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Chapter 17: The
Politics of Hell What? Christ
identified Satan as “Prince of this World,” and if Satan is the
“Prince of this World,” then that means Satan is a “Political Prince” – a
“Political Devil.” The Biblical meaning of the word “prince” in the New
Testament Scriptures that refer to Satan as a Prince refers to a political
being, which means that Satan is a “Political Prince” – a “Political
Devil.” (John 12:31; John 16:11; 1
Corinthians 2:6-8) Pause and think about that! As “Prince” of this World,” one of
Satan’s goals is to prompt World Leaders to rebel against God, just as he did
when Satan prompted King David to take a census, which Displeased God. (John 12:31; 1 Chronicles 21:1, 7) We know from Scripture that another one
of Satan’s goals is to wield his satanic influence over Religious Leaders as
well as Governments who use each other to further their own religious and
political agendas. Just as the Jewish Religious Establishment used the Roman
Government to Crucify Christ – so it is today. The religious organizations and government
officials use one another to further their own personal agendas, right, wrong
or indifferent, at the expense of many others. I will come back to the Crucifixion of
Christ because there is much to examine from:
Iran
and the Politics of Hell: However, I want to take a moment concerning
Iran and Hezbollah, the terrorist group backed by Iran, both of whom are
under the political influence of the “Prince of Persia.” In essence, the political rulers of Iran
are under the influence of the “Politics of Hell.” These “Political Devils” who wielded their
influence over the political leaders of ancient Persia now wield their
political influence over both the political and religious leaders of
modern-day Iran and of Hezbollah, who protects and furthers the interests of
Iran in Lebanon. The
“Prince of Persia” Wields its Power and Political Influence over Iran just as
it did over their Forefathers who lived in Ancient Persia: Given
the role Hezbollah played in the Lebanon Conflict on the behalf of Iran, I
want to make note that Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed terrorist organization,
is both a religious and political terrorist organization who is under the
influence of the Ancient “Prince of Persia.” (Daniel 10) Just as the “Prince of Persia” had the
authority to wield its influence over ancient Persia – so it is today. The “Prince over ancient Persia” is the
same “Political Devil” who wields his influence over present-day Iran and
Hezbollah – both the Religious and Political organizations within Iran and
also in Lebanon where Iran has set up a stronghold via Hezbollah. Hezbollah is both a Religious and Political Terrorist
Organization That Manipulated Iran’s Religious
Leaders to Achieve their Political Goals Hezbollah manipulated Iran’s Religious
Leaders to achieve their political goals.
At the end of the day, Hezbollah was and is a “religious-political”
organization. Under the protection of
Iran and at their behest, Hezbollah
first emerged during Lebanon’s civil war as a militia group after the Israeli
army invaded Lebanon and expelled the PLO from south Lebanon in 1982. The void left by the PLO was the perfect
opportunity for Hezbollah to fill that void and put down their evil roots on
Lebanese soil. And, the creation of
the Security Zone manned by the IDF inside Lebanon’s south border was the perfect
excuse for Hezbollah, who were non-Lebanese, to justify their presence in
south Lebanon. The Israeli
occupation of the Security Zone inside Lebanon’s south border was the perfect
opportunity for Iran to install Hezbollah as their vassal inside south
Lebanon. Many argue that Israel’s
occupation of the Security Zone gave birth to present-day Hezbollah; however,
it was Iran that gave birth to Hezbollah – the IDF’s occupation of the
Security Zone was just their opportunity. During the IDF’s 18 years in Lebanon’s
Security Zone, Hezbollah’s relationship with Iran was not solely dependent on
Iran’s political power structure, but on being a major part of Iran’s
religious establishment. And, it is in
that sense that Hezbollah can be thought of as a “Religious Terrorist
Organization.” Over time, Hezbollah
became a political organization who used Religion simply as a “Means” to
achieve their political goals. And, to
this day Hezbollah is a powerful geopolitical organization. Needless to say, Hezbollah is only one of
many organizations that use religion simply as a means to achieve their
political goals and vice-versa. In
fact, this is something we see every election cycle here in America. The following Scriptures provides the
Biblical basis as to why and how Satan continues to work through the
religious establishment to manipulate the political system, and vice versa,
in achieving both their political and religious goals that have absolutely
nothing whatsoever to do with the salvation of someone. Because Satan continues to use the government
and religion to further his own agenda, all Christians who are involved in
politics should know the wiles of the enemy and his role in politics to be
able to stand firm against all the strategies of the devil who comes to
steal, kill and destroy. The word “Prince” from a Biblical perspective is referring to a
Political Prince
In the Context of Scripture, Jesus was
referring to Satan as a “Spiritual” Prince.
The meaning of “Prince” in the context of Scripture is not the same
meaning that the secular world uses the word prince. And, to understand what Jesus meant when He
referred to Satan as “Prince of this World” we need to understand Prince in
the context of Scripture. In the
Context of Scripture – Jesus was referring to Satan as a “Spiritual” Prince
one who comes to kill, steal and destroy.
Because the New Testament was originally
written in the Greek language, we should always go to a Biblical Dictionary
like Strong’s Concordance that gives the original Greek word and its meaning
in the context of Scripture. Then we need to look at all other Scriptures in
the New Testament that refer to Satan as Prince. More to the point, it’s important to let
the Scriptures define the word “Prince” rather than rely on the secular
world’s definition of Prince, and that includes secular Christians as well as
secular theologians who really have no clue. Christ
Identified Satan as the (Spirit) “Prince” of this World” – the World you and
I live in! On
three different occasions Jesus addressed Satan as “Prince” of this
world: John 12:31; 14:30 and
16:11. According to Strong’s G758, the
Greek word for “prince” is “archon”
which can be translated as “ruler, prince, chief or Magistrate – all political titles. According to Strong’s G757 the root word of
archon is “archo,” which means to be first
in political rank or power – to reign or rule over. As Prince of this World there can be no
doubt that Satan is a political being as well as a religious being. When Satan tempted Jesus in the desert, the
temptations were both religious and political. And, there is no doubt that the crucifixion
of Jesus was instigated by “politically motivated religious leaders.” In bringing Jesus to Pilate, the Jewish
religious leaders were making a clever political move on their part. Christ’s Crucifixion was a
“Political Crucifixion” as well as a “Religious Crucifixion” Christ’s
Crucifixion was a “Political Crucifixion” as well as a “Religious
Crucifixion”: I will begin with the
Crucifixion of Christ and the role both the Religious Establishment and the
“Politics of Hell” played in His Crucifixion.
