Psalms 8:1, 5:1-3, and 31:1-4

My Shepherd engaged my thoughts on the question of Satan’s authority as prince of the power of the air last night. I woke up thinking about it this morning. After I presented the New Testament sacrifices in my prayer closet, I felt that I should address that issue again in Shepherd’s Pasture. Ephesians 2:1-3:

Ephesians 2:1 ¶ And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

Ephesians 2:2 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:

Ephesians 2:3 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.

The word prince in verse 2 is ἄρχοντα (Archonta), the noun Archon (ruler) with a suffix indicating that Satan is the ruler we once followed. Jesus is called the ἄρχων (Archon) of the kings of the earth, who are called “the princes (Archons) of this world” (Revelation 1:5; see 1 Corinthians 2:6-8). Archon means ruler.

Jesus created all principalities, powers, and dominions (Colossians 1:16), including the principality of the world. Jesus made Satan the prince of this world (See John 12:31; 14:30; and 16:11—in each case the word world translates kosmos, not aion. This means Satan was prince of this physical earth, not merely this “age.”) Jesus cast Satan out and is no longer “prince of this world” (John 12:31).

Satan was “prince of this world,” and at one point could boast all the kingdoms of the world (kosmos) were his to give to whom he pleased (Matthew 4:8-9; Luke 4:5-7). Jesus did not correct him, but did rebuke him: “Get thee behind me, Satan” (Luke 4:8). He commanded Satan to take his place “behind” Jesus. Although Satan was, at that time, “prince of this world,” he was lower in rank than Jesus, the creator of the principality (Colossians 1:16). Jesus bound him through prayer and fasting, and proceeded thereafter to “spoil” the principalities over which he presided. This was fully accomplished on the Cross (Colossians 2:15-16).

Along the still waters, I reflected on the truth that while Satan is, indeed, “prince of the power of the air,” he is still under the command of Christ and must yield to His greater rank. I reflected that Jesus received “all power in heaven and in earth,” and understood this to mean the “power of the air” is under His domain, and power (exousia, or authority).

However, we know that Jesus is the Creator and already had all power, all glory, all all honour, over all things, including Satan and the principality over which he presided—the world and the kingdom of man, inclusive of all the kingdoms into which it was divided in Nimrod (See Daniel 4, Genesis 10-11). So how is it that “all power [was] given unto [Him]” (Matthew 29:18)?

Jesus is the Word that was with God and was God at creation (John 1:1; Genesis 1:1-2; see Colossians 1:16). However, the name Jesus was given to God manifest in the “flesh” (John 1:14). In other words, as Christ, the second Person of the Godhead,  the Creator, all was His. However, as “man,” He had to remove Satan to receive all power over Heaven and Earth. God gave dominion to the kingdom of man (Genesis 1:26-27). Satan usurped it when man sinned (Genesis 3) and came under the “power of death” held by Satan (Hebrews 2:14). Consistent with His own word, Jesus was sent to die on the Cross, spoiling Satan’s power, and removing from him the power of death.

This means that God transferred all power from the first Adam to the “Last Adam” (1 Corinthians 15:45). All who are baptized by the Spirit into Christ are joint heirs with Him (Romans 8:17). Selah.

In the valley, He called: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

At the table, He anointed my head with His oil and filled my cup with His grace. Goodness and mercy attended me as we went together into the harvest.

Praying for revival! 🙏