by Gary DeMar
\nThe American Vision<\/p>\n
Christians will use all types of excuses to keep themselves out of today\u2019s religious-moral-cultural battles. One of the most diabolical excuses is to claim that Satan is the rightful god of this world. This translates into believing that this world is demonic. Let\u2019s see what the Bible actually says about this.<\/p>\n
Satan is a creature. Like all creatures, he has certain limitations. Even under the Old Covenant, Satan had to be granted permission by God before he could act (Job 1:6-12<\/a>;\u00a02:1-7<\/a>). Satan\u2019s limitations have been multiplied since the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus.<\/p>\n The Bible shows us that if we \u201cresist the devil he will flee from\u201d us (James 4:7<\/a>). The only power that Satan has over the Christian is the power we give him and the power granted to him by God (2 Cor. 12:7-12<\/a>). Scripture tells us that Satan is defeated, disarmed, and spoiled (Col. 2:15<\/a>;\u00a0Rev. 12:7<\/a>;\u00a0Mark 3:27<\/a>). He has \u201cfallen\u201d (Luke 10:18<\/a>) and was \u201cthrown down\u201d (Rev. 12:9<\/a>). He was \u201ccrushed\u201d under the feet of the early Christians, and by implication, under the feet of all Christians throughout the ages (Rom. 16:20<\/a>). He has lost \u201cauthority\u201d over Christians (Col. 1:13<\/a>). He has been \u201cjudged\u201d (John 16:11<\/a>). He cannot \u201ctouch\u201d a Christian (1 John 5:18<\/a>). His works have been destroyed (1 John 3:8<\/a>). He has \u201cnothing\u201d (John 14:30<\/a>). He must \u201cflee\u201d when \u201cresisted\u201d (James 4:7<\/a>). He is \u201cbound\u201d (Mark 3:27<\/a>;\u00a0Luke 11:20<\/a>). Finally, the gates of hell \u201cshall not overpower\u201d the advancing church of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 16:18<\/a>).1<\/a>\u00a0<\/sup>Surely Satan is alive, but he is not well on planet earth.<\/p>\n So then, what does Paul mean when he describes Satan as \u201cthe god of this world,\u201d\u00a0actually, \u201cof this age\u201d? (2 Cor. 4:4<\/a>). To hear some people tell it, this verse teaches that Satan has all power and authority in this dispensation and in the locale of planet earth. Where God is the God of heaven and of the age to come, Satan is the god of this world and this present evil age. This dualistic view of the universe may be part of Greek philosophy, but it has no place in biblical theology.<\/p>\n While it\u2019s true that the devil is said to be the god of this age,2<\/a>\u00a0<\/sup>\u00a0we know that God is \u201cthe King of the ages\u201d (1 Tim. 1:17<\/a>). Paul is simply stating that Satan is the chosen god of those who deny Jesus as God\u2019s rightful heir of all things (Matt. 22:1-14<\/a>). These are the true antichrists (2 John 2:7<\/a>;\u00a01 John 2:18<\/a>,\u00a022<\/a>). Jesus is in possession of \u201call authority,\u201d in both\u00a0heaven<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0earth<\/em>\u00a0(Matt. 28:18-20<\/a>). In addition, we know that Satan\u2019s power has not increased since Job\u2019s day. He is still a permission-seeking creature. This is especially true under the new and better covenant inaugurated by Jesus Christ. As the above verses make clear, Satan is a second-class creature who has been cast out and judged: \u201cThe ruler of this world shall be cast out\u201d (John 12:31<\/a>); \u201cthe ruler of this world has been judged\u201d (16:11).<\/p>\n What, then, does the apostle mean when he describes Satan as \u201cthe god of this age\u201d? First, we must never allow one passage to finalize our understanding of a particular doctrine. Scripture must be compared with Scripture. There are no contradictions. Therefore, we can\u2019t have the Bible saying of the one true God, \u201cI am the LORD, and there is no other; besides Me there is no God\u201d (Isa. 45:5<\/a>) and then making Satan a rival god. Paul must have something else in mind. We can\u2019t say that Satan has been judged and cast out, something that does not happen to gods, and still maintain that he is the god of this world similar to the way Jehovah is God of this world. Paul is making a theological point. For example, Jesus tells the Pharisees that the devil is their father (John 8:44<\/a>). We know that Satan is not their biological father. Rather, he is their\u00a0spiritual<\/em>\u00a0father in that they rejected their true Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n Physically these Jews, to be sure, are children of Abraham; but spiritually and morally\u2013and\u00a0that<\/em>\u00a0was the issue\u2013they are the children of the devil.3<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n Jesus is describing the devil as one who gives birth to a worldview, a worldview that includes lying and murder. In this sense, Satan is their\u00a0spiritual<\/em>\u00a0father. In the same way, Satan is a god to those who cling to the fading glory of Moses, \u201cthe ministry of death\u201d (2 Cor. 3:7<\/a>). This is the age over which he is a god, an age that \u201chas no glory on account of the glory that surpasses it\u201d (v. 10).