Satan's Authority vs. Our Power in Christ

Readers of this blog know it covers controversial or "conspiracy" topics and end times prophesies. Some may object because the material seems too crazy or too disturbing, or don't see how it pertains to them.

I want to address that and explain why we MUST understand these things and prepare for what's coming.

Scripture tells us the whole world lies in the power of Satan:

"We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one." - 1 John 5:19

When Jesus Christ was tempted by the devil, He was taken to a high mountain and shown all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. Satan offered these kingdoms to him if Jesus would worship him.

"Then Jesus said to him, 'Go, Satan! For it is written, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only."'" - Matthew 4:10

Please note that Jesus did not say Satan lacked the power to give these kingdoms. Instead, Jesus said our worship and allegiance belongs to God alone. The devil exercises great influence over this world in its present form. Its kingdoms and institutions, including finance, commerce, education, media, even science and technology, are in his grip and carry out many of his agendas. Satan is the father of lies. He deceives, distracts and makes evil appear good. This world is enmeshed in his lies, so many layers of deception, and we are all ensnared by it to a degree. Is it really surprising that mainstream society is kept in the dark about critical topics like aliens (fallen angels), giants, DNA manipulation, climate engineering, the nature of Islam, the coming financial collapse, and deception in corporate media? 

Jesus said the truth sets us free. To the degree that we can expose these lies and act upon the truth, we can throw off the chains, be who God created us to be and do his work.

But Satan did not win his power on earth by right or authority. He won it by deception and manipulation. He cheated. You see, God gave dominion of the earth to mankind:

"Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.'"

"God blessed them; and God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'" - Genesis 1:26, 28

The Lord is a covenant God who keeps his word. He is a God of order who establishes dominions and authorities. God also respects the authorities He establishes. Even after the rebellion of Adam and Even in the Garden of Eden and subsequent curses, God did not take away mankind's dominion over the earth. We still have it:

"The heavens are the heavens of the Lord, 
But the earth He has given to the sons of men."
- Psalm 115:16

Satan, before he led an angelic rebellion against God, was a beautiful and powerful cherub, a high order angelic being. No doubt in earlier ages God bestowed on him  authorities and dominions as well. When Satan fell, he and his minions were cursed and run out of the third heaven, the realm of God's throne. These rebel angels were demoted to second heaven, where they continue to exist and exercise certain powers and authorities until the final judgment day. This why the Apostle Paul wrote:
  
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." - Ephesians 6:12

To project power on earth, Satan must co-opt the agreement of men. Through deception, Satan manipulates people to be his agents, not only to do his will but also to act as spiritual gateways through which Satan and his minions project power and even manifest their presence on earth. They must do this because the dominion of earth belongs to men.

Yet because so many men and women yield to Satan, the Scriptures are able to say, "The whole world lies in the power of the evil one."

This is key: God also respects mankind's dominion of earth and chooses to carry out his agenda through men and women who yield to him. We who are born again and belong to Christ are God's front-line agents on earth, his warriors in this spiritual battle space.

This is why Jesus taught us to pray:

"Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." - Matthew 6:10

Through our prayer and faith, God's will and purposes are accomplished on the earth. His people are the ones through whom God projects his power here. And a mighty power that is! It is a great honor. This is why prayer and submission are so important. While God sends his angelic host to protect and serve mankind, the redeemed of mankind are God's front line on earth.

It gets even more amazing. Christ's death and resurrection were the coup de grace, the decisive blow to Satan and his minions:

"When He [God] had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him [Christ]." - Colossians 2:15

They were disarmed and paraded through the heavens, like defeated foes. Jesus Christ's authority and power are supreme.

Not only that, but Jesus shares his authority with us:

"Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you." - Luke 10:19

This is the power God has given to us! What do we have to fear from serpents and scorpions, from what Satan and his minions will try to inflict upon the earth in his final throes and last days? We have been given authority over ALL the power of the enemy.

Not only do we already have Christ's authority, but we already have his every blessing in the heavenly realms:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." - Ephesians 1:3

We already have it! It's sitting there waiting for us to pray it through. By faith, according to God's will, we pray his blessings and exercise Christ's authority on earth.

"For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power." - 1 Corinthians 4:20

But if Christians are enmeshed and immobilized by the deceptions of Satan, if we don't draw near to our Lord and know his will, if we don't understand who our enemy is and what his schemes are, if we don't understand the contours of the battlefield or the power we have in Christ, how can we be effective agents in the end times spiritual battle that is upon us? The stakes extend beyond this short life and into eternity.

Many sit on the sidelines, distracted by the worries and pleasures of the world, unaware of the war raging around us. Satan knows his days are short and is preparing for his final assault. It is so important for Christians to awaken, perceive reality accurately, put on the full armor of God and take up a sword.

My older daughter recently asked some questions about the spiritual realm, some of which may seem scary. But I finished by saying, "We are on the winning team, and we have the most power." She smiled at that thought.

"Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever." - Daniel 12:3