How Jesus conquered and spoiled certain principalities and powers
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This essay takes a closer look at Colossians 1:26 and "the mystery of the ages"
or "the secret of God". Even Romans 16:25, Ephesians 3:3-9 and 1 Corinthians 2:7-8
refer to God's secret in some way, and will be considered here.
The phrase "mystery of the ages" is derived from the apostle Paul's letter to the saints in Colosse:
Colossians 1:26 Even the mystery which has been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints (AKJV)
Another translation of Colossians 1:26, including the surrounding verses:
Colossians 1:25 Of which I became a servant by the purpose of God which was given to me for you, to give effect to the word of God, 26 The secret which has been kept from all times and generations, but has now been made clear to his saints, 27 To whom God was pleased to give knowledge of the wealth of the glory of this secret [A] among the Gentiles, [B] which is Christ in you, the hope of glory (BBE, note signs added)
[A] In the Greek text the word is mustêrion (μυστηριον) which simply meant "a secret". But, many bible-versions have not translated the word mustêrion into plain language but have instead used that Greek word mustêrion, in the anglicised form "mystery". Thence, "the mystery of the ages" – properly translated, "the secret of the ages". God had kept something secret, "hidden from ages and from generations" – thus, it can also be called "the secret of God". Even other passages which mention that secret, will be looked at.
[B] "Gentiles" – the Greek text has τοις εθνεσιν, which means "the nations".
This essay contains a study on a certain secret that God had, and on how Jesus conquered and spoiled certain "principalities" and "powers" – the "princes of this age" and "thrones and dominions". It will be considered what that "secret of the ages" really was, and why it was kept secret, and from whom.
A note: The "princes of this age" are mentioned in 1 Corinthians 2:6 and 8, the "thrones" and dominions" in Colossians 1:16, the "principalities" and "powers" in Colossians 1:16, Romans 8:38, Ephesians 3:10 and 6:12, Titus 3:1 and 1 Peter 3:22. Even other passages mention them, in various ways.
Again, the old Greek noun mustêrion simply meant "a secret", and by extension even other things such as "a secret teaching". Some think that that word came from a derivative of the verb muô which meant "to shut" (in this case referring to shutting one's mouth, in order to keep a secret).
Even Romans 16:25 and Ephesians 3:3-9 refer to that secret of the ages:
Romans 16:25 [...] the secret, in the times of the ages having been kept silent (YLT)
Ephesians 3:3 that by revelation He made known to me the secret [...] 4 [...] the secret of the Christ, 5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it was now revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit [...] 9 the secret that hath been hid from the ages in God, 10 that there might be made known now to the principalities and the authorities in the heavenly places, through the assembly, the manifold wisdom of God (YLT)
And also 1 Corinthians 2 – Paul wrote to the saints in Corinth regarding a secret, something that in the past had not been known. He said that if that secret had been known by the wicked [spirit] rulers of this age, they would not have caused Jesus to be crucified. We read:
1 Corinthians 2:7 but we speak the hidden wisdom of God in a secret, that God foreordained before the ages to our glory, 8 which no one of the rulers of this age did know, for if they had known, the Lord of the glory they would not have crucified (YLT)
(A note: In 1 Corinthians 2:6 and 8, the YLT has "the rulers of this age"; the 1769 KJ version has "the princes of this world".)
God had kept some of his plans for himself. The wicked spirit rulers whom this passage refers to, had not known everything. In other words: They did not realise what their actions would lead to, in regard to their own fate, as well as in regard to mankind's fate, when they caused Jesus to be killed.
Regarding those spirit rulers: See even Colossians 1:16 and 2:15 which mention "thrones", "dominions", "principalities" and "powers" (NKJV), and Ephesians 6:12 which talks about "principalities", "powers", "the rulers of the darkness of this age", "spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (NKJV) – and other similar passages.
A note: Many things related to this subject are only indicated in the Bible, in a shadowy way. The apostle Paul did write about those things, but at the same time it is obvious that he knew much more than what he put in writing. Also: The things Paul wrote, are not always easy to understand.
