Who owns the earth?

[blessedwife318]

In another thread the claim was made that Satan is the owner of the earth.
This in my view is an absolute false statement and is an assault on God.
The Bible is clear that the Earth is God's possession, He never lost control of it despite what WOF teachers may say.

Some verses that show that God is the owner of the earth.

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine;
Ex. 19:5

Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it.
Deu 10:14


Who has first given to me, that I should repay him?
Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine.
Job 41:11

The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof,[a]
the world and those who dwell therein,
Ps 21:1

Now I know that the proponents are going to run to 2 Cor 4:4 which says
" In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."

to back up their idea that Satan is the owner of this world. But this ignores the fact that world can have multiple meanings including the earth, all the people on it, or the system.
Satan is the god of the world system, he is who the world system worships but that does not mean he is the owner of the earth since that would go against multiple scriptures that are clear that God is the owner of the Earth and everything on it.

 

[JonC]

Satan is called the ruler of this world. It is implied in the temptation of Christ that he has the power to actually give what he promised should Jesus choose to avoid the Cross. So in a way…yes, Satan owns the earth (in a spiritual sense) in the sense that this world is under his rule, but not in the sense that the earth does not belong to God. All authority originates with God (Satan did not defeat God to gain authority of His creation). In this way the Kingdom stands in direct contrast with “this world.”

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Cor. 4: 3-4)

31 Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. (John 12:31)

2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.(Ephesians 2:2)

Salvation is rescue from the domain of darkness:

13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13)

 

[revmwc]

In another thread the claim was made that Satan is the owner of the earth.
This in my view is an absolute false statement and is an assault on God.
The Bible is clear that the Earth is God's possession, He never lost control of it despite what WOF teachers may say.

Some verses that show that God is the owner of the earth.

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine;
Ex. 19:5

Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it.

Deu 10:14


Who has first given to me, that I should repay him?
Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine.
Job 41:11

The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof,[a]
the world and those who dwell therein,
Ps 21:1

Now I know that the proponents are going to run to 2 Cor 4:4 which says
" In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."

to back up their idea that Satan is the owner of this world. But this ignores the fact that world can have multiple meanings including the earth, all the people on it, or the system.
Satan is the god of the world system, he is who the world system worships but that does not mean he is the owner of the earth since that would go against multiple scriptures that are clear that God is the owner of the Earth and everything on it.

God owns everything but the question is really, who controls the Earth or has possession according to the Bible, who has dominion. Adam lost dominion. Adam mortgaged the Earth to satan. Maybe that is where the confusion is

Ephesians 2:1-3

1"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others."

So who is the Prince and Power of the Air who is right now setting the course of this world, everyone I know says it is satan.

We also see Revelation 12:7 "And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven."

Satan will be confined to the earth that is at the midway point of the Tribulation.

Why does it need to be redeemed,

Genesis 3:17-18.
17 "And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;"

Not only was the ground cursed, deserts, waste, barren lands would appear to be under the curse. All the vegetation is under the same curse. Thorns and thistles, weeds begin to spring up.

Romans 8:22 "For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now."

We also see this

Ephesians 6:10-18.
10 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 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 in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"

Where is our war at on earth or in Heaven?

We are to put on the armor to be able to "stand against the wiles of the devil."
Who has possession of this earth?

Look around and tell me, ISIS, al-Queda, Hezbollah, Muslim Brotherhood etc. who drives these groups, satan! How through the Principality demons, through the demons who have powers, the rulers of darkness, all under the leadership of satan.

So who rules this earth currently?

God will pay Him the price for the redemption of the Earth which is God's wrath and judgement as it is poured out during the Tribulation.
At the end the unholy trinity that has come to fruition will be defeated. The beast and false Prophet (anti-christ that is the false messiah) will be cast alive into the Lake of Fire and satan will be bound for 1000 years.

He will not be able to influence the earth for 1000 years, he will no longer have possession of it, because it will have been redeemed by the plagues and judgment of God during the Tribulation.

Something else which shows satan is currently in control or possession of the mortgage of the earth.

Matthew 4:8-9,
8 "Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me."
Luke 4:5-6,
5 "And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
6 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 to whomsoever I will I give it."

Satan could have delivered on that promise since he is the prince and power of the air. Whoever he wants to give those kingdoms to he will give it. He gives them to the Beast in Revelations.

God pours His wrath out on the earth and the unholy trinity as well as the inhabitants of the earth to redeem the lost possession, the possession lost by Adam.

 

[blessedwife318]

I have no problem with the saying that Satan rules the world system. But the claim that he owns the earth and that the earth has to STILL be redeemed from Satan is a problem. God owns the earth, He has always owned the earth and Satan is not an equal with God that needs to be paid. Satan is a created being that is subordinate to God no matter how much he tries to fight that, and convince people that he is equal with God.
Anything that put Satan on equal footing with God must be challenged.

