The Devil is the ruler of the world...What does this mean?
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I'll bypass that previous post written in Christianese... and basically we live in a sinful, fallen world. Satan is let loose and reining over us, tempting us, encouraging sinful behavior, etc.. But eventually God will step in and pull all of satans power, and this world will be ruled by God completely. That's a basic concept anyways.
E
It means that when satan tempted eve, And eve sinned. Satan gained control of the earth.
The earth was Gods, nature was in perfect harmony. Man was in perfect harmony with God. Satan came and through mans rebellion destroyed that.
Since then. nature and man has been out of its intended state. God has restored man to union wiht him thorugh his son. One day God will resotre nature to its perfect order. But until then. Satan still has the power and the authority to do as he wishes. As long as God allows him to (ie Job and Peter)
The earth was Gods, nature was in perfect harmony. Man was in perfect harmony with God. Satan came and through mans rebellion destroyed that.
Since then. nature and man has been out of its intended state. God has restored man to union wiht him thorugh his son. One day God will resotre nature to its perfect order. But until then. Satan still has the power and the authority to do as he wishes. As long as God allows him to (ie Job and Peter)
N
The devil only has power over those that allow it. he does not have power over a Christian that exercises the authority Christ gave us, to tell Satan where to go in Jesus name. ( Luke 10:18-19 ) .
Satan having rule over this earth is part of the overall, plan of God. Understanding what it is, hinges on weather or not we read we read God's Words and pray for understanding and His Truth.
Satan is going to be allowed, to deceive the people who Allow it. Those that allow it could care less about God's warnings about the future. Do we ask God for understanding, do we talk to Him about it, do we listen to Him ? Its important.
Satan having rule over this earth is part of the overall, plan of God. Understanding what it is, hinges on weather or not we read we read God's Words and pray for understanding and His Truth.
Satan is going to be allowed, to deceive the people who Allow it. Those that allow it could care less about God's warnings about the future. Do we ask God for understanding, do we talk to Him about it, do we listen to Him ? Its important.
Fortunately, the Bible stands up accurate vs. human opinions. We are living in the times of Revelation, are we not?
At Rev 12:11-12 it says that Satan and those who rebelled with him were kicked out of heaven and "Woe to the earth and to the sea..." Earlier, in the chapter it's talking about this event happening because of Christ's sacrifice (blood of the Lamb) and when he assumes the throne.
Where, do the scriptures separate Satan as something different from spirit? Eph 2:2 uses the word air and spirit in the same way we would use the word "spirit" in "School Spirit"...It's a word to say: the mindset, influence, ideals expressed by of the given source. By that I mean, if we are moved by our loyal love of God to DO what is right as we are instructed to in the Bible, then we are exressing God's spirit (not speaking of Holy Spirit, but rather personality) the way Christ did. Yet, If we are expressing the spirit/air of the "world" it looks like this: putting our wants before what God wants, quick anger, always ready for conflict, talk the talk but not walk the walk, dishonest, sexual misconduct (meaning ALL sexual behavior contrary to Bible standards), being a part of wild partying (revelries)...That is the spirit of Satan, not something that exists aside from him.
The world reveals that the dominating personality of humans reflects the air (personality) of Satan.
Satan's children are any that reflect his spirit. Most call themselves some sort of religion, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jew, but the air of Satan is what is evident in their lives...even their private lives are visible to God. Therefore, we must always, EVERY DAY keep proving our allegiance to God's rule by reflecting his values, his personality.
The challenge is to be a law abiding citizen in a land of sin.
At Rev 12:11-12 it says that Satan and those who rebelled with him were kicked out of heaven and "Woe to the earth and to the sea..." Earlier, in the chapter it's talking about this event happening because of Christ's sacrifice (blood of the Lamb) and when he assumes the throne.
Where, do the scriptures separate Satan as something different from spirit? Eph 2:2 uses the word air and spirit in the same way we would use the word "spirit" in "School Spirit"...It's a word to say: the mindset, influence, ideals expressed by of the given source. By that I mean, if we are moved by our loyal love of God to DO what is right as we are instructed to in the Bible, then we are exressing God's spirit (not speaking of Holy Spirit, but rather personality) the way Christ did. Yet, If we are expressing the spirit/air of the "world" it looks like this: putting our wants before what God wants, quick anger, always ready for conflict, talk the talk but not walk the walk, dishonest, sexual misconduct (meaning ALL sexual behavior contrary to Bible standards), being a part of wild partying (revelries)...That is the spirit of Satan, not something that exists aside from him.
The world reveals that the dominating personality of humans reflects the air (personality) of Satan.
Satan's children are any that reflect his spirit. Most call themselves some sort of religion, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jew, but the air of Satan is what is evident in their lives...even their private lives are visible to God. Therefore, we must always, EVERY DAY keep proving our allegiance to God's rule by reflecting his values, his personality.
