by MarryEdwardd | 22 January 2026 08:46 pm01
When the apostles arrived in Thessalonica to preach the Gospel, the city was shaken by their message. The people reacted with fear and anger, and Scripture records their cry:
“These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also.”
— Acts 17:6 (ESV)
But this statement is far more profound than it first appears.
They did not simply say, “These men have come here.”
They said, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here too.”
This language reveals something spiritual and prophetic.
It shows that “the world” and “the apostles” were being viewed as two opposing systems, two different realities, two different kingdoms.
It is as if they were saying:
“They have already conquered the world — and now they’ve arrived here to finish what they started.”
In other words, the apostles were recognized as people who were not trying to gain victory —
they were moving in victory.
They were not fighting for dominance —
they were manifesting authority.
This means their conquest had already begun in another realm before it appeared in the physical realm.
So the question is:
The spiritual world.
The Gospel revolution was never political first.
It was never military first.
It was never cultural first.
It was spiritual first.
Scripture tells us:
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
— Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)
The apostles were not overthrowing governments —
they were overthrowing spiritual thrones.
They were not attacking empires —
they were dismantling demonic systems.
They were not challenging kings —
they were confronting principalities.
The reason the apostles moved in such authority is because Christ had already won the war.
Jesus Himself declared:
“Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.”
— John 12:31 (NKJV)
And again:
“The ruler of this world is judged.”
— John 16:11 (KJV)
And Scripture confirms:
“He disarmed principalities and powers and made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.”
— Colossians 2:15 (NKJV)
The Cross was not just forgiveness —
it was cosmic victory.
The Resurrection was not just life —
it was enthronement.
The Ascension was not just departure —
it was coronation.
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.”
— Matthew 28:18 (ESV)
So when the apostles preached, they were not announcing a new religion —
they were announcing a conquered kingdom.
The Gospel did not negotiate with darkness — it overpowered it.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
— John 1:5 (NIV)
This is why:
“So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.”
— Acts 19:20 (ESV)
The Gospel did not coexist with darkness —
it replaced it.
Religion had controlled nations.
Idolatry shaped empires.
False gods ruled cultures.
But Christ shattered the foundations.
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.”
— 2 Corinthians 10:4 (NKJV)
The strongholds were not walls —
they were belief systems.
They were worldviews.
They were spiritual ideologies.
They were demonic structures.
And they fell.
When rulers, governors, officials, commanders, households, and entire families began turning to Christ, people understood something:
This war is already over.
The foundation had collapsed.
The head had fallen.
The throne had been judged.
What remained were only remnants.
Just as Pharaoh fell before Israel ever reached Jericho,
so Satan fell before the Church reached the nations.
We who believe in Jesus must understand this:
We are not fighting for victory — we are enforcing victory.
We are not struggling toward authority — we are moving from authority.
We are not conquering the world — we are harvesting a conquered world.
“Behold, I have given you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
— Luke 10:19 (NKJV)
“You are from God and have overcome them, for greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”
— 1 John 4:4 (ESV)
“We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
— Romans 8:37 (NKJV)
The world has already been turned upside down.
The spiritual throne has already been judged.
The dominion of darkness has already been broken.
The authority of Christ has already been established.
“The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ.”
— Revelation 11:15 (NKJV)
We are not sent to overthrow —
we are sent to gather.
We are not sent to conquer —
we are sent to harvest.
We are not sent to fight —
we are sent to reclaim.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”
— Matthew 28:19 (ESV)
So rise in courage.
Stand in boldness.
Walk in authority.
Move in faith.
Preach the Gospel without fear.
Go to the nations without hesitation.
The world has already been overturned.
The victory has already been secured.
The throne has already been judged.
The kingdom has already been established.
What remains is the harvest.
What are you waiting for?
Rise now.
Preach the Gospel.
Take the message to the nations.
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news.”
— Romans 10:15 (NKJV)
May the Lord bless you. 🙏
May He strengthen your faith.
May He enlarge your vision.
May He empower your mission.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2026/01/22/the-people-who-have-turned-the-world-upside-down-have-come-here-too/
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