Satan’s Kingdom is Both Organized and Unified

Satan holds sway over all governments and nations. But is his own government, led by him and his demons, and ruling over human governments, unified? Is the devil himself divided? Let Christ 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, not pleasant to witness. Those who do are often shocked by what they see. It is obvious that great power is present—both in the demon that is being cast out and the greater power necessary to achieve this. Christ’s accusers saw clear evidence that He was backed up by real power! However, in Matthew 12:24-26, they accused Him of using the power of the devil to cast out (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, because to do so would divide his own kingdom. The devil does have a kingdom. Since it 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—they belong to him—he controls them.

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 (Rev. 5:11) of demons.

Now notice an amazing account in Daniel 10:13-21. An actual spirit war, lasting three full weeks (Dan 10:13), is described! 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. Michael was battling these “princes,” who were powerful (fallen) spirit beings within Satan’s unified government, ruling over individual kingdoms (nations) within it.

Finally, 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.

This is not God’s world! And it should now be evident that the devil governs a vast realm of fallen spirits. Together, they deceive, confuse and exert great influence over all the governments and activities of this world.

The worst of these is WAR!

But God Is Sovereign

Do not be confused! The above scriptural understanding does not disconnect God from this planet. He is still absolutely in charge and in control of His plan—and this involves all human beings.

When Christ was on trial for His life before Pontius Pilate, He clarified the real source of his (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.

Benjamin Franklin once said, “The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?” This is truer than Franklin probably ever understood.

When speaking to the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar about why he held office over the greatest empire on earth in his day, God said, through Daniel, “You, O king, are a king of kings: for the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory” (Dan. 2:37). Although Satan is the god of this world, he still rules under the sovereign control of the God of heaven.

Now read an important statement in Daniel 4:17: “This matter is by the decree of the watchers…to the intent that the living may know that the most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever He will, and sets up over it the BASEST OF MEN.”

The word base means the bottom, under. If a house has a basement, it is located at the bottom or under the house. God says that the leaders of this world’s governments reflect Daniel 4:17.

Do not misunderstand. The kingdoms of this world are not God’s. Some have tried to cite this verse, completely missing the point, when they say, “God is working in the affairs of men (elections, wars, governments, etc.) and good Christians everywhere, if we can get out the vote, can put godly men in office”...the world safe for democracy”...“bring God’s kingdom to earth through human effort” or similar things. This literally puts them in a position of potentially fighting God’s predetermined purpose, as seen in Daniel 4:17.

Many religious leaders misunderstand this verse, believing that it is somehow their job to work out God’s purpose for Him. (Our booklet Should Christians Vote? explains why Christians do not participate in this world’s governments.)

Here is the point.

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

Why War?

We can now ask: What does God’s Word say about the reasons why nations continually go to war? You will be shocked at its simplicity! But will you accept it?

Recognize that no war can be fought unless there is an aggressor! Someone has to initiate or begin it. Like a football game, one team has to be on offense while the other plays defence. Yet, almost all nations speak in terms of their “Department of Defence” or of their “Defence Budget.” Theoretically, if all nations merely defended themselves, there would be no wars because there would be no aggressors. While someone must “start it,” combatants invariably see themselves as defending their interests, territory or rights.

The Bible reveals the true CAUSE of wars. James 4:1-3 reads, “From where come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, even of your LUSTS that war in your members? You LUST, and have not: you kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: you fight and war, yet you have not, because you ask not. You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it upon your LUSTS.”

God says that war is caused by humans lusting for what belongs to others. When all else fails, men scheme to obtain what they want by outright brute force.

Speaking from the physical, worldly approach, military preparedness is an absolute prerequisite for existence in today’s hostile world. The citizens of all nations pay a huge price to maintain their national sovereignty. Without a ready military, there is the constant threat from a plundering, destructive invading force, seeking to secure land, wealth or power.

Are Christians obligated to participate when their nation “needs them” and calls upon them to “serve”? We must address one more question before answering this one.

Should Christians Always Obey Men’s Governments?

A Christian is one who follows—COPIES—Jesus Christ. He OBEYS God. Christ continually spoke about God’s government being established on earth. Christians yield to and obey—SUBMIT themselves to—that government!

But must Christians also obey the governments of men? What should your responsibility be to the civil government that rules your country? What did Christ teach about submitting to government authority?

Here is what Paul wrote: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ORDAINED OF GOD. Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ORDINANCE OF GOD: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation” (Rom. 13:1-2). Does this verse instruct Christians to fight, bear arms and kill, if their government so directs them?

The apostle Peter also gave important instruction. He had no doubt what God expects of Christians in their responsibility toward civil governments. He wrote, “SUBMIT yourselves to every ordinance of man FOR THE LORD’S SAKE: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men…Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king” (I Pet. 2:13-15, 17).

It says, “SUBMIT yourselves.” And this is what Christians should do. The phrase “for the Lord’s sake” clarifies that it is God who expects us to submit to “every ordinance” of men’s governments.

Notice that Peter did not say, “OBEY every ordinance.”

Why? Because there are ordinances that are contrary to God’s direct instructions—they cannot be obeyed without disobeying God. The following account illustrates this.

The apostles had been commanded by the authorities (Acts 4:16-18) to no longer preach anything about Jesus Christ—or to invoke His authority. Here is how they responded: “But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge you” (Ac 4:19). The account continues in the next chapter, after the disciples had been arrested, imprisoned and called to account for disregarding the command to cease preaching Christ’s Name. Acts 5:29 states, “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”

Sometimes, obeying God instead of the contrary instructions of human governments can mean submitting to punishment. For such circumstances, Paul wrote, “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Heb. 13:6). Should you ever be faced with the decision to “obey God rather than men,” keep this encouraging verse close to heart. (Read our article “Should Christians Submit to Government Authority?” to understand more.)