The Bible explains these things only partially and only in a "here a little, there a little" manner, but it appears that this planet and mankind in general, were in the past in some way and to some part under the jurisdiction of some wicked spirit powers.
And then, there are these three passages which would seem to indicate that those powers had had some "say-so" regarding even the Old Covenant (or some of its rules):
Galatians 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added [C] because of transgressions, till the seed [D] should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. (KJV-1769, highlighting and note signs added)
Acts 7:53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels [...] (KJV-1769, highlighting added)
Hebrews 2:2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward (KJV-1769, highlighting added)
"It was ordained by angels", "by the disposition of angels", "the word spoken by angels". What do we make of that?
That question is something that most people have never even thought about. And yet, we have those passages, and others like them. It is worth remembering that the Old Covenant was made at a time when Satan still had "jurisdiction" here on Earth. Those who have read the New Testament with care, perhaps remember the occasion when Satan offered the kingdoms of this world to Jesus, if he just bowed down before Satan (Matthew 4:8-10). Jesus did not deny that Satan, at that time, had power over those kingdoms. But, Jesus did not bow down to Satan. After all, Jesus had taken the form of a mortal human, for the purpose of stripping Satan from his powers. We read:
Hebrews 2:13 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. (NKJV, highlighting added)
Later in this essay, it will be considered why Jesus had to die, and who really demanded blood and death.
[C] Galatians 3:19, "added law". The essay ec10c.htm has more on that matter and on Galatians 3:17-19. For more on the two covenants, old and new, look under the heading "Covenants" on the index-page keyw-c4.htm. (See also the next note.)
[D] Galatians 3:19, "seed" (offspring) – that is, Jesus, who was the Offspring of Abraham, regarding whom the Promise had been made. (See also the preceding note.)
Romans 8:38, Ephesians 3:10 and 6:12 and Colossians 1:16 and 2:15 are some of the passages which mention "principalities" – powers who were not favourable towards mankind. The Bible shows that Jesus conquered those "principalities" and took their [legal] powers away from them.
The following will show that there is a connection between the word "demon" (in the Greek text of the NT daimôn and daimonion), and those wicked "powers" and "principalities".
There are many misconceptions around various "religious" words. "Demon" is one of them. In old Greek, the word daimôn was used in such meanings as "god", "goddess", "the gods", "deity", "divine power".
Often, the Greek used the words daimôn and theos, in similar ways. (A note: For people of ancient Greece, the word theos had nothing to do with the God of the Bible. The essay eo15c.htm has more on the old Greek word theos.)
Among the Greek, daimôn was also used in the meaning "the power controlling the destiny of individuals", "fate", "lot", "fortune". Hoi daimones could also refer to "the souls of men of the golden age", who were considered to be persons who formed "a link between gods and men". The Greek-English lexicon by Liddell and Scott notes that the root of the noun daimôn ("deity") probably was the verb daiô which meant "to distribute" (pointing to "divine beings" who "distributed destinies").
A side-note regarding the "golden age" which was mentioned above – it is the wicked spirit powers and their fleshly cronies who see that age as "good" or "golden". That age was the time before the Flood. That was an age which was so bad that the Lord made the drastic decision to put an end to it, through a flood. The Bible mentions those things only in passing. Genesis 6 mentions a part of that story, but because of misleading dogmas spread by churches, many people may find that passage hard to understand. The apostle Peter wrote about spirits who had been disobedient in the days of Noah. Those spirits were put into custody, perhaps to be judged later (see also Jude 6). But all were not; there were other rebels also.
Back to the word daimôn and the longer form daimonion. Among the Greek, it was also used in the meaning "spirit being" or "(semi-) divine being". Sometimes especially, "evil spirit". The related verb form daimonimozai meant, not only "to be under influence of a daimôn", but also, "to be deified". The related adjective daimonios meant, among the Greek, such things as "given by heaven", "inspired by heaven", "divine", "by divine grace", "by divine power", "by the hand of gods", "miraculous", "marvellous", and so on, and of course also, "belonging to a daimôn" and "under the influence of a daimôn". The verb daimonomacheô meant something like "to fight against Heaven" (that is, against the Greek idols and their powers).
