Devil's Authority?

[drfuss]

Luke 4: 5-7 "The devil led him up to a high place and showed Him in an instant all the Kingdoms of the world. And he said to Him, "I will give you all their authority and splender, for it has has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will be yours"" (NIV)

Did the devil really have such authority to give it to anyone or did he just claim to have this authority? Note that Jesus did not contradict him.

 

[Bismarck]

Luke 4: 5-7 "The devil led him up to a high place and showed Him in an instant all the Kingdoms of the world. And he said to Him, "I will give you all their authority and splender, for it has has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will be yours"" (NIV)

Did the devil really have such authority to give it to anyone or did he just claim to have this authority? Note that Jesus did not contradict him.

According to radio talkshow host Michael Savage, the most politically aggressive and influential lobby in the USA is the "Homosexual Mafia".

(That is obviously not the authority of Scripture — which leaves one possible culprit.)

 

[skypair]

Luke 4: 5-7 "The devil led him up to a high place and showed Him in an instant all the Kingdoms of the world. And he said to Him, "I will give you all their authority and splender, for it has has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will be yours"" (NIV)

Did the devil really have such authority to give it to anyone or did he just claim to have this authority? Note that Jesus did not contradict him.

At the right time and place, he will exercise that power, yes.

There are already 2 times Satan has thought to do it: 1) with Moses body (Jude 1:9) and 2) with Jesus who would, indeed, one day be King of all.

Right now is not timely for Satan (2Thes 2:3, 8) but when the church is raptured, Satan will empower AC to nearly become world ruler.

skypair

 

[Aaron]

Luke 4: 5-7 "The devil led him up to a high place and showed Him in an instant all the Kingdoms of the world. And he said to Him, "I will give you all their authority and splender, for it has has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will be yours"" (NIV)

Did the devil really have such authority to give it to anyone or did he just claim to have this authority? Note that Jesus did not contradict him.

No. The Devil is a liar.

 

[TCGreek]

Whatever authority the Devil has it's derivative per Scripture.

 

[tinytim]

In order for the devil to be referred too as the prince and power of the air in the Bible.. he would have to have some type of authority...

Here is my take on the temptations...
The Bible says there are 3 different types of temptations..
Lust of the flesh-- we can be tempted with our fleshly needs... food, shelter, love, water, etc

Lust of the eyes--- something looks good, and we are tempted...

Pride of life -- We can be tempted to be prideful

I contend that every temptation known to man can be classified into these three types... and it is these three that Satan will always tempt us with...

And it is with these three that he tempted Christ...

Lust of the Flesh: stone to bread... Jesus was hungry.. food is a fleshly need ...

Lust of the eyes: Notice he said to Jesus... "look at all the kingdoms"

Pride of life: "Throw yourself down... If you are who you say you are, The angels will catch you.." Tempting Jesus to prove who he was...


The reason the Satan could tempt Jesus with all the kingdoms was ...

Satan has the kingdoms under his control..

And the reason this was tempting was that the only way Christ could get the control from Satan was to die on the cross...
Satan bet that if Jesus could see that he didn't have to go the way of the Cross to get control of the kingdoms... then Jesus would take the bait....

But alas, Jesus was no fool...

And won the keys fair and square...


On a side note, Satan appeared again at the crucifixtion with these same three temptations... but this time he spoke through men...

Pride of life: If you are truly the son of God, come down from there...
lust of the flesh: Save yourself
Lust of the eyes: Jesus looked upon the kingdom that surrounded him crying out "Crucify him" and no doubt didn't want to be on that cross...That cup, But he had submitted to the father's will... and Jesus still endured to the point that he could look and say, "Forgive them..."

I am convinced that when we learn Satan's tricks, it will be easier to live a Christian life....

The three tricks...
Lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life....

 

[TCGreek]

And still the devil's authority was bestowed on him.

 

[tinytim]

And still the devil's authority was bestowed on him.

Exactly... God is still in complete control..which brings us right back around to the OP! Who actually had control? :laugh:

OH... to be able to figure these mysteries out!

I am just afraid that our limited 3-D minds cannot comprehend God's ways... that are not bound by 3 dimensions...

Can't wait until I get to eternity...

Wait...:tonofbricks:

OH yes I can... I wanna go.. but not today! :laugh:

 

[TCGreek]

Exactly... God is still in complete control..which brings us right back around to the OP! Who actually had control? :laugh:

OH... to be able to figure these mysteries out!

I am just afraid that our limited 3-D minds cannot comprehend God's ways... that are not bound by 3 dimensions...

Can't wait until I get to eternity...

Wait...:tonofbricks:

OH yes I can... I wanna go.. but not today! :laugh:

Those bricks that you keep throwing on yourself might get you there quicker than you think. :laugh:

 

[saturneptune]

I don't remember the reference in the Bible, but isn't there somewhere that Satan cannot read our thoughts? He certainly cannot exhibit the "omni" characteristics of God. As I understand it, all he can do is tempt and watch the reaction.

