Satan Is No Longer "The Prince [ruler] Of This World."

[Jack Hectorman]

Argument # 1
The Facts Stated In John 12:27-33

The Lord Christ Predicts His Death [this is what dethroned Satan]

27 “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!”

Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
John 12:27-33

The text says "now the prince of this world [Satan] will be driven out."

• When is this taking place? Answer: "... now ..." v. 31

• What is taking place? Answer: A "judgment on this world" v.31 [Satan and evil are being judged here]

• What else is taking place? Answer: a driving out is taking place ["... will be driven out ..." v.31]

• Who is being driven out? Answer: "... the prince of this world ..." [Satan] v.31

• How is he being driven out? Answer: By the death of the Lord Jesus on the cross [being announced right here in this passage v.27 and v.32 and v. 33]

Based upon John 12:27-33 [and other passages too] we may confidently say that Satan is NOT any longer the prince of this world, but has "now" been "driven out."

I interpret John 12:27-33 to specifically make the point that when the Lord Christ died on the cross He by that Act, and at that time, voided and reversed Satan as "prince of the world."


My argument is NOT that Satan no longer has the power to lead humans astray, I only argue that Satan is not now any longer the "prince [or ruler] of this world"

_____________________________



Argument # 2
The fact Stated In Matthew 28:18

We saw in John 12: 27-33 that Satan was dethroned as the "prince of this world" and the Lord Christ was enthroned as the Prince Of This World via His obedience unto death on the cross. We also know from other New Testament texts that the Lord Jesus was given a name above every name and is now seated at the right hand of God [which is the place of absolute power and authority.]

Matthew 28:18
"Then Jesus came to them and said, “ All authority in heaven and on earth has been [past tense] given to me."

In other words, its a done deal. The Lord Christ NOW has ALL authority both in Heaven AND ON EARTH.

Satan lost his power as "prince of this world" when the Lord Christ was crucified and resurrected from the dead. The Lord Christ is now the Prince Of This World and now has all power and all authority both in Heaven and here "on Earth."



________________________


Argument # 3
The Facts Stated In Ephesians 1:18-23

18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Here are the important phrases from Ephesians 1:18-23 that clearly say that when God raised
Christ from the dead that THEREAFTER the following was the reality, namely that Satan was no
longer the "prince of this world" but instead the Lord Christ was all that is listed below: [My
commentary is in blue ink]

• "the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and" [the Crucifixion and Resurrection was the foundation of all that follows below]

• "seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms" [this is the place of absolute power and absolute authority ... see again Matthew 28:18 "Then Jesus said ... All authority in Heaven and on Earth has been given to me."]

•"far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked" [Christ and His absolute power and absolute authority is far above any "name that can be invoked" and that most certainly includes the name of now dethroned Satan]

• "not only in the present age" [this phrase 100%-totally removes any doubt about the when of Christ's absolute power and absolute authority. It is inarguably right NOW]

• "And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything" [Its clear as a bell: Christ right NOW is "head over everything" and that most certainly includes Satan]

• "him [Christ] who fills everything in every way" [A great statement at the end of a great and magnificent New Testament passage.]


_______________________________


Question:
What about what Satan said in Luke 4:5-7

5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.”__Satan

(1) My main reply to Luke chapter 4 is that this was BEFORE the death of the Lord Christ on the cross. Remember in John 12:27-33 up there, it was the death of the Lord Jesus on the cross that was the POWER that reversed and voided Satan as "prince of this world."

(2) Another thing that could be said is that Satan was lying in Luke 4: 5-7 [Jesus said Satan was the "father of lies" so Satan could have been lying.]

But let us assume for argument's sake that Satan was telling the truth in Luke 4:5-7. If he was telling the truth, then I would point out that Luke 4 takes place at the very beginning of the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus and again way BEFORE His death on the cross, and so on this view Satan WAS telling the truth when he said all the authority and splendor of the earth "has been given to me", but again Satan lost ALL OF THAT in John 12:27-33 by the Act of Jesus death on the cross and later resurrection from the dead.

Conclusion: Satan is NOT now the ruler of this world.

Who is the ruler of this present world? Answer: The Lord Christ is NOW the ruler of this world.
"Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been [past tense] given to me."
Mathew 28:18

Again, in other words, its a done deal. The Lord Christ NOW has ALL authority both in Heaven AND ON EARTH.

[Satan lost his power as "prince of this world" when the Lord Christ was crucified and resurrected from the dead.]

Satan nonetheless still has great powers in this world and we Christians must daily read our Bibles, pray to the Lord for help and guidance, and trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to strengthen us against the schemes of Satan.

But it is a huge blessing to my heart and mind to know that Satan is no longer the "prince of this world", rather it is the Lord Christ who is the Prince of this world.