However, in the Greek text of the New Testament, the words daimôn, daimonion and related ones, are for the most part used in a different way, as a reference to rebel spirits who had become twisted, and were at times taking humans as their personal captives.
The essay ed08c.htm has more on the words daimôn and daimonion. The essay ed04c.htm takes a closer look at what the Bible really says about Satan. The essay eo15c.htm contains a study on the word theos.
Here is an example of the use of daimonion in the meaning "god" or similar, in the New Testament:
Acts 17:18 Also some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers debated with him. Some said, "What does this babbler want to say?" Others said, "He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign divinities [daimonion]." (This was because he was telling the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.) (NRSV, comment in brackets added)
Well, Paul was that: A proclaimer of a divine power which the Greek did not know.
Now, the Greek "gods" were myth figures, and myths are not facts, but behind those Greek myths there was something real. Those myths seem to point back to the times when the "sons of god" were in power here on Earth, in a more direct way (before the Flood, and even later).
It was those "principalities and powers" (who were in rebellion against the true God who is in Heaven) that the apostle Paul on several occasions wrote about, to the saints in various Greek and Roman areas. Examples of that are found in Romans 8:38, Ephesians 1:21, 3:10 and 6:12 and Colossians 1:16 and 2:10-18. Paul was explaining to the saints that Jesus had conquered those "principalities and powers", "dominions" and "thrones", and stripped them of their [legal] powers. It was through his Sacrifice, in place of others, that Jesus did that.
(The essay eo07d.htm has more on Colossians 2.)
Many people have not given much thought to that question. They have just accepted whatever dogma they have been presented by some church or preacher.
Some perhaps say, "Jesus died to free men of the power of sin". Others might say, "He paid the death penalty, for sinners who repent". And so on. But, very few stop and consider that matter more closely.
Who really demanded the death penalty? The Father who is in Heaven, did not do that. Instead, he gave his Son into mortality, humiliation, suffering and death, so that mankind could be saved.
So, we have the question, why could God not simply forgive sinners? Why did Jesus have to be ridiculed, tortured and killed? Is it not God who makes the "rules of the game", or at least has the right to do that? That is: Could God not have made, in advance, rules which gave him the right to forgive sins, if and when he wished to do that? But for some reason, he had not done that. We do not know the details, but it seems that some spirit rulers had come to have (legal) power over this planet and over mankind. And, those spirit rulers were in rebellion against God, and, they were not favourable towards mankind.
It is clear that God was not happy with that situation. Mankind had to be saved.
Exactly how Jesus' death ransomed mankind from the hands of those wicked spirit rulers, we do not and cannot know. We do not know what kind of a "court of law" there could have been (or be) in the heavenly sphere, or among some "sons of God", to settle such things. But clearly, it must have been the Accuser (the Diabolos, Satan), who demanded death on humans, or in some way had the power of death over them. We do not know the details, but it seems that Satan (and some others with him) indeed had some legal powers over mankind. Or, maybe Satan had some way to hinder God from giving humans a lasting life. Anyway, Hebrews 2:14 talks about Jesus destroying him who had the power of death – Jesus destroying the diabolos, as the Greek text of that verse says.
A side-note: The Greek word diabolos had several meanings, among them "slanderer" and "accuser". The word "devil" comes from that Greek word, which in its turn perhaps was a translation of the Hebrew satan, "adversary". In the Greek text of the New Testament, we find some 35 occurrences of diabolos as a reference to Satan. The word satanas, a Greek spelling for the Hebrew satan, is found in 36 passages in the Greek NT text. (2 Corinthians 12:7 has the shorter spelling satan).
The Jews (and earlier all of Israel) had had a special covenant with the Lord (the Old Covenant), but that did not help them, because the rules of that covenant did not provide a way to everlasting life. (In that connection, consider even Galatians 3:19, Acts 7:53, Hebrews 2:2.) And, regarding the other nations, the rest of the world: They never had a covenant with the Lord or a special relationship with him. For them, it was simply, "in Adam all die" (1 Corinthians 15:22).
