Principalities and Spiritual Warfare

Principalities (Satan Class of Angels) And Spiritual Warfare

The Greek word pronounced ar-khay literally means a beginning (the English word "archaic" originated from that Greek word), but was used to signify a first rule, or a first principle (i.e. in how the word "constitution" is used in the modern-day world), and further, a chief officer of that principle, or the territory under its, or his, jurisdiction.

In the King James Version, that Greek word, ar-khay, is usually translated as "principalities" or "principality." The definition of English "principalities" very well matches the meaning of the actual Greek word that it is used to translate. According to The Consolidated Webster Encyclopedic Dictionary, "principality" means "sovereignty; supreme power; a prince, or one invested with sovereignty; the territory of a prince, or the country which gives title to a prince" (the English word "principal" is merely a more specific definition of that "prince" i.e. again from The Consolidated Webster Encyclopedic Dictionary, a "principal" means "first in time or order."

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness"

Ranks of fallen angels

Principalities are one in the ranking or hierarchy of fallen angels. They are part of a list of angelic beings given to us in Colossians 1: 16. “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers (principalities in many translations) or authorities – all things have been created by Him and for Him.”

Our scriptural references regarding principalities, however, are limited to the bad or fallen angels or demonic forces. We know that they are against us and we are in a war against their power and influence and wickedness.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers (same as principalities), against the powers, against the

world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) These guys are bad dudes!

On the other hand there are two very good things to know. First, they cannot come between God and us. Romans 8:38 says “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Principalities and Powers -

Ephesians 6:12 describes the satanic hierarchy of the kingdom of

darkness, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against

principalities (#746), against powers (#1849), against the rulers of the

darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

Believer’s must understand that we do not wrestle or contend with flesh

and blood (a Hebraism for human beings); but we are in a spiritual conflict

with the rulers and powers of the kingdom of darkness. The Amplified says,

“For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with

physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers,

against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present

darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly

(supernatural) sphere.”

By using the phrase “principalities and powers,” Paul is telling us that there

is a hierarchical structure to the kingdom of darkness; where fallen angels,

evil spirits, and demons are ranked one above the other according to their

power and authority. These evil spirits exercise influence over people,

geographical areas, cities and nations; and must be successfully dealt with

to experience revival in those areas. For instance, Daniel 10:12-13

speaks of the spiritual ruler that operated over the ancient nation of Persia,

who’s power was broken by the prayers of Daniel (covered later in this

article).

“Principalities” are the chief rulers of the kingdom of darkness; they are

first in rank or power and constitute a high order of evil spirits. Every place

you see the word “principality” in the KJV New Testament, it is the Greek

noun #746 “arche” which Vine’s Dictionary defines as that which is first in

time, order, or place. “Arche” is used seven times in the scriptures to

denote angelic or demonic rulers.

The word “powers” is the Greek noun #1849 “exousia” and means one

who possesses authority or influence. It is used in Ephesians 6:12 to

represent the angelic or demonic authorities that operate in the spirit

realm.

Ephesians 6:12 also speaks about the “rulers of the darkness of this

world,” which is only found in this verse. “Rulers” is translated from the

Greek noun “kosmokrator”, which Thayer’s Lexicon defines as lord of the

world, the prince of this age. It is a compound word that is derived

from #2889 “kosmos” (the present world order which includes the worldly

affairs of mankind) and #2904 “kratos” (dominion, power, ruler).

The last group mentioned was “spiritual wickedness” (or, wicked spirits)

that operate in high places, which is translated from the Greek #2032

“epouranios” and refers to the dwelling place of God as well as the

abode of angels and evil spirits. Vine’s dictionary says

“epouranios”, also translated “heavenly places”, refers to the

sphere of activity or existence that is above, in contrast to that of

the earth.

Vine’s Dictionary states: The context of Ephesians 6:12 (“not against

flesh and blood”) shows that not earthly potentates are indicated, but spirit

powers; who, in consequence of human sin, exercise satanic and therefore

antagonistic authority over the world in its present condition of spiritual

darkness and alienation from God.

Daniel 9 and 10 -

The clearest picture we have of a satanic principality ruling over a nation

and its people is found in the ninth and tenth chapters of the book of

Daniel. These chapter’s describe what happened after Daniel set himself to

fast and pray until he received revelation concerning the prophetic future

of the nation of Israel (who was being held captive by the nation of

Persia).

After twenty-one days of seeking the Lord, an angel approached Daniel

and explained why it took so long for his prayers to be answered. Daniel

10:12-13 records the angels’ words, “Then he said unto me, Fear not,

Daniel; for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to

understand.... thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But

the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days;

but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained

there with the kings of Persia.”

Notice, the angel was sent to answer Daniel’s prayer on the first day of his

fast, but he was hindered in his journey by the prince of the kingdom of

Persia.

Both mentions of the word “prince” in this verse are translated from the

Hebrew #8269 “sar”, which means a chief ruler, leader or commander over

an army. Since the earthly ruler of Persia could not hinder an angel from

completing his assignment, and the chief prince Michael is commonly

known to be an angel of the highest order, the term “prince of Persia”

must refer to the satanic ruler of the spiritual kingdom of darkness that

operated over the physical nation of Persia.

There are principalities that rule in the realm of the spirit over cities,

regions, nations and governments. Some of these spiritual powers are

good, and some are evil. Revelation 12:7 tells us, “And there was a war

in heaven (“ouranos” - the abode of God, as well as the spirit realm);

Michael and his angels fought against the dragon (satan); and the dragon

fought and his angels, and prevailed not...” Angelic forces are doing battle

in the heavenly realm, fighting one another to gain control over the regions

of the earth.

Daniel 10:13 referred to the angel Michael as one of the chief princes;

which is the Hebrew #7223 “ri’shown”, and means first or chief in degree

and authority. Everytime you find the angel Michael mentioned in scripture,

he is doing battle with the spiritual forces of darkness.

A messenger angel was dispatched to bring Daniel revelation from God

concerning the prophetic future of the nation of Israel; but he did not

possess enough power or authority to break through the forces of darkness

that were controlling the spiritual regions above Persia. So, Michael (a chief

prince) was sent to engage the forces of darkness and to open up a

highway for the lesser angel to pass through and deliver God’s message to

Daniel.

The last part of verse thirteen says, “...I remained there with the kings of

Persia,” indicating that the messenger angel was restricted by the forces of

darkness until Michael set him free, allowing him to resume his journey.

Then, after he delivered his message, the angel said in Daniel 10:20,

“...and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I am

gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.” The angel had to fight his

way back out of the earthly kingdom by doing battle, once again, with the

satanic principality that ruled over Persia.

It’s important for us to realize that Daniel’s prayers were the catalyst that

released the angelic forces of God to break the stronghold the prince of

darkness had over the nation of Persia. Once the satanic principality was

broken, the earthly kingdom of Persia was finished as a world power.

History tells us that the kingdom of Greece rose to greatness in 334 B.C.

and destroyed the Persian empire. The prince of Grecia, which refers to the

satanic principality that governed over the Grecian Empire, empowered

Alexander the Great and his armies to conquer much of the world.

This story clearly indicates the power and authority that angelic

principalities have over nations and regions of the earth. It also tells us the

important role that our prayers have in releasing the forces of God to break

the devil’s stronghold. The angel told Daniel, “... I am come for thy words.”

In other words, Daniel’s prayers were the active agent that precipitated a

change in the heavenly realm over Persia.

In Matthew 6:10, Jesus told us to pray, “Thy will be done in earth, as it

is in heaven (“ouranos” - the dwelling place of God, and the abode of

angels).” God’s will is not automatically worked in the earth or in your life;

it must be prayed through.

In Matthew 11:12, Jesus said, “...the kingdom of heaven (“ouranos”)

suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force (“harpazo” - to seize and

take by force, to pull up).” The spirit world can be a violent and intense

place.

Jesus talked about the church’s authority and how we need to take

authority over the heavenlies in Matthew 16:18,19, “...the gates of hell

shall not prevail against it (the church). And I will give unto thee the keys

of the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall

be bound in heaven (#3772 “ouranos” - the realm of the spirit); and

whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Keys are a symbol of authority; they lock and unlock, they bind and loose.

Jesus was teaching that He has given to the church the authority to bind

and to loose on the earth what has already been bound and loosed in the

spirit realm.

Psalms 115:16 says, “The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; but

the earth hath He given to the children of men.” The Will of God is not

automatically carried through to completion on the earth. It must be

sought after, prayed through, and then released on the earth by men and

women that possess a strong faith in the power of God.

No matter how much money, aid or support you send to some nations,

they will always be impoverished and governed by tyrants; because they

are being ruled in the spirit realm by principalities and powers of darkness.

Until the stronghold that satan maintains over these nations is broken

through prayer and revival, the people living there will never be free.

Prince of the power of the air -

Since the fall of man, satan is called the prince or ruler of the power of the

air (#109 “aer” - the atmosphere that surrounds the earth). Ephesians

2:2 says, “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this

world, according to the prince (#758 “archon”) of the power (“exousia” -

authority) of the air (#109), the spirit that now worketh in the children of

disobedience.”

The word “prince” is translated from the Greek #758 “archon” and refers

to a ruler, a commander, chief or leader. A ruler or commander must have

an army that he rules over. Luke 11:15 tells us that Beelzebub, or satan,

is the chief (“archon” - ruler and leader) of devils (#1140 “daimonion” -

demons or evil spirits). Satan is the principle authority figure that rules in

the earth’s atmosphere, which is the seat of his authority. He exercises

control and dominion over the hierarchy of demon spirits that oppress

mankind.

The Amplified translation says, “...you were obedient to and under the

control of the [demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of

disobedience [the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go

against the purposes of God.”

In John 12:31, Jesus made a similar statement about the authority of

satan, “Now is the judgment of this world; now shall the prince (“archon” -

ruler or commander) of this world (“kosmos”) be cast out.”

Again, in John 14:30, Jesus said, “Hereafter I will not talk much with you;

for the prince (“archon” - ruler) of this world (“kosmos”) cometh, and hath

nothing in me.”

Jesus clearly taught that Satan is the prince or the ruler of this world

(#2889 “kosmos” - this present world order, which includes the systems

and governments of mankind; or, as Vine’s Dictionary says: the present

condition of human affairs). He is the commander and chief, exercising

authority over the rulers of the darkness of this world; which includes

principalities, authorities, and every wicked spirit.

Paul also declared that “satan” exercises authority as the “god of this

world” in II Corinthians 4:4, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded

the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of

Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

People have mistakenly believed that the Heavenly Father is the

God of this world and they ignorantly blame Him for all the bad

things that happen on this planet. But the scriptures reveal that

Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul clearly taught that satan (not

Jehovah) is the god and ruler of this world. This is why the world

is in such a mess.

But God has a plan to completely restore this world and its

inhabitants by exalting Christ above all principalities and

authority. God never starts anything unless He also has a plan to

finish it.

