Struggle with Evil

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).