The Revised Version of Ephesians 6:12 reads 'Against the world -rulers

of this darkness'.

The title 'world -ruler' is significant.  Kosmokrator should be

compared with the title of the Lord, pantokrator, 'omnipotent' and

'almighty'.  We may obtain a glimpse at the extent of the power and authority

of these 'world -rulers of this darkness' by reading Daniel 10.  There we

read of a messenger sent from heaven (5,6), whose appearance was so glorious

that at the sight, Daniel's comeliness turned to corruption (8), yet this

mighty messenger was successfully withstood for twenty -one days by 'the

prince of Persia', whose opposition was only overcome by the advent of

Michael the archangel (13).  Reference is made in verse 20 to another prince,

'the prince of Grecia', and yet again in verse 21 to 'Michael your prince'.

Now Daniel 12:1 tells us that Michael is 'the great prince which standeth for

the children of thy people (Israel)'.  It appears, therefore, that with the

exception of Israel, the nations of the earth were under the authority of one

of the 'world holders of this darkness', and these facts cast light upon the

present conflict.  It is to be observed that the cause of the opposition in

Daniel 10 was that the heavenly messenger was sent to show Daniel what was

noted in 'the Scripture of truth'.  These principalities, powers and world

holders are summed up as 'spiritual things (or forces) of wickedness in the

heavenlies' (see article Principality and Power7).

Were it not that we can say with the apostle that we are persuaded

'that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers ...

shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus

our Lord' (Rom. 8:38,39), we should doubtless quail before these mighty

opponents and sink lower than Daniel did, but Christ is risen and we are

'more than conquerors through Him that loved us', and strong in the Lord and

in the power of His might, we shall both stand and withstand, knowing that

'the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly' (Rom. 16:20).

'What is Truth? said jesting Pilate, and would not stay for an answer'.

So commences Bacon's Essay 'Of Truth'.  Whether Pilate jested, whether he

gave evidence of a quickened conscience, or whether he voiced the scepticism

of his time, may not be ours to know, and is not our concern.  But to all who

merit or aspire to the title 'Bereans' there can be no more important

question than 'What is truth?' for the answer comprehends heaven, earth and

hell, God, man and Christ, the Scriptures, the Gospel, all activities of the

human mind, all social and moral issues, things past, present and future, all

are involved in the meaning and nature of truth:

'The inquiry of truth (which

is the love -making, or wooing of it), the

knowledge of truth (which is

the presence of it), and the belief of

truth (which is the enjoying

of it), is the sovereign good of human

'Certainly it is heaven upon

earth to have a man's mind move in

charity, rest in providence,

and turn upon the poles of truth' (Bacon).