Austin Bible Church
Satan has a demon organization, an unseen organization more powerful than any human power. Satan is, of course, the supreme dictator. Eph. 2:2.
"in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience." (Ephesians 2:2, NASB)
There are the fallen angels who were involved in infiltration of the human race in Genesis 6. These angels were imprisoned in the Abyss and will not be allowed to communicate with any creature nor to come out until the Tribulation.
There are also the operational fallen angels who are free to function also known as demons. These are the rulers, powers, world forces of darkness, and spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Eph. 6:12.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12, NASB)
In Ephesians 6:12, “rulers” is the plural of ἀρχή (archē) and means highest ruler, the general officers under Satan. These are super demons with super power and super responsibility. The word is used in the Attic, Alexandrian and Koine Greek and is always the same. How many generals does Satan have in his demon army? This is unknown.
“Powers” is the plural of ἐξουσία (exousia) and means authorities or equivalent to our military commissioned officers. This includes all of the commissioned officer ranks below the general officers the equivalent of our First and Second Lieutenant, Captain, Major, and Colonels.
“World forces” is the plural of κοσμοκράτωρ (kosmokratōr) and refers to world rulers of darkness. This is the spy system of Satan. This is a special team of demons to discredit and attack rulers. An example of the spy system of Satan can be found in Daniel 10:13 and is referred to as “the prince of the kingdom of Persia” who is a strong demon assigned to Persia by Satan. He tangled with Michael the Archangel. Later, he would be assigned to Greece in Daniel 10:20 as the “prince of Greece.” These demon officers attack any nation operating under the Divine Institutions, any important believer like Paul, and anyone in the vicinity of an important believer like Timothy.
""But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia." (Daniel 10:13, NASB)
"Then he said, "Do you understand why I came to you? But I shall now return to fight against the prince of Persia; so I am going forth, and behold, the prince of Greece is about to come." (Daniel 10:20, NASB)
In Ephesians 6:12, “spiritual forces of wickedness” is πνευματικός πονηρία (pneumatikos ponēria) and is referring to spirits of evil in the heavenlies. These are the rank and file demons who perform numerous evil functions. Some indwell unbelievers to cause sickness. When Satan calls them out, the unbeliever is miraculously healed so that many will be confused and deceived. They also push faith healers for the same purposes.
Some control the vocal chords such as the engastrumuthos demons that speak in tongues. Some manufacture pressure situations against believers – especially in the Tribulation. They also entice people to do human good and often to sin. Demons are designed to entice people to sin, although the old sin nature is basically designed to tempt people to sin.