Who are the high-place rulers that are becoming corrupt?
The high-place rulers are spiritual rulers in high places, specifically leaders within denominations, not political rulers. They become corrupt because corruption begins at the top, and they come under satanic influence, with Satan transforming himself into an angel of light, as these people exemplify.
Les explains that the high-place rulers are not political rulers but spiritual rulers in high places who have come under satanic influence. He recalls a statement by a speaker he believes was Vance Havner, who observed that when a pine tree dies, it starts at the top. Les uses this to illustrate that in the high places of denominations, things begin to erode and turn corrupt. He notes that Satan can transform himself into an angel of light, and these people are such. This teaching connects to Ephesians 6:13, where believers are told to take the whole armor of God so they may withstand in the evil day.