Several things in the Bible show that the Lord had already planned the New Covenant, before the making of the Old Covenant. The Old Covenant was "added because of transgressions" (whose?), and it was a temporary addition, to last only "until the Offspring" should come". That is, only until Jesus should come, Jesus the Offspring of Abraham regarding whom the Promises had been made (Galatians 3:16-19).
It seems that the New Covenant was something that Satan and the other evil spirits had not known about. It seems that it, or at least some details regarding it, had been kept secret from them.
Today, we are able to look back at history and can see that the Old Covenant was not the "real thing" but only a type, symbol and shadow of better things to come. The Old Covenant did not provide a way to everlasting life – but, its rituals pointed to the New Covenant which does provide a way to lasting life for humans.
The Bible does not tell us all the details, but there are bits and pieces that give us some indications or clues. Among them, Galatians 3:19, "it was ordained by angels", Acts 7:53, "by the disposition of angels", and Hebrews 2:2, "the word spoken by angels". And also, Colossians 2:15, "having spoiled the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly", and Hebrews 2:14, "that through death he might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the Devil, and free those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage". And so on – there are several passages that mention "powers", "principalities" and "dominions" that obviously were wicked, but which nevertheless had some kind of [judicial] powers over this world (planet), and over mankind.
And again, Galatians 3:19, Acts 7:53 and Hebrews 2:2 make it even seem that some of those [wicked] "powers" or "principalities" had had some "say-so", regarding the Old Covenant, or some of its rules.
Those things are hard for us to understand, and again, we do not know the details, but this leads us back to the "mystery of the ages" – the "secret that had been hid from the ages", Ephesians 3:9 – and 1 Corinthians 2 verses 7 and 8 which talk about "a secret" which none of the rulers of this age had known, and where the apostle Paul wrote that had those [wicked] rulers of this age known that secret, they would not have arranged for the killing of Jesus.
In short: It seems that those wicked powers may have felt that they had, not only the rest of the world but also the Lord's special people Israel, "in their pocket", under their power (that is, headed for death). For – regarding the Israelites who had a covenant with the Lord – no normal human could live up to that covenant's demands. So, the Israelites were bound to fail in one way or another, which meant that they came under that covenant's penalty system. And anyway, that covenant did not include a way to everlasting life, so, when the Israelites died, that covenant did not help them in any way. And – regarding people of other nations – again, for them it simply was "in Adam all die" (1 Corinthians 15:22).
Thus, mankind needed salvation – in short, they needed a Saviour who would free them from the grip of the "dominions" who "had the power of death" (Hebrews 2:14).
So, Jesus became a human, a mortal, and did something that Satan and some other evil spirit rulers perhaps had not expected (Colossians 2:15): By giving his life in place of others, Jesus ransomed mankind and opened for them a way to everlasting life. And also: His death marked the end of the Old Covenant.
A note: In order to understand the "secret of God", one must first understand the matter of the two covenants, old and new. For more on that subject, look under the heading "Covenants" on the index-page keyw-c4.htm.
Here is one of the bible-passages where they are mentioned:
Colossians 2:15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it. (NRSV)
Colossians 2:15 and having spoiled the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (JB-2000)
This is an important passage. What "rulers and authorities" was Paul writing about? The "rulers of this age": Satan and other wicked spirits and their fleshly cronies.
A note – word definition: "Spoiled" in verse 15 was in Greek apekdusamenos (apekduomai). The root of the word-construction ap-ek-duomai had to do with "stripping" (see also the use of that word in Colossians 3:9, and the use of the verb ekduô in other passages), but it in Colossians 2:15 it referred to symbolic stripping – to how Jesus despoiled and disarmed the wicked angelic or spirit host who earlier had had judicial power over the affairs of mankind and this world (planet). In other words: Jesus "stripped" those "principalities", that is, divested them from their judicial powers.
However, as anyone can easily see by simply looking around, that was only on the legal level. Wicked, rebel powers still rule and run this world. It is only when Jesus comes again, that things will change for the better in this world, even on the practical level.
