A few years ago, I had the privilege of studying spiritual warfare at my seminary under a leading spiritual warfare researcher. One of the assignments was to do a research paper on territorial spirits and if they are something that is real or just imagined. In particular, I was to examine the case for territorial spirits and prescribe preparation for ministry in an area where particular spirits may be actively opposing the gospel, ministry, or minister.
In the US, we may or may not be as aware of spiritual warfare or spiritual attacks as in other parts of the world. We very rarely hear stories of these types of things and sometimes have the tendency to brush them off. However, there are many missionaries in different parts of South America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East that are encountering spiritual warfare to themselves or the people around them or who they are ministering to at a much more frequent rate.
In general, talking about spiritual warfare can be difficult. the term “spiritual warfare” can bring images to mind or certain “teachings,” “pastors,” or “leaders” that we may not be comfortable with. We may have been exposed to some of these teachings and seen the effects these false teachers had on people. Also, the topic of spiritual warfare and talking about things we cannot see or feel can cause anxiety or worry. We also think about movies (i.e. Exorcist) that have made this topic difficult and scary.
In the spiritual warfare arena, we kind of see it boiling down to two extremes (not always, but frequently enough). We have one side that says there are no demons or spirits interfering in the world. And we have another side that essentially is finding Satan and the demons behind every tree and blaming them for everything wrong and their own sin.
I believe the discussion of spiritual warfare is very important and something we need to be aware of. We cannot bury our heads in the sand and say there is none, but we cannot be blaming demons for every sin of ours. after all, we still have our own sin nature to contend with.
So the question then is why deal with territorial spirits? That is such a small topic in a great big ocean of spiritual warfare topics. well, for one, I can tell you in all of my years of going to church, Sunday school, adult Bible classes, reading books, sermons, and podcasts, I never heard of this until this class and i started studying it.
At the end of the day, there are arguments to both sides with great respectable teachers on each side. I am going to lay out some information, and you can do with it what you may. I hope that it leads you to explore this topic more and spiritual warfare, in general, to understand better how Satan and his demons try to prevent you from following and obeying God. We will do this in two parts, with the second half having some application.
Here is an outline of where we will be going in this post and the next:
Outline
- Introducing the topic of territorial spirits and how one can oppose these malevolent forces.
- Is there any substantial evidence to support the concept of territorial spirits?
- An overview of the arguments against territorial spirits.
- The view that the princes of Persia and Greece from Daniel 10 were human leaders.
- Additional Scriptural passages that give evidence against territorial spirits.
- Support to prove the case for territorial spirits and how they operate.
- Understanding Daniel 10 as referring to territorial spirits.
- Additional biblical support for understanding certain key passages as referring to territorial spirits that includes both angels and demons.
- A summary of the arguments that support the case for territorial spirits.
- An overview of the arguments against territorial spirits.
- Prescription for ministry in an area where territorial spirits may be actively opposing the gospel.
- The naming of spirits, warfare prayer, and “identificational repentance” often found in Strategic level spiritual warfare are not necessarily needed against territorial spirits.
- Recognition, prayer, and obedience to God are the keys to actively opposing these particular spirits.
- A conclusion of the main arguments that supports territorial spirits and how one can arm themselves against this particular facet of spiritual warfare.
Today, we will look at an introduction of the topic and some reasons why territorial spirits may not be real.
The case for territorial spirits and ministry preparation
Until the twentieth century, the study of the celestial powers – and in particular malevolent powers – was a neglected aspect of theology. More recently, however, the writings of authors such as C. Peter Wagner and Clinton Arnold have highlighted the existence of cosmic powers and “territorial spirits” that exert influence in the world. Territorial spirits are generally associated with Strategic-Level Spiritual Warfare (SLSW) which describes confrontation with high-ranking principalities and powers such as Paul wrote about in Ephesians 6:12. Frequently called territorial spirits, these forces attempt to keep large numbers of humans networked through cities, nations, neighborhoods, people groups, or any other form of human society in spiritual captivity.[1] Territorial spirits are described as demonic beings said to control geographic areas or groups of people and can limit the ability of people in the group or area to respond to the gospel.[2] Their assignment is to keep large numbers of humans in spiritual captivity.[3] But, is there a legitimate case for their existence? This paper will show the reality of territorial spirits based on scriptural evidence and how a Christian might oppose these beings. A brief overview of the case against territorial spirits will be examined followed by evidence to support their existence. Finally, a prescription for opposing them will be offered.
Is There Evidence to Support the Concept of Territorial Spirits?