Christ exalted above principalities -

Colossians 1:16 tells us that all the angels and principalities (the good

and the bad) were originally created by God, “For by Him (or, through

Christ) were all things created, that are in heaven (#3772 “ouranos” - the

realm where God and angels live), and that are in earth, visible and

invisible, whether they be thrones,or dominions, or principalities (“arche”),

or powers (“exousia”); all things were created by Him, and for Him.”

All angels and spiritual rulers were initially given their position

and authority by God. However, when satan rebelled against the

sovereignty and dominion of God, some of these angelic rulers

rebelled with him; and, today, they use their power to work

against the Gospel of Christ and to oppress the nations of the

world.

Jude 1:6 talks about some of the angels that rebelled with satan, “And the

angels which kept not their first estate (“arche” - principality), but left their

own habitation, He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness

unto the judgment of the great day.” These angels (Called the Watchers)

did not remain in their own realm and native state, but rebelled against

God and sought to produce offspring with the women of the earth

(Genesis 6:1-4). While “these” angels have been locked up and no longer

pose a threat to the people of the earth, there are still many other fallen

angels who are ruling as principalities in the kingdom of darkness and

oppressing this planet.

To right these wrongs, God sent Christ to the earth to pay the price for

man’s salvation and to regain the authority over the planet earth.

Ephesians 1:19-21 describes the power that was released when Christ

was raised from the dead, “...the exceeding greatness of His power to us-

ward who believe, according to the working of His might power, Which he

wrought in Christ, when He raised him from the dead, and set him at His

own right hand in the heavenly places (“epouranios”). Far above, all

principality (“arche”), and power (“exousia”), and might, and dominion,

and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that

which is to come.”

Christ has been set at the right hand of God and given authority to reign

over all principalities and powers, both in the spirit realm and in the earthly

realm.

I Peter 3:22 says that Christ, “Who is gone into heaven (“ouranos”), and

is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities (“exousia”) and powers

being subject unto Him.”

Colossians 2:10 adds, “And ye (the Body of Christ) are complete in Him,

which is the head of all principality (“arche”) and power (“exousia”).” When

we accept Jesus Christ as the Lord and saviour of our life, we are seated

with Him, far above every principality and power in the spirit realm.

You are “complete” in Him is translated from the Greek #4137 “pleroo” and

means to be filled to the brim, liberally supplied and consummated.

“Pleroo” is translated “fulfill” fifty-one times in the KJV Bible. When Christ

was raised from the dead, He completely fulfilled all the Old Testament

promises and prophecies, which effected our total release from the

kingdom of darkness.

In fact, Jesus told the disciples in Luke 10:19, “Behold, I give unto you

power (#1849 “exousia” - authority) to tread on serpents and scorpions,

and over all the power (#1411 “dunamis” - power) of the enemy; and

nothing shall by any means hurt you.” We have been given authority over

the devil and over all the power of the enemy (which includes principalities

and powers of darkness).

Christ stripped them of power -

Colossians 2:15 gives us further insight into the change that Christ’s

resurrection brought to the rulers of the kingdom of darkness, “And having

spoiled principalities (“arche”) and powers (“exousia”), he made a shew of

them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

The word “spoiled” is the Greek #554 “apekduomai” and means to strip

off, as in taking off garments that are clothed about one. Jesus stripped off

of himself all the principalities and powers of darkness that were gathered

against Him, and triumphed over them through the power of His

resurrection.

Vine’s Dictionary says that “apekduomai” is in the middle voice and should

be translated “having put off from Himself (the principalities and the

powers). “There is no doubt that satan and his hosts gathered together to

attack the soul of Christ, while He was enduring, in propitiatory sacrifice,

the judgment due to our sins. Doubtless the powers of darkness gathered

against the Lord at that time, fiercely assaulting Him to the utmost of their

power. The metaphor of putting off from Himself these powers... seems to

stand simply as a vivid description of His repulsion of their attack and of

the power by which he completely overthrew them.”

When Jesus triumphed over these forces of darkness and stripped them off

of Himself, He opened the door for anyone who genuinely puts their faith

in Jesus’ sacrifice to escape the punishment of “hell”. At the same time,

Christ fully empowered us, through the power that is in the Name of Jesus,

to successfully resist all the devil’s attacks against our body, our mind and

our spirit.

Colossians 2:15 also tells us that Christ, “...made a shew of them openly,

triumphing over them in it.” The word “triumphing” is translated from the

Greek #2358 “thriambeuo” and means to celebrate and lead a triumphal

procession. Vine’s Dictionary says, as a victor displays his captives or

trophies in a triumphal procession, Christ showed the angelic beings in

their true inferiority.

Colossians 1:13 states that Christ’s resurrection, “...hath delivered us

from the power (“exousia” - authority) of darkness, and hath translated us

into the kingdom of His dear Son.” When Christ triumphed over the

principalities of darkness, He delivered the people of God from satan’s

authority and translated them into the Kingdom of Light. The kingdom of

darkness no longer has any authority to rule over your life (if you are a

child of God).

Ephesians 3:3-11 further talks about God’s plan of redemption for

mankind, which the Apostle Paul calls a mystery or a secret, and declares

that it is made known only by Divine revelation (which Paul now

possessed). In verse nine, Paul wrote that he was commissioned to,

“...make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery which from the

beginning of the world hath been hid in God...”

The angelic realm (which included satan and the principalities of darkness)

did not possess any revelation of God’s plan of redemption for mankind. It

was a mystery to them.

Paul wrote in I Corinthians 2:7-8, But we speak the wisdom of God in a

mystery (#3466 “mysterion” - a hidden, secret thing), even the hidden

wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory. Which none

of the princes (“ archon”) of this world knew; for had they known it, they

would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” The kingdom of darkness had

no idea of God’s plan; otherwise, they would have never worked to crucify

Jesus. Satan was totally surprised when Christ was raised from the dead; it

was a shock to him.

Colossians 1:26 says, “Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages

and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints.”

Now that the secret is out, Paul writes in Ephesians 3:10 that the church

is the means of revelation to the “principalities and powers” of the manifold

wisdom of God, “To the intent that now unto the principalities (“arche”)

and powers (“exousia”) in heavenly places (“epouranios”) might be known

by the church the manifold wisdom of God.”

The Amplified says, “The purpose is that through the church the

complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and

innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and

authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere.”

Angels are watching the church with amazement and wonder as the plan of

God that brings redemption to fallen man and, at the same time, justice to

the rebel satan is being played out in the events that are transpiring on the

earth.

At the end of this age, I Corinthians 15:24-25 declares, “Then cometh

the end, when He (Christ) shall have delivered up the kingdom to God,

even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule (#746 “arche” -

principalities), and all authority (“exousia”) and power. For He must reign,

till He hath put all enemies under His feet.”

Until that time, anyone that accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour,

can exercise their authority in Christ and break the demonic chains of

darkness off their life.

Romans 8:38 declares, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor live,

nor angels, nor principalities (“arche”), nor powers (#1411 “dunamis”), nor

things present, nor things to come.... shall be able to separate us from the

love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Earthly principalities -

The Bible also makes reference to earthly principalities and the duty that

we have to them.

Luke 20:20 tells us that the chief priests and scribes sent spies to gather

information against Jesus so they could arrest Him and, “...might deliver

Him unto the power (“arche”), and authority (“exousia”) of the governor.”

Titus 3:1 says that spiritual leaders should teach the church and, “Put

them in mind to be subject to principalities (“arche”), and powers

(“exousia”), to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work.” God’s

people are to obey the rulers and authorities in this present, temporal

world.

Luke 12:11-12, “And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and

unto magistrates (#746 “arche” - principalities), and powers (“exousia”),

take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall

say. For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to

say.”

Romans 13:1-7 in the Amplified Bible says, “Let every person be loyally

subject to the governing (civil) authorities. For there is no authority except

from God [by His permission, His sanction], and those that exist do so by

God's appointment.” While this statement is true in many nations, it is not

true in every nation. Some nations are still being ruled by principalities of

darkness because the people of God have not taken authority over them

and pulled them down.

The Amplified continues, “Therefore he who resists and sets himself up

against the authorities resists what God has appointed and arranged [in

divine order]. And those who resist will bring down judgment upon

themselves [receiving the penalty due them].”

“For civil authorities are not a terror to [people of] good conduct, but to

[those of] bad behavior. Would you have no dread of him who is in

authority? Then do what is right and you will receive his approval and

commendation.”

“For he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, [you should

dread him and] be afraid, for he does not bear and wear the sword for

nothing. He is God's servant to execute His wrath (punishment,

vengeance) on the wrongdoer.”

“Therefore one must be subject, not only to avoid God's wrath and escape

punishment, but also as a matter of principle and for the sake of

conscience.”

“For this same reason you pay taxes, for [the civil authorities] are official

servants under God, devoting themselves to attending to this very service.

Render to all men their dues. [Pay] taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue

to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, and honor to

whom honor is due.”

In other words, we are to obey the laws of the land and pay our taxes.

However, if the nation we live in is being ruled by the kingdom of

darkness, we should obey God rather than man. Our first obligation is to

God and his kingdom. Apostle Paul warn us in Acts 5:29 “ Then Peter and

the other apostles answered and said we ought to obey God rather than

men”. If any Government, King, or ruler ask us to do anything that is

contrary to God then we are not obligated to obey such a order. Example

of this is found in the book of Daniel where King Nebuchadnezzar wanted

to make Daniel’s three companion serve and worship him and his gods.

They refused to bow down to his idols. Because of them disobeying the

king, they were persecuted. See Daniel 1:7-3:30.

Authority -

In Acts 26:18, Jesus gave to the Apostle Paul his commission for ministry.

He said, I am now sending you to the Gentiles, “To open their eyes, and to

turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of satan unto God,

that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance....”

Notice the progression of events. Forgiveness of sins and the inheritance

that is ours through Christ Jesus are received after our eyes have been

opened and after we turn from the power of satan unto the power of God.

There are different words in the Greek New Testament that are translated

“power.” One is the Greek #2479 “ischus” which means physical strength,

force or power. Another is the Greek #1411 “dunamis” which means the

power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, especially miraculous

power or ability.

But the word translated “power” in this verse is the Greek #1849 “exousia”

which means delegated power or authority. In fact, “exousia” is the main

Greek word translated “authority” throughout the New Testament.

So the correct translation of verse eighteen is that we must turn from the

“authority” of satan unto the “authority” of God to receive our inheritance

in Christ.

The dictionary defines authority as the right and power to

command, decide, rule, or judge over another. Authority also

means the power to direct and exact performance from others.

Therefore, the message that God gave Paul to preach to the world

was that we can come out from under satan’s authority (his

power to direct and rule over our lives), and we can now live

under God’s authority (His power to direct and rule over our

lives).

Colossians 1:13 says that God “...hath delivered us from the power

(#1849 “exousia” - authority) of darkness, and hath translated us into the

kingdom of His dear Son.”

