The Kingdoms of this World

     During the present age while the Kingdom of God is spiritual and invisible, the kingdoms of the world are very visible and active, deceiving and enticing.  During this age God has given over the rule of the kingdoms of the world to Satan.

     The Kingdom of God and the kingdoms of the world once again define the two distinct divisions of all mankind. 

     “Do not love the world or the things in the world…For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world.”  1 John 2:15-16

     At the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry Satan tempted Him to avoid the cross by accepting the kingdoms of the world over the Kingdom of God.

     “Then the devil… showed Him all the kingdoms of the world…And…said to Him, ‘All this authority I will give You…for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.  Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.’”  Luke 4:5-7

     Satan was allowed to tempt (test) Jesus.  The Greek base for ‘test’ in this context means to try one’s virtue or to solicit to sin.  Of course Jesus replied that only the LORD your God should be worshipped.

     Notice that the authority Satan offered Jesus was first delivered (given) to him as part of God’s master plan.  Any authority or power exercised by Satan or his puppets, the anti-Christ and the false prophet, has been committed to them by God and subject to His sovereign rule.

     Jesus acknowledged Satan’s delegated authority.  He also acknowledged that Satan would soon be judged and lose his position to the conquering Christ.

     “Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.”  John 12:31

     Therefore, Jesus is the king of the invisible spiritual kingdom during the church age, while Satan has been given authority over the physical kingdoms of the world during this age.

     During the tribulation period Satan will be extremely active as will his two major emissaries.

     “Then I (John) stood on the sand of the sea.  And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crown, and on his heads a blasphemous name…The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.”  Revelation 13:1-2

     The beast described is the final world kingdom consisting of ten member nations represented and ruled by the anti-Christ having received his authority from Satan.  Then another beast also receiving his power from Satan is allowed to appear to assist the first beast.

     “Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.  And he exercises all the authority of the first beast…and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast…”  Revelation 13:11-12   

     Satan’s purpose hasn’t changed over the ages.  He and his accomplices blaspheme God and make desperate attempts to deceive and tempt all mankind who are still on the earth.

     At the end of the tribulation period Christ returns and utterly defeats the two beasts.

     “Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet…These two were cast alive into the lake of fire…”  Revelation 19:19-20

     At that time Satan is imprisoned in the bottomless pit for a thousand years and the kingdoms of the world become the Kingdom of the Lord.

     “Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven…he laid hold of the dragon…and bound him for a thousand year; and he cast him into the bottomless pit…”  Revelation 20:1-3

     At the end of the thousand years Satan is released from the bottomless pit only to be quickly defeated after one final attempt to deceive those on the earth.

     “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire…where the beast and the false prophet are.  And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”  Revelation 20:10

     Thus ends the author of evil who attempted to deceive the whole world.