“His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.” —EPHESIANS 3:10-11

The rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms are defined in Ephesians 6:12 as being forces of evil with whom we are in combat and warfare. This may surprise many, but in addition to fighting against us, they are also watching us.

What is going on in the cosmos is far bigger than we think. As Christians, we have become ‘Exhibit A’ to these principalities and powers, revealing the wisdom and power of the working God. The church of Jesus Christ is on display. We are being watched by unseen eyes, and what the devil and his cohorts know is what we, as the body of Christ, display through Christ’s working in us and through us. What they see from us is the only access they have to what God is doing in this world.

Satan, of course, is the active enemy of the work of Jesus Christ. He and his authorities in the heavenly realms stand back, taking note of where they can inflict damage. As Christians, we are even more prone to the attacks of Satan. The closer we come to God, the greater the stumbling block he’ll put in our path, and it’s always attractive in its appeal. He is seductive and cunning, creating doubt and boggling the flesh with temptation.

Human society is, by nature, fragmented, but in Christ it becomes united. In our failures and weaknesses, we live in the grace of God where He imparts to us His strength and His righteousness, enabling many good works around the globe. And all of this, says Paul, is being watched by authorities and rulers in the heavenly realms.

Satan is not omniscient as God is. He doesn’t know all there is to know. In fact, he must have thought the winds were with him when Christ hung on the cross, but ironically, that is where he was defeated. Christ not only conquered Satan, but He conquered death and sin. What Satan and his demons see is the wisdom of God; they see the unity of Jew and Gentile. Instead of weakness, failure and sin, they see in the resurrected life of Christ there is strength and victory.

Satan knows his time on earth is short, and in his surveillance over the earth, what he and his authorities see is that humanity can be drawn into Christ and made one in Him. James 2:19 says, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that – and shudder.”

PRAYER: Dear heavenly Father, thank you for the unity You have given us in our battle against Satan. Keep us firmly rooted in You and prepared to face his attacks. Thank You, Lord.

TO REFLECT UPON: Am I aware of the devil’s cunning schemes and prepared in the face of temptation?