PREFACE: This article was kindled from both the work of Dr. Michael Heiser and that of Dr. Matthew Bates. What you will find here is now blended within me as the Lord has led. I pray you find it of value.
The Unseen Realm, Reversing Hermon, Salvation by Allegiance Alone.
Let's dive deeper into Paul's revelation about Jesus Christ as the King of kings. This revelation teaches us that Jesus has been given complete authority over both heaven and earth. It also brings to our attention a spiritual conflict happening in unseen realms that are beyond our physical senses. To truly understand this concept, we need to turn to the Bible and approach it with carefulness and attentiveness. We should seek answers to our questions and be willing to let go of any preconceived ideas influenced by our modern way of thinking. This means we must be ready to set aside teachings that have shaped our understanding over the past 1,700 years, such as church traditions, doctrines, dogmas, and creeds.
By putting these filters aside, we can now explore the biblical passages that shed light on Jesus' supreme authority and the cosmic battle happening all around us.
Consider 2 Corinthians 4:4 in Greek, which uses the word "ἀπίστων". If Paul is using the word to convey the allegiance or loyalty of the believer to Jesus Christ as King, then how might one translate the verse to reflect this shade of understanding?
The Greek word "ἀπίστων" is derived from the root "πιστις," which is often translated in the New Testament as faith, belief, trust, and assurance. The prefix "ἀ" denotes negation, thus creating the word "ἀπίστων," often translated as "unbelievers." However, if we understand that "πιστις" contains a strong sense or directing towards allegiance or loyalty, the word "ἀπίστων" could also have connotations of "those without allegiance" or "those unfaithful."
2 Corinthians 4:4 is traditionally translated as:
In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
However, if Paul is using the word to express allegiance, the verse might therefore be translated as:
In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of those without allegiance, preventing them from seeing the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
This alternate translation reinforces the reality of spiritual warfare in the context of the passage. The powers and principalities of this age (e.g., Satan, the "god of this age") seek to keep people in spiritual bondage and allegiance to other ‘gods’ or ideologies, blinding them from the liberating truth that comes after and through a declared allegiance to Christ.
This interpretation speaks to the understanding held during ancient times in the ancient Near East and during the Second Temple period. The idea of linking faith and allegiance was particularly significant for the Gentile Corinthians living under Roman rule. During this time, Augustus had been declared a "son-of-god" and various gods, demigods, and demons were worshiped. Consequently, the rulers and the spiritual entities associated with them demanded the loyalty of the city or nation's inhabitants. Being labeled an "unbeliever" in this context did not simply refer to a lack of belief, but also indicated a lack of allegiance. This was a serious offense in a society where religious and political loyalties were closely intertwined.
NOTE: The Roman Emperor, Augustus, was posthumously declared "Divi Filius" (Son of God) after his adoptive father Julius Caesar was made a deity in the Roman state religion. His full adoptive name became known as Gaius Julius Caesar Divi Filius Augustus, highlighting his status as the son of the divine Julius Caesar.
The majority of Christians in western society, particularly in America, tend to interpret the term "gospel" primarily in relation to individual redemption. They assert that the "Good News" of Jesus Christ is found in the salvation attained solely through faith. They may further elaborate on various aspects of Jesus' life, such as His crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. Nonetheless, this understanding differs from what the word "gospel" actually conveyed to early Christians of the first century, as well as to pagans and Gentiles during that period.
What if our understanding of the term "gospel" is different from what Paul intended? Perhaps Paul's concept of "gospel" goes beyond just our personal salvation. Instead, he sees it as a proclamation of the resurrection, emphasizing Jesus Christ's supreme authority and his exaltation as the ultimate ruler over heaven and earth. This understanding surpasses even the status of Augustus, the revered emperor, and surpasses the powers, rulers, and spiritual forces in the unseen realms.
The word "gospel," euangelion in Greek, is often understood in modern Christian terms to refer to the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. However, in the Greco-Roman world, a "gospel" or "euangelion" was a public announcement of significant news, typically associated with military victory or the ascension of a new king.
There is ample evidence within the scriptures to show that while personal salvation was part of what Paul meant by the term "gospel", it was not the main focus. It is important for us to understand the "gospel" as Paul primarily understood and preached it, which was not simply about individual salvation, but mostly, and more importantly, about the exaltation of Jesus as the reigning King.
Thus, for Paul, declaring the "gospel of Jesus Christ" meant openly proclaiming the good news of Jesus' ascension as the King of the entire cosmos, both heavenly and earthly with the resurrection to back it up. It meant acknowledging the path lay through Him at the Cross, which allows us to transition by the power of God from the kingdoms of men and darkness into the Kingdom of the Father's beloved Son: Jesus Christ!
Moreover, accepting this path of life and living required an open disavowal of former loyalties and allegiances, and the public declaring of allegiance and loyalty to Jesus and then living it out in everyday words and actions to be like Jesus as a representative of this new King and Kingdom on earth.
So, how might this alternate perspective on the term "gospel" impact the translation of Paul's words? While keeping this in mind, we can now explore an expanded and shifted translation of 2 Corinthians 4:4.
For those with no loyalty, the god of this age has blinded their minds, inhibiting them from beholding the light emanating from the announcement of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God and is now King.
Or to expand and clarify:
Among those disloyal to Christ, the principalities of this age have darkened their understanding to keep them from seeing the radiant truth of the public proclamation of Christ's glory, who is the living expression of God and now reigns as King over everything.
By shifting our attention away from just the salvation of individuals and towards the wider impact of Christ's resurrection and enthronement, we can highlight the profound transformation of the entire world. This helps us regain an understanding of the revolutionary and transformative power of the gospel, as it was understood by the early church. Instead of viewing salvation as simply a personal transaction, we begin to grasp the biblical concept of God's kingdom being manifested on earth through Christ's lordship.
This is a far more expansive view of what we are typically taught that Paul is preaching and the message he is conveying. The revelation of King Jesus to him as the "gospel" involves a change of allegiance that goes beyond human emperors and rulers. It encompasses cosmic forces that are in conflict with one another. On one side, there is the force of light in Jesus Christ, who is the King of all. On the other side, there are the forces of darkness represented by ancient cosmic gods, goddesses, and demons, as well as their hold on our fallen nature through sin in our flesh and our lusts and passions. Therefore, to renounce loyalty to these forces and publicly declare loyalty, allegiance, and fealty to Jesus has enormous cosmic consequences.
Finally, in acknowledgement of cosmic level consequences we find they extend from this life to the life that is coming in the Kingdom of Christ. Once the Kingdom is revealed from heaven and the Lord returns to establish His Kingdom here upon a remade earth, we will also be remade. We will be seated with Him on thrones, ruling as both kings and priests in a Royal Family over all of creation! Herein was the magnitude of the gospel, which was (and still is) far beyond a simple mental ascent of "Jesus loves me" and "I believe in Jesus". With big epic realities come equally large demands upon us whereby to qualify us to be seated with Him.
ARTWORK: Derived from Midjourney AI prompt: "In a Roman mosaic and foil wall art style depict Paul preaching in the 1st century to people an announcement of a greater king than Caesar."