Complete Control

Satan holds sway over all governments and nations of men. But is his own government, led by him and his demons, and ruling over human governments, unified? Is the devil himself divided? Allow Christ to answer these questions.

Christ and His disciples often had to cast out demons. I have done this on a number of occasions, and these can be very intense, dramatic encounters. They are not pleasant to witness. Those who do are often shocked by what they see. It becomes obvious that supernatural power is present—both in the demon being cast out and the greater power necessary to achieve this. Christ’s accusers saw clear evidence that He was backed by real power! However, in Matthew 12:24-26, they accused Him of using the devil’s power to exorcise demons.

Here is Christ’s response: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?” (Mt 12:25). Christ was saying that Satan would never cast out demons—they are his! He would be dividing his own kingdom. He does have a kingdom. Since his kingdom does stand, it is clearly not divided!

Recall Revelation 12:9. It referred to Satan and “his” demons. This clearly means that they are his—he controls them. They work together with him in maintaining power over this world’s education, religions, governments and values. The “churchianity” of this world passing for Christianity is no exception.

Here is the point. Not only does Satan govern the kingdoms of this world, through his power and influence, but he also does it in an undivided, unified fashion with the aid of hundreds of millions of demons (Rev. 5:11).

Now notice an amazing account in Daniel 10:13-21. An actual spirit war, lasting three full weeks (Dan 10:13), is described here! Michael, an archangel, fought with one called the “prince of the kingdom of Persia” and later referred to another up-coming battle with an arch-demon called the “prince of Grecia.” Archangels do not need twenty-one days to defeat puny, little, physical men. These powerful spirit beings, within Satan’s unified government, ruling over individual kingdoms (nations) within it, were battling Michael. Also notice Jude 9, which demonstrates how Michael “contends” and “disputes” with the devil over different matters.

Ephesians 6:12 explains how Christians wrestle “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against wicked spirits [the proper translation] in high places.” The context makes clear that these “high places” are within the governments or principalities of this world.

I repeat: This is not God’s world! The devil governs a vast realm of fallen spirits. Together, they deceive, confuse and exert tremendous influence over all the governments and activities on earth.

God in Ultimate Control

Do not be confused! The above scriptural understanding does not totally disconnect God from all activity on planet Earth. He is still absolutely in charge and in control of His Plan, which involves all human beings.

When Christ was on trial for His life before Pontius Pilate, He clarified the real source of Pilate’s authority over the outcome of the trial: “Then said Pilate unto Him, Speak You not unto me? Know You not that I have power to crucify You, and have power to release You? Jesus answered, You could have no power at all against Me, except it were given you from above: therefore he that delivered Me unto you has the greater sin” (John 19:10-11). Ultimately, Pilate’s authority came from God.

Here is the point.

God is working out events in a plan encompassing 7,000 years. He is allowing mankind to find out that his own ways, governments, values, religions, purposes—and wars in the name of peace—have not, do not and never will work toward permanent, peaceful solutions. The Bible reveals that God sets up and removes rulers, and governments only have power as long as He permits.

Prince of the Power of the Air and the Children of Disobedience Consider this vital passage. Ephesians 2:2 is speaking of the devil: “…according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience.” This is a remarkable verse, with the thought continuing at the end of Eph 2:3. Paul tells the Ephesian brethren that at one time they “were by nature the children of wrath.” Who are the “children of wrath”—also called the “children of disobedience” in Ephesians 5:6? How do they relate to the phrase, “prince of the power of the air”?

Notice Ephesians 2:2. It says Satan’s “spirit…works in the children of disobedience.” Did you see that? The devil has power to use the “air” to broadcast, through his spirit, an attitude of disobedience! He sends moods, feelings, attitudes and pulls of the flesh into people. These “work” within peoples’ minds. This “air power” gives the devil immense INFLUENCE, allowing him to send thoughts of confusion, deceit, anger, pride, hate, foolishness, vanity, jealousy, lust, greed, envy, and much more, directly into people’s thinking! In a manner of speaking, the devil owns the largest radio station on earth and broadcasts twenty-four hours a day, reaching and deceiving all humanity!

