The God of This World
Introduction
Satan was created as a holy angel. Isaiah 14:12 possibly gives Satan’s pre-fall name as Lucifer. Ezekiel 28:12-14 describes Satan as having been created a cherub, apparently the highest created angel. He became arrogant in his beauty and status and decided he wanted to sit on a throne above that of God (Isaiah 14:13-14; Ezekiel 28:15; 1 Timothy 3:6). Satan’s pride led to his fall. Notice the many “I will” statements in Isaiah 14:12-15. Because of his sin, God permanently removed Satan from his exalted position and role.
Satan became the ruler of this world and the prince of the power of the air (John 12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2). He is an accuser (Revelation 12:10), a tempter (Matthew 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:5), and a deceiver (Genesis 3; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20:3). His very name means “adversary” or “one who opposes.” Another of his titles, the devil, means “slanderer.”
Bible Translations:
HCSB – Holman Christian Study Bible
NIV – New International Version Study Bible
The Voice
Amplified Bible
RGT – Revised Geneva Translation
KJV – King James Version
TET – The Epoch Times – Excerpts from the Book – How The Specter of
Communism is Ruling Our World
Study prepared by: John W Cadwallader
What are Satan’s names and titles? By considering his names we learn much about his character and tactics.
1. Satan Matthew 4:10,
2. Devil Ephesians 4:26-27,
3. Evil One 1 John 5:19, Job 1:12, 2:6, 1 Cor 10:13.
4. Father of Lies John 8:44,
5. Ruler of this World and god of this Age John 14:30,”
1 John 5:19, , in 2 Corinthians 4:4, (Matt 4:8-9), Rev 20.
6. Lucifer Isaiah 14:12.
7. The Prince of the Power of the Air Ephesians 2:2,
8. The Tempter Matthew 4:3, Gen 3, . 1 Cor 7:5, Rev 20:7-8,
9. The Accuser Revelation 12:10, Zechariah 3:1, Heb 7:25, believers Rom 8:1, Romans 8:31-34,
10. The Dragon Revelation 12:9 (Rev 12:13, 17).
11. The Serpent 2 Corinthians 11:3, Revelation 12:9, Gen 3).
12. Beelzebub Matthew 12:24, 2 Kgs 1:2, 4 Revelation 12:4
διάβολος (diabolos) Strong’s Greek: 1228
Satan, the prince of demons, the author of evil
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The Bible starts off with the words
“In the beginning God”.
HCSB Isaiah 14:12
12 Shining morning star,[a]
how you have fallen from the heavens!
You destroyer of nations,
you have been cut down to the ground.
HCSB Ezekiel 28:12-14
12 b You were the seal[a] of perfection,[b]
full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
13 You were in Eden, the garden of God.
Every kind of precious stone covered you:
carnelian, topaz, and diamond,[c]
beryl, onyx, and jasper,
sapphire,[d] turquoise[e] and emerald.[f]
Your mountings and settings were crafted in gold;
they were prepared on the day you were created.
14 You were an anointed guardian cherub,
for[g] I had appointed you.
You were on the holy mountain of God;
you walked among the fiery stones.
HCSB Ezekiel 28:1
15 From the day you were created
you were blameless in your ways
until wickedness was found in you.
HCSB Isaiah 14:12-15
12 Shining morning star,[a]
how you have fallen from the heavens!
You destroyer of nations,
you have been cut down to the ground.
13 You said to yourself:
“I will ascend to the heavens;
I will set up my throne
above the stars of God.
I will sit on the mount of the gods’ assembly,
in the remotest parts of the North.[b]
14 I will ascend above the highest clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.”
15 But you will be brought down to Sheol
into the deepest regions of the Pit.
She·ol [ˈSHēˌôl, ˈSHēˌōl]
The Hebrew underworld, abode of the dead.
