Prince of this World

)The Bible talks about a prince that ruled over this planet. But this ruler was dethroned or “Cast Out” of his earthly rule.

“Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.” (John 12:31)

“Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.” (John 14:30)

“Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.” (John 16:11)

A King’s Crown Stolen

How did this ruler become King of this world? Scripture says that it is God who sets up kings and removes them.

“And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:” (Daniel 2:21)

Yet we see that this king was ruler over the entire planet. Scripture points to Satan as being this earthly king. Why would God appoint Satan as the ruler of this world? In truth, this rulership or kingship was bestowed upon Adam and Eve.

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:26)

It is not a small matter for God to give dominion or rulership to the first human pair on this planet. It was God’s design for them to care for it and be a guiding light in leadership for all who came after them. Adam as the head, was the prince (king) of this world, and Eve was the queen. They maintained this position as long as they served and obeyed the master that gave them this honor and dominion. However, as we know, they changed loyalties. They followed a different leader so by default, this new leader as their new head, took charge of whatever they possessed.

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Romans 6:16)

This is how Satan became Prince of this world. And so, all responsibilities that once belonged to Adam were now transferred to Satan. This was not God’s plan, but God honors the choices that His created beings make. Since God made man with free will, He also allows the consequences these choices produce. Adam was the head of this planet. He was the representative and ruler of it and anything that transpired on it was His to deal with. When Adam sinned, this dominion shifted over to Satan.

Council Meetings Attended by Heavenly Dignitaries

The Bible speaks of a heavenly council that met regularly to keep all the universal inhabitants abreast of the latest universal news.

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.” (Job 1:6)

“Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord.” (Job 2:1)

“And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. And the Lord said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said, I will persuade him. And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.” (1 Kings 22:19-22)

In all these three occasions we see that Satan was the one present in these heavenly councils making decisions, suggestions, and accusations as a representative of this planet. It was supposed to be Adam’s place to be present at these councils. But because Adam gave over rulership of this planet to Satan due to his sin, Satan by default became the prince of this world. God honored Satan’s rulership because He honored Adam's gift of choice, be it right or wrong. Since Satan was the representative prince of this planet, it is logical to assume that all the other attendees were representative rulers of all the other inhabited planets.

The Crown Retrieved

Satan’s dominion over this world was short-lived. It lasted approximately 4000 years. When Christ came down to this planet in the form of a mortal man, it was His aim to take back this dominion or rulership and give it back to Adam. Since Adam was unable to hold on to his kingship, Christ became in essence, the second Adam. Christ bought back with His blood what Adam freely gave to Satan.

Satan no longer is the prince of this world, Christ is. Satan is nothing more than a defeated foe trying to take as many as he can to the flames where he is destined. One day soon, the two Adams will meet face to face and Christ will make Adam king of this earth once more.

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