Jesus is Presently King of the World

[seekandlisten]

I think that the 1000 year reign may have been mentioned in this thread. I know it has come out in discussions on this topic, I just can't remember if it was this thread or another. But it is definitely related to this topic.

iirc, the point was made that Jesus is already reigning when the 1000 years begin; it is when the believers reign with him that the 1000 years begin.
Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. (ESV)

I don't think there is a verses that actually says Jesus will reign for a thousand years. The argument can also be made that if these verses are speaking of a 1000 year reign of Jesus, then it also means his reign would cease at the end of the 1000 years, which is clearly not the case.

I disagree with the part highlighted in red. This is where the problem lies as I'm sure the majority of the posters in this thread share your view. Not a generalization, I'm sure there are those in this thread who would object as well. The point is I hesitate in debating over anything in revelation as the warning at the end of taking away and adding to prophecies relates only to the book of revelation not the whole bible. I don't wish to debate this issue at all right now as I am currently in other discussions that I think are more relavant to me personally. I will discuss it at a point when I have more time but like I said until the discussion gets past all the points that are disagreed on that is where my questions lie. I'm assuming it will take a little work to get to that point so I don't want to start it right now. That is all.
Thank you for your comments though.

God bless,

 

[MarkT]

For those of you that keep alluding to the "sun be darkened" and the "stars falling from the sky" and saying these events haven't happened yet, do you realize the absurdity of expecting these to be literal events? LIFE WOULD IMMEDIATELY CEASE IF THESE THINGS HAPPENED!! The language of judgment that Jesus uses in Matt. 24 is so crystal clear that he's referring to when God judged Babylon and other nations in the OT.

We'll see. But Jesus told the disciples, 'Take heed that no one leads you astray.' So your argument is not unexpected. We know who the sons of the evil one are. Jesus told us what to expect.

If the stones of the temple were thrown down in 70 AD, then the other things he said will necessarily follow in order since Jesus was telling them what would be - there will be wars, famines, earthquakes, false teachers, many will fall away, the desolating sacrilege, great tribulation, false Christs and false prophets, great signs and wonders.

Jesus said, 'Lo I have told you beforehand' Obviously he wasn't warning them about anything that already happened in the OT. He was speaking of things to come.

Jesus said, 'For as the lightening comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of man.' Mt. 24:27 So we know what to expect.

I tried to ask this question before, but for some reason my post didn't go through, but what about the Great Commission? In Matt. 28:18, Jesus tells his disciples that ALL authority in heaven AND ON EARTH has been given to him, and then v. 19 goes "THEREFORE (since all authority belongs to Jesus) go make disciples!" How could the Gospel have made it past Pentecost in Acts 2 if Christ wasn't currently reigning? How could the Gospel be as accessible as it is today if weren't for Christ reigning?? Do you honestly think Satan would allow this if he were indeed ruling??

All he can do is kill us. God declared these things would come to pass. Satan can only go about like a roaring lion trying to get us to fall away. Jesus taught us to build our house on the rock. The wind and the rain can come but our house will not fall.

Apparently some of you don't believe Jesus will be coming back even though he said he would return, and he told us about his coming, saying, 'so will be the coming of the Son of man'. Not, so is the coming, but, so will be the coming. It will be as Jesus said according to the will of God.

 

[MarkT]

That generation didn't pass away until those things happened. A generation in biblical context is 30-40 yrs, which puts the destruction of the temple in perfect chronology w/ Jesus' prophecy. Try reading the words "this generation" the same way in the rest of Matthew as you read it in Matt. 24:34. Whenever Jesus addresses "this generation" in Matthew, it is ALWAYS the audience of THAT time.

Jesus told us these things in advance so that we would have the strength to endure the devil's arguments. We are wearing the full armor of God. Do not be deceived. The devil is going to throw everything at you, including the kitchen sink, to lead you astray.

The words of God are eternal, speaking to the hearts and minds of those who love him. It's a fact that we have heard what the disciples heard. Call it a mystery. It doesn't matter. I could be standing there. They could be standing here. That's the way it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit of God. So the last have received the same as the first. This generation is the last. I think.

