"The Prince of the Power of the Air"

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins  in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience.”(Ephesians 2:1-2 ESV)

Does Satan control this world? Well, we know he walks this earth as we read in the Book of Job, as Satan answered God: “The Lord said to Satan, ‘From where have you come?’ Satan answered the Lord and said, ‘From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.’ Satan does walk the earth, and he does have temporal power to lead many away from God. After all, Satan is God’s enemy.

Here is a verse that many get wrong: “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Who is Jesus talking about in the 28^th verse of Matthew 10? Many would say the “him” in this verse is Satan, and they would be wrong. Only God has the power over eternal life and eternal punishment in hell.

So, my question stands: Who controls this world? Let us start from the beginning. The whole concept of dominion began with Adam and Eve. They were given dominion of the earth and told to subdue it. However, we know that Satan opened his mouth and Adam and Eve opened theirs, consuming the forbidden fruit. This was a victory for Satan as he had led the two away from God and subsequently humankind.

We also know that in Genesis 3:14, God promises to crush the head of Satan, and the victor would come from the offspring of Eve. We know that this victor is Christ Jesus and that in His incarnation, Satan was thwarted. We know that all authority in heaven and on earth was given to Jesus. (Matthew 28:18). We also know that in Christ’s ascension, He is seated at the right hand of the Father for our intercession as a mediator with the Father. (Romans 8:34)

The truth about Satan is that, despite his earthly power to sway humans away from God, he is subordinate to God. The clearest example of this is in the Book of Job. It was God who ordained the testing of Job, and it was God who set the limits of this test that Satan could not exceed. Let us look at Job and the initial limits God ordained in this test: “And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.” 

Initially, it is the possessions of Job that are in the hands of Satan, including Job’s children. As the Lord prayed, Job did not curse God when all was lost. The second limit set by God upon Satan’s return and accusing Job, saying, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life. But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.” (vv. 2:4-6).

Clearly, Satan is under the authority of God, asking for permission to test Job, and having the parameters of the test set by God. But why does God allow this to happen? Simply, for His glory. God will never let anything test us beyond what we are capable of withstanding and will always give us a way out. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

So, Satan may be a prince, but Christ is King and Lord of this world. While many will not recognize this invisible kingdom, many are giving their allegiance to the enemy. Satan will continue to lead more and more away from God. While the incarnation, crucifixion, and ascension have limited the power of Satan, his annihilation is still coming and will take place during the day of the Lord, as recorded in the Book of Revelation. It is in the second coming that the principalities of evil will be vanquished and every knee shall bow to Christ our Savior, Lord, and King.

Do you know Christ as your Savior? Are you trying to battle the principalities of evil on your own? Seek Christ now, do not wait, break free from the darkness that surrounds you and enter the light, the light and glory of the risen Son of God, Christ Jesus.

Grace and Peace.