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The Dragon Thrown Out of Heaven
Revelation 12:7-12
7 Then war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels also fought, 8 but he could not prevail, and there was no place for them in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was thrown out—the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil[f] and Satan,[g] the one who deceives the whole world. He was thrown to earth, and his angels with him.
The Devil is derived from the Greek word διάβολος (diábolos) which means slanderer or accuser. Satan is derived from the Hebrew word הַשָּׂטָן (ha-Satan) which also means accuser. So, the two terms are essentially synonymous. Christians use Devil because the NT is of course written in Greek.
How, Why and When Did Satin Fall From Heaven
The book of Job tells us, at least in Job’s time, Satan still had access to heaven and to the throne of God. “One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. The LORD said to Satan, ’Where have you come from?’ Satan answered the LORD, ‘From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it’” (Job 1:6-7). Apparently at that time, Satan was still moving freely between heaven and earth, speaking to God directly and answering for his activities. Whether God has discontinued this access is a matter of debate. Some say Satan’s access to heaven was ended at the death of Christ. Others believe Satan’s access to heaven will be ended at the end-times.
Why did Satan fall from heaven? Satan fell because of pride. He desired to be God, not to be a servant of God. Notice the many “I will…” statements in Isaiah 14:12-15. See Isaiah above!! Ezekiel 28:12-15 describes Satan as an exceedingly beautiful angel. Satan was likely the highest of all angels, the anointed cherub, the most beautiful of all of God’s creations, but he was not content in his position. Instead, Satan desired to be God, to essentially “kick God off His throne” and take over the rule of the universe. Satan wanted to be God, and interestingly enough, that desire is what Satan tempted Adam and Eve with in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-5).
The Voice Ezekiel 28:12-15
12b You were a paradigm of perfection, human life at its best.
You had everything a leader needs: immense wisdom and perfect beauty.
13 You lived in Eden, God’s garden.
You were clothed in magnificent splendor, covered in jewels:
Sardius, topaz, diamond, beryl, onyx, jasper,
lapis lazuli, turquoise, and emerald.
All the mountings were made of gold,[a]
prepared for you on the day you were created.
14 I anointed you the guardian[b] of the garden and stationed you at your post to protect it.
You were on the divine mountain, the holy mount of God.
There you walked among the fiery stones.
15 You were entirely pure from the day you were created,
until wickedness crept in and was found in you!
How did Satan fall from heaven? Actually, a fall is not an accurate description. It would be far more accurate to say God cast Satan out of heaven;
Ezekiel 28:16-17). Satan did not fall from heaven; rather, Satan was pushed.
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NIV Ezekiel 28:16-17
16 Through your widespread trade
you were filled with violence,
and you sinned.
So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God,
and I expelled you, guardian cherub,
from among the fiery stones.
17 Your heart became proud
on account of your beauty,
and you corrupted your wisdom
because of your splendor.
So I threw you to the earth;
I made a spectacle of you before kings.
Isaiah 14:12-14 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.
Even though he was cast out of heaven, he still seeks to elevate his throne above God. He counterfeits all that God does, hoping to gain the worship of the world and encourage opposition to God’s kingdom. Satan is the ultimate source behind every false cult and world religion. Satan will do anything and everything in his power to oppose God and those who follow God. However, Satan’s destiny is sealed—an eternity in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).
Satan is also called the “prince of the power of the air” in Ephesians 2:2. He is the “ruler of this world” in John 12:31. These titles and many more signify Satan’s capabilities. To say, for example, that Satan is the “prince of the power of the air” is to signify that in some way he rules over the world and the people in it.
The Voice Ephesians 2:2
2 wandering the course of this perverse world. You were the offspring of the prince of the power of air—oh, how he owned you, just as he still controls those living in disobedience. I’m not talking about the outsiders alone;
The Voice John 12:31
31 Now judgment comes upon this world, and everything will change. The tyrant of this world, Satan, will be thrown out.
This is not to say that he rules the world completely; God is still sovereign. But it does mean that God, in His infinite wisdom, has allowed Satan to operate in this world within the boundaries God has set for him. When the Bible says Satan has power over the world, we must remember that God has given him domain over unbelievers only. Believers are no longer under the rule of Satan (Colossians 1:13). Unbelievers, on the other hand, are caught “in the snare of the devil” (2 Timothy 2:26), lie in the “power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19), and are in bondage to Satan (Ephesians 2:2).
