Behind the Curtain

We live our lives in the sunshine of the day. Then as darkness comes upon the earth we sleep on the backside of locked doors. Some folks watch horror films, so their broken world seems more normal. Others watch sitcoms so the stupid suddenly looks silly and funny.

There is a reality that people want to ignore. It is the reality of another dimension that is sightless to our eyes and soundless to our ears. The result of it is obvious to the perceptive watcher. It is the reality of a spiritual realm that has a direct correlation in the visual world. It is a realm of warfare, deception, intrigue, and supernatural persuasion. It is more than a little spooky.

The Apostle Paul gave a description of this realm that is revelatory. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12 NKJV).

He gives a list of beings behind the curtain. They are principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. So we are not confused, “heavenly places” is not Heaven but the spiritual realm. This heavenly place is where spiritual entities of the devil and of God wage war.

Remember, God has enemies but He has no rivals. No evil force in this or any other universe is coequal with God. God is supreme with no equals. The devil is a bug and God is in the pest control business.

So, you will know I am not making this stuff up, read Daniel chapter ten. Here are a few highlights. As you read it, keep this in mind. Daniel, the prophet, was a Jewish captive-slave in the Persian Empire. He was on a twenty-one-day time of fasting and fervent prayer. The prince of Persia is not an earthly ruler. He is a demonic principality in the heavenly realm that hindered the messenger angel. The angel was helped against the principality by the archangel Michael.

Here is a few verses straight from the Book of Daniel: “Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. / But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia” (Dan. 10:12-13 NKJV; emphasis added).

What do we need to understand? There was an earthly Persian king in power by the name of Cyrus. The scripture reveals spiritual principalities in the heavenly realm who are called “prince of the kingdom of Persia” and “the kings of Persia.” These spiritual principalities were hindering this messenger angel for twenty-one days. No coincidence that Daniel was fasting for twenty-one days! “Michael, one of the chief princes” came to the aid of the messenger angel. THIS IS NOT MYTHOLOGY. THIS IS REAL HAPPENINGS.

If this happened in Daniel’s time, you should know it is happening in our time as well. Don’t close your eyes to spiritual realities.

We will see many evil happenings in the world. Realize there is an evil mind in the spiritual realm that is behind the evil we witness. The Book of John describes the activities of the thief. “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10a NKJV). When you see corruption and public policy leading to death, harm, poverty, chaos, and destruction; look behind the curtain.

Yes, there are evil rulers in this world whose faces we see on the news. Yet, you need to understand they are puppets to demonic puppet-masters in the heavenly realm.

What do we need to do? We do our earthly part when we have opportunity and influence. More importantly, we need to look behind the curtain and do as Daniel did. Daniel entered into spiritual warfare by prayer, fasting, and intercession.

Elijah was on the run from King Ahab and the witchy Queen Jezebel. He told God he was the last one righteous in the land. God told him he had reserved seven thousand men who had not bowed their knees to Baal. (See 1 Kings 19.)

We have more than seven thousand. In our day, there are millions and millions on the earth who have not bowed their knees to Baal. Join them in the spiritual warfare of prayer to the God of Heaven—to whom all will one day bow. Our Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

Yours on the Journey,

Harry L. Whitt