This
Chapter explores the following three aspects of Jesus’ Crucifixion:
Scripture
reveals that Christ’s conflict leading up to His crucifixion was
not only with Judas, the Sanhedrin (the religious), and Pilate (the
government), who Acts 4:27 tells us conspired together, but also with Satan
(the spiritual), the “Prince of this world” (John 14:28-31), who embodies
both the religious and political. Scripture
interprets Scripture, so we know that the “Princes of this World” in 1
Corinthians 2:6-8, John 12:31 and John 16:11 is a reference to spiritual
beings. Hence, we know from 1
Corinthians 2:8 that these spiritual beings were part of those in Acts
4:24-28 that conspired to crucify Christ. 1
Corinthians 2:7-8 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a
mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before
the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this
world knew: for had they known it,
they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. KJV John
12:31 31
Now
is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast
out. KJV John
14:30 30
Hereafter
I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath
nothing in me. KJV John
16:10-11 10
Of
righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see Me no more; 11 Of
judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. KJV The
only time the phrase “prince of this world” is used in the plural is in 1
Corinthians 2:7-8. In John 12:31,
14:30 and 16:10-11 prince of this world is used in the singular which suggest
that Satan is the leader of the “princes” of this world. And, interestingly even the Pharisees and
Scribes seem to recognize Satan as the prince of the devils Matthew 12:22-24
and Mark 3:22. Matthew
12:22-24 one
possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the
blind and dumb both spake and saw. 23 And all the people were
amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? 24 But when the
Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out
devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. KJV Mark
3:22 22
And
the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by
the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. KJV It’s
obvious from the Scriptures that the “prince of this world” has a group of
devils under his command. Ephesians
6:10-13 further confirms that principalities are spiritual beings. Ephesians
6:10-12 10
Finally,
my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put
on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of
the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but
against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of
this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. KJV Ephesians
6:10-12 10
In
conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be
empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless]
might. 11Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like
the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to
[successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the
deceits of the devil. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and
blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers,
against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness,
against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly
(supernatural) places. 13Therefore, put on the complete armor of
God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground
in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis
demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable,
victorious]. Finally,
the last line of evidence…. Twice in the Book of Ephesians we find the term “prince” as having, once again, a
negative connotation. In fact, they are again used to name evil spirits.
Notice Ephesians 2:2, Satan the chief evil spirit appearing: “Wherein in time past ye walked according
to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh
in the children of disobedience….” Amplified
Bible On Earth as in Heaven:
From Ephesians 6:10-12 we find out that there are many princes who
rule in the heavens as well as here on earth. We
know from Psalm 2:1-3 and Acts 4:24-28 that the Jewish officials conspired
with the Roman government to crucify Jesus.
And, we know from 1 Corinthians 2:7-8 that the princes of this world
were also part of this conspiracy; after all, it was Satan that entered Judas
when Judas betrayed Christ. Christ’s Death and Resurrection
was Satan’s Mortal Blow: It’s ironic when you think about it because
the mortal blow that Satan and the princes of this world thought would
destroy Christ was the mortal blow that severely damaged the Kingdom of
Darkness. How ironic – Satan and his
devils unknowingly participated in their own defeat at the cross. The Cross proved to be the mortal blow that
God used to severely damage the Kingdom of Darkness. Read Colossians 2:14-15: Colossians
2:14-15 14 having canceled out the certificate
of debt consisting of legal demands [which were in force] against us and
which were hostile to us. And this certificate He has set
aside and completely removed by nailing it to the cross. 15 When
He had disarmed the rulers and authorities [those supernatural forces of evil
operating against us], He made a public example of them [exhibiting them as
captives in His triumphal procession], having triumphed over them
through the cross. Amplified Bible Scripture
reveals that had Satan and his devils known that the Cross would be their “mortal
blow” they would have done everything in their power to prevent any
possibility that Jesus Christ would have even appeared in front of Pilate. Had Satan known
that he and the principalities and powers that be would have been exposed to
such public humiliation and defeat with Christ triumphing over them, there
is no doubt that Satan would never have influenced Judas to betray Christ. The
devil found nothing in Christ – nor did Pilate or his wife find any wrong in
Christ: The Son of God appeared to
destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8) and leading up to His Crucifixion
(just a day before), the Devil that Christ came to destroy once again
approached Christ. However, just as
the devil tempted Christ in the Wilderness (Luke 4) and found nothing in Him
– the devil found nothing in Christ this time either (John 14:28-31). Nor
did Pilate or his wife find any wrong in Christ. Matthew
27:11-19 11
Now
Jesus was standing before Pilate, the Roman governor. “Are you the king of
the Jews?” the governor asked him. Jesus replied, “You have said it.” 12
But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations
against him, Jesus remained silent. 13 “Don’t you hear all these
charges they are bringing against you?” Pilate demanded. 14 But
Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s
surprise. 15 Now it was the governor’s custom each year during the
Passover celebration to release one prisoner to the crowd—anyone they wanted.
16 This year there was a notorious prisoner, a man named Barabbas.
17 As the crowds gathered before Pilate’s house that morning, he
asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you—Barabbas, or Jesus
who is called the Messiah?” 18 (He knew very well that the
religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy.) 19 Just then,
as Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message:
“Leave that innocent man alone. I suffered through a terrible nightmare about
him last night.” NLT Declaring His innocence – Pilate
and his Wife came to the Defense of Jesus Christ:
Which begs the question – who other than Pilate and Pilate’s wife came
to the defense of Christ. Who other
than Pilate’s wife came and pled with Pilate for Christ’s life? Pilate
and his wife were both witnesses to the innocence of Christ – Matthew
27:11-26 and John 19:6. As the great
apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 13:1 on the basis of two (or three)
witnesses every word is established: And, both Pilate and his wife declared that
Christ was an innocent man.