The challenge is to be a law abiding citizen in a land of sin.
If I use your logic and what the Bible says then, Please, explain to me how a wise, loving, thoughtful God of "Truth", conspired against himself and knowingly has an alternative plan to undermined his original plan (Gen ch. 1-3)
Do you believe that God encouraged Satan to rebel against him and confront him with a challenge before all the sons of heaven? (Job 1:6-12)
The way I learned from reading the scriptures it appears that Satan questioned of the goodness of God's creation because he resented how God felt for us. He basically, had the attitude that a Bigot would have toward someone they felt deserved less than themselves (sounds like a familiar attitude/spirit to me) Satan hates humans. His goal is to prove how flawed we are. Unfortunately, we're all still sick with imperfection and not in condition to resist Satan by ourselves. God knew most humans would prove him right, because he did not create man to rule himself. And that's exactly the most effective trap Satan has used...Independence. Independence from everything, i.e. parents, government and any other authority that doesn't give us what we think WE want or deserve. God's Will and Authority is not mankind's main interest. Mission accomplished (Did God set that in motion?)
Jesus is the cure that God provided to reward the few who would be like Job. Quality not Quantity. Christ's sacrifice was a solution to restore the original Kingdom plan that God had for humans, before one of his own committed treason. Christ's knows Satan's power, and we are no match for him if we don't have Christ's support. That's why Christs consistently inspires us to study the Scriptures, so that we can know who the enemy is and how to identify the traps and snares he has set for us throughout the current world system of things. We are vulnerable regardless of our will we are easily lead. (1Pet 5:8)
I don't see how disobedience and sin fit in with God's overall plan. I do see that God's Plan was interrupted by a rebellious angel, who's having one heck of a sinful shindig to show all who were present in Heaven for the public challenge; that more people would rather to go to his party than to God's.
Satan thinks we're a joke because he sees how completely stupid and ignorant we are, so easily lead with so little effort. All he ever needs to do is set a pattern of behavior with the promise of simple minded reward and humans will follow. UNLESS, they have a heart trained by God's conscience and a soul that is constantly feeding on God's Truths, then exercising the Bible principles to meet God's expectations....They will not be visible in contrast to the world system. The separation is happening everyday, the sheep from the goats.
And like you said basically 'seek and you will find'.
Do you believe that God encouraged Satan to rebel against him and confront him with a challenge before all the sons of heaven? (Job 1:6-12)
The way I learned from reading the scriptures it appears that Satan questioned of the goodness of God's creation because he resented how God felt for us. He basically, had the attitude that a Bigot would have toward someone they felt deserved less than themselves (sounds like a familiar attitude/spirit to me) Satan hates humans. His goal is to prove how flawed we are. Unfortunately, we're all still sick with imperfection and not in condition to resist Satan by ourselves. God knew most humans would prove him right, because he did not create man to rule himself. And that's exactly the most effective trap Satan has used...Independence. Independence from everything, i.e. parents, government and any other authority that doesn't give us what we think WE want or deserve. God's Will and Authority is not mankind's main interest. Mission accomplished (Did God set that in motion?)
Jesus is the cure that God provided to reward the few who would be like Job. Quality not Quantity. Christ's sacrifice was a solution to restore the original Kingdom plan that God had for humans, before one of his own committed treason. Christ's knows Satan's power, and we are no match for him if we don't have Christ's support. That's why Christs consistently inspires us to study the Scriptures, so that we can know who the enemy is and how to identify the traps and snares he has set for us throughout the current world system of things. We are vulnerable regardless of our will we are easily lead. (1Pet 5:8)
I don't see how disobedience and sin fit in with God's overall plan. I do see that God's Plan was interrupted by a rebellious angel, who's having one heck of a sinful shindig to show all who were present in Heaven for the public challenge; that more people would rather to go to his party than to God's.
Satan thinks we're a joke because he sees how completely stupid and ignorant we are, so easily lead with so little effort. All he ever needs to do is set a pattern of behavior with the promise of simple minded reward and humans will follow. UNLESS, they have a heart trained by God's conscience and a soul that is constantly feeding on God's Truths, then exercising the Bible principles to meet God's expectations....They will not be visible in contrast to the world system. The separation is happening everyday, the sheep from the goats.
And like you said basically 'seek and you will find'.
L
Satan wasn't just questioning man's goodness in the story of Job... Satan was questioning God's motivation for creating humanity, and accused God of manipulating people to do good: by blessing them for being good, and punishing them for being wicked.
This was a legal charge against God.
Oddly enough, although Job proves that man can obey God even though hardship, Job also files a legal charge against God: that because God is sovereign, God must be held responsible for all evil that happens.