By the way, what church, if any, teaches such things as you are saying?

 

[MarkT]

That generation didn't pass away until those things happened. A generation in biblical context is 30-40 yrs, which puts the destruction of the temple in perfect chronology w/ Jesus' prophecy. Try reading the words "this generation" the same way in the rest of Matthew as you read it in Matt. 24:34. Whenever Jesus addresses "this generation" in Matthew, it is ALWAYS the audience of THAT time.

It's a difficult saying but consider this. Every generation that receives the gospel is going to hear 'this generation' annd believe their generation is the last generation. However, it only becomes evident which is the last generation when we include the desolating sacrilege, false Christs, the tribulation, etc. So when we see the things Jesus spoke of towards the end, then the saying becomes evident. For example, we can see weapons that make everything radioactive - the land therefore becomes barren, desolate and uninhabitable. Hence, we can see the 'desolating sacrilege'. And the 'tribulation is tied to the 'desolating sacrilege'. We can see a nuclear war would have a devastating effect on the planet, on people, on everything. And we can see survivors coming out of the woods and mountains. And we can see false Christs. Indeed Jesus said 'this generation'. He also said, 'an evil generation seeks for a sign'. Mt. 16:4 which implies a future generation. And Isaiah prophesied a 'book' (the Bible) which would open the eyes of the blind. So you have to keep everything in mind.

 

[toddm]

We'll see. But Jesus told the disciples, 'Take heed that no one leads you astray.' So your argument is not unexpected. We know who the sons of the evil one are. Jesus told us what to expect.

If the stones of the temple were thrown down in 70 AD, then the other things he said will necessarily follow in order since Jesus was telling them what would be - there will be wars, famines, earthquakes, false teachers, many will fall away, the desolating sacrilege, great tribulation, false Christs and false prophets, great signs and wonders.

These things DID happen. Read Acts! Read Josephus' "Antiquities of the Jews". A great famine spread through Jerusalem as part of the Roman strategy of seiging it, false teachers are all throughout Acts, the abomination that causes desoloation - there are several answers for this, rumors of wars - yep.

Jesus said, 'Lo I have told you beforehand' Obviously he wasn't warning them about anything that already happened in the OT. He was speaking of things to come.

Yes, you're right. He was warning them about FUTURE events, however, he used language of judgment that the Jews were familiar with from the OT. The disciples would have knew exactly what Jesus meant by "the sun being darkened", etc. Why? Because they were familiar w/ the OT. I mean, how many times did the disciples ask Jesus to clarify when he said something they didn't understand?? They weren't shy about their denseness, yet they didn't ask Jesus to clarify on this seeminly enigmatic statement?? Why? Because they knew what he was referring to.

All he can do is kill us. God declared these things would come to pass. Satan can only go about like a roaring lion trying to get us to fall away. Jesus taught us to build our house on the rock. The wind and the rain can come but our house will not fall.

This doesn't sound like someone who is ruling the world then.

Apparently some of you don't believe Jesus will be coming back even though he said he would return, and he told us about his coming, saying, 'so will be the coming of the Son of man'. Not, so is the coming, but, so will be the coming. It will be as Jesus said according to the will of God.

Whoah!! No one, to my knowledge, has denied that Jesus is coming back to judge all mankind! But has it ever occurred to you that maybe there was A coming (not THE coming) of judgment in 70 AD that Jesus prophecied, and then there is THE Second Coming that marks the end of this world??

 

[researcher]

Mat 28:18 And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth.

I suppose we could ask, does Jesus currently have authority over heaven?

 

[toddm]

Mat 28:18 And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth.

I suppose we could ask, does Jesus currently have authority over heaven?

Yeah, I posted that verse too...unfortunately though, no one responded.

 

[MarkT]

Mat 28:18 And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth.

I suppose we could ask, does Jesus currently have authority over heaven?

Yeah, I posted that verse too...unfortunately though, no one responded.

