A Theological Inquiry: What Are Principalities and How are they Reconciled To Jesus?

A Theological Question.

This is a question that has bothered me for some time and I don’t have an answer.   We see in Scripture two contrasting images of spiritual powers, especially of rulers and authorities. The majority of references to these principalities and powers are negative: they are arrayed against the people of earth, bringing them into subjection and oppression. They are spiritual “hosts of wickedness in heavenly places.”  They exist as having legal authority to accuse and condemn human beings for their sins. Believers are in a spiritual struggle against them. And when Christ comes again, he will destroy every hostile authority and power.

“by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers (archas) and authorities (exousias) and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”

(Colossians 2:14–15, ESV)

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers (archas), against the authorities(exousias), against the cosmic powers (kosmokratoras) over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil (ponarias)in the heavenly places.”

(Ephesians 6:12,ESV)

Yet in Colossians, it says these rulers and authorities were created through Christ and for him, and through the sacrifice of Jesus, these powers are to be reconciled to him.  How can they be reconciled if they are evil (wicked) and are opposed to the people of earth? There is no redemption for the angels who have fallen. How can these spiritual forces be reconciled and destroyed at the same time?

“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones (thronoi) or dominions (kyriotes)  or rulers (archai) or authorities (exousia)—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” (Colossians 1:16–20, ESV)

Some additional Thoughts (March 11, 2025)

Of late, I believe I have partial insight into this conundrum. The thrones, powers, and dominions are structures the universe, like time and gravity, but more specifically they are governmental powers that should be aligned with Jesus Christ’s kingdom and rule on the earth (see Acts 17:26–27). But because of the sin and rebellion of human beings, under the influence of demonic powers, these governments are perverted from their primary purpose, which is to establish order and justice for humanity. As such, these powers are operating in opposition to the rule of Christ, and so must be reconciled to him. When the Kingdom of God comes on the earth, these worldly powers will be freed from their demonic influence and enslavement and be conformed to God’s will for the earth.

Paul hints at this disruption of God’s intent in the natural world:

“For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” – Romans 8:19–21 (ESV)

Here we see that time and entropy are structures that are diverted from their good purpose, producing decay rather than life. When time and space and the governments of nations are redeemed and restored to Jesus Christ as head, they will be fully reconciled to him, whereas now they are hostile him because of human rebellion.