“… the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.” (Ephesians 2:2)

The prince of the power of the air is Satan, and the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience is alive and flourishing in our hallowed halls of government. This evil prince, along with his controlling powers of persuasion, has been hard at work corrupting mankind from the beginning of creation.

Satan is fully aware that humanity has moved into an era which is witnessing the culmination of prophecies. Way back in the Prophet Daniel’s day Satan did everything he could to keep major end times prophecies from ever reaching Daniel’s ears.

“Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.” (Daniel 10:12-14)

For 21 days the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood a messenger sent by God who was to deliver an end time’s prophetic message to Daniel. “Prince of the kingdom of Persia” refers to a position of rank, within the hierarchy of the kingdom of darkness. In this context it’s referring to a “demonic military rank.” Only with the archangel Michael’s help was God’s messenger able to continue and finally reach Daniel.

Just as that malevolent fallen angel withstood God’s messenger in those days, the demonic realm is just as well established today. Many reside in high places of authority such as the leadership arena of the governing bodies on planet earth.

Satan is dead serious and fully determined to take control over his domain, which is planet earth and all its inhabitants. The dimension of the malevolent supernatural has moved into the dimension of man. The battle that rages between good and evil is not far from our doorstep.

We can be sure that just as there was a prince of the kingdom of Persia during Daniel’s time to stand as a resistance to God’s holy angels, there’s a well established demonic prince of America who is currently resisting the forces of good while he pulls the strings of the decision makers of this land. Thus far what can be plainly seen is our elected officials are intent on driving this country to destruction. That’s what these ranking fallen “bene ha’Elohyim” are all about – the destruction of mankind.

We can also be assured that just as we understand prophecy today, the demonic realm understood it long before us. About 2,000 years ago Jesus confronted a legion of demons who had taken up occupancy in a man from Gadara.

“And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?” Matthew 8:29. Before the time? What time? That legion of demons knew their time was not up yet. Why had Jesus come? The demons knew prophecy and according to their calculations Jesus was not playing by the rules of the times designated in those prophecies.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

We’re given four designations in this verse and all are referencing manifestations of evil (principalities, powers, ruler, and spiritual wickedness “in high places”). In the Greek they are “archē” – “exousia” – “kosmokratōr” – “pneumatikos-ponēria”. Paul is speaking of Satan and  his demonic horde consisting of fallen angels and demons. In the above verse we see a clear designation of the hierarchy of the kingdom of darkness.

These hordes of malevolent misfits have received their assigned positions of power from their leader Satan accordingly. They are well established and thoroughly entrenched in the highest governing offices of every nation on earth.

God assigns individuals of His choosing to rule over the nations, yet we must realize that fallen men rebel against their God just as the fallen “bene ha’Elohyim” (angels) did eons ago. In the case of the governing bodies of the world, Satan has corrupted the leadership. We know there are limits to God’s patience, and on occasion some very unpleasant course adjustments (judgments) are decreed.

In America’s case, for instance, we see a nation that once lived by God’s ordained moral precepts. America now lives by the demonic influence of the ranking prince. In accordance to   the direction of that prince, America has become a nation that now promotes the worldwide distribution of pornography, the wholesale worldwide acceptance of the murder of unborn babies, and the unfettered worldwide acceptance of homosexuality.

All of these societal downgrades are an abomination to God. When nations move away from God’s standard for morality something has to give. As we look down Main Street America today it seems our nation is receiving exactly what we deserve, and it’s come to us in the form of our current leadership.

The demonic element working behind the scenes in every nation on this planet is a burgeoning force; they wield great power of influence over the nations. The direction in which most of us would prefer our nation head is not in accordance with the ranking prince doing the steering. As America’s moral foundation collapses we see the waning of love and charity; long past are the days of “love thy neighbor.” America has changed from just a few decades ago; today America has an altogether different mindset.

America has fallen so far from its previous high moral state that it’s as though we’re in a sewage hole with nothing to grab hold of to hoist ourselves out. Today it’s all about greed, sex, and self, and that mindset is now perfectly in tune with the ranking demonic prince of America. As so many nations have done, America has turned her sovereignty over to the prince of the power of the air, who in turn has established the ranking demonic supernatural authority over mankind.

