Revelation Part 50

Revelation 11:15 states, 

"The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ..." 

Until this moment "the kingdoms of this world" have been under another influence that opposes God and Jesus Christ. Scripture gives us several perspectives on Satan's influence over the present world.

First, there is a matter of influence. 1 John 5:19 says that "the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one." This does not mean that Satan has authority equal to God's. Rather, God permits Satan to exercise influence over the present world. The passage immediately warns believers to keep themselves from idols. Ephesians 2:1-10 likewise describes humanity as having been spiritually dead because of sin and having walked according to the course of this world and the influence of the ruler of the power of the air.

Second, there is leadership and deception. Satan is described in 2 Corinthians 4:4 as "the god of this age" who has blinded the minds of those who do not believe, so that the light of the gospel does not shine on them. Satan's influence is exercised through deception, false ideas, false religion, and systems that turn people away from God.

Third, there is a certain capacity or authority that Satan has been permitted to exercise. In Matthew 4:8-9, Satan showed Jesus the kingdoms of the world and claimed that they had been delivered to him and that he could give them to whom he wished. Jesus did not dispute Satan's claim by saying that Satan had no influence whatsoever over the kingdoms of the world. Instead, Christ rejected Satan's offer of authority and worship.

There is also the matter of dominion. In John 12:28, Jesus asked the Father to glorify His name, and a voice from heaven answered, "I have both glorified it and will glorify it again." Jesus then said in verse 31, "Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out." Jesus was looking ahead to the ultimate removal of Satan's authority. John 14:30 calls Satan "the ruler of this world," and John 16:11 says that the ruler of this world has been judged.

Governments themselves are not inherently evil. God establishes governmental structure for the benefit and protection of human beings. Scripture teaches that there is a legitimate purpose for authority and government. The problem comes when human governments refuse to acknowledge God, reject His laws, and become instruments of corruption and oppression. Satan perverts what God establishes. He takes structures that can serve a legitimate purpose and turns them toward rebellion, deception, control, and corruption.

Acts 4:23-31 gives us a picture of this rebellion. The nations rage, the kings of the earth take their stand, and rulers gather against the Lord and against His Christ. Revelation will eventually describe how those same rebellious powers assemble in opposition to God. Their rebellion will not succeed.

Revelation 11:16-17 then gives us another scene in heaven: 

"And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: 'We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was and who is to come, because You have taken Your great power and reigned.'"

Can you imagine the joy and anticipation of this moment? The hope that God's people have looked toward throughout the ages, and that we have long celebrated through the Holy Days, is finally moving toward its fulfillment. There is still much to do, but the announcement has been made. God's government is now being established!

Satan is a counterfeit. His systems are counterfeit. His false religion and his political and economic systems are ultimately built around rebellion against God's government. Revelation 13 will give us a much clearer picture of the beast and the system that Satan establishes through him. But now the counterfeit is being addressed. The rightful King is being restored. The usurper is being ousted. The scepter will no longer be left in the hands of rebellious human governments and the adversary's system.  

UYA Team | uya@ucg.org  

United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.