Jesus has authority in heaven and on earth and we have authority on earth. And everything we do we do for God. But Jesus didn't send us out to rule the world. That's not our job. Our job is to preach the good news of the kingdom, repentance and the forgiveness of sin in Jesus name.

The argument isn't whether Jesus has authority or not. It's whether the devil is the ruler of this world. By that I mean this life, this existence, and everything belonging to and subject to decay and corruption and death - the devil is the ruler of it. This world is ruled by the love of money and pleasure and sin and death. And men love pleasure and sin more than they love God.

Jesus over came the world and we are alive in him. And he will come to reign over us and the devil will be put in prison. But then this world will be no more. So you can't say he will be ruling this world either. It will be a new world.

 

[MarkT]

Isaiah 13:6-18
6 Wail, for the day of the LORD is near; as destruction from the Almighty it will come! 7 Therefore all hands will be feeble, and every man's heart will melt, 8 and they will be dismayed. Pangs and agony will seize them; they will be in anguish like a woman in travail. They will look aghast at one another; their faces will be aflame. 9 Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to make the earth a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it. 10 For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be dark at its rising and the moon will not shed its light. 11 I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will put an end to the pride of the arrogant, and lay low the haughtiness of the ruthless. 12 I will make men more rare than fine gold, and mankind than the gold of Ophir. 13 Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken out of its place, at the wrath of the LORD of hosts in the day of his fierce anger. 14 And like a hunted gazelle, or like sheep with none to gather them, every man will turn to his own people, and every man will flee to his own land. 15 Whoever is found will be thrust through, and whoever is caught will fall by the sword. 16 Their infants will be dashed in pieces before their eyes; their houses will be plundered and their wives ravished. 17 Behold, I am stirring up the Medes against them, who have no regard for silver and do not delight in gold. 18 Their bows will slaughter the young men; they will have no mercy on the fruit of the womb; their eyes will not pity children.

Is Isaiah talking about the Romans entering Jerusalem in 70AD? No. He is talking about the day of the Lord.

It is God's will that the devil rule for a time. I'm not saying God isn't God overall. He is. Even Jesus is subject to God. The devil rules for a time and then Jesus rules for a thousand years. Jesus said temptations must come. God doesn't tempt anyone. The devil is the tempter. So it is God's will that the devil tempt men; it is his will that the devil rule for a time until Jesus returns.

 

[researcher]

Isaiah 13:6-18
6 Wail, for the day of the LORD is near; as destruction from the Almighty it will come! 7 Therefore all hands will be feeble, and every man's heart will melt, 8 and they will be dismayed. Pangs and agony will seize them; they will be in anguish like a woman in travail. They will look aghast at one another; their faces will be aflame. 9 Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to make the earth a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it. 10 For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be dark at its rising and the moon will not shed its light. 11 I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will put an end to the pride of the arrogant, and lay low the haughtiness of the ruthless. 12 I will make men more rare than fine gold, and mankind than the gold of Ophir. 13 Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth (Land?) will be shaken out of its place, at the wrath of the LORD of hosts in the day of his fierce anger. 14 And like a hunted gazelle, or like sheep with none to gather them, every man will turn to his own people, and every man will flee to his own land. 15 Whoever is found will be thrust through, and whoever is caught will fall by the sword. 16 Their infants will be dashed in pieces before their eyes; their houses will be plundered and their wives ravished. 17 Behold, I am stirring up the Medes against them, who have no regard for silver and do not delight in gold. 18 Their bows will slaughter the young men; they will have no mercy on the fruit of the womb; their eyes will not pity children.

Is Isaiah talking about the Romans entering Jerusalem in 70AD? No. He is talking about the day of the Lord.

The word used for earth is also used for "land." Is he talking about a particular piece of land, or the whole world there?

Isa 13:22 And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.

Aren't all the dragons dead? Maybe they will be coming back, lol. :P

 

[MarkT]

The word used for earth is also used for "land." Is he talking about a particular piece of land, or the whole world there?