 

[revmwc]

I have no problem with the saying that Satan rules the world system. But the claim that he owns the earth and that the earth has to STILL be redeemed from Satan is a problem. God owns the earth, He has always owned the earth and Satan is not an equal with God that needs to be paid. Satan is a created being that is subordinate to God no matter how much he tries to fight that, and convince people that he is equal with God.
Anything that put Satan on equal footing with God must be challenged.

Again that is where I think there may be confusion. God owns everything. He gave Adam dominion, but Adam sinned and lost Dominion. Satan now has Dominion and virtually he holds a mortgage on the earth.

The price of the mortgage has to be paid, and it will be. The terms of payment are contained in the Little scroll or as it is called the book seen in Revelation 5.

Each seal reveals one phase of the payment. Each leads to a judgment or plague poured out on the earth. God pays the mortgage with His wrath upon the earth and those of the Tribulation, eventually satan and the unholy trinity are defeated and the earth redeemed for the 1000 year Kingdom.

 

[revmwc]

Again that is where I think there may be confusion. God owns everything. He gave Adam dominion, but Adam sinned and lost Dominion. Satan now has Dominion and virtually he holds a mortgage on the earth.

The price of the mortgage has to be paid, and it will be. The terms of payment are contained in the Little scroll or as it is called the book seen in Revelation 5.

Each seal reveals one phase of the payment. Each leads to a judgment or plague poured out on the earth. God pays the mortgage with His wrath upon the earth and those of the Tribulation, eventually satan and the unholy trinity are defeated and the earth redeemed for the 1000 year Kingdom.

Let me add those of the Church that is the present age will be kept from this time of wrath. Because we have been redeemed by the Blood of Jesus. He paid the price for our sin, He met our redemption price for us. The Church will not go through this time by means of the snatching away.

 

[revmwc]

In another thread the claim was made that Satan is the owner of the earth.
This in my view is an absolute false statement and is an assault on God.
The Bible is clear that the Earth is God's possession, He never lost control of it despite what WOF teachers may say.

Some verses that show that God is the owner of the earth.

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine;
Ex. 19:5

Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it.
Deu 10:14


Who has first given to me, that I should repay him?
Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine.
Job 41:11

The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof,[a]
the world and those who dwell therein,
Ps 21:1

Now I know that the proponents are going to run to 2 Cor 4:4 which says
" In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."

to back up their idea that Satan is the owner of this world. But this ignores the fact that world can have multiple meanings including the earth, all the people on it, or the system.
Satan is the god of the world system, he is who the world system worships but that does not mean he is the owner of the earth since that would go against multiple scriptures that are clear that God is the owner of the Earth and everything on it.

Let's be clear here was the question posed:

"So the Satan is the ruler of this world, in your opinion just to make sure I understand right."

 

[blessedwife318]

God owns everything but the question is really, who controls the Earth or has possession according to the Bible, who has dominion. Adam lost dominion. Adam mortgaged the Earth to satan. Maybe that is where the confusion is

WOF idea that I 100% disagree with. God did not give ownership to Adam who then lost it to Satan. All one has to do is read the book of Job to see who is truly in control of the earth. Satan could not do anything he wanted, he had to have permission from God who is in control, who is the owner.

Ephesians 2:1-3

1"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others."

So who is the Prince and Power of the Air who is right now setting the course of this world, everyone I know says it is satan.

Well he may be the ruler of the the world system but God is still setting the course of the world. Again look at Job. Satan is in no way equal with God.

We also see Revelation 12:7 "And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven."

Satan will be confined to the earth that is at the midway point of the Tribulation.

That has nothing to do with who owns the earth, and in fact really backs up my point that Satan is under God's authority just like this world is since he can be cast out of heaven.

Why does it need to be redeemed,

begging the question

Genesis 3:17-18.
17 "And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;"

Not only was the ground cursed, deserts, waste, barren lands would appear to be under the curse. All the vegetation is under the same curse. Thorns and thistles, weeds begin to spring up.

Romans 8:22 "For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now."

A result of sin, but there is nothing in here proving your idea that ownership has been transferred to Satan.

We also see this

Ephesians 6:10-18.
10 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 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 in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"

Spiritual warfare doesn't prove that Satan is the owner, actually it support the view that God is the owner and Satan is warring against that. Unless you are saying that God is not powerful enough to win a war against Satan to gain possession of the earth back.

Where is our war at on earth or in Heaven?

What does this have do with your point.

We are to put on the armor to be able to "stand against the wiles of the devil."
Who has possession of this earth?

God

Look around and tell me, ISIS, al-Queda, Hezbollah, Muslim Brotherhood etc. who drives these groups, satan! How through the Principality demons, through the demons who have powers, the rulers of darkness, all under the leadership of satan.