Another note: There are many twisted dogmas regarding Colossians 2, but those things will not be discussed here. The essay eo07d.htm has more on Colossians 2:14-18.
Paul noted that those wicked spirit "authorities" or "principalities" had been stripped of their powers (Colossians 2:15, quoted earlier). But apparently, they did not give up. It seems that they were trying new tactics. Apparently, they were trying to deceive the saints and cause them to turn their backs on Jesus, and to begin worshipping angels (those wicked spirits) instead. The wider context (see verse 18 and more) indicates that they tried to cause the saints to turn to them (those spirits), "as a way to approach God", instead of turning to Jesus.
But, regarding verse 15: How did Jesus disarm those spirit rulers and strip them of their powers, and in what way did he make a "public show" of them? In what manner did he triumph over them, on the cross? For indeed, it is clear that that triumphing took place on the cross, and not only when Satan failed when he tried to tempt Jesus. That temptation may also have been required, that is, the fact that Jesus did not bow himself down before Satan, but that is not what we are talking about here. Also: What really was it that Jesus took away from those wicked spirit rulers? Were not Jesus and his Father stronger than they, anyway?
The Bible shows that Satan and other spirit rulers had power over this world and mankind, real power. But God had fooled them, and then he stripped them of their powers (de jure, on the legal level). In the future, Jesus will come again. At that time, he will put even a de facto end to the rule of those wicked rebels.
Paul wrote to the Jewish saints, regarding how Jesus stripped the Accuser from his powers:
Hebrews 2:13 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. (NKJV)
The apostle wrote, "that through death he might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the Devil" (verse 14).
Regarding the word "devil" – again, the word in the Greek text is diabolos which meant "accuser". As was noted earlier, it seems that Satan the Accuser, and perhaps some with him, had had some kind of legal powers over mankind. In the book of Revelation, Satan is also called katêgoros; that word meant such things as "an accuser" and "a public prosecutor".
Jesus died in place of others, in order to ransom them – obviously, for the purpose of freeing mankind from the powers of the Devil who had the power of death over them, Hebrews 2:14. (Jesus was killed and was fully dead. He was buried, and was in three days and three nights in a tomb. He would have remained dead, but the Father, or eventually the Holy Spirit which the Father had given to Jesus, raised him up to a new life.)
Before Jesus' Sacrifice, there was no way for humans to live more than the years of their earthly life. But, when Jesus had performed his Sacrifice, giving his life in place of others, things became different. By dying in order to pay the death penalty for others, Jesus stripped the Accuser (the Prosecutor) from his power of death.
Colossians 2:15 having stripped the rulers and the authorities, He made a show of them in public, triumphing over them in it. (LIT)
Again, we do not know the "legal details" of this matter, but it is fully clear that in some way, Jesus' death ransomed mankind from the power of the wicked "dominions". Jesus was the ultimate "sacrificial Lamb":
Revelation 13:8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (NKJV)
John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (NKJV)
Obviously, Jesus' death for the purpose of ransoming mankind, had been planned in advance by God. For some reason, this world had come to be under the jurisdiction of spirits who were in rebellion against God. In short, expressed in simple words: Clearly, that is why Jesus had to die, to ransom this world, to free it from the power of the wicked ones. We do not know what celestial court of law passes judgments on such matters, but we do not need to know that either. The Bible tells us that Jesus did ransom this world from the power of wicked "principalities" in the spirit realm. And, in the future, Jesus will come again, to free this world from those rebels even on the practical level. (The present rulers of this world are not of God. The essay ew02c.htm has more on that subject.)
There is more: Just as the Father has raised Jesus up to a new life, all humans who have ever lived or live now or will live at a later time, now have a hope of mercy and of being raised up in a similar manner. See Romans 4:25 and 8:11. (Yes, it is true that Paul was addressing the saints and not people of our day, but the Bible indicates that all normal humans will have a chance to receive everlasting life.)
