare, which had detained him from his appointed task. “Cosmic forces” are at work. “Cosmic forces” are holding back answered prayer. “Cosmic forces” are influencing the events taking place on earth. “Cosmic forces” that still exist and still work to influence and still hold back answered prayer must be acknowledged, if we are to gain an understanding of the bewildering events of our times.

What can we do? We can do what the Apostle Paul instructs:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:10-11 ESV)