Question:
How can we "reconcile" the well-known passage in
Ephesian 6 that speaks of our struggle against the rulers, powers and world
forces of darkness in this world (v 12) with the well-known passage in
Colossians that states that by Him all things were created, whether thrones or
dominions or rulers or authorities.
Response:
To answer this question, we need to turn to Hebrews which
tells us that God created all things through Him (1:2) and placed all things
under the Son’s feet (2:8). However, the verse goes on to state the
obvious point that right now “we do not yet see all things put under
him.” At the present moment we see a world in rebellion against its
creator, hence the struggle described in Ephesians.
Not only has God allowed Satan and his devils power in the
world but there is also the struggle against our own sinful
impulses. We who have repented and believe in Jesus have been
redeemed but are not yet fully sanctified. That’s a key word: yet,
which implies that the subjection of evil powers will occur in the
future.
Revelation tells us the ending of this evil rebellion where
evil powers are overcome and brought into subjection to God’s perfect
will. At that time, all effects of evil are removed: the heavens and
earth are renewed, and “there shall be no more death, nor sorrow nor crying and
there shall be no more pain for the former things have passed away” (21:4).