Nonetheless, Pilate sentenced Christ to be Crucified and freed
Barabbas. Why? Because the Sanhedrin threatened Pilate
with treason – John 19:12-16. John
19:12-16 12
Then
Pilate tried to release him, but the Jewish leaders shouted, “If you release
this man, you are no ‘friend of Caesar.’ Anyone who declares himself a king
is a rebel against Caesar.” 13 When they said this, Pilate brought
Jesus out to them again. Then Pilate sat down on the judgment seat on the
platform that is called the Stone Pavement (in Hebrew, Gabbatha). 14
It was now about noon on the day of preparation for the Passover. And
Pilate said to the people, “Look, here is your king!” 15 “Away
with him,” they yelled. “Away with him! Crucify him!” “What? Crucify your
king?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” the leading priests
shouted back. 16 Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be
crucified. So they took Jesus away. NLT The
Political Game: While
Caiaphas, the High Priest, asked Jesus about His religious identity, Pilate
asked Jesus about His political power.
Neither were interested in doing what was right for the nation of
Israel or humanity; they were only interested in their own political agenda.
Then
the high priest asks Him directly if He is the Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus
responds, “You have said so.” Caiaphus
tears his clothes and declares, “He has blasphemed!” Even though those who
were present all knew that Christ was innocent of blasphemy they agreed with
Caiaphus that Jesus deserves death.”
Matthew 26:57-67
Pilate
asks Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus responds, “You say so.” When
Pilate asked Jesus if He was the King of the Jews, Pilate wanted to know if Jesus
was guilty of sedition against the Roman Empire Caiaphas and Pilate – High Priest and Politician –
Religion and Politics. The
Political Game: Convinced
of Jesus’ innocence when Pilate wanted to release Jesus – the Jewish leaders
forgo their religious plea and change their tactics by falsely claiming their
loyalty to Caesar and then threatened Pilate with accusations of
treason. And, when Pilate heard their
threat, he turned Jesus over to the Jewish leaders to be crucified. John
19:12, 16 12
Then
Pilate tried to release him, but the Jewish leaders shouted, “If you release
this man, you are no ‘friend of Caesar.’ Anyone who declares himself a king
is a rebel against Caesar.” ….. 16Then Pilate turned Jesus over to
them to be crucified. NLT And,
that was exactly what Satan wanted!
However, according to 1 Corinthians 2:8, had Satan the prince of this
world known that Jesus would have victory over him and over death at the
Cross, then the prince of this world would never have crucified Christ the
Lord of glory. 1
Corinthians 2:7-8 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a
mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the
world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world
knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of
glory. KJV However,
because the wisdom of God was hidden from the princes of this world until
after Christ was crucified, God was able to use the Prince of this World to
play a major role in the Crucifixion of Christ – a role that brought
humiliation and mortal damage to the Kingdom of Darkness. We know from 1 Corinthians 2:7-8 if Satan had
understood the Victory of the Cross he would never have put it into the heart
of Judas to betray Christ (John
13:2; 27) John
13:1-2 1 Before the Passover celebration, Jesus
knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He
had loved His disciples during his ministry on earth, and now He loved them
to the very end. 2 It was
time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon
Iscariot, to betray Jesus. NLT John
13:26-27 26
Jesus
responded, “It is the one to whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl.” And
when he had dipped it, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. 27 When
Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus told him,
“Hurry and do what you’re going to do.” NLT Satan’s Conspiracy against Christ:
Judas was not the only one Satan used to put Christ on the Cross. According to Psalm 2 and Acts 4:27, the Princes of this world, Jew
and Gentile, Herod and Pilate, court and country, the mob and heathen, all
united as one front in opposition to Jesus Christ. Psalm
2:1-6 1 Why
are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? 2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle;
the rulers plot together against the LORD and against his anointed one. 3 “Let us break their chains,” they cry,
“and free ourselves from slavery to God.” 4 But
the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them. 5 Then in anger he rebukes them, terrifying
them with his fierce fury. 6 For
the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem,
on my holy mountain.” NLT Acts
4:26-28 is a passage taken from Psalm 2. Acts
4:26-28 26
The
kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against
the Lord, and against his Christ. 27 For of a truth against thy
holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate,
with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28 For
to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. KJV Instead
of breaking the bands and cords off them that Christ had bound them with the
Princes of this world unknowingly dealt themselves a mortal blow. Psalm 2 Rulers
in Acts 4:26 and the phrase “Prince(s) of this world” in John 14:30 and 1
Corinthians 2:7-8, which is a reference to Satan, both have same Strong’s
Number: H758 – H757 that of a
political leader. In other words
rulers in the context of Acts 4:26 is a reference to spiritual rulers as well
as any earthly rulers. And, according
to Vine’s Dictionary, the Words – Magistrate, Prince and Ruler can be used
interchangeably. Throughout
the New Testament, Satan is referred to as:
Disguised
as an “Angel of Light,” Satan and his servants, who disguise themselves as
“Servants of Righteousness,” are continuously at work to destroy the
Church. Disguised as “Servants of
Righteousness,” these false apostles pretend to be Apostles of Christ – 2
Corinthians 11:12-15. And, these false
apostles are as determined today as they were in Biblical times to undermine
the kingdom of Christ as much as the true Apostles of Christ were determined
to establish the Church. The Temptation of Christ was
“Political” as well as “Religious”:
Christ
did not refute Satan’s political claim that he had authority over all the
kingdoms of the world – that they were given to him and they were his to give
to anyone he pleased (Luke 4:5-8). The
Account in Luke 4:5-8 speaks volumes about the power that Satan gained in
this world when he tempted and convinced Adam and Eve to eat the fruit of the
Tree of Knowledge – a tree that God forbade them to eat from. Going
back to the Religious and Political Aspects of the Crucifixion of Christ, not
much has changed over the past 2,000 years.
Satan is still able to use those in organized religion who profess to
be followers of God, but put their personal wants and agendas above those of
God. Many of today’s professing
Christians try to pressure the Government into to doing what they want, which
is to have the government enforce their own personal agenda. And, much to their surprise, they may be
among those who say Lord, Lord! but will not be allowed to enter the Kingdom
of Heaven. Matthew
7:21-23 21
“Not
everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but ⌊only⌋ the one who does the will of My Father
in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t
we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles
in Your name?’ 23 Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you!
Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!’ HCSB We
know from Acts 4:23-28 and Matthew 26:3-4 that the Crucifixion of Christ was
a conspiracy. John 6:69-71, John 13:2,
Acts 4:23-28 and Matthew 26:3-4 reveal that Judas, the disciple who betrayed
Christ, the Roman soldiers under the influence of the command of the Sanhedrin
and Temple guards, who went with Judas to arrest Christ, the Kings, the
Religious Rulers and the heathen mob under their influence, when united and
prepared for war against God and against Christ, they became the devil’s
instruments in his opposition to Christ setting up His Kingdom. However, they were unknowingly fulfilling
prophecy concerning the crucifixion of Christ – without knowing it, Satan and
those under his influence were actually serving God’s own purpose. Acts 4:24-28 24
And when they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and
said, “O Sovereign Lord [having complete power and authority], it is You who made the heaven and the earth and the sea,
and everything that is in them, 25 who by the Holy Spirit,
through the mouth of our father David, Your servant, said, ‘Why did the nations (Gentiles) become arrogant and rage, And the peoples devise futile things [against the Lord]? 26
‘The kings of the earth took
their stand [to attack], And
the rulers were assembled together Against the Lord and against His Anointed (the
Christ, the Messiah).’ 27 For
in this city there were gathered together against Your holy Servant Jesus,
whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and
the peoples of Israel, 28 to
do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined [before the creation of
the world] to occur [and so without knowing it, they served Your own
purpose]. Amplified Bible King
David Prophesied that the Kings of the Earth and the Rulers would Prepare for
a Battle against Christ: Acts 4:25-26
echoes the battle that King David spoke of in Psalm 2 – it was predetermined
that the Kingdom of the Messiah would meet with such opposition in His first
efforts to setting up His kingdom in the world. Matthew
26:3 identifies the people of Israel in Acts 4:27 that were in league with
the Roman Government as:
These
are the three groups that made up the Sanhedrin, or great council that
governed the nation of Israel. And,
these Rulers of the Jewish people, along with the mob that was under their
influence, were the people of Israel that were confederated against Christ,
and who turned Christ over to the Roman Government to be crucified. Matthew
26:3-4 3 Then the chief priests, the scribes, and
the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the high priest, who was
called Caiaphas, 4 and plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him. NKJV We
begin with the following three Scriptures when Christ, on three different
occasions, referred to Satan as the “Prince of this world:” John 12:31:
Now is the judgment of this world:
now shall the prince of this world be cast out KJV John 14:30:
Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh,
and hath nothing in Me KJV John 16:11: Of judgment, because the prince of this
world is judged KJV The
Apostle Paul also refers to the Prince of the power of the air: Ephesians 2:2: … according to the prince of the power
of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience NASB Colossians 2:15:
And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them
openly, triumphing over them in it KJV According
to Strong’s Concordance, the word “principalities” has the same meaning as
the word prince Note
that when Christ refers to Satan as “Prince,” it is always in the singular,
whereas in 1 Corinthians 2:6 and 8 the Apostle Paul refers to the “Prince(s)”
of this world. And, this is the only
time in Scripture that we find the mention of more than one prince of this
world. 1 Corinthians 2:6, 8:
This is the only time that the phrase “Prince(s) of this world”
appears in Scripture. 1
Corinthians 2:7-8 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a
mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before
the world unto our glory: 8 Which
none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified
the Lord of glory. KJV In
other words, the “Prince” of this world would be the Prince (leader) of the
many “Princes” of this world. And,
according to Matthew 9:24, Satan is also the “prince of the devils” – meaning
that both prince (principalities) and devils (the demonic) are part of
Satan’s kingdom. Matthew 9:34:
But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of
the devils KJV Matthew
12:24-26 is a Scripture that speaks of Satan’s kingdom. Matthew
12:24-26 24
But
when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, “No wonder he can cast
out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.” 25 Jesus
knew their thoughts and replied, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed.
A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart. 26 And if
Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His
own kingdom will not survive. NLT It’s obvious from the above Scriptures that the
word prince is used in a negative way – not a positive way.
Needless to say, “the prince” leading a group of devils – evil spirits
(Matthew 9:34) – paints the word prince in a very negative way – as negative
as one can get. That a prince is
commanding an army of evil spirits says it all as to what Christ and others
meant when they used the word prince to describe Satan. We
know from 1 Corinthians 2:7-8 that the prince(s) of this world were behind
the Crucifixion of Christ. 1
Corinthians 2:7-8 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a
mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before
the world unto our glory: 8 Which
none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified
the Lord of glory. KJV There
were two separate trials: A Religious
Trial and a Political Trial
The
first trial was a Religious trial held before the Sanhedrin where Christ was
found guilty of Blasphemy and sentenced to death.
After
His trial in front of the Sanhedrin, the Sanhedrin delivered Christ up to
Pilate, the Roman Governor of Judea, who ruled over Israel during the
lifetime of Christ, because, according to the Sanhedrin, while they might
sentence Jesus to death, only the Roman Government, in this case Pilate could
carry out the sentence. The Sanhedrin Accused Christ of
Treason: To ensure that Pilate carried out the
sentence to crucify Christ, the Sanhedrin accused Christ of Treason. However,
knowing that the Sanhedrin only handed Christ over to him because they were
envious of Christ (Matthew 27:18) and not because of any wrongdoing, Pilate
told the Jews that he found no fault in Christ and sought to release Him –
John 18:38; 19:1-6. Pilate knew that
it was not because of Christ’s guilt – but because of His goodness that He
had been turned over to him. So, the Sanhedrin lied to Pilate
because Blasphemy against the God of the Jews was not a crime under Roman Law
and instead accused Christ of Treason:
When the Sanhedrin realized that the Roman Government would not
sentence Christ to death over ecclesiastical matters relating to Judaism, the
Sanhedrin lied to Pilate and told him that they were proceeding against
Christ as an enemy of the state, the Roman government, and not as a
transgressor of their ecclesiastical laws. Even
so, Pilate still knew that Christ had not committed any crime that would
warrant His Crucifixion. However, when
threatened by the Sanhedrin that they would go to Caesar and accuse Pilate of
Treason against Rome, Pilate gave the order for Christ to be crucified. And,
that is a key point – it was only after the Sanhedrin threatened Pilate that
they would go to Caesar and accuse him of political treason if Pilate did not
sentence Christ to death that Pilate gave the order for the Crucifixion of
Christ to be carried out. John 19:1-18 The Religious Sin of Blasphemy
verses Political Treason: The Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court that
found Christ guilty of Blasphemy, knowing that Pilate would never put Christ
to death over a religious charge, now had to make the claim that Christ had
committed “Political Treason” by claiming to be a King. The suggestion was that anyone who claimed
to be a King was an enemy of Caesar – thus, the Sanhedrin portrayed Christ as
an enemy of Caesar. The
Sanhedrin claimed that Christ had committed “Political Treason” as well as a
“Religious Offense” with both offenses worthy of crucifixion.