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NIV Colossians 1:13
13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.
The Voice 2 Timothy 2:26
26 And if they come to their senses, they can escape the devil’s snare and walk freed from his captivity and evil bidding.
Amplified Bible 1 John 5:19
19 We know [for a fact] that we are of God, and the whole world [around us] lies in the power of the evil one [opposing God and His precepts].
So, when the Bible says that Satan is the “god of this world,” it is not saying that he has ultimate authority. It is conveying the idea that Satan rules over the unbelieving world in a specific way. In 2 Corinthians 4:4, the unbeliever follows Satan’s agenda: the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.” Satan’s scheme includes promoting false philosophies in the world—philosophies that blind the unbeliever to the truth of the Gospel. Satan’s philosophies are the fortresses in which people are imprisoned, and they must be set free by Christ.
An example of one such false philosophy is the belief that man can earn God’s favor by a certain act or acts. In almost every false religion, meriting God’s favor or earning eternal life is a predominant theme. Earning salvation by works, however, is contrary to biblical revelation. Man cannot work to earn God’s favor; eternal life is a free gift (see Ephesians 2:8-9). And that free gift is available through Jesus Christ and Him alone (John 3:16; 14:6). You may ask why mankind does not simply receive the free gift of salvation (John 1:12). The answer is that Satan—the god of this world—has tempted mankind to follow his pride instead. Satan sets the agenda, the unbelieving world follows, and mankind continues to be deceived. It is no wonder that Scripture calls Satan a deceiver.
RGT 2 Corinthians 4:4
4 in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving; that the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, which is the image of God, should not shine unto them.
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KJV Ephesians 6:12
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Note: NIV not against flesh and blood. A caution against lashing out against human opponents as though they were the real enemy and also against assuming that the battle can be fought using merely human resources. Paul’s earlier allusions to powerful beings in the unseen world, heavenly realms.
Note: The Dake only here, it refers to warfare in general between saints and spirit rebels who are against God.
Note: The Dake 6:13 in view of the fact that you have such enemies, be endued with or clothed with the armour of God. I will make you invulnerable and victorious.
HCSB Job 9:24
24 The earth[a] is handed over to the wicked;
He blindfolds[b] its judges.
If it isn’t He, then who is it?
RGT Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are you saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves. It is the gift from God.
RGT John 3:16
16 “For God so loves the world, that He has given His only begotten Son; that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
RGT John 14:6
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father, if not by Me.
NIV John 1:12
12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
HCSB Revelation 13
The Beast from the Sea
13 And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea. He[a] had 10 horns and seven heads. On his horns were 10 diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names.[b] 2 The beast I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like a bear’s, and his mouth was like a lion’s mouth. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. 3 One of his heads appeared to be fatally wounded,[c] but his fatal wound was healed. The whole earth was amazed and followed the beast.[d] 4 They worshiped the dragon because he gave authority to the beast. And they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to wage war against him?”
5 A mouth was given to him to speak boasts and blasphemies. He was also given authority to act[e][f] for 42 months. 6 He began to speak[g] blasphemies against God: to blaspheme His name and His dwelling—those who dwell in heaven. 7 And he was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them. He was also given authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation. 8 All those who live on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name was not written from the foundation of the world in the book[h] of life of the Lamb who was slaughtered.[i]
9 If anyone has an ear, he should listen:
10 If anyone is destined for captivity,
into captivity he goes.
If anyone is to be killed[j] with a sword,
with a sword he will be killed.
This demands the perseverance[k] and faith of the saints.