Notice that our deliverance isn’t something that will happen in the future

(i.e. when we get to heaven). Paul writes that the Father “hath” already

delivered us out from under satan’s authority (his power to direct and to

rule over our lives), and “hath” already translated us into the authority of

God’s kingdom.

In fact, Jesus told the disciples in Luke 10:19, “Behold, I give unto you

power (#1849 “exousia” - authority) to tread on serpents and scorpions,

and over all the power (#1411 “dunamis” - power) of the enemy; and

nothing shall by any means hurt you.” We have been given authority over

the devil and over all the power of the enemy.

Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood...”

Philipp’s translation says, “...our fight is not against any physical enemy...”

“...but against principalities, against powers (#1849 “exousia” - authority),

against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual

wickedness in high places.” The battle we now wage is the struggle for

authority; who has the most authority in the earth, and who has the most

authority in our lives.

satan’s power -

When Christ was being tempted by the devil, the Bible says in Luke 4:5-6,

“And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all

the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto

him, All this power (#1849 “exousia” - authority) will I give thee, and the

glory of them; for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I

give it.”

Other translations read that the authority over the earth, “...has been

handed over to me....” (NASB). “...for it has been put in my hands...”

(NEB). “...it has been turned over to me, and I give it to whomsoever I

will.” (Amplified).

The authority over the earth and it’s inhabitants was transferred into the

hands of the devil when Adam lost his authority by bowing his knee to sin

in the Garden of Eden.

In Genesis 3:17, God told Adam after he fell into sin, “...cursed is the

ground (#127 “adamah” - the earth, country, land) for thy sake...” The

literal translation reads, Adam, because you crossed over, there is a curse

upon the earth.

When Adam crossed over from God’s kingdom to the kingdom of darkness,

he took all of mankind with him; and the Bible teaches that sin, sickness,

and death began their reign.

Isaiah 24:5,6 says, “The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants

thereof; because they have .... broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore

hath the curse devoured the earth...” Phillips translation says, “...the earth

is under a curse and its people are paying the price...”

We are paying a heavy price because satan has been made the god of this

world. All of the death and destruction that people blame on God is actually

caused by the kingdom of darkness.

II Corinthians 4:4 says, “...the god of this world hath blinded the minds

of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ,

who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

Satan is trying to blind the minds of unbelievers to the gospel of Jesus

Christ; because he knows that once enlightened to the truth, anyone can

break free from the devil’s control through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:2 says that the world is, “...walking according to the course

of this world, according to the “prince of the power (#1849 “exousia” -

authority) of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of

disobedience.”

The Amplified says that the world is “....obedient to and under the control

of the demon spirit that still constantly works in the sons of

disobedience...” Evil spirits exercising authority over nations, over cities,

over families.

But God is never surprised by anything that the devil does. God never

starts something unless He also has a plan to finish it.

The Sacrifice of Christ -

Revelation 13:8 says that Jesus is, “...the Lamb slain from the foundation

of the world.” The word “foundation” is not the usual word for foundation;

rather, it is the Greek #2602 “katabole” which means to cast down or to

overthrow.

In other words, Jesus is the Lamb that was slain from the “overthrow” of

the world, from the very moment that the devil stole the authority over the

earth.

I Peter 1:18-20 says, “...You were redeemed ... with the precious blood

of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot; who verily was

foreordained before the foundation (#2602 “katabole” - overthrow) of the

world, but was manifested in these last times for you.”

Jesus came to the earth as the perfect Lamb of God to strip satan of his

authority and to take away all the sins of the world. He lived a perfect,

spotless, and sinless life; which He gave as the sacrifice for all of mankind’s

sin. In the garden of Gethsamene and upon the cross at Calvary, Jesus was

made to be sin for us so that we could be made the righteousness of God

in Him (II Corinthians 5:21).

Hebrews 2:14 says, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of

flesh and blood, He also himself likewise took part of the same; that

through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is,

the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their

lifetime subject to bondage.”

The word “destroy” is the Greek #2673 “katargeo” and means to render

entirely useless. It is translated to abolish, cease, destroy, do away, make

of none effect, bring to nought, put away, put down, and to make void.

The devil’s authority over your life has been utterly and completely

destroyed by the sacrifice that Jesus gave on Calvary.

And after He was raised from the dead, Jesus said in Matthew 28:18, “All

power (#1849 “exousia” - authority) is given unto me in heaven and in

earth.”

Then, in Revelation 1:18 He said, “I am he that liveth, and was dead;

and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and

of death.” Jesus took the keys of authority back from the devil!

Colossians 2:15 says, “And having spoiled principalities and powers

(#1849 “exousia”), he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them

in it.”

The word “spoiled” is the Greek #554 “apekduomai” and means to strip

off. Jesus stripped off of himself all of the devil’s authority and triumphed

over him through the power of the cross, His death, and His resurrection.

So that now, anyone who genuinely puts their faith in Jesus’ sacrifice can

successfully stand up and resist the devil’s attacks against his body, against

his mind and against his spirit.

Jesus has stripped satan of his authority to rule over your life.

Keys of the Kingdom -

This is what Jesus was talking about in Matthew 16:18,19 when He said,

“...the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (the church). And I will give

unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt

bind on earth shall be bound in heaven (#3772 “ouranos” - the realm of

the spirit); and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in

heaven.”

We have been commissioned by God to walk the paths of restored

rulership. To bind or lock up the enemy everyplace that we find him; and

to loose the people that have been tormented by the kingdom of darkness.

To take authority over the devil and over all of his works; and to restore

the presence of God in the earth.

Revelation 12:10,11 says, “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven,

Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the

power (#1849 “exousia” - authority) of his Christ; for the accuser of our

brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their

testimony....”

What is your testimony? Who’s authority do you live under?

Binding and Loosing -

Matthew 12:28, 29 says, “But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God,

then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Or else how can one enter into

a strong man’s house and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong

man and then he will spoil his house.”

The word translated “bind” is the Greek #1210 “deo” which means to bind,

to fasten, to forbid or prohibit.

In this verse, the strong man is the devil and the house is the life or the

lives of the people that the devil has bound up. Jesus is teaching us that

before we can set the people free, we must first “bind” the strong man that

is keeping them captive.

A perfect example of binding and loosing is found in Luke 13:16, where

Jesus said, “And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham,

whom satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this

bond on the sabbath day?”

This woman had been bowed over with a “spirit of infirmity” for eighteen

years (verse eleven). There was no doctor, no therapy, and no medicine

that could heal her, because the root cause of her sickness was not

physical. A spirit of infirmity had her bound.

Jesus took authority over that spirit and in verse twelve he said,

“...Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.” And then he laid his

hands on her and immediately she was healed.

The word translated “loose” in verse twelve is the Greek #630 “apoluo”

which means to fully free, to relieve, release, dismiss; and is translated to

forgive, let go, loose, send away, set at liberty, divorce, etc. “Apoluo” is a

compound word and comes from #575 “apo” (off and away, denoting

separation, departure) and #3089 “luo” (to loose, to break up, to destroy,

to put off).

Jesus loosed the woman and dismissed off of her the evil spirit that had

kept her bound.

Keys of the Kingdom -

In Matthew 16:18,19 Jesus said, “...the gates of hell shall not prevail

against it (the church). And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of

heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind (#1210 “deo”) on earth shall be

bound (#1210 “deo”) in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose (#3089

“luo”) on earth shall be loosed (#3089 “luo”) in heaven.”

Keys are a symbol of authority; they lock and unlock, they bind and loose.

Jesus was teaching us that He has given to the church the authority to

bind and to loose on the earth what has already been bound and loosed in

the spirit.

The Concordant Literal New Testament gives us the literal translation of

Matthew 16:19, “I will be giving you the keys of the kingdom of the

heavens, and whatsoever you should be binding on the earth shall be

those things having been bound in the heavens, and whatsoever you

should be loosing on the earth shall be those having been loosed in the

heavens.”

In other words, what God has already bound or loosed in the heavens is

what we are authorized to bind and to loose here on the earth.

Phillips translation says, “... whatever you forbid on earth will be what is

forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be what is

permitted in heaven.”

The Phillips translation goes on to makes this comment, “There is a very

curious Greek construction here, a simple future tense followed by the

perfect participle passive ...the force of these sayings is that Jesus true

disciples will be so led by the Spirit that they will be following the heavenly

pattern. In other words, what they forbid or permit on earth will be

consonant with the Divine rules.”

What we bind or loose on earth, will be those things that have already

been bound or loosed in the heavens (#3772 “ouranos” - the spirit realm).

Thy Will be done -

In Matthew 6:10, Jesus told us to pray, “...Thy will be done in earth, as it

is in heaven.” There would be no need for us to pray this prayer if the will

of God was automatically loosed on the earth.

Psalms 115:16 says, “The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; but

the earth hath he given to the children of men.” God’s will is not

automatically enforced on the earth. We have a responsibility to do

everything in our power to effect and invoke God’s will on earth as it is in

heaven.

We have been commissioned by God to walk the paths of restored

rulership on the earth. To bind or lock up the enemy everyplace we find

him; and to loose the people that have been tormented by the kingdom of

darkness. To take authority over the devil and over all of his works; and to

restore the presence of God in the families of the earth.

In John 14:12 Jesus said, “...He that believeth on me, the works that I do

shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do...” God has

given us the same authority, the same supernatural power that was on

Jesus, so that we can work the will of God in the earth.

Acts 10:38 says, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost

and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were

oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.”

God is with you, as well.

Satan -

In the Old Testament, his name is translated from the Hebrew #7854

“satan” which means adversary, an enemy, one who withstands or

opposes; and comes from a primitive root meaning lier in wait.

In the New Testament, his name is translated from the Greek #4567

“satanas” which means the accuser, i.e. the devil, the prince of evil spirits.

The Bible refers to him in many different terms. He is called the devil and

the dragon in Rev. 12:9, the old serpent in Rev. 20:2, the prince of this

world in John 12:31, the prince of the power of the air in Eph. 2:2, the

god of this world in II Cor. 4:4, the prince of devils, Beelzebub, in Mt.

12:24, Lucifer in Isaiah 14:12, pretending to be a roaring lion in I Peter

5:8, the wicked one in Mt. 13:19, the accuser of the brethren in Rev.

12:10, the ruler of the darkness of this world in Eph. 6:12, and our

adversary in I Peter 5:8.

No matter what name you give him, satan is consistently represented in

the Bible as a perverse and wicked enemy of both God and man.

In John 8:44 Jesus said that satan, “...was a murderer from the

beginning...” The word “murderer” is the Greek #443 “anthropoktonos”, a

compound word that literally means a man slayer, one that kills human

beings (#444 “anthropos”). Satan literally hates every human being and

does all he can to destroy their life and defeat God’s plan of grace.

