Does the Devil Rule the World

[Gottle_of_Geer]

The JW’s site scripture where Jesus was tempted in the desert as proof that Satan rules the world in that he offered it to Jesus as a temptation and Jesus was tempted.

Of course He was tempted - men are. He was a man.​

The Evangelists are saying a lot in these passages:

• Jesus is Israel in person
• He stood the test, unlike Israel in the desert
• He was obedient - unlike…
• He was not spared temptation
• satan had no hold over Him
• He is our Model
• He is fully human
• They are preparing for the Passion Narratives
• The OT is fulfilled in Him
• He is better than Moses
• He is the Messiah
• • & more

Would like some scripture to show otherwise - Satan does NOT RULE the world, is merely allowed to exist in the world. And also does anyone know of a “topic” driven guide to the Bible. Thanks s

Jesus has crushed its head & cast it out - it is the “strong man”, but Jesus is the “stronger man” who “has despoiled it”, & “let it in triumph”.​

The theme of Kingly Rule - that of the Father, preached by & shown forth in Jesus - is basic to the NT. The demonology of the NT is one expression of this - because the casting out of demons is a sign of the Presence of the Kingdom, & a work of the Messiah.

Jesus is often called “the Son of Man”. The Gospel use of this title is almost certainly coloured by its use in the Book of Enoch, which was familiar to the first Christians. In the BoE, there is a kingdom of satan, opposed to that of “the Lord of Spirits” (a title for God). If the BoE influenced Jesus or the formation of the gospels, it’s quite possible that His “work on earth” was seen as a fulfilment of the ideas in the BoE - including His encounters with demonic powers (they might not be demons to our way of thinking - but that does not matter).

The NT is full of expressions which underline the decisiveness & finality & irreversibility of His victory:

• “He has abolished death…”,
• cast out “the prince of this world”,
• established “the Kingdom/Kingship/Kingly ruling of God/Heaven” (= the Kingship of His Father)
  It may not seem like it - this is because the Kingship is present in mystery: it is not political, like human lordships, which are here today, & forgotten tomorrow; they don’t last, haven’t lasted, can’t last, because they are built on human glory, strength, power, might & splendour - IOW, they are built on sin. It has been established on earth, so it is here already - but it is not fully present; so there is a tension between our life as the People of God now, & the fullness of the presence of the Kingdom to come we hope for. He has established it: therefore, we pray for its coming. The Sacraments are signs of it.

The Kingship of Christ OTOH is an everlasting kingdom, because it is built on the shame, disgrace, weakness & powerlessness of the Cross. It has a totally different basis from that of the worldly kingdoms offered by satan; because their sinful character has its source in satan. satan’s power is broken by the Cross - that’s one of the reasons that for St. John the Crucifixion is the Kingly Exaltation of Christ.

For a kingdom built on sin & manifesting its power, ISTM one need look no further than the Third Reich. It’s deeply ironic that a reich devoted to exterminating the Jews should have an ideology so full of OT & Messianic imagery, such as:

• salvation, or spaciousness for living - cf. Lebensraum
• holy war - speaks for itself IMO
• exterminating of the enemies of God
• a 1000-year kingdom (Millennialists please note)
• a festal calendar
• an elect nation - the German Volk
• a Lord’s Anointed - its Fuehrer
• a Cross
• apostles & prophets - its ideologues
  satan does not rule anything - but it has its satanic counter-Messiahs.

The Kingdom of Christ is totalitarian - it requires from Him a totally self-giving Love, that which is His Father’s, which He pours out on the Cross in order to give new Life to His enemies. Which is why we cannot be less total

These other kingdoms are totalitarian, in a more familiar sense - they enslave & murder their subjects, & are never done murdering; their rulers slaughtered their own helpers.

 

[ryanoneil]

1. Satan is active in the world but He doesn’t have free reign. He will only be “loosed for a little while” before the final battle.

(2 Theselonians 2:6-7) And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.

1. Jesus rules the World even though Satan is active. Dealing with enemies is what reigning entails. Christ isn’t waiting to reign until after complete and total victory. That is how we, the Church Militant, are active in cooperating with the Church Triumphant, in Christ.

(1 Corinthians 15:25) For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.

The overcoming of Christ’s enemies is the main focus of ruling the Kingdom! The exciting thing is we already know who will win in the final battle.

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

Reply to Objection 7. As Chrysostom says (Hom. v in Matth.): “The devil set Him” (on a pinnacle of the Temple) “that He might be seen by all, whereas, unawares to the devil, He acted in such sort that He was seen by none.”

In regard to the words, “‘He showed Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them,’ we are not to understand that He saw the very kingdoms, with the cities and inhabitants, their gold and silver: but that the devil pointed out the quarters in which each kingdom or city lay, and set forth to Him in words their glory and estate.” Or, again, as Origen says (Hom. xxx in Luc.), **“he showed Him how, by means of the various vices, he was the lord of the world.” **

newadvent.org/summa/4041.htm

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

These verses, taken out of context or not, do not support your position. Anyone may be tempted to evil and fall for it–that is the way in which Satan rules. This is why we need to stay ever vigilant. It is why Jesus included in the prayer he taught his Apostles:** “Deliver us from evil.”** He was constantly telling them (and so us) to be on our guard. If it were not possible for Christians to sin and be lost he wouldn’t have been so adamant about it.

