Causes of spiritual warfare

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Spiritual warfare has its origin in a rebellion of many angels against God. Satan is seen as the prince of this world, leading an array of forces opposed to God. Although disarmed by Jesus Christ on the cross, they remain a powerful threat to the church and to individual believers.

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Satan and his angels fall

2 Peter 2:4 KJV 1900

For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

See also Is 14:12–15; Eze 28:12–19 Some believe the kings of Babylon and Tyre to be types of Satan; 1 Ti 3:6; Jud 6

Satan and his angels comprise a well-organised army

Ephesians 6:12 KJV 1900

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.

Satan and his angels will ultimately be fully disarmed by Jesus Christ

Col 2:15; Re 12:7–9

See also Mk 3:27; Lk 10:18; Jn 12:31; Heb 2:14; 1 Jn 3:8

Satan persecutes the church

Re 12:13 The woman is here thought to be symbolic of the church.

See also Re 2:10; Re 13:7 The dragon is here thought to be symbolic of the world’s persecution (empowered by Satan) of the church.

Satan opposes the gospel

2 Corinthians 4:4 KJV 1900

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

See also Mt 13:19; Mt 13:38–39; 1 Th 2:2; 1 Th 2:18

Examples of opposition to the first Christians

Ac 6:8–14; Ac 7:54–58 Stephen stoned to death; Ac 8:1–3 Saul causes havoc in Jerusalem.

Opposition to Paul and his companions:

Ac 13:6–12; Ac 13:44–45; Ac 17:13; Ac 18:6; Ac 18:12

Violent hostility to Paul and his companions:

Ac 9:23; Ac 14:5; Ac 14:19; Ac 16:16–24; Ac 17:5–6; Ac 19:23–29; Ac 20:3; Ac 21:27–36

Jewish plots against Paul in Jerusalem:

Ac 23:12–15; Ac 25:3

Satan attacks individual believers

Revelation 12:17 KJV 1900

And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.