When
Pilate heard their threats, his fear of Caesar outweighed his fear of
crucifying an innocent man. Under
“political pressure” from the Sanhedrin, who was also a political body who
controlled all civil laws as well as all religious laws pertaining to the
Jewish nation, Pilate ordered that Christ be Crucified. Hence,
the Roman Government found Christ guilty of “sedition,” not blasphemy. Christ
was found guilty of a civil crime not a religious crime. Christ
was found guilty of a crime against the Roman government. Pilate
was persuaded to execute Christ, a man whom he regarded as innocent, against
his will by the Sanhedrin and an enraged multitude influenced by the
Sanhedrin. The Actions of the Sanhedrin and
Pilate were Preordained: King David Prophesied that the Kings of the
Earth and the Rulers would Prepare for a Battle against Christ: Acts 4:25-26 echoes the battle that King
David spoke of in Psalm 2 that it was predetermined that the Kingdom of the
Messiah would meet with such opposition from the religious Sanhedrin and the
State as described above in His first efforts to setting up His kingdom in
the world. Needless
to say, the Crucifixion of Christ was both a Religious and Political
Crucifixion. What
about Satan’s Role in today’s world – specifically in his role as a Political
Devil? Satan is a Political Serpent
because just as in the days of Christ, Satan continues to have a bearing on
our world until Christ returns. Satan
comes to kill, steal and destroy in every aspect of our lives – including
political. The Sanhedrin may have sentenced Christ to death;
however, under the oppression of the Roman government, the Sanhedrin was not
allowed to actually carry out the sentence.
And, for that reason, the leaders of the Sanhedrin had to appeal to
Pilate, the Roman Governor over Judea at the time the Sanhedrin sentenced
Christ to death, because only the Roman Government could carry out the actual
execution. A Political Crucifixion:
We know that Christ Crucifixion was a Political Crucifixion because it
was Pilate, the Roman Governor, who gave the order to crucify Christ. Satan
used the Religious System to Pressure the Roman Governor to sentence Christ
to death, even though Pilate wanted nothing to do with the death of Christ,
by threatening Pilate with “Political Treason. Why? Because
Satan needed to convince both the “Ecclesiastical” (The Jewish High Priest
and Sanhedrin) and the “Government” (Pilate, the Roman Governor over Judea)
to crucify Christ. And,
so it is today. It’s impossible not to
notice how religious leaders and false apostles misuse the government as a
means to an end to bring about their own agendas – and vice versa. As the “Prince” of this World, Satan is
Hell’s most Prominent Politician here on earth It was in his role as “Prince of this world” that
Satan the Politician Tempted Jesus: In
Luke 4:5-8 when Satan tempted Jesus – Satan offered to give Jesus all the
kingdoms of the world if Jesus would worship Him. Luke
4:5-8 5 Then the devil took Him up and revealed
to Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 “I
will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil
said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please. 7 I will
give it all to you if you will worship me.” 8 Jesus replied, “The
Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the LORD your God and serve only Him.’” NLT Christ rejected Satan’s offer – but note that
Jesus did not deny or dispute Satan’s claim that all the kingdoms of the
earth were his. The
Prince, the First in Political Rank, of this world comes: Christ’s conflict leading up to His
crucifixion was not only with Judas, the Sanhedrin (the religious) and Pilate
(the government) – but with the “Prince of this world” – the first in
political rank – the Prince of the Power of the air (Ephesians 2:2) and all
the evil powers of darkness. Ephesians
2:2 2 in which you once walked. You were
following the ways of this world [influenced by this present age], in
accordance with the prince of the power of the air (Satan), the spirit who is
now at work in the disobedient [the unbelieving, who fight against the
purposes of God]. Amplified Bible Satan,
may be the first in Political Rank and Power in this world and of the air,
however, Satan and the supernatural forces of evil were not only defeated at
the Cross, but Christ also made a
spectacle of them, shaming them publicly by His victory over them on the
cross – Colossians 2:15. Colossians
2:13-15 13
You
were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut
away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for He forgave all our sins. 14
He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by
nailing it to the cross. 15 In this way, He disarmed the spiritual
rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by His victory over them on
the cross. NLT We
need to keep in mind that even though Christ was victorious at the Cross –
Christ will not establish His Kingdom here on earth until after the Gospel
has been preached throughout the world and He has put all His enemies under
His feet (1 Corinthians 15:24-28). The
disciples were instructed to preach the Gospel throughout the world – then
the end will come. Matthew 24:14; 1
Corinthians 15:24-28; Acts 1:6-8 Matthew
24:14 14
And
this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to
all the nations, and then the end will come.