God is the God of the whole earth. I expect the whole earth will be shaken out of its place.

Isa 13:22 And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.

Aren't all the dragons dead? Maybe they will be coming back, lol. :P

Get yourself an RSV. The RSV has 'jackals in the pleasant palaces.'

 

[seekandlisten]

It is God's will that the devil rule for a time. I'm not saying God isn't God overall. He is. Even Jesus is subject to God. The devil rules for a time and then Jesus rules for a thousand years. Jesus said temptations must come. God doesn't tempt anyone. The devil is the tempter. So it is God's will that the devil tempt men; it is his will that the devil rule for a time until Jesus returns.

The question I have in regards to this is, does Jesus take his throne from Satan before the end of this world as we know it? I base this question on the fact that Satan has been ruling the world from a non-visible throne, so will the same be for Jesus until the end of his 1000 years when all will be judged and we will live in God's Kindom? I wonder as to whether or not Jesus is sitting on this throne yet as the information that has come forward in the last century or so seems to be revealing at lot of the information that was suppressed in the first couple of centuries after Jesus? Just some random questions I have. I don't know the answers but maybe one of you has some insight. Only God holds all the answers.

 

[Drew]

The question I have in regards to this is, does Jesus take his throne from Satan before the end of this world as we know it?

Since the Scriptures clearly teach that Jesus is already enthroned - and was enthroned 2000 years ago - I politely suggest the question has no meaning.

Now I know that some here will deny that Jesus is presently enthroned and that Satan is still ruler of this world. Well. people are free to believe whatever they want. But I suggest that the transcript of this thread and others show definitively that the specifically Biblical texts place Jesus on the throne 2000 years ago (and depose Satan at that same time).

I am actually fascinated that people are willing to embrace the non-Biblical position that Jesus has yet to be enthroned. I am not being facetious when I ask this: How do you reconcile your position with the Biblical evidence which so strongly works against it? Do you not consider the Bible to be authoritative?

 

[seekandlisten]

The question I have in regards to this is, does Jesus take his throne from Satan before the end of this world as we know it?

Since the Scriptures clearly teach that Jesus is already enthroned - and was enthroned 2000 years ago - I politely suggest the question has no meaning.

Now I know that some here will deny that Jesus is presently enthroned and that Satan is still ruler of this world. Well. people are free to believe whatever they want. But I suggest that the transcript of this thread and others show definitively that the specifically Biblical texts place Jesus on the throne 2000 years ago (and depose Satan at that same time).

I am actually fascinated that people are willing to embrace the non-Biblical position that Jesus has yet to be enthroned. I am not being facetious when I ask this: How do you reconcile your position with the Biblical evidence which so strongly works against it? Do you not consider the Bible to be authoritative?

If I seen the biblical evidence against it I wouldn't be asking this question. In regards to your question, 'do you not consider the Bible to be authoritive?', I'm not sure what you are getting at. I believe the bible has God's Word contained in its pages if that's what you mean.

 

[Drew]

If I seen the biblical evidence against it I wouldn't be asking this question. In regards to your question, 'do you not consider the Bible to be authoritive?', I'm not sure what you are getting at. I believe the bible has God's Word contained in its pages if that's what you mean.

Just one of many arguments that Jesus is already king. I may have posted it before, but here it is again:

From Acts 4:

On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:
" 'Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
26The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers gather together
against the Lord
and against his Anointed One

Note the context: Peter and John are praying this prayer in response to the actions of the religious leaders. Now the content of the prayer quotes directly from Psalm 2. This is not “co-incidenceâ€. Here is the material from Psalm 2:

Note that the prayer quotes Psalm 2, verses 1 and 2:

Why do the nations conspire
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers gather together
against the LORD and against his Anointed One.

And what does Psalm 2 go on to say a few breaths later in respect to this "annointed one"?:

I have installed my King
on Zion, my holy hill

Assuming that Peter and John know their scriptures, they know that Psalm 2 describes rebellion against a sitting King. Do you really believe that the Holy Spirit would inspire the writer of Acts to record this prayer, which exactly echoes the Psalm 2 account of rebellion against a sitting King, and not expect us to draw the obvious conclusion – Jesus is indeed that very King, already installed, just as Psalm 2 declares.

