Spiritual Wickedness... in Heaven?

Years ago, the man who I consider to be my mentor in the ministry said something that struck me in a new way. He explained that before the King James translation of the Bible the word “baptize” was not an English word per se. Prior to the coining of the word, people simply said “dip”, “dunk”, or “immerse.” Instead of putting those words in the KJV (according to my mentor) the translators transliterated the Greek word βαπτίζω (baptízō) into the new English word “baptize” because translating the word to anything other than “sprinkle” would have angered the powerful, infant-sprinkling church of their day. This is the first time I remember realizing the obvious - that things happen in translation in which the translators make decisions about what they put down. That should seem obvious.

What reminded me of this was a recent study of mine through Ephesians in which I could clearly see a translator decision like this. “In heavenly places” or “in the heavenlies” is a phrase that appears multiple times in the book of Ephesians. Logically, it just means “in heaven.”

Here are the times it is used; in each case, the Greek phrase is identical:

Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Ephesians 1:20

This is simply the scene of Christ’s present enthronement next to God the Father.

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6

This is the scene of our present assembly with Christ. For those who argue that there is no singular assembly but only local assemblies, apparently in God’s view we are already all assembled together with Him in one. Just because we can’t see it as God sees it, that does not change the present reality of it. That’s our present position in Christ, but I digress.

To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, Ephesians 3:10

This is the referring to the locale of angelic beings (principalities and powers).

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. Ephesians 6:12

Did you spot it?

This is referring to the present day in which there is conflict with evil spirits seeking to harm us as Satan did with Job, or sift us like he wanted to do with Peter.

I have often heard this passage interpreted to mean powerful people in high positions, seats of government, or earthly kingdoms. However, it is the same Greek phrase as the other which refer to heavenly places. Yet, the translators did not use that phrase in this instance. I cannot discern any reason from the text why they would have changed it here other than that it might confuse a reader into wondering why Paul is saying that real enemies of concern for the Christian are in Heaven of all places! Rather than let us get confused by that notion and try to figure it out, they seemed to change the word in translation.

However, is there ever spiritual wickedness in Heaven where God is? Well, actually yes! And do those forces pose a threat to believers that should alert us more than human threats? Yes, of course!

And example of this would be when Satan was in Heaven before God in order to get permission to attack Job. Satan is the epitome of spiritual wickedness. And in Job, we see him getting the go ahead… in heavenly places! How about another example?

And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so. Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.
1 Kings 22:19-23

This may be uncomfortable to hear, but God agreed to use a lying spirit because Ahab rejected God’s rebukes and warnings all through his reign and the cup of God’s wrath was full. Ahab had angered God in unique ways. He was the worst King of Israel up to that time and God was about to have him killed in battle. Ahab just needed to be convinced he would win so that he would go to battle. And the lying spirit duped all of Ahab’s false prophets into telling Ahab he would win, so he might as well go.

But the point is, that spiritual wickedness (i.e. - fallen angels) can and do appear before the throne of God in heavenly places. They can enter Heaven where the throne of God is and speak with Him. In this instance, it even appears that God appeals to the host of heaven for volunteers. He then listens to their methods, denies some and accepts others. God is not the One lying. He’s not even the One suggesting it. However, He permits this evil spirit to do so. In other words, God sinlessly used sin to accomplish a thing. Ultimately, this lying spirit is the one responsible for this sin. After all James 1:13 is as true as it’s always been:

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.

And just like Satan did with Job, and in this instance with Ahab, these wicked beings come up with ideas of their own about us and present them to God. And God either gives them permission or does not.

Paul’s point in Ephesians 6:12 is that human threats pale in comparison to the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:11) and that is why we need to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10). Paul then tells us to put on the whole armor of God, a spiritual armor, because we often deal with spiritual attackers who, believe it or not, get permission to do what they do to you… from God Himself in Heaven.

Some of these truths may make you uncomfortable. However, if we really mean it when we say we trust the Lord, then it is not hard to believe that He can permit these things and still be right and good. As a Sovereign, He can allow these attacks to happen for our good and for His perfect plan to be worked out in time. His ways may be higher than ours, but His ways are also perfect. I choose to believe that.