Here is a parable Jesus spoke to some of the Jewish chief priests, scribes and elders:
Mark 11:27 Then they came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him. 28 And they said to Him, "By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?" 29 But Jesus answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: 30 "The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me." 31 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?' 32 "But if we say, 'From men'"—they feared the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed. 33 So they answered and said to Jesus, "We do not know." And Jesus answered and said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."
Mark 12:1 Then He began to speak to them in parables: [E] "A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. 2 "Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers. 3 "And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 4 "Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated. 5 "And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some. 6 "Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying, 'They will respect my son.' 7 "But those vinedressers said among themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.' 8 "So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard. 9 "Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others. 10 "Have you not even read this Scripture: 'The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. [F] 11 This was the LORD'S doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes'?" 12 And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away.
(NKJV, highlighting added)
[E] Mark 12:1 – when Jesus spoke that parable, he knew that he would killed.
[F] Mark 12:10 – the makers of the NKJV have put "cornerstone" in that verse. The Greek wording is κεφαλην γωνιας, "head of the corner", which refers to a main foundation stone, a stone at the corner of a building's foundation. Some have twisted that into talk about "a cornerstone of a pyramid". The essay ea05c.htm sorts out that matter.
Regarding the parable in Mark 12:1-11 – that seems to refer to God who sent his representatives, with warnings to the spirit powers ("the vinedressers") who were in control of this world ("the vineyard"). But, the messengers God sent were not received in a positive way. They were not listened to. That was the parable. The reality: The wicked spirit rulers of this world did not heed God's warnings.
In that parable, finally the owner of the vineyard (God) sent his son (Jesus); see Mark 12:6 above. The wicked vinedressers recognised him as the son of the vineyard's owner (God). In other words: The rebellious spirit rulers who run this world, knew that Jesus was God's Son – and still, they arranged things so that he was killed.
Now, who really was it that caused Jesus' death? The Jews? No. On the practical level, it was the Roman government and its soldiers who killed him. Also: The common-people Jews who were caused to shriek "crucify, crucify" at the tribunal (Mark 15:13-27), did not really know what they were doing; they were induced to do that, by "religious leaders". Further, the majority of the Jewish nation was not involved in that at all. So, was it the scribes and the Pharisees? Well, it was, some of them, but the question is, really whose idea and wish was it that Jesus was to be killed? Obviously, that evil must have originated with the wicked spirit rulers of this age, and their fleshly cronies. They used the Jews and the Romans to do their bidding. That must be what Mark 12:7 refers to.
Thus, it seems that those wicked spirit rulers thought, "This is the heir, let us kill him and rule in his stead." They knew who Jesus was.
But, apparently, certain things had been kept secret from them. The apostle Paul wrote to the saints in Corinth (this is one part of God's secret which had been "hidden from the ages"):
1 Corinthians 2:7 [...] a secret, that God foreordained before the ages to our glory, 8 which no one of the rulers of this age did know, for if they had known, the Lord of the glory they would not have crucified (YLT)
Indeed, if the evil spirit rulers had known what they actually did when they caused Jesus to be crucified, they would not have done that but would have seen to it that he died of old age instead. But, God had hid certain things from them, keeping them secret. Consequently, those evil ones "took the bait", if you please, and through that, they actually signed their own death warrant. Without understanding what they were doing, those wicked ones arranged for the Sacrifice which was the reason why the Son of God had become a mortal man.
Through causing Jesus to be killed, Satan and his cronies actually made it (legally) possible for humans to receive everlasting life. Without Jesus' sacrifice, that would not have been possible. Even though we do not know the "legal" details concerning this, it is clear that Jesus' in some way death ransomed mankind from the power of wicked "dominions".
What a blow for the wicked "principalities", what a surprise, when they realised that they, against their own wish, actually had helped God to provide salvation for mankind. Still "worse": Mankind is now provided salvation through Jesus, but rebels who do not accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, face death.
There it is, the secret of God, the "mystery of the ages" which had been kept hidden from those evil "dominions" and "principalities".