NKJV 1 Corinthians
15:24-28 24
After
that the end will come, when He will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father,
having destroyed every ruler and authority and power. 25 For
Christ must reign until He humbles all his enemies beneath His feet. 26 And
the last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For the Scriptures
say, “God has put all things under his authority.” (Of course, when it says
“all things are under his authority,” that does not include God himself, who
gave Christ his authority.) 28 Then, when all things are under His
authority, the Son will put Himself under God’s authority, so that God, who
gave his Son authority over all things, will be utterly supreme over
everything everywhere. NLT And,
when the end comes every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus
Christ is Lord Philippians 2:11. Acts
1:6-11 6 So when the apostles were with Jesus,
they kept asking Him, “Lord, has the time come for You to free Israel and
restore our kingdom?” 7 He
replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times,
and they are not for you to know. 8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you
will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere—in Jerusalem,
throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After saying this, He was
taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see
Him. 10 As they strained to
see Him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among
them. 11 “Men of Galilee,”
they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been
taken from you into heaven, but someday He will return from heaven in the
same way you saw Him go!” NLT And, that brings me to Ephesians 2:2 and Ephesians
6:12 and those who continue to fight against the purposes of God and His
Church and our role in this spiritual battle against the Church. The Kingdom of Darkness is at War
with the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Heaven and all Believers:
God’s nature and purposes are multifaceted; however, for the purposes
of this study, the focus is on what God’s Word reveals about Satan – man’s
spiritual enemy. Why? Because Satan, the Prince (political ruler)
of this world and the Prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2) is now
at work in the hearts of those who not only refuse to obey God, but who fight
against the purposes of God, which means that Satan will fight against us on
a personal level (Ephesians 6:12). Ephesians
2:2 2 in which you once walked. You were
following the ways of this world [influenced by this present age], in
accordance with the prince of the power of the air (Satan), the spirit who is
now at work in the disobedient [the unbelieving, who fight against the
purposes of God]. Amplified Bible Ephesians
2:2 2 You used to live in sin, just like the
rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the
unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to
obey God. NLT Satan is not confined to being the prince of only
the air – the wicked heart of man has proven to be another realm that Satan
works in. Just as Satan put it into
the heart of Judas to betray Christ (John 13:2; 27), so it
is today. Until the end of the age,
Satan will use those who refuse to obey God for his evil purposes and work in
their hearts. Ephesians
6:12 12
For
we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers
and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark
world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. NLT It’s
not that we don’t have our battles with flesh and blood, because we certainly
do have battles with those who refuse to obey God. However, our battle with those that Satan
operates through in this world is easy compared with battling and causing the
downfall of our invisible enemies who operate through those people that we
can see. When we put on the full armor
of God and take our stand, we know that Satan and those in his kingdom of
darkness will continue to fall like lightening. We
know from Ephesians 2:2 and Ephesians 6:12 that even though Satan’s Kingdom
is a spiritual kingdom and that the Believers battle is in the spiritual
realm, Satan is still able to work through those individuals who in their
disobedience fight against the purposes of God. Sadly, rebellion against Christ still
exists in the world today, not just in the spiritual realm, but in those
people who fight against the purposes of God. Scripture
reveals that there are three “spiritual kingdoms:” the Kingdom of God, the
Kingdom of Heaven, and the Kingdom of Satan (Matthew 12:25-26). Needless to say, the Kingdom of Satan is at
war with the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven – hence, the “spiritual
battle” that Ephesians 6:12 speaks of.
Be
that as it may, as Believers in Christ we have been given the spiritual armor
of God (Ephesians 6) to withstand the attacks of the enemy as well as the
authority Christ gave us over our spiritual enemies: We know from such Scriptures as Matthew 16
and Luke 10 that Christ has given His followers authority over “ALL” devils
and that the Gates of Hell will not prevail over His Church. And, because Christ has given us authority
over Satan and “ALL” the devils – Satan is forever falling and will continue
to fall until Christ returns. Matthew
16:13-19 13
When
Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples,
saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they
said, Some say that thou art
John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon
Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona:
for flesh and blood hath not revealed it
unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also
unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church;
and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will
give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt
bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on
earth shall be loosed in heaven. KJV Luke
10:17-19 17And the seventy returned again with joy,
saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18And
He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19 Behold, I give unto you power
to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and
nothing shall by any means hurt you. KJV Satan is Forever Falling As
the Messiah’s Kingdom Gains Ground – Satan’s Kingdom falls like Lightening
and Loses Ground Scripture
reveals that the Gates of Hell will not Prevail against Christ’s Church (Matthew
16:13-20). Furthermore, Christ saw Satan fall like Lightening and
Satan and his angels will continue to fall until the Church Age Ends – Luke 10:17-19! Satan
doesn't want the Unbelievers or the Secular Church to believe that he really
exists or to understand the authority we Believers have over him in the Name
of Jesus because when every power, rule, authority, principality, demon and
Satan himself has "completely fallen" and made inoperative. In other words fallen under the feet of
Jesus and then "The End Cometh" (1 Corinthians 15:24-28). Satan
does not want either the Unbeliever or Christian to understand that just as
the serpent is our natural enemy, the serpent also represents man’s
“Spiritual Enemy.” I
believe that Luke 10:1-24 helps us to understand at least one of the reasons
"why" those of us who understand the spiritual behind the natural
are often misunderstood, and it’s not because of Satan. However, Satan does use it to his advantage
at every opportunity. Luke
10:1-24 1 The
Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to
all the towns and places he planned to visit. 2
These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but
the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask
him to send more workers into his fields. 3 Now
go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Don’t take any money with you, nor a
traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone
on the road. 5 “Whenever you
enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’ 6 If those who live there are peaceful, the
blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. 7 Don’t move around from home to home. Stay
in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don’t hesitate to accept
hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay. 8 “If you enter a town and it welcomes you,
eat whatever is set before you. 9 Heal
the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’ 10 But if a town refuses to welcome you, go
out into its streets and say, 11 ‘We
wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned
you to your fate. And know this—the Kingdom of God is near!’ 12 I assure you, even wicked Sodom will be
better off than such a town on judgment day. 13
“What sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the
miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people
would have repented of their sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and
throwing ashes on their heads to show their remorse. 14 Yes, Tyre and Sidon will be better off on
judgment day than you. 15 And you
people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to
the place of the dead.” 16 Then
he said to the disciples, “Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting
me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is
rejecting God, who sent me.” 17 When
the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord,
even the demons obey us when we use your name!” 18
“Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like
lightning! 19 Look, I have given
you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes
and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. 20 But don’t rejoice because evil spirits
obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.” 21 At that same time Jesus was filled with
the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and
clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you
to do it this way. 22 “My Father
has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father,
and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son
chooses to reveal him.” 23 Then
when they were alone, he turned to the disciples and said, “Blessed are the
eyes that see what you have seen. 24 I
tell you, many prophets and kings longed to see what you see, but they didn’t
see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it.” NLT Luke
10:17-24 reveals that there are those of us who are called to a specific type
of Spiritual Warfare and why we are not understood by others. Verse 21 reveals that the truths of Luke
10:1-24 were not revealed to everyone, and sadly, we see this in the Body of
Christ itself and I believe that it is due to the arrogance, mixture, and
compromise that we see in there, not all, but in many Churches. Notice
that in verse 1 that it was only those that Jesus “appointed” that were sent
two by two ahead of Him to every town and place where He was about to go. In
other words not everyone was/is “appointed” for this particular “calling.”
Furthermore, we know that the Holy Spirit gives gifts to the Body of Christ
as He wills - and one of the gifts is the "Distinguishing of
Spirits" (1 Corinthians 12:1-11).