Satan wields power over man primarily through the use of deception and

lies. John 8:44 continues, “... because there is no truth in him. When he

speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it.”

Whereas, God is called the Father of lights in James 1:17, the one who

provides illumination and revelation to all believers; satan is called the

father of lies (#5579 “pseudos” - a conscious and intentional falsehood).

Every word the devil speaks is a lie, because there is no truth in him. He

uses deception and lies that are intentionally designed to lead man away

from the truth of God’s Word.

Revelation 12:9 says, “And the great dragon was cast out, that old

serpent, called the devil, and satan, which deceiveth (“planao”) the whole

world...” The Greek #4105 “planao” means to lead astray, causing one to

wander from the right path. Satan works feverishly to make man believe

what is not true so he’ll remain bound to the kingdom of darkness.

II Corinthians 11:13-15 tells us that satan works through false apostles

and deceitful ministers, and that, “... satan himself is transformed into an

angel of light.” The word “transformed” is the Greek #3345

“metaschematizo” which means to wear a disguise, to change the outward

appearance. Satan is a master of disguise; always pretending to be

something other that what he really is. Cloaked as a messenger of light,

satan travels the world to put people in bondage and spread his message

of lies and confusion.

Pretending to be righteous, I Timothy 4:2 says that his ministers are,

“...giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. Speaking lies in

hypocrisy...” which is translated from the Greek #5573 “pseudologos” and

means to teach a pseudo or false word. Strong's Concordance defines

“pseudologos” as promulgating erroneous Christian doctrine.

Confusing people with erroneous Christian doctrine by spreading lies and

deception are the chief tactics that satan uses against mankind.

satan’s origin -

There are several passages in the Old Testament that shines light on the

origin and fall of satan.

Job 1:6 informs us that satan is an angel who once had access to the

throne of God, “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to

present themselves before the LORD, and satan came also among them.”

In the Old Testament, the phrase “sons of God” is generally regarded as

referring to the angelic order of beings.

The fourteenth chapter of Isaiah begins with the LORD speaking against

the earthly King of Babylon, a mortal man, and then abruptly changes to

describe the fall of Lucifer, a created being that existed thousands of years

before Babylon.

Isaiah 14:12 says, “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of

the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken

the nations!” The Amplified says, “How have you fallen from heaven, O

light-bringer and daystar, son of the morning...”

“Lucifer” is translated from the Hebrew #1966 “heylel” and means morning

star, light bearer. “Heylel” comes from the root #1984 “halal” which means

to shine, to make a show, to boast, to be clamorously foolish, to rave; and

is translated “praise” over one-hundred times in the Old Testament.

Some use this definition to conclude that Lucifer once led the angelic

choruses of praise and worship to God. Ezekiel 28:13 says, “... the

workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the

day that thou wast created.” Lucifer once was an instrument of praise and

music.

But Lucifer’s pride and ambition led him to concoct a plan to overthrow the

throne of God, which eventually caused him to be cast out of heaven.

Isaiah 14:13 continues, “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend

into heaven...” (indicating that satan’s original domain was somewhere

beneath the region called Heaven); ”... I will exalt my throne above the

stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the

sides of the north.” (informing us that satan had a throne and ruled over a

kingdom).

Tay’s translation says, “...I will ascend to heaven and rule the angels, I will

take the highest throne...” Not satisfied with the domain that God had

given him to rule, Lucifer wanted to be like God, his Creator.

Isaiah 14:14-15 says, “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I

will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the

sides of the pit.” Moffatt’s translation says, “...and down you drop, to the

world below, down to death’s abyss you go.”

Hell is Lucifer’s final resting place. In Matthew 25:41, Jesus taught that

the everlasting fire of hell was originally prepared, not for man, but for the

devil and his angels. Revelation 12:9 tells us when satan was cast out of

heaven that “...his angels were cast out with him”; indicating that a large

number of angels followed Lucifer in his rebellion.

His fall from heaven -

In Ezekiel chapter twenty-eight, the LORD once again begins speaking

about a mortal man, the earthly King of Tyrus, and then abruptly changes

to describe in detail the fall of Lucifer.

Ezekiel 28:13-14 says, “Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God...

Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth...”

Obviously, the King of Tyrus wasn’t alive during the time of Eden; nor was

he an anointed cherub (#3742 “keruwb” - an angelic being) who walked

upon the holy mountain of God. The word cherub or cherubims is used

twenty six times in the Book of Ezekiel, and always refers to angelic beings

or their likeness.

Cherubims are first spoken of in Genesis 3:24, where God “...placed at

the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword, which

turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.”

Ezekiel 28:14 continues, “Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth;

and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou

hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.”

God gave Lucifer his throne and his kingdom, and appointed him the

anointed cherub that covereth. “Anointed” is translated from the Hebrew

#4473 “mimshach” (found only in this verse) and defined in Strong’s

Concordance as anointed in the sense of expansion, to be outspread (i.e.

with outstretched wings). The Hebrew word for “covereth” is #5526

“cakak” and means to cover over and protect. Like a sovereign ruling over

his kingdom, Lucifer is portrayed as a sentinel, keeping watch over his

domain with outstretched wings. And God said, I have set thee so.

But Lucifer wasn’t satisfied with the position that God gave him; he wanted

more. Ezekiel 18:15 says, “Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day

that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.”

“Iniquity” is translated from the Hebrew #5766 “evel” and means violent

deeds of injustice, wickedness, depravity, and perverseness. “Evel” comes

from the root #5765 “aval” and means to distort (morally), to act

unrighteous. Evil, perverseness, and iniquity, all have their origin in Lucifer,

the fallen angel.

Ezekiel 28:16-17 continues, “By the multitude of thy merchandise they

have filled the midst of thee with violence (#2555 “chamac” - cruelty,

oppression, injustice), and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as

profane (#2490 “chalal” - defiled, polluted, desecrated) out of the

mountain of God: and I will destroy thee (#6 “abad” - to wander away, i.e.

to lose oneself, to extirpate [pull up by the roots]), O covering cherub,

from the midst of the stones of fire. Thine heart was lifted up because of

thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I

will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may

behold thee.”

The NEB says, “...your beauty made you arrogant, you misused your

wisdom to increase your dignity.” The Knox translation says, “...a heart

made proud by it’s own beauty, wisdom ruined through it’s own dazzling

brightness.”

Pride, arrogance, restless ambition, and iniquity were the cause of satan’s

downfall.

Then God says in verse eighteen (Amplified translation), ‘You have

profaned your sanctuaries by the multitude of your iniquities and the

enormity of your guilt, by the unrighteousness of your trade. Therefore I

have brought forth a fire from your midst; it has consumed you, and I have

reduced you to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all who looked at you.”

There is a consuming fire burning deep in the center of Lucifer’s being. He

must be in a great deal of pain and mental anguish, as the fire continually

eats and burns away his strength and beauty.

The kingdom of darkness -

In Acts 26:18, the Lord gave the Apostle Paul a synopsis of the ministry

that He was calling him to fulfill, and included revelation about satan and

the kingdom of darkness that he now rules. Paul was being sent to the

Gentiles, “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and

from the power of satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of

sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith...”

Rotherham’s translation says, “...to turn them from the authority of satan.”

Goodspeed says, “...to turn them from satan’s control.” The Amplified says

that believers can, “...turn from the power of satan to God, so that they

may receive forgiveness and release from their sins.”

The Bible clearly teaches that satan is the god of this world (II Cor. 4:4)

and rules over this planet with the kingdom of darkness. Ephesians 2:2

calls satan, “...the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now

worketh in the children of disobedience.” The Amplified says that the world

is “...obedient to and under the control of the demon spirit that still

constantly works in the sons of disobedience...” Evil spirits, under the

control of satan, are exercising authority over nations, over cities, and over

families.

Ephesians 6:12 in the Amplified says, “For we are not wrestling with flesh

and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the

despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the

world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of

wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.”

There are two kingdoms operating in the earth today; the kingdom of light

and the kingdom of darkness. The former ruled by Christ, the later ruled by

satan. Accepting Christ as lord and savior is the only way to be delivered

out of the kingdom of darkness and translated into the kingdom of light.

Isaiah 49:6-9 prophecies the effects that the Lord’s death and

resurrection had on the people of the earth, “...I will also give thee for a

light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the

earth.... That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are

in darkness, Shew yourselves...”

Christ’s resurrection has given man the power and authority to break free

from satan’s kingdom of darkness. The ASV says, “...say to them that are

bound, go free.” The NEB says, “...say to the prisoners, go free.” Moffatt’s

translation says, “...say to the captives, come forth to the light.”

Colossians 1:12-14 says, “Giving thanks unto the father, which hath

made us meet (#2427 “hikanoo” - to enable, to make qualified) to be

partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.” Wuest commentary

states, the words “in light” qualify inheritance, not saints; i.e. our

inheritance is to be found only in the light. Therefore, in order for us to

partake of the blessings afforded us through Christ’s resurrection, we must

turn from the power of satan and come out of the kingdom of darkness by

accepting Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of our life.

Colossians 1:13-14 continues, when we accept Christ as savior, God

works a transformation in our lives, “Who hath delivered us from the power

of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. In

whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of

sins.”

We have been “translated”; which comes from the Greek #3179

“methistemi” and means to transfer, to remove from one place to another,

a change of situation or place. Rotherham says, “...Who hath rescued us

out of the authority of the darkness.” Tay says that we have been

removed, “...from the darkness and gloom of satan’s kingdom.”

Notice that our deliverance isn’t something that will happen in the future

(i.e. after we die and go to heaven). Paul writes that the Father “hath”

already delivered us out from under satan’s authority (his power to direct

and to rule over our lives), and “hath” already translated us into the

authority of God’s kingdom.

Anytime you choose, you can cast off the works of darkness and accept the

glorious light of salvation in Christ. Isaiah 60:1 in the Amplified says,

“Arise [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have

kept you - rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord),

for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.”

Be not ignorant of his devices -

The Apostle Paul said in II Corinthians 2:11 that we should be quick to

forgive, “Lest satan should get an advantage of us; for we are not ignorant

of his devices.” The Amplified says, “...for we are not ignorant of his wiles

and intentions.”

The word “devices” is translated from the Greek noun #3540 “noema” and

literally means a mental perception, the thoughts or purposes of the mind.

In other words, satan seeks to gain an advantage over you by influencing

your mental perceptions of life; by controlling what you think.

II Corinthians 4:4 tells us that satan, “...the god of this world hath

blinded the minds (#3540 “noema” - the mental perceptions) of them

which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ....should

shine unto them.”

Satan is trying to alter your perception of reality by bombarding your mind

with lies, half-truths, and deception. If he can alter your perception of God,

of other people and yourself, he can then cause you to believe the wrong

things, to take wrong actions, and to accept the wrong results. If he can

confuse your understanding of the Gospel, then he can limit your freedom

in God.

However, I Peter 1:13 tells you that the thoughts and the imaginations

that journey through your mind are under your control, and not satan’s.

