is there an order with satan and demons?

When considering the organization of the hierarchy of evil, remember, God is a God of order (1 Corinthians 14:40). Likewise, "Satan" has "his kingdom" (Matthew 12:26), and it has an orderly hierarchy. Satan is referred to as "the god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4) and "the prince of this world" (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). The Greek word is archon ("first in rank") and translates twenty-two times in the New Testament as "ruler." He is "the god," "first in rank," or "ruler."
 
"First in rank" indicates there must be other ranks. Matthew 12:24 speaks of "Beelzebub the prince [archon, meaning 'first in rank'] of devils." Ephesians 6:12 tells of "principalities … powers … the rulers of the darkness of this world … spiritual wickedness ['wicked spirits'; Greek center reference]." One noted scholar wrote, "The words which Paul uses … are all names for different classes of these evil spirits." So "Satan" and "his kingdom" are highly organized. There is a "god," a "prince of devils," then "principalities … powers … rulers of the darkness." Thus, "Satan" has agencies at his disposal. 

When we look at these agencies of "his kingdom" (or the hierarchy of evil), it should be mentioned that, as created beings, God is still the Ultimate Sovereign. We see this in His ability to decide, control, and dispense spirits. Concerning King Saul, 1 Samuel 16:14 says that "an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him." First Kings 22:20-23 tells of the Lord deciding and dispensing "a lying spirit" to "go forth" and cause the "prophets" of Ahab to lie to him so he would "fall at Ramoth-gilead."
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Let us consider specifically the expressions and operations of devils, demons, and spirits. In the King James Version, the English words "demon" and "demons" do not appear. These expressions came into usage at a much later date. The terms "devils" and "spirits" are commonly used. The word "devils" is employed more in the Gospel accounts, whereas the term "spirits" is commonly used in the Epistles. I think much of the reason for this distinction is due to the predominant audiences to whom they were written. "Devils" was a word more familiar and commonly used amongst the Jews. Most of the Epistles were written to Gentiles, and the word "spirits" was of a more common understanding.

Earl R. Borders

From the December 2023 issue of The Gospel Trumpeter