<\/p>\n Second, the devil is chosen as a god by \u201cthose who are perishing,\u201d and he must blind them before they will follow him: \u201cThe god of this world\u00a0has blinded the minds of the unbelieving<\/em>, that they\u00a0might not see the light of the gospel<\/em>\u00a0of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God\u201d (2 Cor. 4:4<\/a>). This passage teaches that unbelievers are\u00a0fooled<\/em>\u00a0into believing that \u201cthe old covenant\u201d where the \u201cveil remains unlifted\u201d is the way to life (v. 14). Satan is the god of the \u201cministry of death.\u201d The \u201cgod of this age\u201d keeps them in bondage, \u201cbut whenever a man turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away\u201d (v. 16). Liberty from the ministry of death only comes where the Spirit of Lord is: \u201cNow the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty\u201d (v. 17). But Satan has blinded the eyes of the unbelieving so they cannot see the lifted veil. They are still trusting in the shadows of the Old Covenant.<\/p>\n Third, like idols in general, the devil is \u201cby nature\u201d not a god (Gal. 4:8<\/a>; cf.\u00a0Deut. 32:17<\/a>;\u00a0Ps. 96:5<\/a>;\u00a0Isa. 44:9-20<\/a>;\u00a01 Cor. 8:4<\/a>;\u00a010:20<\/a>). In\u00a0Philippians 3:19<\/a>, Paul tells us that those who are \u201cenemies of the cross of Christ\u201d worship \u201ctheir appetite\u201d: \u201cFor many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction,\u00a0whose god is their appetite<\/em>, and whose glory is in their shame,\u00a0who set their minds on earthly things<\/em>.\u201d The appetite is not a god, but it can be chosen as a god.<\/p>\n Fourth, the only way Satan can pass himself off as a god is to first blind his victims. Keep in mind that Jesus described the devil as \u201ca liar, and the father of lies\u201d (John 8:44<\/a>). Though Satan masquerades as a god, this does not make him a god.<\/p>\n Satan wishes, albeit vainly, to set himself up as God, and sinners, in rebelling against the true God, subject themselves to him who is the author of their rebellion. The unregenerate serve Satan as though he were their God. They do not thereby, however, escape from the dominion of the one true God. On the contrary, they bring themselves under His righteous judgment; for Satan is a creature and not a God to be served (cf.\u00a0Rom. 1:18<\/a>,\u00a025<\/a>). Just as there is one in the world and every pretended alternative to it is a false no-gospel, so there is only one God of the universe and every other \u201cdeity\u201d whom men worship and serve is a false no-god.4<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n When all the evidence is in we learn that Satan is the god of an age that was passing away. \u201cThis age\u201d and \u201cthis world\u201d are used \u201cin an\u00a0ethical<\/em>\u00a0sense,\u201d denoting \u201cthe\u00a0immoral realm of disobedience<\/em>\u00a0rather than the all-inclusive, extensive scope of creation,\u201d representing \u201cthe life of man apart from God and bound to sinful impulses, a world \u201cethically separated from God.\u201d5<\/a>\u00a0<\/sup>Calling Satan the \u201cgod of this age\u201d is more a reflection on the condition of \u201cthis age\u201d than the real status of the devil. Chrysostom comments that \u201cScripture frequently uses the term\u00a0god<\/em>, not in regard of the dignity that is so designated, but of the weakness of those in subjection to it; as when he calls mammon lord and belly god: but the belly is neither therefore God nor mammon Lord, save only of those who bow themselves to them.\u201d6<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n When the church makes Satan the \u201cgod of this age,\u201d it has fallen for one of the devil\u2019s schemes\u2013giving him a lot more credit and power than he deserves. He is quite satisfied in having anyone believe one of his lies.<\/p>\n As Martin Luther said,<\/p>\n And though this world, with devils filled, Notes:<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nShould threaten to undo us,
\nwe will not fear, for God hath willed
\nHis truth to triumph through us.
\n<\/em>The prince of darkness grim
\nwe tremble not for him;
\nhis rage we can endure,
\nfor lo! his doom is sure,
\none little word shall fell him.<\/em><\/p>\n\n