You have the power to “...gird up the loins of your mind” by becoming

selective in your thought life. You have the right to refuse every perverse

thought and every wicked imagination that satan tries to plant in your

mind.

II Corinthians 10:5 admonishes us, “Casting down imaginations, and

every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and

bringing into captivity every thought (#3540 “noema” - mental perception)

to the obedience of Christ.” You can bring your mind under control. You

can control your attitude and perceptions about life.

In II Corinthians 11:3 Paul warned us that satan will try to deceive us

the same way that he deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden; by using

specious arguments and half-truths that contradict God’s Word, “...as the

serpent beguiled Eve (#1818 “exapatao” - to deceive thoroughly) through

his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in

Christ.”

Satan rarely attacks openly. He prefers to use subtilty and craftiness to

cloak his lies in a manner that makes them palpable and believable. But

always, satan’s purpose is to corrupt your mind (#5351 “phtheiro” - to

destroy by means of corrupting, and to bring into a worse state). He rules

by subverting people’s minds.

The word “subtilty” is translated from the Greek #3834 “panourgia” and

means craftiness and cunning, especially a specious or false wisdom.

Specious describes words that are deceptively attractive; having the ring of

truth or plausibility but are actually fallacious and filled with error.

If you don’t renew your mind to the truth of God’s Word, satan will fill you

with deceptive arguments and half-truths that will eventually cause you to

fall away from a condition of holiness and purity of doctrine.

Remember that Jesus said Satan is the father of lies and there is no truth

in him. When he offers you false perceptions of God’s Word, you must

refuse them. When he tries to make you feel condemned or unworthy, or

tries to make you condemn others, you must discipline yourself to cast

these thoughts down and refuse to entertain them.

In John 8:32, Jesus said that if we continue in the principles of God’s

Word, then “...ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

If you remain stedfast and obedient to the truth of God’s Word, satan will

not be able to gain an advantage over your life.

He tries to rob the Word from our heart -

In the forth chapter of the Gospel of Mark, Jesus taught the parable of a

sower sowing the seed of God’s Word in the hearts of believers; and then

said this is the principle that defines how the Kingdom of God works.

Receiving and then nurturing the Word sown in our hearts is the key

ingredient for our spiritual maturity.

Satan understands this principle and works hard to dislodge the Word from

our hearts before it can take root and grow. In Mark 4:15 Jesus said,

“And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when

they have heard, satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word

that was sown in their hearts.”

Matthew 13:19 in the Amplified says, “While anyone is hearing the Word

of the Kingdom and does not grasp and comprehend it, the evil one comes

and snatches away what was sown in his heart.”

As we said earlier, II Corinthians 4:4 tells us that satan is trying to blind

our minds to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He wants to stop the revelation of

God’s Word from taking root and thereby changing our lives.

The Apostle Paul had some of the greatest revelation of any man that lived

during the first century. God inspired him to write over two-third’s of the

New Testament. However, his abundance of revelation knowledge

concerning the Word of God came at a steep cost as satan continually

harassed Paul’s ministry and tried to silence his voice.

Paul wrote about his battle with satan in II Corinthians 12:7, “And lest I

should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the

revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of

satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.”

For centuries, theologians have preached that Paul’s thorn in the flesh was

an infirmity or sickness in his flesh. But Paul clearly tells us what the thorn

was: a messenger of satan, sent to buffet me.

The word “messenger” is translated from the Greek #32 “aggelos” which is

the New Testament word for angel (translated 179 times “angel”). An

envoy or angel of satan was assigned to harass Paul constantly.

In I Thessalonians 2:18 Paul wrote, “Wherefore we would have come

unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but satan hindered us.” The word

“hindered” is translated from the Greek verb #1465 “egkopto” and means

to impede one’s journey by cutting off his way, to detain. Vine’s dictionary

says “egkopto” is used of impeding persons by breaking up the road, or by

placing an obstacle sharply in the path.

Satan was constantly hindering Paul’s ministry to stop him from preaching

the Gospel to the world. Paul was stoned, beaten, shipwrecked and

whipped five times (II Cor. 11:24-28). But he never quit. Paul refused to

let satan rob the word from his heart and never ceased preaching the

uncompromised Word of God.

Having overcome every attack of satan, Paul eventually wrote Romans

8:38-39, “For I am persuaded (#3982 “peitho” - to be convinced, to

assent to evidence or authority, persuaded beyond doubt), that neither

death, nor life, nor angels (#32 “aggelos”), nor principalities, nor powers,

nor things, present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any

other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is

in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Sifted like wheat -

In Luke 22:31 Jesus warned Peter, “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon,

behold, satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.”

The word “sift” is translated from the Greek #4617 “siniazo” and means to

riddle, to sift, and shake in a sieve. The Dictionary defines riddle as to

pierce with numerous holes (i.e. riddle a target with bullets), to find and

show flaws in, to criticize and disapprove.

Satan, who’s name means “the accuser”, tries to riddle us with

condemnation and criticism. He continually reminds us of our faults and

tells us things like God doesn’t love us, and you don’t deserve to be

blessed of the Lord. But these are all lies, designed to distract our hearts

from the message of God’s love and grace that is presented in the Gospel.

Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them

which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

Fully realizing that Peter was going to deny Him before morning, Jesus still

showed love and mercy to Peter and told him that everything was going to

be alright in Luke 22:32, “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail

not; and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

In other words, even though we fall into sin and make numerous mistakes

throughout our life, God still loves us; and He will continue to use us as

ministers of His grace and mercy. There is nothing that satan can do to

stop the love that God has for His children. “For I am persuaded.... that

nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ

Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39).

satan and the antichrist -

The Apostle Paul unveils satan as the lord over a rebellious world power in

the last days that will be headed up by a personality known as the

“antichrist”.

The antichrist will be a mortal man who is empowered by satan to deceive

the people of the earth during the seven year period that precedes the

Second Coming of Christ. At which time, both he and his armies will be

destroyed when Jesus returns to the earth to defend Jerusalem and to set

up God’s millennial kingdom of peace.

But before he is destroyed, Paul writes that satan will empower the

antichrist to deceive many people on the earth and cause them to believe a

lie. II Thessalonians 2:9 says, “Even him, whose coming is after the

working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all

deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they

received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”

Revelation 13:2 says that the dragon, or satan, will give the antichrist his

power, and his seat (#2362 “thronos” - his throne), and his authority. At

the end of seven years, the antichrist will be destroyed in what many call

the battle of Armageddon.

Jesus talked about this event in Matthew 24:29-20, “Immediately after

the tribulation of those days.... then shall appear the sign of the Son of

man in heaven; and then shall the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall

see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great

glory.”

The whole earth will know when Christ comes to earth this second time to

destroy the armies of the antichrist. In Matthew 24:27 Jesus said, “For

as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west;

so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

Paul says in II Thessalonians 2:8 that the antichrist shall be destroyed,

“...with the brightness of His coming.”

With the antichrist taken care of, God now turns his attention towards

satan (the real author of man’s sorrows). Revelation 20:1-3 tells us that an

angel shall come down from heaven, “...And he laid hold on the dragon,

that old serpent, which is the devil, and satan, and bound him a thousand

years, and cast him into the bottomless pit...”

satan in the book of Revelation -

Revelation 12:7-10 says that there was a war in heaven (future event),

where Michael and his angels fought against the dragon (satan) and his

angels; and eventually defeated the devil’s forces and cast them out of

heaven (permanently) kicked out and he no longer has access) Right now

he is still a liberty to the heavenly spheres, but does not have access to

where God’s throne is.

Jesus referred to this event in John 12:31, explaining the significance of

His death and resurrection, Jesus said, “Now is the judgment of this world;

now shall the prince of this world be cast out.”

Revelation 12:9 says, “And the great dragon was cast out, that old

serpent, called the devil, and satan, which deceiveth (#4105 “planao” - to

lead into error, to cause to stray) the whole world; he was cast out into the

earth...”

Knowing that he only has a short time left, satan roams the earth, seeking

whom he might devour. However, Revelation 12:11 tells us, “And they

(the people of the earth) overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by

the word of their testimony...”

We overcome satan through the power of the blood covenant that was

ratified through the death and resurrection of Christ, and by the word of

our testimony. Through the cleansing blood of Christ, we are made

righteous in God and victorious over the kingdom of darkness. Though the

words of our testimony, our faith is released to overcome the attacks of

the devil.

Then, towards the end of the Great Tribulation, Revelation chapter twenty

says the angel that has the key of the bottomless pit comes on the scene

to arrest satan. Revelation 20:2 says, “And he laid hold on the dragon,

that old serpent, which is the devil, and satan, and bound him a thousand

years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and a seal

upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand

years should be fulfilled...”

Revelation 20:7 tells us, at the end of the Millennium, “And when the

thousand years are expired, satan shall be loosed out of his prison.” Satan

will be loosed one last time, to personally lead the final conspiracy against

Christ and attempt one last time to deceive the nations of the world.

Then, Revelation 20:20 says, “And the devil that deceived them was

cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false

prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”

At the conclusion of the Great White Throne Judgment, Revelation 20:14

says that satan, along with “...death and hell were cast into the lake of

fire.” Satan is never heard from again. He can no longer hurt God’s elect.

The Devil -

In the King James translation of the Bible, the word “devil” is found only in

the New Testament. It is translated from the Greek #1228 “diabolos”

which means a traducer, a slanderer, a false accuser, a calumniator (one

that makes malicious and knowingly false statements). The very definition

of his name defines the devil’s nature to be one of lies, deception and

slander.

In the scriptures, the devil is also known as satan, beelzebub, lucifer, and

the prince of demons; and is consistently represented to be the malignant

enemy of God and man’s evil adversary.

Revelation 12:10 gives him the epithet “accuser of the brethren”, “...the

accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God

day and night.”

In John 8:44 Jesus called him the father of lies, “Ye are of your father the

devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the

beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the

father of it.”

The devil is the father of lies (from the root #5574 “pseudomai” - to

attempt to deceive by falsehood).

The word “father” is translated from the Greek #3962 “pater” which means

the generator or male ancestor, the originator and transmitter of anything.

Thayer’s Lexicon says that “prater” also conveys the meaning of nourisher,

protector, and upholder. In other words, the devil first conceives and then

transmits his lies and deception throughout the world. He nourishes,

protects, and disseminates lies, false statements and slander to anyone

who will listen to him.

Whereas, God is called the Father of lights in James 1:17, the source or

giver of whatever provides illumination and revelation; the devil is called

the father of lies and false statements. He cloaks everything in a mystery,

attempting to keep the truth hidden from our view, and is intentionally

misleading in everything he says and does. Every word the devil speaks is

a lie, because that’s all he knows. And the purpose of his lies is the

destruction of mankind.

Jesus said the devil was a murderer from the beginning (#746 “arche” - a

commencement, beginning or origin; first in time, order, or place). The

word “murderer” is the Greek #443 “anthropoktonos”, a compound word

that literally means a man slayer, one that kills “anthropos” or human

beings.

