Are There Really Demons That Rule over Nations?
Editor’s Note: This Ask Roger article features insights from Roger’s daughter, Brie Barrier Wetherbee, a sought-after Bible teacher and conference speaker, author, analyst, and Christian theologian.
Pastor Roger Barrier’s “Ask Roger” column regularly appears at Preach It, Teach It. Every week at Crosswalk, Dr. Barrier puts nearly 40 years of experience in the pastorate to work answering questions of doctrine or practice for laypeople or giving advice on church leadership issues. Email him your questions at [email protected].
Dear Roger,
A friend told me that demons rule over nations. Is that right?
Sincerely, Quinn
Dear Quinn,
Yes, your friend is right. According to the Bible, every nation has one or more demons assigned to wreak havoc on the people in that nation. It is fair to say that every nation also has more than one angel who seeks to bring prosperity to that nation. A tremendous spiritual battle is going on behind the scenes for the good or bad of every nation.
Daniel 10 records the story of a messenger angel, Gabriel, who appears to Daniel as a man. The angel was sent to answer Daniel’s questions about when the Seventy-Years -Babylonian-Captivity would end.
The story really begins in Daniel 9 when Daniel was confessing Israel’s sin and praying for forgiveness for his people. While he was praying, the angel Gabriel arrived to give him an answer about God’s upcoming plans for Israel.
Gabriel told Daniel that his prayer was answered three weeks earlier. The reason for the delay in getting the message to him was that the “Prince of Persia” engaged Gabriel in battle and impeded his progress. Michael the Archangel was dispatched to neutralize the Prince of Persia and free Gabriel to continue his journey to deliver God’s “Truth” to Daniel. The Prince of Persia was a demonic spirit that ruled over the land of Persia.
As chapter 10 begins, Gabriel tells Daniel that he will soon return again to fight with the Prince of Persia. Gabriel tells Daniel that Michael the Archangel is the only one assigned to assist Gabriel in his fight and together they will overcome the Prince. Gabriel reveals that his next assignment is to fight against the “Prince of Greece.”
As described in places like Job 1-2, spiritual battles between demonic and angelic hosts affect earth and are occurring behind the scenes all the time.
When the Bible talks about “nations,” it’s good to remember that oftentimes a synonym for “nations” would be “people groups.” Most national lines are artificially drawn. For example, think about Iraq. The Iraqi people live in the southern part of the country. The North is dominated by the Kurds. Kurdish people overflow into Turkey. Both Turkey and Iraq persecute the Kurds mercilessly. As far as “people groups” are concerned we have three “nations” here: Iraq; Turkey; and what we might call, “Kurdia.”
The spiritual battles over nations manifest themselves on earth in economic, sociopolitical realms.
For example, it’s hard to imagine the state of Nevada as being anything other than demonized. Gambling, prostitution, Mafia activities, drunken-inspired weddings, lewd dancing and floor shows, out-of-control use of drugs, alcohol abuse, abortions, and broken lives are more than just sins of the flesh as described by Paul in Ephesians chapter 4. The demonic strongholds in that state are practically unshakable.
In the biblical tradition, I believe that it’s safe to say that the Prince of Nevada is having a heyday!
While it appears that some demonic spirits are assigned to specific territories, others are free to roam here and there. For example, in Daniel 12:1 we’re told that Michael the Archangel is the protector of “God’s people” Israel. Not all of God’s people live within the boundaries of Israel. Michael fights to protect God’s people wherever they may be.
The Bible teaches that Satan is the ruler of this present earth.
One of the clearest indicators of Satan’s ruling the nations of the world is revealed during the wilderness temptation of Christ:
“The devil led him up to a high place and showed him an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, ’I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me and I can give it to anyone I want to. So, if you worship me it will all be yours” (Luke: 4:5-7).
The point is that Jesus did not challenge Satan’s claim. Satan really is the ruler of this present world (John 12:31; 16:11).
Satan works through fallen angels and organized groups.
In several places, Paul mentions that Satan’s kingdom is arranged in demonic hierarchies. We might call this Satan’s Command Structure. Other passages which describe the demonic levels of organization are found in Romans 8:38; Ephesians 3:10; Colossians 1:16; and Colossians 2:15.
The most complete example is in Ephesians 6:10-12:
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Notice that our fight is not against “flesh and blood.” Often we feel that we are fighting against people. Paul wants us to know that oftentimes our battles are really with the spirits who are operating in and/or around a person. Of course, battles are not always demonic struggles. Many times we’re just fighting with the “flesh”.
Jesus taught that some demons are more powerful than others. They are obviously higher up the ladder. Jesus said that some can only be forced out with prayer and fasting. Others are easier to dislodge.
Examples of demons taking over nations:
The Past
Adolf Hitler, aided by the Prince of Germany dabbled with his closest officers in witchcraft and mind-numbing drugs: fifty million people died.
Joseph Stalin worked with the Prince of Russia to murder thirty million people during and after WWII.
Demonically inspired leaders led by the Princes of Sudan, Uganda, the Congo, and Cambodia committed genocide murdered millions of men, women, and children.
The Present
It’s impossible to describe Al Qaeda or ISIL as nations. They are demonically inspired terrorists united under a single set of beliefs that transcends national lines. Nevertheless, for those nice to see, the Princes of Al Qaeda and ISIL are hard at work.
The demonic spirit who rules over Singapore, “Pa,” demands worship above all other gods.
In Tibet, demonic powers have ruled over the nation for ages.
In Indonesia’s “cities of devils” demonism, witchcraft, and spiritism hold sway.
The Future
In Revelation Chapter 12, Satan, who was identified by Paul as the Prince of the Air, is kicked out of heaven to the earth where he instigates unimaginable horrors.
In Revelation 20, Satan and his Rulers, Authorities, Powers, and Forces of Evil are judged by God and cast into the Lake of Fire.
What Christians can do:
1. We live by the principles of the kingdom of God in order to push back the Darkness.
2. We remain aware of impending satanic attacks as described in 1 Peter 5:8: “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil goes around as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
3. Every demonic issue is a prayer project. So, we pray daily for spiritual battles to be won worldwide. Personally, I find it encouraging to pray for victory for my guardian angel as he fights spiritual battles on my behalf. I’d like to think that he and I are close friends.
4. We use every means possible to restore truth, values, and justice to our nation.
5. We utilize Jesus’ marching orders as recorded in Luke Chapter Four and Isaiah Chapter Sixty-One to preach the gospel to the lost and care for the hurting and for the victims of our society.
6. We Christians must love each other according to Jesus’ words in John 13 so that we may show the world the attractive, agape love of Jesus.
I hope that you find this answer helpful.
Sincerely, Roger
P.S. You may wonder why angels do not win more battles. The reason is that Satan and his forces now rule over the world.
So what good is it to have angels fight? The answer is simple. Think how much worse off the world would be without Angels struggling against the Evil One and his minions.
This coming a time when God will hold back evil, but that day is yet to come.
P.P.S Let me encourage you to read Frank Peretti’s book, “This Present Darkness.”
You may or may not agree with all of his theology and/or biblical interpretations. That’s okay. What you will receive is realistic feeling and insight into the spiritual battles between Angels and Demons which affect us all.
Originally published: November 19, 2015
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Evgeniy1