God doesn't defend Himself against that charge to Job, because a straightforward defense would mess with the legal challenge that Satan had against Him. Instead, God asks Job a bunch of questions that display God's sovereignty in creation(hinting that there was a good reason for the hardships, but also that God didn't owe Job any explanation). Job realized just how powerful God is, and no longer pursues his legal charge, but instead worships God.
1. God is sovereign over the world(that means that He is the true ruler, and nothing happens without His consent).
2. Satan is called "prince of this world" but cannot act without the consent of God.
3. God is not to be held responsible for evil. (Humans can't understand the logic, but we must trust what God has said about Himself, that He is holy and faultless.)
The Bible shows examples of people being "handed over to Satan" because of false teachings or other issues. This means that trials have been, or will be, brought into their lives to turn them from their ways.
Does God waste His time correcting unbelievers? No, He chastens His children.
When trials enter our lives, keep your attitude right. Because, regardless of the cause, God is using that trial for His Glory, and it will become a reward for you in the life to come!
This was a legal charge against God.
Oddly enough, although Job proves that man can obey God even though hardship, Job also files a legal charge against God: that because God is sovereign, God must be held responsible for all evil that happens.
God doesn't defend Himself against that charge to Job, because a straightforward defense would mess with the legal challenge that Satan had against Him. Instead, God asks Job a bunch of questions that display God's sovereignty in creation(hinting that there was a good reason for the hardships, but also that God didn't owe Job any explanation). Job realized just how powerful God is, and no longer pursues his legal charge, but instead worships God.
1. God is sovereign over the world(that means that He is the true ruler, and nothing happens without His consent).
2. Satan is called "prince of this world" but cannot act without the consent of God.
3. God is not to be held responsible for evil. (Humans can't understand the logic, but we must trust what God has said about Himself, that He is holy and faultless.)
The Bible shows examples of people being "handed over to Satan" because of false teachings or other issues. This means that trials have been, or will be, brought into their lives to turn them from their ways.
Does God waste His time correcting unbelievers? No, He chastens His children.
When trials enter our lives, keep your attitude right. Because, regardless of the cause, God is using that trial for His Glory, and it will become a reward for you in the life to come!
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C
I feel like I need to study this topic better, but in the past I have thought that Satan really is not the ruler of this world, but that he thinks he is and tells others that, but like always: He is the father of lies. I don't know if that is completely true or not. I need to study that better, but that has been my thought on the subject for a long time.
L
The Bible does tell us that Satan is the current ruler of the world. We see that Satan even used this as a temptation for Jesus in the wilderness, when Satan offered him all the kingdoms of the world.
God is of course the true ruler of all things, therefore Satan's powers over earth are limited.
The Bible doesn't explain exactly how this works.
We can make some really smart sounding arguments about why God hasn't destroyed Satan already, or why God lets Satan have any athority here on earth, but in the end, all we have is conjecture. We do know that all that has happened, and all that will happen, is in God's plan.
God is of course the true ruler of all things, therefore Satan's powers over earth are limited.
The Bible doesn't explain exactly how this works.
We can make some really smart sounding arguments about why God hasn't destroyed Satan already, or why God lets Satan have any athority here on earth, but in the end, all we have is conjecture. We do know that all that has happened, and all that will happen, is in God's plan.
E
Amen, We also see it in the OT. When Gabriel was held back from seeing Daniel right away, And he had to explain he was held up by one of satan's soldiers..
Our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers and the rulers of this age.
This speaks of our battle with the rullers, or Satans army, of which he is the commander in chief..
Our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers and the rulers of this age.
This speaks of our battle with the rullers, or Satans army, of which he is the commander in chief..
Ruler? Satan is the god of this world, for the moment.
2 Cor 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
And that's not a translation issue--it's right there in the Greek--θεος (theos) = god
ΠΡΟΣ ΚΟΡΙΝΘΙΟΥΣ Β΄ 4:4 εν οις ο θεος του αιωνος τουτου ετυφλωσεν τα νοηματα των απιστων εις το μη αυγασαι αυτοις τον φωτισμον του ευαγγελιου της δοξης του χριστου ος εστιν εικων του θεου (TR1894)
What does it mean? My opinion:
Gen 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee [shall be] his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
1 Pet 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
That's this world though and Jesus Christ is returning soon--He already has the keys.
Rev 1:18 [I am] he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
2 Cor 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
And that's not a translation issue--it's right there in the Greek--θεος (theos) = god
ΠΡΟΣ ΚΟΡΙΝΘΙΟΥΣ Β΄ 4:4 εν οις ο θεος του αιωνος τουτου ετυφλωσεν τα νοηματα των απιστων εις το μη αυγασαι αυτοις τον φωτισμον του ευαγγελιου της δοξης του χριστου ος εστιν εικων του θεου (TR1894)
What does it mean? My opinion:
Gen 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee [shall be] his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
1 Pet 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
That's this world though and Jesus Christ is returning soon--He already has the keys.
Rev 1:18 [I am] he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.