A note: Angels are not immortal so that they cannot die. The Bible indicates that rebellious and unrepentant angels will die. The essay ed02c.htm has more on this. Regarding the word "immortal", from Latin immortalis, in-mortalis: It means "not dying", which is to say, under certain circumstances not ageing but ever-living. But, the matter of immortality and everlasting life is something for a separate study.
The Bible tells us that many angels have sinned. It might even be that all of them have erred or sinned, in some way, just as all humans have. Some less, some more. (But no, we do not know exactly how it is with that matter; all we know is that some angels have sinned.)
But, could the wicked angels repent, and, upon that, be forgiven? And, are they able to repent? Certain things in the Bible indicate that that could be possible. Let us read something the apostle Paul wrote to the saints in Colosse:
Colossians 1:20 and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. (NRSV, highlighting added)
A note: Some have claimed that angels supposedly "cannot repent since their character is set". But what kind of talk is that? The Bible says no such thing. Colossians 1:20 indicates something different. Indeed, it seems that even angels can repent, and can then be forgiven, if they turn from evil and put their trust in Jesus and accept him as their Lord and Saviour and bow the knee before him. But, those who will not do that, will have to take the consequences of that.
But, regarding especially Satan – will he turn from his evil ways, and will he accept Jesus as the Lord and bow the knee before him? The Bible indicates that he will not. Consequently, Satan will receive the "justice" which he (as it seems) demanded to be done to others. That is, death.
Malachi 4:1 "For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up," Says the LORD of hosts, "That will leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves. 3 You shall trample the wicked, For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet On the day that I do this," Says the LORD of hosts. (NKJV)
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (KJV-1769)
Malachi 4:1: "All who do wickedly shall be stubble [...] shall burn them up." Romans 6:23, "The wages of sin is death."
Everlasting life is something that is only given by God, at his will. Let us safely assume that these things apply to angels as well.
(What about Revelation 14:10? Will men or angels remain alive, in order to be tormented for "ages and ages"? The essay et08b.htm contains a study on that passage. The essay ed02c.htm shows that the Bible indicates that even angels can die.)
Some deceivers have caused people to believe that Jesus' death supposedly made void all moral guidelines, regarding how to live a decent life. That is not true. The Old Covenant – which had applied to the ancient Israelites only – did come to its end, but the saints were to live guided by the New Covenant's "writing", which was and is the Holy Spirit. Being led by the Holy Spirit closes out evil and immorality, and leads to righteousness. The essay ec08c.htm shows how the Holy Spirit is the New Covenant's "writing" (instruction, guidance). The essay eg08b.htm contains a detailed study on what new covenantal righteousness really is and consists of.
Again: It is important to understand the matter of the covenants, in order to understand the matter regarding the "secret of God". For more on the two covenants, old and new, look under the heading "Covenants" on the index-page keyw-c4.htm. The essay ec13c.htm has more on the matter of "the letter" versus "the Spirit". (This is regarding 2 Corinthians 3:6-8 where Paul used "the letter", the tables of stone, as a symbol for the Old Covenant in its entirety, and where the phrase "the Spirit" refers to the Holy Spirit which is the New Covenant's "writing".) The essays eb01c.htm, eb02c.htm and eb03d.htm have more on the distribution of the Holy Spirit, calling, election and predestination.
Why do the rebel spirits hate mankind? One reason could be that they hate God, and the fact that humans are created in God's image and are to become his children even on the spirit level. There could have been even another reason for their anger: The saints were to replace those rebellious spirit rulers.
Table of contents – What's new here? – Key-word index – Search function – Goal and purpose – Contact, comment, question
If this page did not contain what you were looking for, see the links below, and the key-word index and the table of contents, or use the search function.