♫ ♪ ♫ ♪

My main interest in this subject is devotional, and not so much theological.
Its just a great blessing to me to know that this world is being ruled by the
Lord Christ, and that Satan has been defeated by the Death and
Resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

`

 

[Genesis Owl]

That makes the later scripture in 1 Peter 5:8 a bit confusing.

 

[Jack Hectorman]

That makes the later scripture in 1 Peter 5:8 a bit confusing.

Hi Genesis Owl,

It was because of the truths of 1 Peter 5:8 that I wrote these two sentences in the Opening Post:

The first statement was:

My argument is NOT that Satan no longer has the power to lead humans astray, I only argue that Satan is not now any longer the "prince [or ruler] of this world"

And the other said this:

Satan nonetheless still has great powers in this world and we Christians must daily read our Bibles, pray to the Lord for help and guidance, and trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to strengthen us against the schemes of Satan.

♫

 

[Jack Hectorman]

Even BEFORE Satan was dethroned as the "prince of this world" by the power of the Death and Resurrection
of the Lord Christ, Satan still had to ask permission before he could do what he did to Job. So at the very
height of his powers Satan had to come to God and ask permission before he could exercise his "princely"
powers.

Later in the New Testament again BEFORE Satan was defeated by the power of the Death and Resurrection
of the Lord Christ and when Satan was at the height of his powers, the Lord Jesus told Peter that Satan had
asked permission to sift Peter and the rest of the Apostles like wheat.

Luke 22:31 New International Version (NIV)
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.

These two passages [Job and Luke 22:31] are evidence that Satan NEVER was the true ruler-prince of this
world, but it was the Sovereign God who permitted Satan to have even the power that he did have, which
was so little power that Satan had to ask permission from the Sovereign God before he could afflict Job
or sift Peter and the other Apostles.

♦

 

[childeye]

Sit here until I make all your enemies your footstool.

 

[Genesis Owl]

Yes, I saw that.
When Jesus is Lord of this earth, and Satan still roams seeking souls to devour, it remains a bit confusing none the less. Jesus took the sins of the world upon himself on the cross, so Satan should have lost all power to tempt people to that which Jesus bore upon himself on the cross. And then established himself as sovereign in the realm wherein all that was necessary due to our sin nature being stoked by the Satan that was lord of the earth prior.

 

[Jack Hectorman]

Sit here until I make all your enemies your footstool.

Hello childeye,

A beautiful and magnificent ↑ verse [and Biblical doctrine.]

Your verse brought to mind another magnificent verse, this time from the New Testament:

24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he “has put everything under his feet.”[c] Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
1 Cor. 15:24-25

I note the verse says the end of *time will not come until the Lord Christ has put all His enemies under His feet.

*The phrase "Then the end will come" can't mean anything other than the end of time. Verse 24 and 25 are
specifically talking about time and what will happen BEFORE time ends.

___________________


It was the word "footstool" in your verse up there, that reminded me of the phrase "enemies under His feet" in 1 Cor.15:25

Here is your magnificent verse just in case some might be interested in reading all of it.

The Lord says to my lord:
“Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.”
Psalm 110:1

Quoted in the New Testament
several times:
Matthew 22:44
Mark 12:36
Luke 20:43
Acts 2:35

♫

 

[tim-from-pa]

My only issue with this premise as a whole is that the OP is quoting de jure rights but the operations yet are de facto, which is what effectively is in place yet pragmatically speaking. In other words, it matters not if Satan is positionally defeated. The fact is that he still operates as the Prince of the power of the air and will continue to do so until he is bound as Revelation speaks. The death on the cross is the basis for that defeat, but as with salvation or individual people, it has not been put into place for all yet until the Kingdom of God. That is... unless this is one of those Preterist positions which I don't ascribe to. So I won't debate the positional premise, but I will say Satan has and operates as if he has very much power yet, and presently deceives the world.

 

[Genesis Owl]

That's how I understand scripture. I also do not subscribe to Preterist philosophy.


Psalm 5:4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.

Ephesians 2

 

[Jack Hectorman]

Yes, I saw that.
When Jesus is Lord of this earth, and Satan still roams seeking souls to devour, it remains a bit confusing none the less. Jesus took the sins of the world upon himself on the cross, so Satan should have lost all power to tempt people to that which Jesus bore upon himself on the cross. And then established himself as sovereign in the realm wherein all that was necessary due to our sin nature being stoked by the Satan that was lord of the earth prior.

Owl, I understand how you feel and I guess it is a little confusing. Maybe it will be less confusing if we think of Satan being defeated and dethroned so that now Christianity and the gospel can slowly and incrementally progress and expand throughout the world [as it is certainly doing.]

