I became a Christian in the spring of 1976. I was in my 20s and I did not grow up in a Christian home. So I actually knew nothing about what the Bible had to say. I got a Bible and started reading it and have not stopped since then. Next year I’ll be a Christian 50 years and during that time I have learned a lot, and have listened to a lot of different preachers through the years.
Sometimes they say things that I just do not agree with. One of those things is that the devil owns the Earth. Their reasoning they say, is because Adam and Eve gave up their right to the Earth and gave the “title deed” of the Earth to Satan when they sinned, however, they give no scripture to back that up.
Another reason they give, is when Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness (Matthew 4:8-10), the devil offered Jesus the whole world if He would just fall down and worship him. They reason that if the devil did not own the Earth. Jesus would’ve argued that point to the Devil. The Devil was only offering what he had control over, not the entire world.
I’m not sure how they miss the verses, especially in psalms that says the “earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof”. There may be others, but these three in Psalm prove the point which Paul quotes in the New Testament.
Psalm 24 (KJV) (Please read the whole chapter)
1. The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
Psalm 50:12 (KJV) (Please read the whole chapter)
10. For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.
11. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.
12. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.
Psalm 89:11 (ESV) (Please read the whole chapter)
11. The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours;
the world and all that is in it, you have founded them.
1 Corinthians 10:26;28 (KJV) (Please read the whole chapter)
26. For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.
28b.for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof:
So where do they get it wrong or where is the mixup that they have? I think part of it is the verses in John 14 where Jesus says that Satan is the ruler of this world. Paul also has something to say in Ephesians 6. These verses, I think, may add to some peoples confusion. I think they may believe that if Satan is the ruler of the world, then he owns it. Which is definitely not the case, looking at the Psalms we see that God owns it all. God gave man a free will to choose who they will serve.
John 14:30 (ESV) (Please read the whole chapter)
30. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me,
Paul says in Ephesians says that we wrestle against “rulers of the darkness of this world” and in 2 Corinthians 4:4a he says that Satan is “the god of this world”.
Ephesians 6:12 (KJV) (Please read the whole chapter)
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.
2 Corinthians 4:4a (KJV) (Please read the whole chapter)
4. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not
I can see how some people would be confused about who owns the world when looking at these verses in John14, Ephesians 6, and 2 Corinthians 4. The Bible clearly states the Satan has some control in the world, but what is it that he is controlling?
He is manipulating mankind to not believe in God. He wants people to believe in anything but God. So all over the world, he has people trying to work their way into heaven by the different religions or beliefs That is not the way the gospel is revealed to man. We are saved by Grace and Grace alone.
So it is up to us Christians to fight the good fight of faith according to the Scriptures. In Ephesians it says we are to take on that fight to help people get saved and stand firm against the devil. Telling them, that God is the One we should give our devotion and worship to. We are fighting against the devil with this armor, we can’t do it in our own strength.
Ephesians 6:10-18 (ESV) (Please read the whole chapter)
10. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15. and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17. and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18. praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
The devil is controlling the religions of the world and everything else that takes away our allegiance and devotion to Jesus.
That is why the devil is the god, ruler, or prince, in this world. Anything and everything that takes us away from Jesus. So God owns the world and everything in it, but the devil is the ruler of what people do in this world. 2 Corinthians 4 is very revealing about this fact.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (ESV) (Please read the whole chapter)
3. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4. 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.
God made the world and the entire universe and everything in it, He owns it all. But the devil tries to corrupt it, thus becoming the ruler of this world. People have a free will to serve who they want. And it is in this way that the devil is the god of this world. Deceiving people.
But we are not ignorant of what the devil does (2 Corinthians 2:11). So we continue to fight to get people saved, and get them out of Satan’s kingdom, into God’s kingdom.
MARANATHA