Rulers and Authorities

by Doy Moyer

All things were created by, through, and for Jesus, including all “thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities” (Colossians 1:16).

Paul elsewhere calls these not only rulers and authorities but “cosmic powers over this present darkness” and “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” These are the ones against whom we battle, as opposed to flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12).

At some point, these spiritual powers and forces, created by and for the Lord, turned against Him and His creation. This is one of the reasons Jesus came into this world to die. By dying and being raised again, He not only offered forgiveness but also “disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (Colossians 2:15).

This is why, by trusting in God, we can be victorious. By His grace, He gives us victory over sin and death, including the spiritual forces of wickedness, and assures us of our salvation. Christ died to defeat death. By dying with Him, death is defeated for us, too. This is why we can be born again to a living hope (I Peter 1:3-5).