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Matthew 24:21)

Our God is long suffering, but according to His word, one day very soon His hammer of perfect justice will come down with a force never before seen on this planet. All the nations of the world will suffer greatly, and the supernatural element will be put in their rightful place. But that’s for another commentary.

As this rank of demons has taken their positions in the seats of power on planet earth, most of the world’s citizenry have no clue as to who is truly in the driver’s seat. If we dig into our history books it’s not hard to discover that these principalities and powers have been developing their strategy for quite some time now. The nations of the world have now embraced Satan’s agenda, which is the satanic indoctrination of anything that is opposed to the One true God of all creation.

We see that Humanism, Socialism, Marxism, Communism, and Fascism have been embraced by the leadership of most nations, including America. Satan has achieved his goal. Right here in America our children are currently being indoctrinated with these very same satanic concepts through our public school system. This should leave no doubt in the minds of every Christian in America that malevolent supernatural powers have taken over the reins of our government.

Satan has used his power of influence to spread his agenda worldwide, he exercises his incredible persuasive authority to amass followers and create a stirring of their minds, and then he simply begins the string pulling from behind the scenes. Satan is domineering – the worst of all despots. But there are bounds that even he can’t cross.

God has set the boundaries of Satan’s influence over mankind and although he may think he has complete autonomy, we know God views things differently. But Satan’s manipulative powers of persuasion are formidable indeed. Through his intervention into planet earth’s regional governments he has persuaded mankind that his form of government is best.

I would challenge any of my readers to supply me with one example of a governing body that is a major player in world affairs that is not influenced by the demonic. Before you respond allow me to remind you of Jesus’ own words to the Pharisees and rulers of His day.

“He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” (Matthew 12:30)

We are either with Jesus Christ or Satan, there is no in between ground available.

All around the world we see despots ruling their nations with an iron fist, ready to smash anyone at the first sign of disobedience. Just look at Syria, North Korea, Iran, China, and Russia to name a few. These nations are led by the prince of the power of the air, and America is rapidly becoming just as totalitarian.

If Satan can, through his power of persuasion, convince men in the highest government offices  to follow him and adhere to his directives instead of God’s precepts he wins the control of that nation’s government. Even though God places men or women in a position to rule over their particular governments it doesn’t mean that those individuals will stand firm and follow God’s will. Remember Saul?

Satan’s influence over mankind is increasing as is plainly seen today; as we observe, many people are turning away from the God of the Bible to follow other gods – into the kingdom of darkness.

Although we might think that “We the People” have control over our government leadership through the voting processes established in our country that is no longer the case. With the demonic influence firmly seated at the pinnacle of power, American’s can vote for whomever they wish, but where the power lies the power shall remain. What about the Constitution?

The United States Constitution has been disregarded or ignored by our elite elected officials for years. We are no longer dealing with natural man but with malevolent supernatural powers far beyond our control.

The scope and mass of Satan’s influence is so broad that God’s word actually refers to him as the “prince of the power of the air” and the “god of this world.” When you give those designations some deep thought you will agree that in these mortal bodies and without God’s intervention we have no hope of combating the supernatural realm on our own. Everyone on planet earth is subject to the evil of the “prince of the power of the air” when they enter his domain, and his domain is earth.

Scope and mass are two distinct properties used by Satan as he pushes forward into the lives of men. Scope is the range covered by an activity or subject—the range of application or boundaries which Satan takes full advantage of and control over when we allow him that freedom. Mass is different, it is a body that forms a whole but has no definable shape, a large but unspecified number.

Satan wallows in this territory. His followers are an unspecified number but we know for certain that that unspecified number is massive. Jesus tells us “…wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:” Matthew 7:13b.

In other words, they, the many referred to in the above verse, are followers of Satan. Every nation on earth reeks of a malevolent satanic influence. As each nation becomes more and more engulfed in the participation and promotion of Satan’s agenda, more and more people will find themselves heading down that broad way which leads to destruction. Many will not realize their error until it is too late.

The strangeness to all this demonic influence is that even though it is so pervasive the majority of humanity has no clue as to where they are being led. How better to control the minds of people than through their individual governments? Christians, if no one else, should be fully aware of Satan’s influence at every level of government.