And, this particular gift enables us to distinguish whether or not
someone is a false teacher, or when someone is speaking in their flesh; or
when someone is under the influence of a demonic spirit - all areas where
discernment is especially needed. This particular gift enables us to
distinguish outward appearances from inward realities - to discern the true
motives of someone's heart. In other words, this particular gifting enables
us to distinguish between (1) the Spirit of God, (2) the spirit of man (3)
and the spirit of evil. And, when
someone has this particular gift, "they react to the
circumstances.” And, those Believers
who discern and understand the spiritual behind the natural are very
sensitive to this gifting. Nor
did Jesus rebuke the 70 (or 72 depending on the translation) when they
returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through
thy Name (17). Rather, in verse 18 Jesus responds by stating that He had beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven
indicating that because the devils were subject to the 70 in the Name of
Jesus that the war in the heavenlies was suffering defeat (Ephesians 6:12). “For
we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high places” –
Ephesians 6:12. (According to Strong's - the Hebrew meaning of the
word "high" means "heavenly" or "in heaven" -
and that is why other translations, including the NKJ, reads "heavenly
places") This is only one of the aspects of the war in the heavens that
Ephesians 6 speaks of. In verse
19 not only does Jesus give unto those appointed to this type of warfare
power to tread on serpents and scorpions, He also gives them power “over all the power of the enemy.”
Over all the power of the enemy means just that: over all the power of the enemy is not
limited power. Jesus
goes on further rejoicing in spirit and thanking the Father that this type of
second heaven warfare was not revealed to everyone. In verse 23 Jesus turned
to His disciples and said privately, “Blessed
are the eyes which see the things ye see: 24:For I tell you, that many
prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not
seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.”
(Luke 10:23, 24) Not
everyone is called to spiritual warfare nor will everyone in the Body of
Christ understand this type of warfare; however, blessed are those that have
been appointed and who do understand what God has called them to. Taking
no credit themselves, the Disciples were astonished that even the devils were
subject to them through the Name of Jesus.
And,
just as it was with the 70, Jesus Christ still takes a personal interest in
our walk with Him and He is still aware of the ongoing victories each
generation has in taking authority over the enemy. On earth as it is in heaven: Jesus revealed to them that as they were
taking authority over the devils, that He was aware of the progressive
decline of Satan’s kingdom and as Satan was losing ground, his power was
diminishing. Verse
18: Jesus replied: "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from
heaven:" In other words Jesus
directed their attention to the "spiritual realm" making them aware
of a much larger picture of the satanic world. Interestingly,
Satan's fall is compared to lightening that is quick, dazzling and
destructive. On Earth as in Heaven:
While the disciples were taking authority over the devils here on
earth and casting out Satan's subjects, Jesus was saying that it affected the
spiritual realm - Jesus saw Satan himself fall! Even
though Satan and many of his angels have already fallen – Ephesians 6:12
reveals that there is still a battle going on in the heavenlies. Jesus was explaining to them that there is
a spiritual aspect of what they were doing. Casting out demons was more than
just casting out demons. Jesus pointed
out how their success affected the Kingdom of Darkness – Jesus pointed out
how devils being cast out affected Satan. Every
time a Christian takes authority over Satan and every time a principality is
dislodged from the heavens and every time the Church casts out a demon from
someone who is being vexed or bound - and every time an unbeliever's soul is
rescued from the demonic and comes into the Kingdom - Satan is being driven
out (John 12:3) and comes closer to being cast into the lake of fire and
brimstone! (Revelation 20:10). Every
time a Christian takes authority over Satan, Satan and the Kingdom of
Darkness continues to fall. And, all throughout the Church age, Satan is ever
falling! And,
I believe that's why Satan doesn't want the Church to believe that he really
exists or to understand the authority we have over him in the Name of Jesus -
because when every power, ruler, authority, principality, demon and Satan
himself has "completely fallen" and made inoperative - in other
words fallen under the feet of Jesus - then "The End Cometh" 1
Corinthians 15:24-28. The devils submitted to Christ’s disciples and
Satan and his angels lost their place in the heavens because of the victory
of the Cross. Revelation 12:7-17; Again,
in the world, as we know it, there is the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of
Heaven and the Kingdom of Satan (Matthew 12:25-26) and Satan is at war with
the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven.
Even so, we know that in the end through His Church – Christ will be
victorious and will establish His Kingdom here on earth. Satan’s
Kingdom as described by Christ: Matthew
12:25-26 25Knowing their thoughts Jesus said to
them, “Any kingdom that is divided against itself is being laid waste; and no
city or house divided against itself will [continue to] stand. 26If Satan casts out Satan
[that is, his demons], he has become divided against
himself and disunited; how then will his kingdom stand? ESV Matthew
12:25-26 25
Jesus
knew their thoughts and replied, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed.
A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart. 26 And if Satan is casting out
Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not
survive. NLT Luke
11:18 18
If
Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because
ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. KJV Colossians 1:13 13 For He has rescued us from the kingdom of
darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, NLT John
8:12 12
Jesus
spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you
follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the
light that leads to life.” NLT The
Gates of Hell will not Prevail Against Christ’s Church: We know from Scriptures like Matthew
16:13-19; Ephesians 6:12-20 and Luke 10 that the Lord will use His Church in
the battle to defeat Satan. Matthew
16:18-19 18
And
I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My
church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on
earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed
in heaven." NKJV Matthew
16:18-19, Luke 10 and Ephesians 6:12-20 as well as many other Scriptures echo
Genesis 3:14-15 when the Lord cursed the serpent (the visible serpent)
because he allowed Satan (the invisible serpent) to operate through it when
Satan deceived Eve. God cursed the
serpent above all animals because the serpent had allowed Satan to operate
through him. As such, there would be
hostility between the serpent and the woman and between their offspring in
the natural realm as well as the spiritual realm. Satan may bruise the heel of Eve’s
offspring, but we will certainly bruise Satan’s head – the most dangerous
part of the serpent. Christ referred to Judas as a
Devil – so we should not be surprised that Judas was Influenced by the
Politics of Hell: In John 6:70, Christ referred to Judas, who
was the Disciple that was going to betray Him, as a devil. So,
we should not be surprised that Satan put it into Judas heart (John 13:2) to
betray Christ and deliver Him up to the Sanhedrin who then delivered Christ
up to the Roman Government. And, in
John 13:27 we find that Satan even entered Judas. John
6:69-71 69
And
we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living
God. 70 Jesus answered
them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? 71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was
that should betray him, being one of the twelve. KJV John
13:2 2 And supper being ended, the devil having
now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; KJV John
13:27 27
And
after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou
doest, do quickly. KJV Which
begs the question, was Judas possessed?