 

[MB]

Luke 4: 5-7 "The devil led him up to a high place and showed Him in an instant all the Kingdoms of the world. And he said to Him, "I will give you all their authority and splender, for it has has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will be yours"" (NIV)

Did the devil really have such authority to give it to anyone or did he just claim to have this authority? Note that Jesus did not contradict him.

Christ said in,
Joh 8:44 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.
Why would anyone believe Satan?
MB

 

[drfuss]

Another aspect of the devil's authority.

This test by Satan would have had no real weight if he was not the true ruler of kingdoms of the world.

This is why when later questioned by Pilate, Jesus answered: “My kingdom is no part of this world. If my kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be delivered up to the Jews. But, as it is, my kingdom is not from this source.” John 18:36.

Paul later identified the true ruler of this world at 2 Corinthians 4:3,4. 3 If, now, the good news we declare is in fact veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing, 4 among whom the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, that the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine through.

Who would you suppose desires to mentally blind people so that they will not see the fundamental reality? Also, note that he is called by Paul "a god" meaning a powerful one. But his authority is limited in scope to include only that part of mankind which is alienated from the True God, and is temporary, since both Satan and his supporters, both knowing and unknowing will suffer destruction.

And finally, when the aged prophet Daniel had been praying to God, an angel appeared to him. The angel explained that he would have arrived sooner but the "prince of the royal realm of Persia was standing in opposition to him," and that he only got through because another angel, Michael came to help him.

Obviously the "prince of the royal realm of Persia" was a demon, since a mere human can't stand against an angel of God. Daniel 10:12,13.

 

[Hawaiiski]

Satan is also called the "prince of this world" (Jn. 12:31; 16:11). II. Kings 19:15 compared w/ Jer. 27:5,6 seems to indicate that God is allowing Satan to temporarily have dominion until Christ returns to reclaim the kingdoms of the world (Rev. 11:15).

 

[MB]

Another aspect of the devil's authority.

This test by Satan would have had no real weight if he was not the true ruler of kingdoms of the world.

A lie is meant to convince the hearer of it. It's the being convinced that you'll acquire what you think you will. Whether or not Christ would have received rule over what was offered the sin begins at the consideration of it. once we have considered it we have sinned, because of the lust of the heart. Lust is a most peculiar thing. Lust is the desire the thinking or dreaming of having it. Many governments are evil no doubt but God Himself places the rulers in those governments. Not Satan

This is why when later questioned by Pilate, Jesus answered: “My kingdom is no part of this world. If my kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be delivered up to the Jews. But, as it is, my kingdom is not from this source.” John 18:36.

Source. Where did these kingdoms come from? Most kingdoms even today are evil to one degree or the another. Jesus Is the Son of God and His kingdom is heaven. However this planet was created by God. He brought us into existence and He can take us out this includes Satan. If that isn't control I don't know what is.

Paul later identified the true ruler of this world at 2 Corinthians 4:3,4. 3 If, now, the good news we declare is in fact veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing, 4 among whom the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, that the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine through.

Since no man can serve two masters then who ever you serve is your god. This doesn't make Satan a god. It just means that if we live in sin Satan is who we worship. Satan is our master. We are who it is that gives Satan the power he has over us.

Who would you suppose desires to mentally blind people so that they will not see the fundamental reality? Also, note that he is called by Paul "a god" meaning a powerful one. But his authority is limited in scope to include only that part of mankind which is alienated from the True God, and is temporary, since both Satan and his supporters, both knowing and unknowing will suffer destruction.
[/quote]
I agree that it is Satan who wishes to lead us all astray. Although Satan isn't a God to me or anyone who believes in and follows Christ. Paul used the word god to describe what he is to those who follow him.

And finally, when the aged prophet Daniel had been praying to God, an angel appeared to him. The angel explained that he would have arrived sooner but the "prince of the royal realm of Persia was standing in opposition to him," and that he only got through because another angel, Michael came to help him.

Obviously the "prince of the royal realm of Persia" was a demon, since a mere human can't stand against an angel of God. Daniel 10:12,13.

The thing here to remember is, it wasn't God who was held up but a regular angle being held up by the prince of darkness. God sent Michael to over throw the prince of darkness, and did. Again this clearly shows who's in control. God is...
MB

 

[drfuss]

Quote:
Originally Posted by drfuss
Another aspect of the devil's authority.

This test by Satan would have had no real weight if he was not the true ruler of kingdoms of the world.

MB writes:
"A lie is meant to convince the hearer of it. It's the being convinced that you'll acquire what you think you will. Whether or not Christ would have received rule over what was offered the sin begins at the consideration of it. once we have considered it we have sinned, because of the lust of the heart. Lust is a most peculiar thing. Lust is the desire the thinking or dreaming of having it. Many governments are evil no doubt but God Himself places the rulers in those governments. Not Satan"

drfuss: I don't know what the above has to do with whether or not the deviil had the power that he claimed. But if he did not have the power at that time, it would have been a meaningless test for Jesus. Therefore, I conclude that the devil did have the power that he claimed (given by God, of course).