At this point, I must insert important understanding before continuing. A Christian obeys God, through His Law. Paul recorded that God has a spiritual law that is holy, just and good (Rom. 7:12, 14)! Christians keep this law. When they do, it “keeps them,” so to speak. When they break it, it “breaks them!”

In Acts 5:32, Peter referred to “the Holy Spirit, [which] God has given to them that obey Him.” Take time to turn and read this verse. Christians know and practice this verse. God’s Spirit is given upon repentance and baptism (Acts 2:38). It is this Spirit that helps Christians obey the Ten Commandments! (Read our book The Ten Commandments – “Nailed to the Cross” or Required for Salvation?)

We can now better understand WHO are the “children of disobedience.” Like the begotten children of God, these people are led by a spirit—but it is the spirit of the god of this world—and it leads and controls them, causing them to conform to their captor’s wishes. He broadcasts a spirit of disobedience into his deceived children. No wonder they are also called the “children of wrath.” What could be plainer? Yet, a deceived world knows nothing of this understanding.

The connection to wrath is made clear in another scripture. Colossians 3:6 states that “the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.” Eventually, if people do not repent and obey God’s Holy Law, they will incur the wrath of the true God.

The Father of Murder, Lies and Destruction

Just as God the Father has children, the god of this world is also a father with his own children! What characteristics would his children have? First, consider this proof that the devil does have children.

On one occasion, Paul addressed a sorcerer, named Bar-jesus, who was trying to hinder Paul’s preaching and ministry. Paul was forced to say to this man, “O full of all subtlety and all mischief, you child of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?” (Acts 13:10). Besides calling this man a “child of the devil,” Paul labels such people “enemies of all righteousness” and “the ways of God.” Psalm 119:172 defines righteousness: “All Your [God’s]commandments are righteousness.”

Children of the devil hate, and are enemies of, the laws of God!

In Revelation 9:11, John calls Satan “a destroyer,” referring to him as a “king over them,” a system of people led by a final, world-ruling, counterfeit figure soon to appear, just prior to Christ’s Return. The Hebrew word Abaddon means “Satan,” and the Greek word Apollyon, also used there, means “a destroyer.” Understanding Satan as a DESTROYER sets the stage for the next scripture.

A confrontation between Christ and people who professed to “believe on Him” occurs in John 8:30-31. I urge you to read the entire account, but here is a summary of what happened. Those who professed belief in Christ, actually sought to kill Him in Jn 8:37! Christ said, “but you seek to kill Me, because MY WORD has no place in you.” And further, He added, “But now you seek to kill Me, a Man that has told you THE TRUTH” (Jn 8:40). People who will not hear the truth do not like to be told they are wrong. Humanly speaking, I must admit that my human nature does not. Be honest with yourself and admit that you are the same.

This story comes to a remarkable climax in Jn 8:43-44. Christ asked, “Why do you not understand My speech?” He answers His own question with, “Because you CANNOT hear My word.” What could possibly cause people standing right beside Christ to “not hear His word?” Jn 8:44 answers, “You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar and the father of it.” Christ plainly said, “you are not of God” (Jn 8:47) and these devil-inspired religious leaders immediately accused Him of “having a demon” (Jn 8:48)!

This is a powerful statement. The devil is a father who murders and lies. He even murders his own children. (Many kidnappers murder their hostages.) Where he lives, his “abode,” is not in the truth, because he is a deceiver—liar—murderer—destroyer! The devil destroys through both murderous lies and outright murder. Just reviewing the Bible examples of how often this occurred throughout history would double the size of this booklet.

When someone exposes or identifies either the devil, his demons or his “children” for exactly who they are, the exposed seek to turn the tables and accuse the identifier of being demon-possessed. This is what happened to Christ. Matthew recorded that He called these people “children of the wicked one” (Matt. 13:38-39), in the parable of the “Wheat and the Tares.”

Make no mistake! The world is filled with the children of the devil. Let no deceiver tell you otherwise. They have no idea that they serve their own captor’s purpose when they do this (II Tim. 2:24-26). It has been observed that children are basically a lot like their parents. So it is with Satan’s children, who lie, hate, murder and destroy—just like their parent, their father. Look at this world. On the basis of just this last statement, have you any doubt who is the god of this world? It should be clear WHY confusion, war, ignorance, poverty, disease and misery abound among the nations.

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