There are many Scriptures that reveal the fact that evil spirits can
possess people. Luke
13:10-17 10
And
He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 11 And,
behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen
years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. 12 And when
Jesus saw her, He called her to Him,
and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. 13 And
He laid His hands on her: and
immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. 14 And the
ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had
healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in
which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the
sabbath day. 15 The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one
of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his
ass from the stall, and lead him
away to watering? 16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of
Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this
bond on the sabbath day? 17 And when He had said these things, all
His adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the
glorious things that were done by Him.
KJV Physicians cannot Heal a
Spiritual Infirmity: And, so it is today. Many of today’s infirmities that baffle the
medical world originate from the same source as that of the woman who had
been bound by a spirit of infirmity.
And, a medical doctor cannot loose a patient from a spirit of
infirmity like the one that had bound the woman who was bent over unless that
physician casts the spirit of infirmity out in the Name of Jesus. The
account of this woman’s infirmity, her deliverance, and the response of the
ruler of the synagogue’s disdain for Christ regarding her deliverance from a
spirit of infirmity, speaks volumes.
Jesus rebuked the rulers of the synagogue who were feigning zeal for
God’s glory for their hypocrisy knowing that even the rulers of the synagogue
loosed their oxen and donkeys from the stall and led them to water on the
Sabbath. The Ecclesiastical Aspect of
Satan: Disguised as an “Angel of Light,” Satan and
his servants, who disguise themselves as “Servants of Righteousness,” are
continuously at work to destroy the Church.
Disguised as “Servants of Righteousness,” these false apostles pretend
to be Apostles of Christ – 2 Corinthians 11:12-15. And, these false apostles are as determined
today as they were in Biblical times to undermine the kingdom of Christ as
much as the true Apostles of Christ were determined to establish the
Church. 2
Corinthians 11:12-15 12
But
I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who
are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. 13
These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who
disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 But I am not
surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So
it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of
righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds
deserve. NLT There
are many Scriptures about False Apostles whose goal is turn people away from
the truth. Given
the context of this study, the account of a false prophet in Acts 13:6-12 is
of particular interest. A false
prophet by the name of Elymas was trying to keep the “Governor” of the Roman
Province of Cyprus from hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ by perverting the
Word of God. Acts
13:6-12 6 Afterward they traveled from town to town
across the entire island until finally they reached Paphos, where they met a
Jewish sorcerer, a false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 7 He had attached himself to the
governor, Sergius Paulus, who was an intelligent man. The governor invited
Barnabas and Saul to visit him, for he wanted to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas, the sorcerer (as
his name means in Greek), interfered and urged the governor to pay no
attention to what Barnabas and Saul said. He was trying to keep the
governor from believing. 9 Saul,
also known as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he looked the
sorcerer in the eye. 10 Then
he said, “You son of the devil, full of every sort of deceit and fraud, and
enemy of all that is good! Will you never stop perverting the true ways of
the Lord? 11 Watch now, for
the Lord has laid his hand of punishment upon you, and you will be struck
blind. You will not see the sunlight for some time.” Instantly mist and
darkness came over the man’s eyes, and he began groping around begging for
someone to take his hand and lead him.
12 When the governor saw what had happened, he became a
believer, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord. NLT This
is the goal of a false teacher. Like
Elymas the sorcerer, a false prophet who tried to keep the Governor from
believing the truth, all false prophets will try to turn people away from the
faith and try to prevent people from believing the truth. Elymas
was not just a false prophet, but he was a false prophet that was a
sorcerer. How many of our politicians
have sorcerers in their offices and don’t even know it? Other
Scriptures that warn about false apostles: Matthew 7:15-16 “Beware of the false prophets, who come
to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know
them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from
thistles, are they? NLT 1 John 4:1-2 Beloved, do not believe every spirit,
but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false
prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God:
every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from
God; NKJV Acts 13:6 6When they had gone through the
whole island as far as Paphos, they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet
whose name was Bar-Jesus, ESV 2
Corinthians 11:1-15 1 I hope you will put up with a little more
of my foolishness. Please bear with me. 2 For I am jealous for you
with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one
husband—Christ. 3 But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided
devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning
ways of the serpent. 4 You happily put up with whatever anyone
tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a
different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of
gospel than the one you believed. 5 But I don’t consider myself
inferior in any way to these “super apostles” who teach such things. 6 I
may be unskilled as a speaker, but I’m not lacking in knowledge. We have made
this clear to you in every possible way. 7 Was I wrong when I
humbled myself and honored you by preaching God’s Good News to you without
expecting anything in return? 8 I “robbed” other churches by
accepting their contributions so I could serve you at no cost. 9 And
when I was with you and didn’t have enough to live on, I did not become a
financial burden to anyone. For the brothers who came from Macedonia brought
me all that I needed. I have never been a burden to you, and I never will be.
10 As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, no one in all of
Greece will ever stop me from boasting about this. 11 Why? Because
I don’t love you? God knows that I do. 12 But I will continue
doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for
an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. 13 These
people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves
as apostles of Christ. 14 But I am not surprised! Even Satan
disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no wonder that
his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the
end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve. NLT Acts
20:28-30 28
“So
guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church,
purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as
elders. 29 I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will
come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. 30 Even
some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to
draw a following. NLT Revelation 2:2 2I know your deeds and your
toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to
the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found
them to be false; NASB 1 Timothy 4:1 1 But the [Holy] Spirit
explicitly and unmistakably declares that in later times some will
turn away from the faith, paying attention instead to
deceitful and seductive spirits and doctrines of demons, Amplified Bible Politics
are at the center of the story of Jesus.
Given the political aspects of both Christ and
Satan and who they are, we know that politics in some way plays an important
role in our lives. However, the
government is not our source of truth, certainly not Biblical truth. Romans 13 commands us to submit to the governments
as they are all ordained by God; however, we are not to submit to laws that
would cause us to sin against God or His commands. And, many of man’s laws are opposed to
God’s laws. Scripture is clear – we are to render to Caesar
the things that are Caesar’s – and to God the things that are God’s! Matthew 22:21 And, contrary to what America’s government thinks,
Scripture does not support any one form of government over another. ALL governments are ordained of God – not
just America’s Republic. |