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The Beast from the Earth
11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; he had two horns like a lamb,[l] but he sounded like a dragon. 12 He exercises all the authority of the first beast on his behalf and compels the earth and those who live on it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. 13 He also performs great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in front of people. 14 He deceives those who live on the earth because of the signs that he is permitted to perform on behalf of the beast, telling those who live on the earth to make an image[m] of the beast who had the sword wound and yet lived. 15 He was permitted to give a spirit[n] to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast could both speak and cause whoever would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 And he requires everyone—small and great, rich and poor, free and slave—to be given a mark[o] on his right hand or on his forehead, 17 so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark: the beast’s name or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom:[p] The one who has understanding must calculate[q] the number of the beast, because it is the number of a man.[r] His number is 666.[s]
Democratic Socialism-like Fascism, Communism and Socialism-are all rooted in envy and rely on force. In summary, they are all evil!
The moral fabric of our society has collapsed.
We are dealing with insanity on a global scale.
TET The Specter of Communism is Ruling Our World
Specter – noun – some object or source of fear or dread.
“Communism is neither a trend of thought, nor a doctrine, nor a failed attempt at a new way of ordering human affairs. Instead, it should be understood as a devil – an evil specter forged by hate, degeneracy, and other elemental forces in the universe.
In another dimension, not visible to us, it took the form of a serpent, then that of a red dragon, and it keeps company with Satan, who hates God. The goal of the specter is to ruin humanity. While the divine offers salvation, communism tells people not to believe in the divine and causes people to disregard the divine’s instruction and, ultimately, to be destroyed.
The Specter of Communism has been working for centuries to corrupt and destroy humanity. It began by crippling man spiritually, divorcing him from his divine origins. From here, the specter has led the peoples of the world to cast out their millennia-old cultural traditions that the divine had meticulously arranged as the proper standards for human existence.
Communism is a scourge on humanity. Its goal is the destruction of mankind, and its arrangements are meticulous and specific. The conspiracy has been so successful that it has almost been carried out to completion, and now the devil is ruling our world.
The divine will triumph over the devil. Which side we stand on will determine our eternal destiny.
The evil specter’s conspiracy to destroy humankind is on the verge of success, carried out to an advanced stage of completion!”
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THE RULERS IN HEAVENLY REALMS
God has not given us very much knowledge about this” heavenly realm of spirit beings” who live in the spirit world in the heavens, but there are little bits of information that have slipped out through the scripture, that when put together give us a glimpse into this realm, and even into some of the rulers and authorities, after all Paul said that it would be made known to those in the heavenly realm.
Many people assume that this refers to the beginning of this earth as we know it, but later when God talks to Job he says,
“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundations . . . . .and all the angels shouted for joy.” (Job 38:4-7
This is a most interesting chapter that not many people read, but among many things it tells us that as the foundation of this world was being formed it was being watched by angels who, when they saw the result, were so thrilled that they jumped and shouted with joy. The beginning, when the angels were created, must have been long before the foundations of this earth happened.
Obviously, the numbers of angels are great, how great we do not know, but we do know that there are ranks within the angel hosts, angels who will instantly do God’s command, if necessary to fight evil, as an army would.
“ In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him” (Psalm 89:7)
Why would God be greatly feared? Is he not the God of love? Well in Revelation chapter 4 is a glimpse through an open door into a throne room in heaven, and John, who was in the spirit, was taken into that throne room and he reports to us the amazing things that he saw; things that indicate just how great God is and various ranks of spirit beings in the heavenly throne room. A truly remarkable sight. (By the way, when you pray is this where you go in your mind?)
In the following chapters of Revelation John tells us about many other things that he saw, things that tell us about the past and things that are future. These are things that will greatly affect us here on earth.
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Revelation 20: 1-15
The Thousand Years
20 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.
4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They[a] had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.
The Judgment of Satan
7 When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—and to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
The Judgment of the Dead
11 Then I saw a great white throne and he was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
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