So who rules this earth currently?

God

God will pay Him the price for the redemption of the Earth which is God's wrath and judgement as it is poured out during the Tribulation.
At the end the unholy trinity that has come to fruition will be defeated. The beast and false Prophet (anti-christ that is the false messiah) will be cast alive into the Lake of Fire and satan will be bound for 1000 years.

He will not be able to influence the earth for 1000 years, he will no longer have possession of it, because it will have been redeemed by the plagues and judgment of God during the Tribulation.

So then God gives possession back to Satan at the end of 1000 years, is that what your argument is?
Also you are making a circular argument. The earth is redeemed because it needs to be redeemed and we know it needs to be redeemed because it is redeemed.

Something else which shows satan is currently in control or possession of the mortgage of the earth.

Matthew 4:8-9,
8 "Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me."
Luke 4:5-6,
5 "And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
6 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 to whomsoever I will I give it."

Satan could have delivered on that promise since he is the prince and power of the air. Whoever he wants to give those kingdoms to he will give it. He gives them to the Beast in Revelations.

God pours His wrath out on the earth and the unholy trinity as well as the inhabitants of the earth to redeem the lost possession, the possession lost by Adam.

Yeah like I said on the other thread, using the father of lies as a source doesn't help your case.
As Job shows us Satan can only do what God allows him to do. The only reason Satan is able to give the anti-christ any power is because God allows him to do so. God is and always has been and always will be the ruler of this World. He is Sovereign over all His creation.

 

[OldRegular]

In another thread the claim was made that Satan is the owner of the earth.
This in my view is an absolute false statement and is an assault on God.
The Bible is clear that the Earth is God's possession, He never lost control of it despite what WOF teachers may say.

Some verses that show that God is the owner of the earth.

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine;
Ex. 19:5

Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it.
Deu 10:14


Who has first given to me, that I should repay him?
Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine.
Job 41:11

The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof,[a]
the world and those who dwell therein,
Ps 21:1

Now I know that the proponents are going to run to 2 Cor 4:4 which says
" In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."

to back up their idea that Satan is the owner of this world. But this ignores the fact that world can have multiple meanings including the earth, all the people on it, or the system.
Satan is the god of the world system, he is who the world system worships but that does not mean he is the owner of the earth since that would go against multiple scriptures that are clear that God is the owner of the Earth and everything on it.

You say it very well. Actually Satan owns nothing except perhaps those who are servants of sin!

John 8:34. Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

 

[RLBosley]

I don't get how this is even in dispute. If nothing else the words of Jesus should immediately answer the question:

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. - Mat 28:18 NASB

 

[blessedwife318]

I don't get how this is even in dispute. If nothing else the words of Jesus should immediately answer the question:

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. - Mat 28:18 NASB

They should but they won't.

 

[revmwc]

WOF idea that I 100% disagree with. God did not give ownership to Adam who then lost it to Satan. All one has to do is read the book of Job to see who is truly in control of the earth. Satan could not do anything he wanted, he had to have permission from God who is in control, who is the owner.


Well he may be the ruler of the the world system but God is still setting the course of the world. Again look at Job. Satan is in no way equal with God.



That has nothing to do with who owns the earth, and in fact really backs up my point that Satan is under God's authority just like this world is since he can be cast out of heaven.

Why does it need to be redeemed,

begging the question



A result of sin, but there is nothing in here proving your idea that ownership has been transferred to Satan.


Spiritual warfare doesn't prove that Satan is the owner, actually it support the view that God is the owner and Satan is warring against that. Unless you are saying that God is not powerful enough to win a war against Satan to gain possession of the earth back.


What does this have do with your point.


God



God



So then God gives possession back to Satan at the end of 1000 years, is that what your argument is?
Also you are making a circular argument. The earth is redeemed because it needs to be redeemed and we know it needs to be redeemed because it is redeemed.



Yeah like I said on the other thread, using the father of lies as a source doesn't help your case.
As Job shows us Satan can only do what God allows him to do. The only reason Satan is able to give the anti-christ any power is because God allows him to do so. God is and always has been and always will be the ruler of this World. He is Sovereign over all His creation.

We agree God never gave ownership to Adam He gave him dominion, control, Adam forfeited control to satan when He fell and satan is in control. Could God take that control from Him, yes of course. Will God meet the terms of redemption contained in the little book or scroll seen in Revelation, yes He will. What is that price? The Tribulation period will be the literal period of God's wrath poured out upon the earth and mankind. The vials and the plagues, the great devastation that will come on the whole earth and all of mankind. Some say the Tribulation isn't coming but God wsays in Revelation 6:17 His wrath is come. Satan will at the 3 1/2 year point be cast out of heaven and be confined to earth and he will bring together the unholy trinity.