The devil is out to destroy the lives of every man, woman, and child on the

earth. Jesus called him the thief in John 10:10, the one who steals, kills,

and destroys. If your life is being diminished in any way, the devil is either

the directly or the indirectly involved. He is the enemy of all mankind.

Hell was created for the devil -

In Matthew 25:31-46 Jesus describes the Day of Judgment, when the

nations of the world will be gathered before the throne of God and

separated into two groups. On God’s right hand will be gathered the sheep,

the people who have been made righteous through the blood of Christ;

and on His left will be gathered the goats, the wicked who have denied

Christ and lived an unholy lifestyle.

Jesus said the righteous will be ushered into the kingdom prepared for

them from the foundation of the world and will spend eternity in the

presence of God. But the wicked will be sentenced to everlasting

punishment.

Matthew 25:41 says, “Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand

(the wicked), Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for

the devil (#1228 “diabolos”) and his angels.”

It is interesting to note that Jesus taught the everlasting fire of hell was

prepared, not for man, but for the devil and the angels that rebelled with

him. Hell was not created for man.

Was “hell” the devil’s original abode, corrupted when satan fell into sin and

rebelled against God? Was “hell” a pleasurable place until satan sinned,

which caused the glory of God to be removed from it’s atmosphere and

everlasting fire to begin consuming it? We can’t be sure. But Jesus clearly

taught that the everlasting fire that will receive the unrighteous at the end

of days was originally prepared, not for man, but for the devil and his

angels.

The devil sows tares among the righteous -

Jesus explained the parable of the good seed and the tares in Matthew

13:36-43. He said the Son of man sows good seed in the world, which

are the children of the kingdom; while the devil sows tares in the world,

which are the children of the wicked one (#4190 “poneros” - of a bad

nature; working evil, wicked and harmful deeds, bad).

Matthew 13:39 says, “The enemy that sowed them (the tares) is the

devil; the harvest is the end of the world and the reapers are the angels.”

Jesus taught that the devil turns some people into agents of his

wickedness. These people refuse to submit to the goodness, morality, and

truth of God’s Word; and, instead, give their lives over to the evil and

wickedness the devil has sowed in their heart. They imprison, rule, and

murder human beings with such malevolence that they can only be labeled

as evil, under the control of the wicked one.

In this parable, Jesus taught the end of the world will be a time of great

harvest, not only of the righteous, but also of the wicked. Matthew

13:41-42 says, “The Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they

shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do

iniquity. And shall cast them into a furnace of fire; there shall be wailing

and gnashing of teeth.”

The devil even sowed a tare in the ranks of Jesus’ disciples. In John 6:70

Jesus was talking to his disciples and said, “...Have not I chosen you

twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spake of Judas Iscariot...for he it was

that should betray him...”

The Bible says the devil deleteriously effected the heart of Judas until he

finally submitted and betrayed Jesus into the hands of His enemies. John

13:2 describes the event as taking place during the Last Supper, “And

supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas

Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him.”

During the last supper, Jesus handed a sop (a morsel of food) to Judas.

John 13:27 says, “And after the sop satan entered into him. Then said

Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.”

His power has been destroyed by Christ -

The Bible clearly teaches that the devil’s power has been destroyed

through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I John 3:8 tells us,

“...For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy

the works of the devil.”

The word “destroy” is translated from the Greek verb #3089 “luo” and

means to loose, dissolve, sever, and break. Rotherham’s translation says

“undo” and the Basic English translation says “put an end to” the works of

the devil. The purpose of Jesus coming on the earth was to put an end to

the works of the devil. To undo their effect, break their control, and sever

their influence in your life.

The word “works” is translated from the Greek noun #2041 “ergon” and

means business, employment, to be occupied with, that which one

undertakes to do. Every tactic or device the devil employs against you has

been severed from your life. You no longer have to listen to his lies, follow

his suggestions, or fall prey to his snares. He has no business with you.

There is no occasion where you have to serve him, obey him, or be afraid

of him.

Hebrews 2:14-15 further explains why Jesus had to manifest Himself on

the earth, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and

blood, He also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death

He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. And

deliver them who through the fear of death were all their lifetime subject

to bondage.” Jesus had to partake of a mortal, flesh and blood body to

secure your deliverance and destroy the devil’s power.

Here, the word “destroy” is the Greek verb “katargeo” and means to render

entirely useless, to make of none effect, to make void, to do away with, to

abolish. The Berkeley translation says that Jesus was manifested that He

might neutralize the devil’s power. Goodspeed says, “...by His death He

might dethrone” the devil. Rotherham’s translation says, that He might

paralyze him.

Christ’s death and resurrection have rendered satan entirely void of power

as far as you are concerned. His strategies have no effect in the life of a

knowledgeable believer who has learned to be an overcomer in Christ;

because he knows that the devil’s power had been neutralized by the blood

of Christ.

The only way he can hurt you is if you submit to his lies, buy in to his

suggestions, or accept what he is telling you as truth and therefore

inevitable. However, if you refuse to give him permission, the devil cannot

devour your life. Christ’s resurrection has enabled you with authority and

power to successfully resist the devil.

You can resist him -

Ephesians 4:27 says, “Neither give place to the devil.” The Amplified

says, “Leave no room or foothold for the devil, give no opportunity to him.”

Without a foothold, satan has no place to operate in your life; and

therefore has no power over you.

The word “place” is translated from the Greek noun #5117 “topos” and

means a place, an opportunity, a spot, room, or position.

When we allow fear and strife to have a place in our minds, we are giving

place to the devil’s operation in our life. When we allow the thoughts of

condemnation, guilt, or criticism to linger; we remain vulnerable to satanic

control. This is why we must remove every stronghold of fear, every

imagination of strife, and every thought of condemnation from our minds.

If the devil has no base of operation, he can’t control us.

The Goodspeed translation says, “...give the devil no chance.” The NEB

says, “...leave no loophole for the devil.”

Ephesians 6:11 tells us to, “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may

be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

The word “wiles” is translated from the Greek noun #3180 “methodeia”

which the Strong’s Concordance defines as a travesty or trickery. A travesty

is a false, derisive, or impudent sham. It is designed to cause you to

believe what is not true, to accept a false report, and to act on wrong

information.

You are no longer a defenseless victim that is subject to the wiles of the

devil, because the armour of God will protect you when the devil attacks.

You can put on the breastplate of righteousness and the helmet of

salvation that keeps your mind secure in God. You can girt your loins with

truth and become established in the gospel of peace that keeps you on the

right path. You can take up the shield of faith that quenches all the fiery

darts of the wicked, so “...that you may be able successfully to stand up

against all the strategies and the deceits of the devil” (Amplified).

James 4:7 tells us, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.” The NEB says, “Stand up to the devil and he will

turn and run...” The Amplified says, “...stand firm against him and he will

flee from you.”

The word “resist” is translated from the Greek verb #436 “anthistemi” and

means to stand against, to withstand, to oppose and resist. Each member

of the Body of Christ has been invested with power and authority through

the resurrection of Christ, to stand against every work, every device, every

assignment the devil tries to use against them.

“Anthistemi” is a compound word that has it’s origin in #473 “anti”, a

preposition that means against or in opposition to; and #2476 “histemi”, a

verb that means to stand in an upright and active position. In other words,

we are instructed to take a forceful position by actively standing up to

oppose every attack of the enemy.

When you indulge the devil and entertain his lies you are giving him

permission to stay in your life. If you remain gentle and tenderhearted

towards him, the devil will run roughshod over your live and keep you

bound to the kingdom of darkness. You must stand in an upright and

active position and vigorously oppose every thought, every assignment,

and every demonic device that he tries to work in your life. Then, he will

flee from you.

I Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. Whom

resist (#436 “anthistemi”) steadfast in the faith...”

The Amplified says, “...that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a

lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and

devour.” The NEB says that satan is “...looking for someone to devour.”

Notice, the Bible says that satan walketh about ‘as’ a roaring lion; it does

not tell us that he ‘is’ a mighty beast. While he pretends to be powerful,

the Bible teaches that you have more power over him than he has over

you. In fact, the devil only has power over your life if you acquiesce to his

lies and passively submit to his tactics.

When you use the authority that Christ has given you and actively resist his

lies, the devil will flee from you.

The snare of the devil -

The Apostle Paul warned about the traps the devil lays to ensnare our

minds. I Timothy 3:7 speaks of “...the snare of the devil.” The literal

translation reads, the snare of “diabolos” the accuser and slanderer.

The word “snare” is translated from the Greek #3803 “pagis” and means a

trap, a snare (as fastened by a noose or notch). These traps are cunningly

designed and created to draw us away from the truth of God’s Word.

I Timothy 4:1 warns us, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the

latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing

spirits, and doctrines of devils.” The phrase “giving heed” comes from the

Greek #4337 “prosecho” which means to turn the mind towards, to give

attention to. When you open your mind to the devil’s lies you will be

deceived.

I Timothy 4:2 adds, “Speaking lies in hypocrisy...” which is translated

from the Greek #5573 “pseudologos” and means to teach a pseudo or

false word. Strong's defines “pseudologos” as promulgating erroneous

Christian doctrine.

Tempting people to believe an erroneous Christian doctrine is one of the

chief snares that the devil uses to draw us away from God.

However, II Timothy 2:26 says that it is possible to recover ourselves

from this snare, “And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of

the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”

When we refuse to believe the devil’s lies and refuse to allow him to

pervert our understanding of God’s Word, “diabolos” cannot take us captive

at his will. When we are established in God’s Word, the devil won’t be able

to manipulate us, to exploit us, or maneuver our lives in any way. The

Amplified says that, any time we choose, we can come to our senses and

escape from the snare’s he has laid for us.

The phrase “recover ourselves” is translated from the Greek #366

“ananepho” and means to return to soberness, as from a state of delirium

or drunkenness. When believer’s fall into the snare of “diabolos”, they

become intoxicated with the devil’s lies and his perversion of the truth.

Recovery is only possible by repentance (#3341 “metanoia” - to change

the way your are thinking) and acknowledgment of the truth of God’s

Word.

II Timothy 2:25 tells us, “In meekness instructing those that oppose

themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the

acknowledging of the truth.” The Amplified says, “...that they will perceive

and recognize and become accurately acquainted with and acknowledge...”

the truth of God’s Word.

The devil is the father of lies; everything he tells you is a perversion of

God’s truth. However, Jesus said, “...If ye continue in my Word, then are

ye my disciples indeed. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall

make you free.” Our best weapon of defense to fight off the lies of the

devil is a full and comprehensive knowledge of the Word of God.

The tempter -

The Bible teaches that the devil is the one who tempts all men to do evil;

he even tempted Jesus. Matthew 4:1 says, “Then was Jesus led up of the

Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.”