We know that Christianity started in the 1st century with only a handful of Christians [Jesus' handpicked disciples] and now [historically speaking] a mere 2000 years later Christianity is over 2,000,000,000 strong worldwide, and growing like wildfire in places like China, Africa, and Latin America.

Therefore we have to conclude that Christianity is making progress in the world even though that progress appears to be very slow from our impatient human viewpoint. The gospel works like yeast to convert the world to Christianity, and one thing that makes this possible is the fact that the Lord Christ defeated and dethroned Satan by His Death and Resurrection. [John 12:27-33]

The principle of the yeast:
Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.” Luke 13:20-21

___________________

Imo, all of our orthodox commentaries on John 12:27-33 will agree that John 12:27-33 teaches that Satan was defeated and dethroned by the Death and Resurrection of the Lord Christ and is now no longer "the prince of this world', rather the Lord Christ is the Prince and the Ruler of this present world.

I have not checked all the commentaries of course, but I checked Adam Clark and John Calvin on Luke 12:27-33 and they both agree this is what the text says.


Here is another that agrees, Matthew Henry's commentary on John 12:27-33

"The sin of our souls was the troubled of Christ's soul, when he undertook to redeem and save us, and to make his soul an offering for our sin. Christ was willing to suffer, yet prayed to be saved from suffering. Prayer against trouble may well agree with patience under it, and submission to the will of God in it. Our Lord Jesus undertook to satisfy God's injured honour, and he did it by humbling himself. The voice of the Father from heaven, which had declared him to be his beloved Son, at his baptism, and when he was transfigured, was heard proclaiming that He had both glorified his name, and would glorify it. Christ, reconciling the world to God by the merit of his death, broke the power of death, and cast out Satan as a destroyer. Christ, bringing the world to God by the doctrine of his cross, broke the power of sin, and cast out Satan as a deceiver. The soul that was at a distance from Christ, is brought to love him and trust him. Jesus was now going to heaven, and he would draw men's hearts to him thither. There is power in the death of Christ to draw souls to him."
http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=43&c=12
.

"Christ, reconciling the world to God by the merit of his death, broke the power of death, and cast out Satan as a destroyer. Christ, bringing the world to God by the doctrine of his cross, broke the power of sin, and cast out Satan as a deceiver." __Matthew Henry

What is bolded red up there is a great blessing and a great encouragement to my heart and mind as I live in a world that increasingly appears to be losing it's political and theological sanity.

♫

 

[Jack Hectorman]

I also do not subscribe to Preterist philosophy.

Just for the record I do not subscribe to Preterist philosophy or Preterist eschatology either.
You did not say I did, but I wanted to make it clear that I do not hold Preterist views.

My interest in this subject is far more devotional than it is theological,
though I have no intention of ever denying the clear theological facts
presented by the Biblical texts up-thread in the OP and in my other
posts that came after the OP.

________________

Devotionally the facts presented in these passages . . . .

• John 12:27-33
• Matthew 28:18
• Eph. 1:18-23
• 1 Cor. 15:24-25

. . . are a huge blessing and enormous personal comfort to my mind and heart
and I look at these 4 passages [and other like passages] as a source of encouragement
and faith and hope in my personal devotional life for all the reasons I have presented in
this thread.


♫

 

[Genesis Owl]

Just for the record I do not subscribe to Preterist philosophy or Preterist eschatology either.
You did not say I did, but I wanted to make it clear that I do not hold Preterist views.

♫

You are correct. I did not imply that you did. I appreciate your clarification for the record.



Where do you believe Satan is, now that he's dethroned from having influence as prince of the air here on earth?

Owl, I understand how you feel and I guess it is a little confusing. Maybe it will be less confusing if we think of Satan being defeated and dethroned so that now Christianity and the gospel can slowly and incrementally progress and expand throughout the world [as it is certainly doing.]

We know that Christianity started in the 1st century with only a handful of Christians [Jesus' handpicked disciples] and now [historically speaking] a mere 2000 years later Christianity is over 2,000,000,000 strong worldwide, and growing like wildfire in places like China, Africa, and Latin America.

Therefore we have to conclude that Christianity is making progress in the world even though that progress appears to be very slow from our impatient human viewpoint. The gospel works like yeast to convert the world to Christianity, and one thing that makes this possible is the fact that the Lord Christ defeated and dethroned Satan by His Death and Resurrection. [John 12:27-33]

The principle of the yeast:
Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.” Luke 13:20-21

___________________

Imo, all of our orthodox commentaries on John 12:27-33 will agree that John 12:27-33 teaches that Satan was defeated and dethroned by the Death and Resurrection of the Lord Christ and is now no longer "the prince of this world', rather the Lord Christ is the Prince and the Ruler of this present world.

I have not checked all the commentaries of course, but I checked Adam Clark and John Calvin on Luke 12:27-33 and they both agree this is what the text says.


