These days warfare against territorial spirits—especially among the New Apostolic Reformation—has become a pretty big deal? Is there a scriptural basis for this, anyone know? I don't recall ever hearing the phrase "territorial spirit" mentioned in scripture, much less any instruction or teaching for believers to occupy themselves with such things.
The concept of "territorial spirits" more than likely comes from portions of scripture such as this:
Daniel chapter 10
[
1] In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.
[
2] In those days
I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
[
3] I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all,
till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
[
4] And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;
[
5] Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:
[
6] His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.
[
7] And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.
[
8] Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.
[
9] Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.
[
10] And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.
[
11] And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.
[
12] Then said he unto me,
Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
[
13]
But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
[
14] Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.
[
15] And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.
[
16] And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.
[
17] For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.
[
18] Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
[
19] And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.
[
20] Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee?
and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.
[
21] But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth:
and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.
Here, Daniel had apparently been fasting and praying for three full weeks.
An angel of the Lord appears to him and notifies him that he was sent unto him from the first day that he had set his heart to understand and chasten himself before God, "but the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days".
This "prince of the kingdom of Persia" could rightly be called a "territorial spirit" in that he apparently was overseeing or governing the affairs of the kingdom of Persia in the spiritual realm.
So strong was this opposition that this angel needed the help of "Michael, one of the chief princes" or the archangel in order to ultimately break through.
This angel then went on to mention how he "remained there with the kings of Persia" or with other demonic forces.
in the spirit realm, it seems that a "prince" is higher than a "king".
In any case, these were definitely demonic or angelic beings who were engaged in combat against each other.
This angel then mentioned how he not only had to "return to fight with the prince of Persia", but also how eventually "the prince of Grecia" or Greece "shall come".
Of course, after the Medo-Persian kingdom came the kingdom of Greece, so, again, there were apparently some sort of "territorial spirits" or angelic beings overseeing the same in the spiritual realm.
The angel then concluded by mentioning "Michael your prince", with the "your" being directly related to Israel/Jerusalem.
With such in mind, we should also consider that there is coming another major battle in the spiritual realm which will usher in what the Bible calls the "great tribulation".
I'm referring, of course, to this:
Revelation chapter 12
[
7] And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
[
8] And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
[
9] And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
[
10] And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
[
11] And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
[
12] Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them.
Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
[
13] And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
[
14] And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for
a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
When Satan and his angels are cast down to this earth (their normal place of residency is the heavenly realm), then he will "come down...having great wrath, because he knows that he has but a short time". This "short time" is "a time, and times, and half a time", or 3 1/2 years, or the actual duration of the "great tribulation".
Daniel foretold of this time when he wrote:
"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. " (Daniel 12:1)
Again, notice that this "time of trouble" begins when "Michael stands up, the great prince which stands for the children of your people".
Anyhow, this is where the concept of "territory spirits" more than likely comes from.
I hope that this helps.
1