The scriptures are clear and consistent. Even though (obviously) we do not have Jesus with us in person, his Kingship has been established.

 

[seekandlisten]

If I seen the biblical evidence against it I wouldn't be asking this question. In regards to your question, 'do you not consider the Bible to be authoritive?', I'm not sure what you are getting at. I believe the bible has God's Word contained in its pages if that's what you mean.

Just one of many arguments that Jesus is already king. I may have posted it before, but here it is again:

From Acts 4:

On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:
" 'Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
26The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers gather together
against the Lord
and against his Anointed One

Note the context: Peter and John are praying this prayer in response to the actions of the religious leaders. Now the content of the prayer quotes directly from Psalm 2. This is not “co-incidenceâ€. Here is the material from Psalm 2:

Note that the prayer quotes Psalm 2, verses 1 and 2:

Why do the nations conspire
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers gather together
against the LORD and against his Anointed One.

And what does Psalm 2 go on to say a few breaths later in respect to this "annointed one"?:

I have installed my King
on Zion, my holy hill

Assuming that Peter and John know their scriptures, they know that Psalm 2 describes rebellion against a sitting King. Do you really believe that the Holy Spirit would inspire the writer of Acts to record this prayer, which exactly echoes the Psalm 2 account of rebellion against a sitting King, and not expect us to draw the obvious conclusion – Jesus is indeed that very King, already installed, just as Psalm 2 declares.

The scriptures are clear and consistent. Even though (obviously) we do not have Jesus with us in person, his Kingship has been established.

I understand Acts 4 to be relating to something other than a physical throne here on earth. Read the whole passage, is it not talking of how the, in terms today, ‘church’ leaders were worried about in whose name they were saying the things they were? Their prayer was as to why the religious leaders of that day were plotting against God’s Kingdom. I would hope God’s Kingdom is not what we see on earth today. Sorry but I don’t believe this passage is talking about a king or ruler on earth physically but in relation to God’s Kingdom. While Jesus dwells in us I don’t think this passage proves anything about him dwelling on earth physically.

As to your last statement, I have to disagree with you here. Jesus is with me personally every day. I talk to him on a regular basis.

As for whether he has bound satan yet for 1000 years this I don’t know. That is where my question lies

 

[Drew]

I understand Acts 4 to be relating to something other than a physical throne here on earth.

I never claimed, and would not claim, that Jesus is enthroned on a real throne here in this world. But that does not mean He is not king.

Their prayer was as to why the religious leaders of that day were plotting against God’s Kingdom. I would hope God’s Kingdom is not what we see on earth today.

Well, the Bible is actually quite clear - the kingdom is "here on earth today". What does Jesus say as final instructions?:

All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

And there are many other Biblical reasons to understand that the kingdom of God has already been initiated:

But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

People will try to argue that Jesus is presently king of the "spiritual" domain, but not of the "material" domain. That is a false distinction that the Bible does not support.

 

[seekandlisten]

I still have to disagree, sorry. All authority in heavens and earth being given to Jesus was his inheritence, the rights of the firstborn. This authority would have been given to Adam had he not disobeyed, Moses had he not disobeyed, and so on until we come to the fulfillment of the promise Jesus. The Kingdom of God 'coming upon us' is Christ dwelling in us and yes casting out demons would definitly be a sign of this.

Just on a side note in relation to Satan ruling the earth. I kind of beg do differ here and ask the question, did satan ever really have any authority or did he just deceive us into thinking that?

 

[Drew]

I still have to disagree, sorry. All authority in heavens and earth being given to Jesus was his inheritence, the rights of the firstborn.

I am not sure what you are saying. If Jesus has been given authority on earth, how does that give you any "wiggle room" to claim that He is not presently King. I am not sure what you mean by an "inheritance". Can you clarify?