Additional reading at the Bible Pages, on related as well as other issues:
A clarifying explanation of the short names for the bible-versions quoted or mentioned at this site, such as that NKJV stands for New King James Version, YLT for Young's Literal translation, HCSB for Holman Christian Standard Bible, NRSV for the New Revised Standard Version, and so on. → es09c.htm
Is the New Covenant a "renewal" or "modification" of the Old Covenant? → ec11c.htm
Galatians 3:17-19 – what did Paul mean by the term "added law"? What was the original thing? And, the addition that came 430 years later, was it some "extra rituals", or something else? Further: What did the apostle Paul mean when he in that same epistle wrote, "This is the only thing I want to find out from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?" (3:2) and, "Tell me, you who want to be under the Law, do you not understand the Law?" (4:21). Those things in the letter to the saints in Galatia might seem confusing, but this essay makes them clearer and more easily understood, and shows what the apostle was talking about. → ec10c.htm
The covenants, old and new. → keyw-c4.htm (Look under the heading "Covenants".)
Some notes regarding the ancient Greek word theos, including its eventual origin and meaning. → eo15c.htm
What does the Bible say about demons? On the word "demon", and the old Greek words daimôn and daimonion. → ed08c.htm
Colossians 2:16-17, "Let no man therefore judge you". What was Paul really talking about? → eo07d.htm
Check your bible knowledge. A basic self-test with 15 biblical questions (with answers and commentary). → es04b.htm
How to understand the Bible. Easy keys to interpreting and understanding Scripture in a better and deeper way, by avoiding certain fundamental but common mistakes and errors in bible study. These vital keys are really the basics for objective bible study. Knowing these keys will make many things easier to interpret and comprehend, and one will see several central matters in the Bible from a new and different perspective, especially in connection with the Gospels and the Epistles. → eg02c.htm
The so-called "divine right of kings" – is there such a thing? Are kings, rulers and governments appointed by God? → ew02c.htm
Is Jesus "a capstone on top of a pyramid" as some have claimed, or is he, as the Bible says, the main corner-stone of the foundation of God's spiritual dwelling? → ea05c.htm
Many people wonder, why does God allow evil, sickness, pain, war and suffering? What is the biblical answer – does the Bible explain that matter, or in some way make it understandable? → ew01b.htm
Are angels immortal, or can they die? → ed02c.htm
What does Revelation 14:10 mean? Will men or angels be tormented with fire and brimstone, for ages and ages? → et08b.htm
What does the word "righteous" really mean? What does the Bible say about righteousness? → eg08b.htm
Where can one find New Covenant's law or rules, in written form? Also, notes on Jeremiah 31:33 and the Holy Spirit. → ec08c.htm
Many talk about "the letter of the law" versus "the spirit of the law" – but those expressions are not found in the Bible. A detailed, down to the core study on 2 Corinthians 3:6-8 and Romans 7:6 and what the apostle Paul really meant and referred to when he wrote about the letter as opposed to the Spirit. → ec13c.htm
The Holy Spirit – an outline and a no-nonsense synopsis of the matter of the distribution of God's Spirit, in the past, today, and in the coming days of the future. Also: Whose baptism is valid? Churches and preachers baptise people, but they are not notably changed and no obvious signs or fruit of the Spirit are seen in their lives. Why is that? Is the Spirit of God at all given to humans, at this present time? → eb01c.htm
What does the Bible say about calling, election, sanctification and justification? → eb02c.htm
Predestination. The destiny of humans: Is it already fixed and decided, as some have claimed? Are all people, or some individuals, "predestined"? → eb03d.htm
What is the Kingdom of God? Where is it located? Does it exist already, or is it only going to be established in the future? Or, is it only something "in the hearts of men" as some have claimed, quoting the translation "within you" in Luke 17:21? → eo01b.htm
What does the Bible say about Satan the Devil? Various things regarding mankind's arch-enemy. → ed04c.htm
Do Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 talk about Satan? → ed05c.htm
The cherubs, cherubim or keruwbim, what did they look like? Also: Do angels have wings, and in what form do they appear? → ed01c.htm
Matthew 13:24-30 and 36-43, the parable of the darnel or "tares", the wicked seed sown by the Enemy. → ew11c.htm
The Great White Throne Judgment, a time when both living and dead will be judged. When will it take place, where, and who will judge? Also, there is more to take into consideration, because the Bible talks about more than one still future times of judgment. → et07e.htm
Info on the goal and purpose of this site, and a contact address.
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This page was created or modified 2010-02-17.