Untitled Sermon (6)

Turn in your bibles with me to Luke 4:6

Temptation of Christ: the temptation contains a qualifier namely that satan has dominion over the earth

This presents a fascinating dynamic… why? because the chief enemy of God is presenting God in the flesh Jesus Christ the son of God with the promise of dominion of the world that Jesus himself created.

Now there are two interpretations to this passage

1) the devil was lying and he did not have the power to give Jesus the world

Or

2) he was telling the truth and in some way possessed an actual dominion over the earth in some way shape or form.

Why it can’t be option 1.

Namely because it makes a “temptation” a “non temptation”

There’s nothing tempting about an offer that cannot be fulfilled that would be like telling someone if they helped me cheat on a test than I will buy them their favorite meal but they knew that I was dirt poor and could not provide that promised meal. It’s a non starter

So since the temptation was real that leaves this question. If Satan has authority over the earth where did he get this authority.

When I came to seminary I had this question and it bothered me because I didn’t get clear answers and part of me wanted to simply go to genesis 3, look at the temptation of account of Adam and Eve and conclude that Satan walked away with Adams lunch. That even though the dominion of the earth was given to man in GEN 1:26 as this is also seen in Ps 8:4-7.

But theres nothing in the Bible that indicates man ever losing his dominion or stewardship over the earth, especially in the original sin account in Genesis 3.

So where did He get this authority?

I want to open this up for discussion so for the next couple minutes I want you to speak amongst yourselves and come back with some ideas or theories.

2 Corinthians 4:4

"the god of this age"

Indicates Satan’s temporary dominion and deceptive influence over the present world system (2 Cor 4:4).

John 12:31

"the ruler of this world"

Refers to Satan’s authority over worldly systems prior to his defeat through Christ’s crucifixion (John 12:31).

Ephesians 2:2

"the ruler of the power of the air"

Suggests Satan’s control over the unseen spiritual realm that influences human rebellion (Eph 2:2).

"the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience"

Describes Satan as an active, spiritual force energizing disobedience (Eph 2:2).

1 John 5:19

"the evil one"

A direct title for Satan, emphasizing his moral character and influence over the fallen world (1 John 5:19).

John 14:30

"the ruler of the world"

Repeated title reinforcing Satan’s limited authority within worldly affairs (John 14:30).

Ephesians 6:12

"the rulers... the authorities... the world forces of this darkness... the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places"

Refers to a hierarchy of demonic powers under Satan’s command, reflecting his organizational influence in spiritual warfare (Eph 6:12).

These are a couple passages which indicate the kind of power satan has and what we are going to do is walk chronologically through the Bible and examine the spiritual beings place and purpose in God’s overarching story of History.

I. Understanding terms that describe heavenly beings and the role they in God’s governance of the Cosmos

It's important to recognize key terms and phrases that are used to describe these heavenly beings. Although it is typical to engage with the spiritual realm in four categories: God, Angels, Demons, and Satan. The biblical authors identify heavenly beings with other titles and descriptions, which aid in understanding a true picture of the spiritual realm. Beginning with the word God, which in the Hebrew is Elohim. It is important to know that this word is a descriptive term that refers to a heavenly being. While there are many Elohim, Yahweh is the Elohim.

Additional phrases like “hosts of heaven” (ṣabaʾ); Sons of God, Holy ones (qedōšı̂ m), Watcher (ʿı̂ r), Angel (malʾāk), and Stars are used to describe members of Gods heavenly family.

The first appearance we have of heavenly beings is in Genesis 1, as the author of Job writes, “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? ... Or who laid its cornerstone, When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4-7). This text clearly infers that the Sons of God were indeed present before the creation of the world. Furthermore, upon evaluating the terminology used in this passage, Heiser notes, “The label “sons” deserves attention. It’s a family term, and that’s neither coincidental nor inconsequential. God has an unseen family—in fact, it’s his original family.” This heavenly family is clearly an integral part of creation, as well as God's original design to rule the world with humanity as his vice regency over the earth and his heavenly family as a contributor to Yahweh's sovereign rule through the means of participation and delegation.

This is known as Yahweh’s divine council—or heavenly council. It is called heavenly because it consists of spiritual beings who dwell in the unseen realm often referred to as “Heaven.” It is a council because it is an assembly—an organized group—of heavenly beings who serve under the authority of Yahweh in the spiritual realm.

An example of Yahweh interacting with this Heavenly council can be seen in Job 1:6 as the “sons of God came to stand before Yahweh.” Additionally, a picture of the heavenly council participating in Yahweh’s rule is seen in 1 Kings 22:19-22 as Yahweh addresses his council and a “spirit came forward and stood before Yahweh.” The spirit proposes a plan, and Yahweh responds by saying, “Go out and do so.” Although these passages shed light on the fact that God does indeed consult heavenly beings in his decision-making process, Psalm 82 highlights the Elohim as corrupt and in need of judgment, and as such, the corruption of God's council will be explored next.

II. The origin of Corruption in the universe

When understanding all corruption in heaven and on earth it is always traced back to one sole actor, Satan. Ezekiel writes, “You had the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. “You were in Eden, the garden of God...You were the anointed cherub who covers, And I placed you there. You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked in the midst of the stones of fire. “You were blameless in your ways From the day you were created Until unrighteousness was found in you.” (Ezk 28:12–15) Isaiah writes, “But you [Lucifer] said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north. ‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” (Isa 14:13–14) Heiser notes that the rebellion described here “reads like an attempted coup in the divine council.” For it is through the rebellion of Satan that one-third of heaven rebelled (Rev 12:4).

Subsequently, it was through the temptation of the snake that Eve was deceived, Adam sinned, and mankind was subject to the consequences of their rebellion, namely the curse of death. Continuing on in the Bibles storyline its clear that Satan and his forces are behind many of the major human rebellions and defiance against God.

This is seen in Genesis 6, where “the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose” (Genesis 6:2)—a reference many interpret as fallen spiritual beings overstepping divine boundaries. We also see this in the crucifixion of Christ and the betrayal by Judas, where demonic forces are implicated: “They would not have crucified the Lord of glory” had they understood God’s plan (1 Corinthians 2:8), and “Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot” before the betrayal (Luke 22:3; John 13:27). Lastly, Satan will inspire the Antichrist, the man of lawlessness who exalts himself above every so-called god, leading the whole earth to worship a false messiah (2 Thessalonians 2:3–4; Revelation 13:4). Even after the thousand-year reign of Christ, Satan will be released and “will come out to deceive the nations”, gathering them for one final rebellion against the King Himself (Revelation 20:7–9).

Ever since the cosmic rebellion and the fall of satan and his angels there has been satanically inspired rebellion throughout human history but it is one specific satanically inspired rebellion which led to Satans authority over the earth and that leads us to Babel in Genesis 11.

It was at Babel that the God himself had to come down and divide people, Why because the people were in defiance of Gods command to spread out over the earth.

and whats fascinating is what Moses writes in Deuteronomy 32:8 because this text is key in unlocking this question where did satan get his authority.

“When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, When He separated the sons of man, He set the boundaries of the peoples According to the number of the sons of God.”

At Babel God gave the nations of the world over to corrupted spiritual beings which led people into darkness of False worship.

Deuteronomy 4:19-20 States “and lest you lift up your eyes to heaven and see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, and be drawn away and worship them and serve them, those which Yahweh your God has apportioned for all the peoples under the whole heaven.”