This authority would have been given to Adam had he not disobeyed, Moses had he not disobeyed, and so on until we come to the fulfillment of the promise Jesus. The Kingdom of God 'coming upon us' is Christ dwelling in us and yes casting out demons would definitly be a sign of this.

You seem to think that the "kingdom" that is here now is "within us" and does not extend to the "world out there". I suggest that you will not be able to defend such a distinction Biblically. "All authority on earth" does not mean "Authority on earth limited to the inner world of believers". Besides, and as per my previous post, the following prayer shows that John and Peter did not believe that Jesus' Kingship was "inside us only":

26The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers gather together
against the Lord
and against his Anointed One

This a decidedly public and political issue, not merely an "interior one". I suggest that you are "inserting" a "spirit domain" vs "public domain" that is simply never countenanced in the scriptures - there is simply no such thing as a being "king" of a spiritual domain only.

Just on a side note in relation to Satan ruling the earth. I kind of beg do differ here and ask the question, did satan ever really have any authority or did he just deceive us into thinking that?

I believe that Satan did have authority, prior to the cross. But the scriptures are clear - at the cross, Satan is deposed by Jesus.

 

[seekandlisten]

I still have to disagree, sorry. All authority in heavens and earth being given to Jesus was his inheritence, the rights of the firstborn.

I am not sure what you are saying. If Jesus has been given authority on earth, how does that give you any "wiggle room" to claim that He is not presently King. I am not sure what you mean by an "inheritance". Can you clarify?I'll try but I make no promises. What are your thoughts on when the bible calls Jesus the firstborn of creation? We know Adam was the first one created right? He was given the promise as long as he obeyed God's one command he would live eternally in God's creation having authority over God's creation. He disobeyed and lost his rights/inheritance as firstborn. We see throughout the OT of God making promises in regards to the firstborn and these being passed on as people disobeyed. Example, Moses and God's Chosen people were promised their land yet this land was taken away and God's Chosen One's scattered across the earth due to disobedience. Jesus paid the price for once and for all for sin, claiming Adam's firstborn rights(God's promise), and hence all God's promises will be restored to the true believers when Jesus returns to take his throne on earth. I know this is just a basic overview but I hope it helps clarify what I meant here.

This authority would have been given to Adam had he not disobeyed, Moses had he not disobeyed, and so on until we come to the fulfillment of the promise Jesus. The Kingdom of God 'coming upon us' is Christ dwelling in us and yes casting out demons would definitly be a sign of this.

You seem to think that the "kingdom" that is here now is "within us" and does not extend to the "world out there". I suggest that you will not be able to defend such a distinction Biblically. "All authority on earth" does not mean "Authority on earth limited to the inner world of believers". Besides, and as per my previous post, the following prayer shows that John and Peter did not believe that Jesus' Kingship was "inside us only":

26The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers gather together
against the Lord
and against his Anointed One

This a decidedly public and political issue, not merely an "interior one". I suggest that you are "inserting" a "spirit domain" vs "public domain" that is simply never countenanced in the scriptures - there is simply no such thing as a being "king" of a spiritual domain only.I'm not seeing how you come to your conclusion sorry. We can clearly see even now leaders of present earth against Jesus and God's Kingdom. Look around you this isn't God's Kingdom. We are living in the world we, man, created not God. I'm beginning to think that you think 'heaven' is somewhere else not here on earth, restored to God's perfection?

Just on a side note in relation to Satan ruling the earth. I kind of beg do differ here and ask the question, did satan ever really have any authority or did he just deceive us into thinking that?

I believe that Satan did have authority, prior to the cross. But the scriptures are clear - at the cross, Satan is deposed by Jesus.

I don't think satan ever had any power. He deceived Adam and Eve into thinking they would gain something by disobeying God even when they had everything. He's been trying to keep us out of God's Kingdom ever since. He knows we were created to be higher than him in God's Kingdom. You could say that at the cross Jesus paid the debt for sin but I think the first few centuries after Jesus death would say that satan was still quite active in deceiving people.