When looking to the Scriptures for insight about the so-called territorial spirits, there is not much other than a few important passages that discuss, and affirm, the reality of demonic spirits associated with territories, especially nations. Much has been written on this much-debated topic, and they frequently refer to Daniel 10 as a chapter that speaks explicitly of territorial spirits. A key passage for their existence is found in Daniel 10 where the spirit princes of Persia and Greece are mentioned specifically. These evil spiritual beings are described as ruling over an area with explicitly defined boundaries. Daniel 10 is crucial for the study of cosmic powers over the peoples of the earth. Does Daniel 10:13 and 20 speak of demons governing their respective nations? Or was Michael referring to human princes who opposed God’s intervention in favor of Israel? Is there any other scriptural evidence to support territorial spirits like Paul’s principalities and powers in Ephesians? Both views will now be examined.
Overview of the Arguments Against Territorial Spirits
Opponents of territorial spirits see Scripture references as simply recording the beliefs of the people, and not an endorsement of territorial spirits.[4] Also, the territorial concept of spirit location is common in folk religion.[5] Mainly, opponents hold that the “prince of Persia” (Dan 10:13, 20) was one of the political authorities in Persia who opposed the reconstruction of the Jewish temple.[6] Looking for an earthly human prince of Persia in the third year of Cyrus, Cambyses, the son and crown prince of Cyrus is the one specific candidate for this position. This interpretation takes knowledge of both the potential for interpreting “prince” as a human being, and the actual political situation that occurred in the third year of Cyrus.[7]
The view that the princes in Daniel 10 were human political leaders is based on two principal arguments: the use of the term “prince” in Daniel and other biblical passages to refer to human leaders, and the plural expression “with the kings of Persia” (v. 13). In Daniel, the term “prince” is found nine times outside the angelic references and often carries the meaning of “one who commands.” Similarly, The Hebrew term for prince is used more than four hundred times in the Old Testament with a common denominator among the diverse uses being the concept of commanding or leading.[8] When “prince” is used of an angelic figure elsewhere in Daniel, it is consistently used only of such angelic beings on God’s side, never for fallen angels, demons, or Satan.[9] The powers opposing God are identified in other ways in Daniel, not by this term.
The angelic princes mentioned in Daniel do not rule over geographical areas with explicitly defined boundaries. The archangel Michael is described as “the great prince who protects your people” (Dan 12:1). This emphasizes the protective role of Michael in relation to the people of God rather than with respect to a given territory. Michael remained the guardian angel of Israel whether they were in the Promised Land or dispersed in exile.[10] The princes of Daniel 10 rule over imperialistic empires whose boundaries expand and contract, not fixed geographical regions.[11] The princes may be tutelary powers but are expansionistic not geographical.
[1] C. Peter Wagner, Confronting the Powers: How the New Testament Church Experienced the Power of Strategic-Level Spiritual Warfare (Ventura, CA: Regal, 1996), 22.
[2] Michael Pocock, Gailyn Van Rheenen and Douglas McConnell, The Changing Face of World Missions (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005), 187.
[3] C. Peter Wagner and Rebecca Greenwood, “The Strategic-Level Deliverance Model,” in Understanding Spiritual Warfare, eds. James K. Beilby and Paul Rhodes Eddy, (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2012), 179.
[4] Michael Pocock, “Current Issues in Spiritual Warfare,” unpublished class notes for WM 525 (Dallas Theological Seminary, Spring Semester, 2018), 58.
[5] Robert J. Priest, Thomas Campbell, and Bradford A. Mullen, “Missiological Syncretism,” in Spiritual Power and Missions, ed. Ed Rommen, vol. 3 (Pasadena: Wm. Carey, 1995), 19-21.
[6] John Calvin, Commentaries on the Book of the Prophet Daniel (reprint, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1948), 2:252; William H. Shea, “Wrestling with the Prince of Persia: A Study on Daniel 10,” Andrews University Seminary Studies 21 (1983): 234.
[7] William H. Shea, “Wrestling with the Prince of Persia: A Study on Daniel 10,” Andrews University Seminary Studies 21 (1983): 234, 249.
[8] Ludwig Koehler and Walter Baumgartner, eds., The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament, vol. 3, rev. Walter Baumgartner and Johann J. Stamm (Leiden: Brill, 1995), 1350-53
[9] William H. Shea, “Wrestling with the Prince of Persia: A Study on Daniel 10,” Andrews University Seminary Studies 21 (1983): 234.
[10] David Stevens, “Daniel 10 and the Notion of Territorial Spirits,” Bibliotheca Sacra 157 (2000): 415.
[11] Chuck Lowe, Territorial Spirits and World Evangelisation? (Kent, UK: OMF, 1998), 34.