Yes — 'principalities and powers' are high-positioned spiritual forces in Satan's realm, not human flesh-and-blood opponents.
The Bible says the believer's wrestling is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual wickedness in high places. Les Feldick teaches that these are spiritual rulers in high positions under satanic influence, and that they are positioned and loaded with energy that seemingly never runs out.
Ephesians 6:12 — This is the verse directly in view; it identifies the believer's real enemies as spiritual powers rather than human beings.
Ephesians 1:21 — This verse shows Christ seated far above all principality, power, might, and dominion, confirming that these are spiritual powers under His authority.
The apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 6:12: "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." In Ephesians 1:21, Paul describes Christ as seated "far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come." These verses group principalities and powers with the rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places, showing that the conflict is in the spiritual realm rather than against visible human enemies.
Les Feldick teaches that the principalities and powers in Ephesians 6:12 are not political rulers. He says, "We are not talking about political rulers. We're talking about the spiritual rulers in high places who have come under the satanic influence." He defines the high places not as Congress, the White House, or Buckingham Palace, but as "the spiritual high places, the leaders of Christendom, the great denominational leaders." Les also explains that these powers are "positioned and they are loaded with energy that seemingly never runs out." He distinguishes the Greek wording: in Romans 8:38, "principalities" denotes a high position and "powers" comes from the Greek word dunamis, meaning energy; in Ephesians 6:12, the word for power is different and does not speak of energy but of delegated authority, like the power Jesus gave the twelve disciples when they performed miracles.
No. Les Feldick is explicit: "We are not talking about political rulers. We're talking about the spiritual rulers in high places who have come under the satanic influence." The battle is not against flesh and blood, and the adversary is among the spirituals, so believers are facing spiritual opposition rather than merely human enemies.
Les says the high places are not government buildings or palaces. He states, "It's not talking about Congress or the White House or Buckingham Palace or what have you. What are the high places? The spiritual high places, the leaders of Christendom, the great denominational leaders." He also points out that it is in the high places of denominations that things begin to erode and turn corrupt.
In Romans 8, Les says "principalities" comes from a Greek word dealing with a high position, while "powers" is from the Greek word dunamis (dynamo) and means energy. In Ephesians 6, he says the word for power is a little different and does not speak of energy; rather, it speaks of power as Jesus gave to the twelve when they went out and could perform miracles. So the power in Ephesians 6:12 is more like delegated authority.
Romans 8:31-39 Explained — Why Nothing Can Separate You From God
the crescendo of a great orchestra. Now I don't claim to be a musician, but I know a few of the words in music, and I think you're all aware of what crescendo is. It's when that sound just builds and builds and builds, and then you get the clashing cymbals and, boy, I mean, they got your attention. That's crescendo. And that's what these closing verses are.
Positioned Powers With Delegated Authority
Les teaches that the powers in Ephesians 6 are not self-generating energy but delegated power, similar to the power Jesus gave the twelve disciples to perform miracles. He also says Satan's powers are positioned and loaded with energy that seemingly never runs out.
Why the Jews Called Jesus Accursed — 1 Corinthians 12:3 Explained
Ephesians 6 verse 12. "...for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against..." What's the next word? "...spiritual wickedness in high places." Now what do you suppose? The word spiritual here in Ephesians is basically the same Greek word as what is translated the spirituals in Ephesians chapter 12.
Spiritual Rulers, Not Political Rulers
Les clarifies that the battle is against spiritual rulers in high places who have come under satanic influence, not political rulers, and connects this to Satan transforming himself into an angel of light.
High Places Are Leaders of Christendom
Les explicitly defines the high places as not Congress, the White House, or Buckingham Palace, but the spiritual high places, including leaders of Christendom and great denominational leaders.
Principalities and Powers Defined in Romans 8
Les defines the Greek terms in Romans 8:38: principalities speaks of a high position, and powers is from dunamis, meaning energy.
The Adversary Is Among the Spirituals
Les warns that the spiritual realm includes not only the Holy Spirit's power but also the adversary, and he points to Ephesians 6:12 as part of the deeper revelation Paul received.
Christ Above All Principalities and Powers
Les quotes Ephesians 1:20-21 to show that Christ is set far above all principality, power, might, and dominion, giving the context for these spiritual powers being under Christ.
Ephesians 6:12: 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.
This is the key verse being asked about; it names principalities and powers as the believer's spiritual opponents.
Ephesians 1:21: Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
This verse shows Christ exalted above every principality and power, demonstrating their subordinate position.
No. Ephesians 6:12 says the wrestling is not against flesh and blood. Les Feldick teaches that these are spiritual rulers in high places who have come under satanic influence.
Les says the high places are not Congress, the White House, or palaces. They are the spiritual high places — leaders of Christendom and great denominational leaders.
Les explains that Romans 8:38 uses powers as dunamis, meaning energy. Ephesians 6:12 uses a different word for power, more like delegated authority, such as the power Christ gave the twelve disciples.
Watch the Teaching: Romans 8:31-39 Explained — Why Nothing Can Separate You From God