After He was baptized in the Jordan river, Luke 4:1-2 says that Jesus was

led by the Spirit into the wilderness, “Being forty days tempted of the

devil...”

After a series of temptations, Luke 4:5-6 says, “And the devil, taking Him

up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world

in a moment of time. And the devil said unto Him, All this power will I give

thee, and the glory of them; for that is delivered unto me, and

whomsoever I will I give it.”

The Amplified says, “...I will give all this power and authority.... for it has

been turned over to me, and I give it to whomever I will.”

How did satan gain power and authority over the world? Genesis 1:26 tells

us that God originally gave the authority to rule over the earth to man,

“And God said, Let us make man (#120 “adam”) in our image, after our

likeness, and let them have dominion (#7287 “radah” - to rule over, have

dominion).... over all the earth...” Therefore, the devil must have stolen

man’s authority over the earth sometime in the past.

Psalms 8:4-5 says, “What is man, that thou art mindful of him?.... For

thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him

with glory and honour.” What makes this verse interesting is the word

“angels”. It is translated from the Hebrew #430 “Elohiym” which is

translated God, the Supreme Being, two thousand, three hundred and

forty-seven times in the Old Testament and “angels” only once.

Man was created to be second, only to God. All of the angels, including

Lucifer, were created to be under man in both rank and authority. Psalms

8:6 adds, “Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy

hands; thou has put all things under his feet.”

The word translated “dominion” is the Hebrew #4910 “mashal” and means

to have dominion and to rule over, but with a twist. The Gesenius Lexicon

says that “mashal” also conveys the idea to make like another thing, in the

sense of judging, forming an opinion, ruling or having dominion over.

Strong’s Concordance says it conveys the idea of superiority in mental

action. In other words, man was created to be like God, to think like Him,

to act like Him, and to rule over this planet like God would rule.

However, Adam’s sin changed all that. We are now living in a world that is

ruled by the kingdom of darkness and therefore susceptible to the devil’s

temptations.

The best way to foil the tempter’s arrows is to employ the same tactics

that Jesus used. In every instance, Jesus resisted the devil’s temptations

by quoting from the Word of God.

Luke 4:13 ends the story of Jesus’ temptation, “And when the devil had

ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.” For a

“season” is translated from the Greek #2540 “kairos” and refers to a fixed

and definite time or season.

Luke 8:13 tells us that there is a “time (“kairos” - season) of temptation.”

A limited period of time when the devil will try to entice you to sin.

This season of the devil’s temptation usually follows the preaching of the

Word. In Luke 8:13, Jesus talked about the different seasons that follow

the sowing of God’s Word, “...when they hear, (they) receive the Word

with joy; and these have no root, which for a while (#2540 “kairos”)

believe, and in time (#2540 “kairos”) of temptation fall away.” Notice,

there is a season of faith (believing) and a season of temptation.

You can prolong your season of faith by resisting the devil’s season of

temptation just like Christ did on the mount of temptation. You do not have

to yield to the devil’s temptations. Greater is He that is in you than he that

is in the world.

The author of sickness -

Physical disease is connected to the introduction of evil into the world;

which makes satan, either directly or indirectly, the cause of all sickness

and disease.

Acts 10:38 says, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy

Ghost and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that

were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.”

This verse indicates that those who are in need of healing are being

oppressed of the devil. The word “oppressed” is translated from the Greek

verb #2616 “katadynasteuo” and means to exercise harsh control over

one, to use one’s power against someone else.

The TCNT says, “...curing all who were under the power of the devil.”

Moffatt’s translation says, “...curing all who were harassed by the devil.”

Knox says, “...curing all those who were under the devil’s tyranny.”

Sickness and disease are the direct result of satan bringing evil to this

planet. Even the diseases that are biological or genetic in nature, would

never have polluted the human race if Adam would have resisted the devil

and prevented him from introducing sin into this world. Genesis 1:31 says,

“And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very

good...” The planet that God originally created was perfect; sickness and

disease did not exist.

But after sin polluted this planet, God said in Genesis 3:17, “...cursed is

the ground (#127 “adamah” - the earth, where adam dwells) for thy

sake...” The Amplified says, “...the ground is under a curse because of

you...” The literal translation is, because you crossed over.

When Adam bowed his knee to the temptation of the devil and sinned, he

crossed over from the kingdom of light to the kingdom of darkness; he

went from the glorified state that God created man to dwell in, to the

polluted and contaminated world that sin created. At that moment, satan

became the god of this world (II Cor. 4:4, Eph. 2:2-3) and sickness and

disease began to reign in man’s, now, mortal body.

In Matthew 13:35 Jesus said, “...I will open my mouth in parables; I will

utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the

world.” The word “foundation” is not the usual word translated foundation;

rather, it is the Greek #2602 “katabole” which means to cast or throw

down, to overthrow. In other words, Jesus preached revelation that had

been locked up since the “overthrow” of God’s creation.

The state of God’s original creation has been overthrown by the works of

the devil. Therefore, all sickness and disease are indirectly caused by the

oppression of the devil. The Bible also teaches that some sickness is

directly caused by an evil spirit.

In the thirteenth chapter of the Gospel of Luke, Jesus attributed a woman’s

infirmity directly to the devil. The Bible says that she had a spirit of

infirmity that was controlling her life for eighteen years. Luke 13:16 tells

us what Jesus said after He healed her, “And ought not this woman, being

a daughter of Abraham, whom satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years,

be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?”

If this woman could have been examined by a modern physician, the

diagnosis would probably have been some type of arthritic or muscular

condition or possibly curvature of the spine. But Jesus said that her

physical condition was being caused by the devil; or, as verse eleven says,

a spirit of infirmity.

Some sickness can only be cured through the prayer of binding and loosing

in the Name of Jesus.

The devil in the book of Revelation -

Revelation 12:7-10 tells us that there was a war in heaven; where

Michael and his angels defeated the dragon (the devil) and his angels and

cast them out of heaven.

Revelation 12:9 says, “And the great dragon was cast out, that old

serpent, called the devil, and satan, which deceiveth the whole world; he

was cast out into the earth...”

Revelation 12:12 says, “...Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the

sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he

knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Knowing that he only has a short

time left, satan roams the earth, seeking whom he might devour.

Revelation 20:2 describes an angel coming down from heaven at the end

of the Great Tribulation period, “And he laid hold on the dragon, that old

serpent, which is the devil, and satan, and bound him a thousand years.”

On the eve of the new millennium, the devil is bound for a thousand years.

Having failed to defeat God’s purpose of making this earth the Kingdom of

Christ, satan is bound in the bottomless pit for a thousand years.

Then, at the end of the Millennium, satan is loosed for a while and

personally heads up the last conspiracy against Christ and attempts to once

again deceive the nations of the world.

Then, Revelation 20:20 says, “And the devil that deceived them was cast

into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet

are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”

At the conclusion of the Great White Throne Judgment, Revelation 20:14

says that the devil, along with “...death and hell were cast into the lake of

fire.” The devil is never heard from again. He can no longer hurt God’s

elect.

Hell -

The word “hell” occurs fifty-four times in the King James Bible and is

commonly regarded as the place of eternal punishment for wicked souls

after death, as well as the final abode of satan, fallen angels, and evil

spirits. Jesus mentioned the place called “hell” sixteen times in the New

Testament.

The Old Testament word translated “hell” is the Hebrew noun #7585

“sheowl”, which is defined as Hades, the world of the dead, where

disembodied spirits of the wicked go when they die. It comes from the root

#7592 “sha’al” which means to ask and demand; indicating that “sheowl”

is a place of insatiable need, where every request for relief is denied.

Psalms 9:17 says, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the

nations that forget God.”

Proverbs 15:24 in the Amplified says, “The path of the wise leads upward

to life, that he may avoid [the gloom] in the depths of Sheol (Hades, the

place of the dead).”

In the New Testament, the word most frequently translated “hell” is the

Greek noun #1067 “ghenna”, which literally means the valley of Hinnom.

This rocky valley was located southwest of Jerusalem, where the people of

the city deposited their filth and garbage and set it on fire. Hence, a valley

of perpetual fire and destruction.

The valley of Hinnom was also the site of an Old Testament cult, where

children were burned as offerings to the god Molech (II Kings 23:10).

Another New Testament word translated “hell” is the Greek noun #86

“hades” and refers to the infernal regions of the damned, the place where

the departed spirits of the lost are deposited after death.

Peter referred to “hades” when he taught about Christ’s resurrection in

Acts 2:31, “...spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left

in hell (“hades”), neither his flesh did see corruption.”

After His resurrection, Jesus said in Revelation 1:18, “I am he that liveth,

and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the

keys of hell (“hades”) and of death.”

The final New Testament word translated “hell” is the Greek #5020

“tartaroo”, which Strong’s Concordance defines as the deepest abyss of

Hades; where the angels that sinned during the time of Noah are locked up

in chains of darkness, waiting for the final day of judgment (II Peter 2:4-

5, Genesis 6:2-4).

As you can see, hell is not a single place. It has several compartments or

regions that are covered in detail at the end of this article.

Created for the devil and his angels -

In Matthew 25:41, Jesus said the place of everlasting fire and

punishment was originally prepared, not for human beings, but for the

devil and his angels.

Matthew 25:31-41 says, “When the Son of man shall come in his glory,

and all the holy angels with Him, then shall he sit upon the throne of His

glory. And before Him shall be gathered all nations; and He shall separate

them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats.

And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.

Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of

my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of

the world.... Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart

from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his

angels.”

Hell was not created for man, but for satan and the angels that followed

him when he rebelled against God and tried to exalt his throne above the

throne of the Most High (Ezekiel 28:13-17 and Isaiah 14:12-15).

Was “hell” the devil’s original abode, that was corrupted when satan fell

into sin and rebelled against God? Was “hell” once a pleasurable place until

satan sinned, which caused the glory of God to be removed from it’s

atmosphere and an everlasting fire to begin consuming it? We can’t be

sure if “hell” had a previous existence or was specially created for the devil.

But Jesus clearly taught that the everlasting fire that will receive the devil

and the unrighteous at the end of days was originally prepared, not for

man, but for the devil and his angels.

God loves all men and desires to see every person saved (I Timothy 2:4).

John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only

begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have

everlasting life.” Every person can escape “hell” by believing on the Lord

Jesus Christ and the sacrifice that He provided for man’s salvation.

But John 3:18 says, “...but he that believeth not is condemned (#2919

“krino” - judged) already, because he hath not believed in the name of the

only begotten Son of God.” There is a day of judgment coming for the

human race.

I Timothy 3:6 says that it is possible for man to, “...fall into the

condemnation (#2917 “krima” - judgment or sentence) of the devil.” The

judgment that is reserved for satan (i.e. banishment to “hell”) will be

meted out to every person that refuses to accept the sacrifice of Christ.

In Mark 9:43-44, Jesus taught that “hell” was a place of “...fire that

never shall be quenched. Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not

quenched.”