Here is another that agrees, Matthew Henry's commentary on John 12:27-33

"The sin of our souls was the troubled of Christ's soul, when he undertook to redeem and save us, and to make his soul an offering for our sin. Christ was willing to suffer, yet prayed to be saved from suffering. Prayer against trouble may well agree with patience under it, and submission to the will of God in it. Our Lord Jesus undertook to satisfy God's injured honour, and he did it by humbling himself. The voice of the Father from heaven, which had declared him to be his beloved Son, at his baptism, and when he was transfigured, was heard proclaiming that He had both glorified his name, and would glorify it. Christ, reconciling the world to God by the merit of his death, broke the power of death, and cast out Satan as a destroyer. Christ, bringing the world to God by the doctrine of his cross, broke the power of sin, and cast out Satan as a deceiver. The soul that was at a distance from Christ, is brought to love him and trust him. Jesus was now going to heaven, and he would draw men's hearts to him thither. There is power in the death of Christ to draw souls to him."
http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=43&c=12
.

"Christ, reconciling the world to God by the merit of his death, broke the power of death, and cast out Satan as a destroyer. Christ, bringing the world to God by the doctrine of his cross, broke the power of sin, and cast out Satan as a deceiver." __Matthew Henry

What is bolded red up there is a great blessing and a great encouragement to my heart and mind as I live in a world that increasingly appears to be losing it's political and theological sanity.

♫

 

[Jack Hectorman]

You are correct. I did not imply that you did. I appreciate your clarification for the record.

Glad I could clarify.

Where do you believe Satan is, now that he's dethroned from having influence as prince of the air here on earth?

I understand what you mean up there, but I don't hold the view that Satan no longer has influence. I think he does have influence,
but he no longer has the power of the position he once had according to the clear teaching of John 12:27-33 and Matt. 28:18 and
Eph.1:18-23. The Death and Resurrection of the Lord Christ dethroned Satan from his position as "prince of this world." [The text
of John 12:27-33 makes that crystal clear.]

To answer your question regarding where Satan is now:

I'm with you, I think Satan is actively here working on earth doing what the Apostle Peter said he was doing in 1 Peter 5:8-9
and that we should, as Peter said, "Resist him, standing firm in the faith." (v.9)

I think Satan causes a lot of trouble in both the world and in the Christian Church, but I know for a fact that he has already lost
the war and that our side wins the battle for the world because of the power of the Death and Resurrection of the Lord Christ.

♫

 

[reba]

Joh_16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

 

[tim-from-pa]

I take issue with the 2,000,000,000 Christians part, as that is not a "little flock", but rather nominal Christians only. However, I guess that's another topic.

 

[jonahmano]

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: (Ephesians 2:..)

How about this then?

 

[Genesis Owl]

Glad I could clarify.



I understand what you mean up there, but I don't hold the view that Satan no longer has influence. I think he does have influence,
but he no longer has the power of the position he once had according to the clear teaching of John 12:27-33 and Matt. 28:18 and
Eph.1:18-23. The Death and Resurrection of the Lord Christ dethroned Satan from his position as "prince of this world." [The text
of John 12:27-33 makes that crystal clear.]

To answer your question regarding where Satan is now:

I'm with you, I think Satan is actively here working on earth doing what the Apostle Peter said he was doing in 1 Peter 5:8-9
and that we should, as Peter said, "Resist him, standing firm in the faith." (v.9)

I think Satan causes a lot of trouble in both the world and in the Christian Church, but I know for a fact that he has already lost
the war and that our side wins the battle for the world because of the power of the Death and Resurrection of the Lord Christ.

♫

A very good. I was reading you to say that Satan was not a factor at all in the world.

Joh_16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Perfect! Given the context of this discussion overall. Thank you for sharing that here.

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: (Ephesians 2:..)

How about this then?

What about it? That is one of the epistles (letters) Paul wrote to the gentile congregation of the church at Ephesus. Like unto those he wrote to those in Colossae.

 

[Kathi]

Hi Genesis Owl,

It was because of the truths of 1 Peter 5:8 that I wrote these two sentences in the Opening Post:

The first statement was:



And the other said this:


♫

If satan is no longer the Prince of this world who is?I am sure satan would like that lie to be believed.

 

[reba]

Joh 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

Literal words of Jesus

 

[jonahmano]

A very good. I was reading you to say that Satan was not a factor at all in the world.



Perfect! Given the context of this discussion overall. Thank you for sharing that here.
What about it? That is one of the epistles (letters) Paul wrote to the gentile congregation of the church at Ephesus. Like unto those he wrote to those in Colossae.

You are mistaken. Holy Spirit from the mind of Paul says that they walked according to the course of this world. Here we don't read that Satan terminating his power as prince of the power of the air.