Christians who say that Satan is the ruler of this world (or however you phrase it)?

Question

How then do you understand what Jesus says in Mt.28:18

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me..."

If all authority on earth and in heaven belongs to Jesus, then doesn't that make Jesus ruler on earth?

Answer 1

Jesus is God. God is allowing Satan to rule over the earth for a time. But, Satan has only the authority that God allows Him.



It is much like a renter (Satan) and a landlord (God). It is Satan's house, but he can't sell it. God can sell it right out from under Satan.

Answer 2

Notice what the NLT Bible says:



"Satan, the god of this evil world." (2 Cor. 4:4)



"The whole world is under the control of the evil one." (1 John 5:19) NIV



"And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world." (Rev. 12:9) NASB



When Jesus was "tempted by the Devil," Jesus didn't question Satan's role as the ruler of this world. The Bible explains what happened: "The Devil took him along to an unusually high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, and he said to him: 'All these things I will give you if you fall down and do an act of worship to me.' Then Jesus said to him: 'Go away, Satan!'" - Matthew 4:1, 8-10



Though Jesus now has "authority" over Satan, he has not helped Satan to rule this world. The Bible assures that Satan's rulership over this world will not last forever:



"The world [including Satan as ruler] is passing away, but he that does the will of God remains forever." (1 John 2:17) The beneficial results of this are described in the following verses: Psalm 37:9-11, 29; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:3, 4



For More Recommended Related Articles, see:



Who Really Rules the World?

http://www.watchtower.org/e/t22/article_01.htm



What Does the Bible Really Teach? - Why Does God Allow Suffering?

http://www.watchtower.org/e/bh/article_11.htm

Answer 3

When Adam and Eve sinned against God in the garden of Eden they basically became children of Satan and not of God. So yes, satan is the ruler of this world until Jesus' return. The only way you can become a child of God is to be reborn in the spirit by accepting Jesus into your heart. Everyone who accepts Jesus into their hearts has authority over heaven and earth. you can cast out demons Just as Jesus did, it all depends on your faith.

Answer 4

If all authority on earth and in heaven belongs to Jesus, then doesn't that make Jesus ruler on earth?



no



jesus is not currently ruling on this earth



satan and his angels are free to run around and cause problems



satan is rebelling against god



god is currently allowing satan to do so

Answer 5

The fact that Satan is ruler of the earth agrees with Luke 4:5-7 which says," 5 So he took Him up[a] and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 The Devil said to Him, “I will give You their splendor and all this authority, because it has been given over to me, and I can give it to anyone I want. 7 If You, then, will worship me,[b] all will be Yours.” , and also with Revelation 16:14, 16, which says that demonic expressions lead the rulers of the whole earth to war against God at Armageddon. The government of the world by Satan is one that God simply tolerates until His appointed time comes to resolve the issue of universal sovereignty.



(Please excuse me if something dosent make quite sense but i translated this from spanish to english because i only have a spanish bible :)) Hope it helps :)

Answer 6

When a person accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior they become born again and the Holy Spirit comes into our spirits and makes us New Creations in Christ, we are no longer under the domination of Satan. We have been redeemed. Thus the scripture applies:

.....Greater is He(Jesus) that is in you, than he(Satan) that is in the world 1John 4:4. and

Romans 8:37....37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.



This doesn't mean we will float through life on flowery beds of ease, but it means that we have the power within us(Spirit of Jesus Christ) to overcome so that Satan will not be the ruler of us, through the power and authority that God has given us. So a lot is up to us - the Bible teaches that faith overcomes all the fiery darts of the devil and "Faith comes by hearing and true hearing comes by the Word of God. So if we really want to live by faith, we have to invest the time to hear God's Word by reading, meditating, and listening to the preaching/teaching of God's Word which is the Bible.



Colossians 1 says:

13 God has DELIVERED US FROM THE POWER OF DARKNESS and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

Answer 7

Following his resurrection, Jesus informed his disciples, “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth,” thereby showing that he heads a government of universal domain. (Mt 28:18) The apostle Paul made clear that Jesus’ Father has “left nothing that is not subject to him [Jesus],” with the evident exception of “the one who subjected all things to him,” that is, Jehovah, the Sovereign God. (1Co 15:27; Heb 1:1-14; 2:8)



Jesus Christ’s “name,” therefore, is more excellent than that of God’s angels, in that his name embraces or stands for the vast executive authority that Jehovah has placed in him. (Heb 1:3, 4) Only those who willingly recognize that “name” and bow to it, subjecting themselves to the authority it represents, will gain life eternal. (Ac 4:12; Eph 1:19-23; Php 2:9-11) They must, sincerely and without hypocrisy, line up with the standards Jesus exemplified and, in faith, obey the commands he gave.—Mt 7:21-23; Ro 1:5; 1Jo 3:23.



He is now God’s anointed king, ruling in heaven in the now-established kingdom. He has already experienced the fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy: “To him there were given rulership and dignity and kingdom, that the peoples, national groups and languages should all serve even him. His rulership is an indefinitely lasting rulership that will not pass away, and his kingdom one that will not be brought to ruin.”—Dan. 7:14



The book of Acts, relating the history of the early years of Christianity, shows beyond doubt that Christ used his authority by actively leading his congregation on earth. He did this by means of the holy spirit, the angels, and the governing body made up of the 12 apostles and the elders of the Jerusalem congregation. Jesus stated that he would be with his disciples right up to the conclusion of the system of things, where we now are.

Answer 8

I do not want to make this comment long. But yes, Satan rules the world. And yes, Jesus christ too is King. But, Christ, and his father, Jehovah, are allowing Satan to rule over this earth, until armaggedon when he will be destroyed. Just because satan in running rampant in the world causing mischief doesn't mean that Christ is not King.



Why do they wait for armaggedon? Well, ask the next Jehovahs Witness that comes your way, they will answer your question even more fully.

Answer 9

Jesus is the ruler of earth. Also remember that Satan has to have permission to do anything (remember Job?).

Answer 10

Satan is referred to in Scripture as the "god of this age" or the "god of this world" (http://bible.cc/2_corinthians/4-4.htm).



So while it is true that Christ through the Father has all authority in Heaven and on Earth, it means that he has ultimate authority. Satan exercises control and dominion over this age in a limited way and only so far as God permits.

Answer 11

(2 Corinthians 4:4) ..."among whom the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, that the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine through."



The "god of this system of things" is not Jesus. Why do you think there are so many problems and so much pain and suffering?

Answer 12

What is true, is true. What is false, is false.



Simple answer. But, my encouragement would be to Trust the Lord.

Even if Satan does have power, people understand that the devil will not win in the end.

Answer 13

Authority, is very different than ruling

Answer 14

I guess there are rulers and then there is legitimate authority, not necessarily the same. (???)

Answer 15

Don`t you know the truth Jesus was the devil