In II Thessalonians 1:8-9, Paul describes the fate of those who do not

believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, “...on them that know not God, and that

obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Who shall be punished with

everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory

of His power.”

The word “destruction” is translated from the Greek #3639 “olethros”

which is used to describe the effect of the Divine judgments upon men in

the Day of the Lord; where unbelievers will be cut off from the presence of

the Lord.

The Amplified says, “...and [upon those] who ignore and refuse to obey

the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Such people will pay the penalty and

suffer the punishment of everlasting ruin (destruction and perdition) and

eternal exclusion and banishment from the presence of the Lord and from

the glory of His power.”

But there is no need for any man to perish; because Jesus has conquered

“hell” for all men.

Jesus took back the keys of hell -

Between His crucifixion and resurrection, the Bible teaches that Christ first

descended into the abode of the dead. Ephesians 4:9 states, “Now that He

ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of

the earth?”

When Jesus was hanging on the cross, He told one of the prisoners that

was being crucified with him, “...Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

(Luke 23:43). Paradise, as we shall see later, is also called Abraham’s

bosom in Luke 16:22.

At death, all those that were part of the Abrahamic covenant, went to this

place called paradise; where they waited for the promised Messiah to come

and liberate them and lead them into the presence of God (covered in

more detail later on).

In Matthew 12:40 Jesus described what would happen after his soul

departed from his body at the time of His crucifixion, “...so shall the Son of

man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

Quoting from Psalms 16:10, Peter preached about Christ’s death and

resurrection in Acts 2:27, “Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell,

neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” Indicating that

Christ’s soul went to “hell” (#86 “hades”) sometime after He died. And

again in verse thirty-one, “He seeing this before spake of the resurrection

of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell (“hades”), neither his flesh did

see corruption.”

To completely pay the price for man’s redemption, Christ had to suffer the

same penalty that all men, up to that time, had to endure at the moment

of their death.

I Peter 3:18-20 also describes what happened after Jesus died, “For

Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He

might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by

the Spirit. By which (the Spirit) also He went and preached unto the spirits

in prison. Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering

of God waited in the days of Noah...”

Peter wrote that Christ “went and preached unto the spirits in prison.” The

word “went” is translated from the Greek #4198 “poreuo” and means to

transfer, to depart from one place to another. The word translated

“preach” comes from the Greek #2784 “kerusso” which means to herald or

proclaim, and is translated “preach” fifty-one times.

Jesus was raised as an orthodox Jew and, therefore, a partaker of the

Abrahamic covenant; which meant, that upon His death, His soul initially

travelled to paradise or Abraham’s bosom. But then, Peter says that Christ

transferred or passed over into a different place, to preach or announce to

the spirits in prison that He was the Messiah and had constituted a New

Covenant which subsumed and now supersedes the old, Abrahamic

Covenant; whereby, any that believed could escape “hell” and rise with

Christ into the presence of the Lord.

No doubt, this was what the Apostle Paul referred to when he wrote in

Ephesians 4:8, “...When he ascended up on high, He led captivity

captive, and gave gifts unto men.” The phrase “He led captivity captive” is

translated from both the noun and the verb conjugation of #162

“aichmaloteuo” which mean a prisoner of war. In other words, the spirits

that were taken captive as prisoners of war, by the Kingdom of Darkness,

were recaptured by the great liberator, Jesus Christ.

The Amplified says that when Christ ascended to the Father, “...He led

captivity captive [He led a train of vanquished foes]...” This procession of

souls included all the Old Testament greats; including David, Noah, Daniel,

and many, many more. Paradise was emptied when Christ rose from the

dead.

Since Christ’s resurrection, when a believer dies, his soul does not travel to

“paradise” or Abraham’s bosom; he is ushered immediately into the Lord’s

presence. Paul expressed this doctrine in two passages of scripture: II

Corinthians 5:8, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent

from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”; and Philippians 1:23-

24, “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be

with Christ; which is far better. Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more

needful for you.”

Death and Hell can no longer claim the souls of believers when they die.

Jesus declared in Revelation 1:18, “I am he that liveth, and was dead;

and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and

of death.” Jesus took the keys of “hell” and the grave from the devil when

He redeemed mankind from the Kingdom of Darkness.

Jesus description of hell -

In the sixteenth chapter of Luke’s gospel, Jesus gave us a vivid description

of “hell” and the afterlife when He shared the story of two men and the

events that followed their death. Since He did not label this narration a

parable (#3850 “parabole” - a narrative which uses symbolic language to

set forth a spiritual lesson), we must assume that all of these events are

factually based and really happened to these two men. One was a rich man

who died and went to “hell”; and the other was a beggar called Lazarus,

who died and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom.

Jesus said in Luke 16:22-23, “And it came to pass, that the beggar died,

and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom; the rich man also

died, and was buried. And in hell (#86 “hades”) he lift up his eyes, being in

torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.”

Jesus’ narrative represents “hell” as a real, tangible place; not a figment of

some primitive man’s imagination. In “hades”, man does not cease to exist

when his soul leaves his body; rather, man loses his personal freedom and

well-being. In “hell”, the rich man could still see and recognize other

people; later verse’s tell us that he was still able to communicate and

possessed the faculties of reason and memory. He also had a sense of

where he was and could feel pain, thirst, and torment. In other words, he

was a functioning soul.

Verse twenty-four says, “And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have

mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in

water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.”

But Abraham was constrained by the boundaries of “hell”, and explained

why he had to refuse the rich man’s request for mercy in verse twenty-six,

“And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that

they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to

us, that would come from thence.”

The word “gulf” is translated from #5490 “chasma” and represents a huge

chasm, a gaping opening or gulf; used only in this verse. The gulf that

surrounds “hell” cannot be traversed; either by those that want to give aid,

or by those that desire to escape.

This teaching should end the speculation that ghosts of the departed are

able to linger on earth to haunt people or places. Jesus taught, once a man

dies and enters “hell”, he can never cross over the great chasm that

surrounds it. His soul and spirit are imprisoned in “hell” until the last days

judgment of God.

This should also put an end to the idea that someone alive on the earth

can offer indulgences that would effect a release of their departed loved

ones. Not even the great patriarch Abraham, whom God called His friend,

could help the rich man once he was confined to “hell”.

Once the rich man realized that there was no escape from the torments of

“hell” and that his condition was completely irremediable, he changed his

tactics. Luke 16:27-28 records his new request, “Then he said, I pray

thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him (Lazarus) to my

father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest

they also come into this place of torment.”

Once again, Abraham had to deny his request and replied in Luke 16:29-

31, “Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them

hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them

from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not

Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose

from the dead.”

In other words, God has already sent His Word to warn men of the

existence of “hell” that they may escape it’s punishment. Every man is the

steward of his own soul, and must choose between spending eternity in

the presence of the Father, and spending eternity in “hell”. And that choice

must be made while men are still alive on the earth.

Five compartments of Hell -

The Bible talks about five compartments of hell or the underworld.

Tartarus is the prison for fallen angels who sinned before the flood of

Noah. II Peter 2:4 says, “ For if God spared not the angels that sinned,

but cast them down to hell (#5020 “tartaroo”), and delivered them into

chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.”

Jude 6 says, “And the angels (who were the Watchers, not Satan and his

class of Angels) which kept not their first estate, but left their own

habitation (#3613 “oiketerion” - dwelling, of the body as the dwelling-place

of the spirit), He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto

the judgment of the great day.”

These angels did not remain in their own realm or native state, but tried to

enter the human race by having intercourse with women and producing

children (Genesis 6:2-4). To preserve the purity of the human race until

Christ could come, God locked these angels up in “Tartaros”. No human

beings ever go to this place.

Paradise, or Abraham’s bosom, was the abode of the righteous who died

before Christ’s resurrection. Jesus referred to this place in Luke 16:23-26 in

the story of Lazarus and the rich man (covered earlier in this article). He

also told one of the men that was crucified with him, “...today shalt thou

be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43).

Christ’s teaching on “paradise” is the foundation of some religion’s doctrine

of “purgatory”. But “paradise” is now an empty place (and “purgatory”

never existed); Christ emptied “paradise” when He revealed Himself to the

captured saints as the Messiah and then took them to Heaven when He

ascended to the Father (Eph. 4:8-10). Ever since Christ’s resurrection, all

believer’s immediately go to the presence of the Father when they die (II

Cor. 5:8, Phil. 1:23,24).

The third compartment is Hades, the place where all the wicked go at the

time of their death and are held in a conscious state of torment until the

day of judgment. Revelation 20:13 says, “...and death and hell delivered

up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man

according to their works.”

The Abyss or the bottomless pit is the fourth compartment. It is the abode

of demons, some fallen angelic beings, the “beast” of Revelation eleven,

and the temporary home of satan during the Millennium. The Greek noun

#12 “abussos” means to have no bottom, to be unbounded. Vine’s

Dictionary says that “abussos” is used to denote the abyss, the

immeasurable depth of the underworld, the lower regions, the abyss of

Sheol. It is mentioned seven times in the book of Revelation and no human

beings are ever sent there.

Revelation chapter nine talks about an angel that “...was given the key of

the bottomless (“abussos”) pit...”, who opened the door and loosed the

spirit beings imprisoned there to torment men for five months during the

tribulation period.

Revelation 20:1-3 talks about satan being “...cast into the bottomless pit

(“abussos”) and shut up.... till the thousand years should be fulfilled...”

It is noteworthy that the demons who possessed the demoniac of Gadaera

begged Jesus in Luke 8:31, “...that He would not command them to go

out into the deep (#12 “abussos”).” Some believe this verse indicates that

demons know that this will be their final fate.

The “lake of fire” is the final, eternal compartment of “hell”; where all the

fallen angels, demon spirits, and wicked men will be sent at the end of the

Millennium and during the great White Throne Judgment of God.

Revelation 20:10 says, “And the devil that deceived them was cast into

the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are,

and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”

Revelation 21:8 says, “...and the unbelieving, and the abominable, and

murders, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars,

shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone;

which is the second death.”

Then, after the Great White Throne Judgment, Revelation 20:14-15

says, “And death and hell (“hades”) were cast into the lake of fire. This is

the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life

was cast into the lake of fire.”

God is love and has plainly warned men of the existence of “hell” that they

may escape it’s punishment.

Proverbs 15:11 in the Amplified says, “Sheol (the place of the dead) and

Abaddon (the abyss, the final place of the accuser Satan) are both before

the Lord. How much more, then, the hearts of the children of men.”

Verse nine in the Amplified says, “The way of the wicked is an

abomination, extremely disgusting and shamefully vile to the Lord, but He

loves him who pursues righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every

area and relation).”

II Peter 3:9 says that God is “...not willing than any should perish, but

that all should come to repentance.” John 3:15 says, “That whosoever

believeth in Him (Jesus Christ) should not perish, but have eternal life.”

In Matthew 16:18, Jesus preached, “...I will build my church; and the

gates of hell (“hades”) shall not prevail against it.”