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god of this age", "the prince of this world" and "the prince of the authority of the air".
The nation of Israel were used by God against the Canaanites, but there is also a heavenly
phase of this warfare, and with this the church of the mystery is involved:
"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" (Eph. 6: 12).
"World rulers" of darkness is the Greek kosmokrator, kratos meaning power.
Rabbinical writers actually adopted this Greek word and turned it into Hebrew, using it
sometimes of Satan, sometimes of the angel of death, and sometimes of earthly kings.
Wetstein says that the title was used of Sisanchosis, king of Egypt as "emperor of the
word", and the interrelation of earthly monarchies with heavenly though fallen princes is
indicated in Dan. 10: It is therefore of the utmost importance that we do not allow the
references to the present "world" which is to pass away, and which at the present time is
largely under the power of Satan, to blind our eyes to that greater kosmos, that "host" of
which the Lord is leader, which will ultimately triumph over evil and establish
righteousness and peace. Every redeemed child of God is called to be a good soldier in
this glorious army. He is provided with complete armour, and a trusty weapon. May
every reader realize the gravity of our calling and the utmost call there is for single-eyed
loyalty. These articles have been somewhat of a digression, but the contention for the
faith needs no apology, and none is offered.
"Quit you like men, be strong."
"Endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."
"God Himself is with us for our Captain."
#15. The Muniment Room (1: 3 - 14).
The Threefold Charter of the Church.
"Holy and without blame" seen against the background of Ezek. 28:
pp. 161 - 165
We have spent considerable time in the endeavour to present something of the
importance that the phrase "before the foundation of the world" holds in the dispensation
of the mystery, and have seen that there are three unique features revealed in Eph. 1: 3, 4
that for ever set the mystery apart as a revelation and a calling.
The blessings are "all spiritual" or "every blessing that is spiritual".
They are "in heavenly places" en tois epouraniois. In the super-heavens.
They were planned "before the overthrow of the world", i.e. before Gen. 1: 2.
We now move to a contemplation of the purpose with which these unique things are
associated. They are: