THE PRINCE OF THIS WORLD
My dear friend,
Have you ever wondered about what makes sense in this life and also why things happen that are bad for us? How often do we say that there is a purpose for what happens, or that it is the will of God, or that He has a plan that we do not know about? Many of these arguments may be valid but let us look at this from a different angle.
A while ago, God blessed me with a Colt LDV in an exceptionally good condition. On receiving it, it was declared in the spiritual realm, that this will be an instrument that will lead many people to Jesus. This was confirmed by various children of God. The extras that I needed to equip it fully, were also supplied in a special, Godly way.
O, yes, this vehicle was indeed used to bring the message of forgiveness and deliverance to many. This all confirmed what was previously declared.
Then, after about five months, this vehicle was stolen. It was removed from my premises after they broke the ratchet at the bottom of the security gate as well as the bracket of the lock on the gate. Not one of us woke up and even the dogs did not bark. When I woke up the following morning, the gate was open and the vehicle was gone.
All the arguments and ways of thought, mentioned above, entered my mind. A friend phoned me later to say that I have to remember that God is not in charge of this world and that the world belonged to the ‘prince’ of this world.‘ This caused a turbulence in my spirit for how can it be possible that God cannot be in charge of the world. I started to speak to Father about this and early one morning, I looked at what the Bible tells us about this.
Who is in charge of the world? It is Satan! In Revelations 12:9 it is written: “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”
Satan was cast out into the earth, and thus has the right to be here. We also see this where Satan tempted Jesus as described in Luke 4:5-8 “And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 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. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”
Jesus himself says in John 14:30 “Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.” Here Jesus himself admits here that Satan is the ‘prince’ of this world.
Another confirmation hereof is 1John 5:19 saying “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.” Wickedness belongs to and comes from Satan.
In Revelations 21:1 it is written: “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.” If God is in charge of the world, why should it be destroyed by fire?
What then, has Jesus come to do if God was not in charge of the world? Will He ever be in charge? Do we hope in vain? Let us look at what the Bible says.
What did Jesus come to do? Yes, certainly we are saved if we accept Him as our Savior. Acts 4:12 states: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Jesus saves. But He does more than just saving us. He also brings His Kingdom. In John 18:36 Jesus said: “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” Here He explicitly declares that His kingdom is not from this world. The kingdoms of this world, all belong to Satan.
Jesus teaches us how to pray in Luke 11:2: “And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.” Here we have to pray for the kingdom of God to come and His will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth.
What is the kingdom of God? It is where His authority and power rules.
What is happening here? A kingdom of God’s authority and power is created within another kingdom. It is exactly the same as when one province of a country declares itself independent. Whenever this happens, there is always a heavy reaction.
The authority of the country opposes this independence and declares war against them. People die, property is being destroyed and there is great damage and chaos. This is what happened in Russia a few years ago when Chechnya declared itself independent from the Russian federation and Russia declared war against them and attacked them. Thousands died and damages, amounting to millions of dollars was caused.
The very same happened when Jesus declared His kingdom on earth. The prince of this world, Satan, immediately declared war. We read in Revelation 13:1-10: “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.”
Here I read about a war that will be fought against the saints of God. A war against those who stand in God’s authority and power. I also see that some of these saints will be overcome and that is why Jesus asks in Luke 18:8 “I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” Will the true faith in Jesus Christ still be found upon His return, He asks!!
We also read in Matt 24:24 “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” As the result of the intensity of these attacks, many believers will become doubtful about God and will be misled.
How will I be able to keep my faith in Jesus Christ?
Only my position in the kingdom of God. Only my authorioty in Christ Jesus.
1 John 4:4 states: “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
That is why we have to stand up, our eyes riveted on Jesus, according to Hebrews 12:1-2 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Let us once and for all realize that we are pilgrims and strangers here on earth.
Hebrews 11:13 states: “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”
In Philippians 3: 20 we read: “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Our place of residence is in heaven!! From this, it is very clear that we are not of this world. Therefore we will be hated, prosecuted and also be killed. We are part of a kingdom that, according to the world, is illegal and has to be repressed and destroyed.
That is why Jesus says in Matthew 5:10 “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” And also in John 17:14 “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”
You and me are not safeguarded against these attacks. Also not against persecution and repression. Yes, I know that it will not be easy when things like that happen to us.
The question, however remains: How do we handle them? Where is our focus?
I know that it is certainly difficult to keep your focus on Jesus when there is no food in the house, if you have to leave or are thrown out of your house, your belongings are stolen, etc. Jesus says in Matthew 8:20 and also in Luke 9:58: “And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” Jesus also had a hard and difficult life here on earth.
Satan invades your thoughts through openings that are available to him, by things in your life that gives him access. If there is something wrong in your life through which Satan can enter, confess it before God.
If, however, there is nothing, lift up your head, focus on Jesus and start living in His kingdom, His authority. So often we want to find the reason for something by looking for openings that are not present, and so make us ineffective in the kingdom of God.
Let us choose to go to task with the full knowledge that we might get hurt or even die, but with the certainty that our God is with us and will reward us according to His grace.
In His kingdom, we have power. In His kingdom we can stand on His word that states in Luke 10 :19 “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
In the kingdom of God, we will reign as kings here on earth.
In pray the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ over you.
Cobus van Heerden.