Just as Pharaoh hardened his heart in letting the people of Israel go and thus the plagues came. So too is this the point of satan not willingly giving up control of the earth. God finally binds him before the Kingdom begins. Again do you really believe satan doesn't have control? Look around ISIS, al Queda and the others are satans weapons against God's church and people. fortunately for the church that the Believers they will be snatched away. While God wars with satan thus meeting the terms of redeeming or reclaiming mans dominion as the Kinsman redeemer.

 

[RLBosley]

Again do you really believe satan doesn't have control? Look around ISIS, al Queda and the others are satans weapons against God's church and people.

Let me interject something regarding this point specifically. Do you believe Assyria, when it invaded Israel, was Satan's weapon or God's? Same question regarding Babylon and the Southern Kingdom.

 

[JonC]

Satan now has Dominion and virtually he holds a mortgage on the earth.

The price of the mortgage has to be paid, and it will be. The terms of payment are contained in the Little scroll or as it is called the book seen in Revelation 5.

Here I disagree. I have not found Scripture to indicate that there is a debt owed to Satan. Paul speaks of a "debt," but it was a debt on our behalf owed God.

 

[OldRegular]

God owns everything but the question is really, who controls the Earth or has possession according to the Bible, who has dominion. Adam lost dominion. Adam mortgaged the Earth to satan. Maybe that is where the confusion is

Just how did Adam mortgage the earth to Satan when Adam sid not own the earth? That sounds like Word of Faith heresy to me.

The heretical teachings of the Word of Faith Movement are summarized in the Kingdom of the Cults, revised, page 497ff. Below is the teaching regarding the fall!

The Fall caused Adam and Eve's divine natures to be replaced with Satan’s nature. They also lost their rights of rulership to planet earth. Even God was barred from having full access to earth because Adam and Eve were under His lordship when they ‘fell’. Through their disobedience Satan became the god of this world.

Satan could have delivered on that promise since he is the prince and power of the air. Whoever he wants to give those kingdoms to he will give it. He gives them to the Beast in Revelations.

You need to read Job 38-41 and then like Job repent in dust cloth and ashes!

God pours His wrath out on the earth and the unholy trinity as well as the inhabitants of the earth to redeem the lost possession, the possession lost by Adam.

You still spouting that heretical nonsense. DHK and blessedwife318 have already discredited that nonsense! Jesus Christ has already paid the price for the redemption of everything that will be redeemed!

 

[blessedwife318]

Who set the terms? And you really think God can't crush Satan at any time. Satan is not equal to God. You are making Satan way to powerful.
Yes I believe God is in control of the world and everything that happens. It would be really depressing to think that God is just up in heaven wringing His hands as He watches the earth helplessly descend into turmoil.

 

[OldRegular]

Let me interject something regarding this point specifically. Do you believe Assyria, when it invaded Israel, was Satan's weapon or God's? Same question regarding Babylon and the Southern Kingdom.

You may be in for a surprise since rm and DC believe the Great Seven Year Tribulation will redeem the earth!

 

[Rolfe]

This may be overly simplistic, but I would think that whoever has the ultimate power over the destiny of the Earth is the owner of it. I think that it has already been indicated in Scripture.

 

[revmwc]

I don't get how this is even in dispute. If nothing else the words of Jesus should immediately answer the question:

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. - Mat 28:18 NASB

Let me catch you up. I said the book or scroll in Revelation 5 is a book or scroll of redemption as the Jews practiced when a piece of property, the scroll was rolled and sealed with 7 seals. It contained the terms of redemption, the redemption price if you will for that property and Christ opens the seals for the one for the earth.

Christ opens the scroll or book one seal at a time and God's wrath is poured out in the way of horsemen, plagues, war and death. thus the redemption price. The was who is the payment made to at first, then it escalated to who owns the earth. To the first part I asked this question and never received an answer, who was the payment of man's sin paid too? Believers receive the benefits of the Payment Christ made for sin. That is who the payment for the redemption of the earth will be paid. Believers will receive the benefit of the payment to redeem the earth. Satan will get the full brunt of Gods wrath poured out as will the inhabitants of the earth in the Tribulation. Thus the church will not go through that time but will be snatched out and that is what started this whole thing.

 

[OldRegular]

Who set the terms? And you really think God can't crush Satan at any time. Satan is not equal to God. You are making Satan way to powerful.
Yes I believe God is in control of the world and everything that happens. It would be really depressing to think that God is just up in heaven wringing His hands as He watches the earth helplessly descend into turmoil.

Lovely Lady, You have a wonderful way of presenting the truth. I could not keep myself from laughing when I read your response. If we serve a GOD who is worried about Satan we are of all people most miserable.

I recall hearing a pastor from Canada remark on the radio regarding the angst of some Christians over the election of Bill Clinton. He said "GOD has no sweat on HIS forehead" and HE is not wringing HIS Hands now.