The Spiritual Authority of Heaven

“What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, All sheep and oxen—even the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea that pass through the paths of the seas. “ – Psalms 8:4-8

From the beginning there has been a structure of leadership in creation. In Psalms 8 we read that God as creator has made man “a little lower than the angels”. We also read that he has put us over the animal kingdom. But have you ever wondered why the authority structure of God’s kingdom is set as it is? Understanding this can release to you the ability to move up that ladder of Kingdom leadership.

God, at the top of the chain of command, is fully spirit. In Genesis 1:2 when God begins creation, it says the “Spirit of God was hovered over the face of the waters”. God is Spirit.

Creation itself was performed as a corporate affair. When the creation of man is discussed, those present said “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness” (Genesis 1:26). Who was in attendance at this convergence of creators? It was the Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit.

As we discussed, in Genesis 1:1 we hear that God was present. In John 1:1-3 it says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” The Word is Jesus, God’s Holy Son, and this title is used repeatedly to describe Him in the Bible. We can also be assured that the Holy Spirit was in attendance because when Jesus tells His disciples that He must go away he tells them in John 14:16 “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper“. The Holy Spirit was in residence with God right up until the moment in which God sent Him to earth to be a comfort and support for His people. Therefore, we know that the Holy Trinity – three in one, created us.

Whereas God is fully Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is fully Spirit, Jesus is uniquely different. Jesus, once fully Spirit, was made flesh and took on the mortal body of man. He was contained in a physical body for a short time to endure the same pain and suffering that we endure. Jesus, when He became man, gave up some of His stature in Heaven for a short time to become one of us. When Jesus spoke of His coming resurrection He said in John 14:28, “If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.” Jesus was acknowledging the greatness of Father God over that of Himself.

God was greater because Jesus was still in a fleshly body. And to this day, He is still within that body. We’re assured of that when the Angels spoke to the disciples in Acts 1:11 at His ascension and said “This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” When Jesus returns he will physically arrive in a cloud.

Angels, though fully spirit, are subject to Jesus. They are under his authority. In 1 Peter 3:22 we read that Jesus “has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him”. The angels were even created through Jesus as the rest of the world. In Hebrews 1:4 we read that Jesus was “so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.”

Demons are also spirits – unholy spirits. Where do they rank on the social ladder of Heaven? They also rank under the authority of Jesus, as is shown when he drove them into the heard of pigs in Matthew 8:29. The demons spoke to Jesus before he came to them and said, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” The demons themselves spoke to the deity of Christ by announcing Him as the Son of God. They then requested of Jesus that they be allowed to go into the herd of pigs. Jesus spoke only one word – “GO!” – and they went into the herd. Therefore, demons rank lower than Jesus.

But what about mankind? Where do we rank within the authoritative structure of Heaven? Friends, hear me well! Understanding this can unleash on your life the power to overcome the greatest obstacles you can face. It can cause you to rise a victor each day, and sleep at peace each night. But at the core of the answer remains one vital question: Who do you call Father?

If you are born again through belief and confession of Jesus Christ as God’s risen Son, you possess the Holy Spirit – given by God. He lives within you as stated in 1 Corinthians 6:29, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” We, being “owned” by God, are His children. In Galatians 4:6-7 reads “And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” By the grace of God, we have His Holy Spirit within us, and are become heirs with Christ. We are made perfect in Christ. Through belief in Him and acceptance of Him as our Savior, we have become the children of God.

So…here’s where you rank on the ladder of spiritual authority:

If you are become joint heirs with Christ, God calls YOU son or daughter as well. God is on your side!

If you are become joint heirs with Christ, your are a Brother or Sister to the Savior Himself.

If you are become joint heirs with Christ, then YOU have power over demons as Christ does.

If you are become joint heirs with Christ, then YOU can call the angels and they will come just as they will answer to Christ.

Arise, children of God! By the possession of the Holy Spirit within you, you have victory in this world! ! Claim your victory in Christ!