Ranking fallen angels and the lower class demonic horde have influenced the elected leadership in such a way that those government leaders are now promoting and implementing Satan’s agenda and forcing it on humanity. How can we “Christians” persuade the foe of the demonic to intervene on our behalf? Prayer and being prepared is the key:

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day.” (Ephesians 6:13)

My brethren, we are firmly seated in that evil day. An incredible war is raging and we humans are the prize. Protection from all the fallout is provided by the One who battles for us.

“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” Ephesians 6:16-17.

We need to put on the full armor of God to withstand Satan and his horde of fallen angels and demons. But no one can put on God’s armor until they’ve put on His Son, Jesus the Christ.

God bless you all,

Ron Graham

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9, 10a, 11)

Why is the name which God placed above every name so often looked upon with disgust, animosity, and even hatred? Hatred toward the one who gave us life is beyond understanding. Yet even though God exalted His Son’s Name above all names it has become the most hated name in man’s history.

I’m not taking about the most hated man in all man’s history, such as Adolf Hitler, but the most hated name above all names. In the United States of American you better think twice before mentioning the name of Jesus in the hallowed halls of academia. Mentioning Jesus’   name me in public school as a visitor these days will get you a quick rebuke and if you are a student—detention and expulsion.

Why? What’s in a name anyway? Jesus, is a word translated from a Greek word “Iēsous” which means salvation. So Jesus’ name – a name we use every day (many times in the most derogatory manner) means salvation (our salvation). Most people hate the idea that they need to be saved so they reject the name of the one who wishes only to save them.

A huge majority of folks these days use the Lords name in the most disgusting manner. Jesus is coupled together with the word Christ to facilitate a revolting response to someone else’s angry and suggestive overture. Many times the name Jesus is used to express some annoyance or dissatisfaction.

Jesus is used many times by many people who ignorantly go through life with little to no understanding of what they are doing by bantering about the name that God hath highly exalted and placed above all names.

Why don’t people use the name of Mohammad, or Buddha, or even one of the many names attributed to God’s adversary such as Lucifer, Satan, or Baal to express all the filth associated with our imaginations? Why is the name Jesus, which God elevated above all other names for His glory, made to be the brunt of so many filthy conversations these days?

We can attribute the reasons for all these unholy expressions of anger and annoyance to two main categories: Ignorance and hate.

Hate can be explained in many ways, but the main reason people hate Jesus is because of His most exclusive words.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

Jesus proclaimed to His disciples that there was only one way to get into Heaven and that was through Him (Jesus). Basically, Jesus was only reiterating what He had previously proclaimed “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36)

Only through Him (the Son of God) can a person enter heaven. This statement of Jesus’, for many people, is beyond ridiculous. How can God condemn so many people to Hell just because they believe in an alternative path to Him? After all, we can see that many people want to get to God, they just don’t want to go through God to get to God. They don’t see Jesus as God; interestingly, even though many will see Jesus as God’s Son they don’t equate the two as one.

Let’s be right up front here. There are no paths to heaven. There is only one way to Heaven and that way was just explained above. The thought of many “paths” is encouraging to a wide variety of folks who are obsessed with being politically correct. This pervasive mindset doesn’t allow for such exclusivity as we see in the Christian faith.

The minds of many have been so thoroughly deceived that they believe the lie of the enemy that many roads (paths) lead to God. In all actuality they do all lead to God, but not the way these folks would like to believe. Everyone who continues to believe in the lie which points to many alternative paths to God while rejecting His Son will one day stand before the very God they’ve rejected, Jesus the Christ.

It will only be as a hearing, though, for their final judgment which will relegate them to an existence without the presence of God for all of eternity, which is Hell. Sadly, when they finally realize their mistake it will be too late.

Still others hate Him and His name because He was born Jewish, and we know that many people and even whole nations this world over hate the Jews and have for centuries. God entered His creation and became a Jewish man, fulfilling many prophecies. That truth is repugnant to those who have a deep-seated hatred for the Jews. Therefore that hatred continues into the supernatural. People hate Jesus and His name not even realizing that He is their God — the only God of all eternity.

