This heavenly sphere is the place of this universal conflict.

This conflict is between Christ and his Church, and the rulers of this present age.

When we truly come to the reality of our place in the body of Christ, then we enter this cosmic sphere of intense hostility.

This battle is for the rights of the authority and ruler ship of this world and cosmos.

The event of the victory of the cross, was the victory secured for the church.

But reality is that this world is still under the power of the prince of the powers of the air, he still has a tremendous presence and influence in this world.

The rulers of this present age have not yet been removed from their high places of power, as the gods of this present age.

This battle is, and will rage right up to the end of this present age.

We know that in the end he will be removed from his place of authority, but this waits for the finality of the completeness of the body, which is the church.

This is the destiny of the church, reclaiming this world with Christ, from the rulers of this present age, but this waits for the completed elect number, which makes up this body.

But now the true church is in a constant struggle with these rulers that hold this heavenly ground, which is the destiny of the elected church.

This great destiny is waiting for an elected chosen number, when this number is reached then the great end of the age exchange takes place.

God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. ¹¹ This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.  Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

So these rulers know this and continue to do all that they can to frustrate the purposes of God.

But these rulers do know that there is a set time for their removal.

King Saul may have still been king, but his days were numbered, he knew that eventually David would inherit the throne.