Most won’t accept the truth about Jesus the Christ during their lifetime. Many multitudes will continue to lash out in hatred and ignorance at the one who would freely give them everlasting life, the one who loves them beyond compare. The name of Jesus is horribly mistreated by a mass of people who see Him as just another man.

Some don’t even believe He ever really existed. Some hate Him so much that they will go to any length to explain Him away. Sadly, many of these folks will die carrying that mindset of hate with them to the grave and beyond.

The other category, ignorance, is where many people reside. They remain in the bliss of their ignorance, never wishing to disrupt the lives they’ve made for themselves by intertwining themselves with the foolish tradition of men. “The Bible was written by men therefore it is only of men not of God.”

This misconception of God’s Word has and will have a very detrimental effect on a large portion of humanity before the end. In this enlightened post-modern world, many people believe they’ve risen above the need for a God. These days, the enlightened crowd considers anything that has to do with God simply manmade, pure superstition.

If a person were to casually mention the name Jesus in the presence of one of these enlightened folks they would soon realize the brunt of their mistake as almost immediately there would come a pounce on that person like an attacking lioness protecting her cubs.

Many people today have been taught the lie of evolution to the exclusion of all other very real possibilities. These people believe that evolution is the catalyst which has propelled humanity into the 21st century. These same folks are fully convinced that all religions, including Christianity, are built on nothing more than foolish fantasies, excluding of course their own religion of secular humanism.

Now that the populous has been enlightened with the idea that there is no absolute truth and the time of “reason” has been established, they can now say there is no God with complete impunity. Their zeal is unfettered as they trample on the Name above all names—Jesus the Christ, the only way to the Father.

Perhaps the two categories of hate and ignorance are more intertwined than we perceive. Here’s a recent headline taken from the World Net Daily (WND) website: “Jesus’ name ruled unconstitutional, Judge Says Prayers to Christ Do Violence to America’s Pluralistic, Inclusive Values.”

This attempt to bury the Name that God has exalted above all names is fraught with evil. Satan is the one who is behind every attempt to rid mankind of their Creator’s Name. But his attempts will always be fruitless as we who are Christ’s followers are still here reminding the unbelievers that Jesus is the Name above all names, and that He is the only way of salvation.

Obviously many will remain in their progressive state of ignorance, standing firm in their contempt for the one true God while they continually drag His Name through the filthiness of their grossly flawed minds. There are many reasons why Jesus’ name is so infused in the culture of hate today, some of which are due in part to those of His followers.

Sometimes Christians can be their own worst enemies. If we study our Bibles we learn that we aren’t to be argumentative or abrasive when it comes to our interactions with non-believers, but we are to be as the apostle Paul admonished:

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:3-5)

Lowliness of mind means that we are to be humble servants of the most High God, Jesus the Christ. We are to address the unbelievers with the mind of Christ who, when addressing the non-believing world, did so with love and compassion not strife or vainglory.

Does it infuriate you when Jesus’ name is used in vain? Think about how God sees those who use His name thusly. Does it infuriate Him? No. He loves them, and He understands better than the rest of us how powerful the enemy is.

God wants us to love those who mistreat us and who drag the name of our Savior and Lord through the mud. And when we witness to them we might convince them that the Name they are showing so much disrespect for is indeed the Creator of the universe, and He loves them and is ready to forgive them all their trespasses. If only they will believe.

One day, very soon now, all knees will bow and all tongues will confess that the Name so many willfully abuse is the Name of the Judge of the universe. Jesus the Christ is God Almighty and without exception no matter how people treat His name He loves them all. But God’s Word is true, only those who’ve placed their faith and trust in Him and Him alone for their salvation will avoid that Judgment Throne. The rest will be relegated to a place that is filled with fire and brimstone.

Let’s talk to these folks with the love of Christ in our hearts, after all some might just believe and be saved. Talk to them in a manner that they perceive to be argumentative and full of vainglory and they will not respond to His name with any semblance of love and affection.

Let’s help all we can to rid them of the hate they profess toward Jesus our Savior God. We can help educate those who are ignorant to who He is. We, His Church, can be the light that so many are looking for in this dark world, which is just about to end, as we promote the truth about the one who has been assigned the Name above all Names. Jesus!

God bless you all,

Ron Graham