Besides, the OP probably wants a Catholic understanding of this issue. Taking us into arguments over who can sin and who can’t will only take us off topic.

It turns out the correct translation maybe “Deliver us from evil one”

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

“The evil one” versus “evil.” The KJV asks for deliverance from “evil” while the NIV asks to deliver us from “the evil one.” There is a significant difference between the two. The original Greek text actually uses an adjective with an article, making “the evil one” the only correct translation. When we pray we ask to be delivered from the evil one, not from any danger, disaster, or from the general evil of the world.

ezinearticles.com/?The-Bible—Original-Text-Versus-Translations&id=762720

godswordforyou.com/bible-studies/the-lords-prayer/deliver-us-from-the-evil-one—2.htm

The model of Christian prayer is the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father) which was given to us by the Lord God Jesus Christ Himself (Matthew 6:9-13)(Luke 11:2-4).

 6:9       OUR FATHER WHICH ART IN HEAVEN,
           HALLOWED BE THY NAME,
 6:10      THY KINGDOM COME.
           THY WILL BE DONE
           IN EARTH, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.

 6:11      GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD.
 6:12      AND FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS,
           AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS.
 6:13      AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION,
           BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL ONE:

           FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM,
           AND THE POWER, AND THE GLORY,
           FOR EVER, AMEN.
           (Matthew 6:9-13 KJV Modified). *

 * (Translator's Note: In KJV Bible instead **"evil one"** is used "evil". This has a different meaning. This is why the KJV version above was modified, to agree with the Russian Orthodox Bible).

dorogadomoj.com/ge81filvo2.html

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

Does “the god of this world” refer to God the Father or to Satan?

Douay-Rheims Bible
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of unbelievers, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not shine unto them.

Quote:​

Thus the apostle says: “The god of this world has blinded the minds of them that believe not.” 2 Corinthians 4:4 He calls him God, because he would be so called by his worshippers; adding that he blinds their minds, to show that he is not the true God.

1. Augustin replied: You often speak in your discourses of two gods, as indeed you acknowledge, though at first you denied it. And you give as a reason for thus speaking the words of the apostle: “The god of this world has blinded the minds of them that believe not.” Most of us punctuate this sentence differently, and explain it as meaning that the true God has blinded the minds of unbelievers. They put a stop after the word God, and read the following words together. Or without this punctuation you may, for the sake of exposition, change the order of the words, and read, “In whom God has blinded the minds of unbelievers of this world,” which gives the same sense. The act of blinding the minds of unbelievers may in one sense be ascribed to God, as the effect not of malice, but of justice. Thus Paul himself says elsewhere, “Is God unjust, who takes vengeance?” Romans 3:5 and again, “What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For Moses says, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” Observe what he adds, after asserting the undeniable truth that there is no unrighteousness with God: “But what if God, willing to show His wrath, and to make His power known, endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted for destruction, and that He might manifest the riches of His grace towards the vessels of mercy, which He has before prepared unto glory?” etc. Here it evidently cannot be said that it is one God who shows his wrath, and makes known his power in the vessels of wrath fitted for destruction, and another God who shows his riches in the vessels of mercy. According to the apostle’s doctrine, it is one and the same God who does both. Hence he says again, “For this cause God gave them up to the lusts of their own heart, to uncleanness, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves;” and immediately after, “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections;” and again, “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind.” Here we see how the true and just God blinds the minds of unbelievers. For in all these words quoted from the apostle no other God is understood than He whose Son, sent by Him, came saying, “For judgment am I come into this world, that they which see not might see, and that they which see might be made blind.” John 9:39 Here, again, it is plain to the minds of believers how God blinds the minds of unbelievers. For among the secret things, which contain the righteous principles of God’s judgment, there is a secret which determines that the minds of some shall be blinded, and the minds of some enlightened. Regarding this, it is well said of God, “Your judgments are a great deep.” The apostle, in admiration of the unfathomable depth of this abyss, exclaims: “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!” Romans 11:33

---

newadvent.org/fathers/140621.htm

So, the “god of this world” among catholic fathers is not satan, but is in fact, God the Father.

p067.ezboard.com/fthetruth11187frm2.showMessage?topicID=1475.topic

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

Quote:​

In accordance with this word, therefore, does the apostle say, in the Second [Epistle] to the Corinthians: “In whom the this world has blinded the minds of them that believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ should shine [unto them].” 2 Corinthians 4:4 And again, in that to the Romans: “And as they did not think fit to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things that are not convenient.” Romans 1:28 Speaking of antichrist, too, he says clearly in the Second to the Thessalonians: “And for this cause God shall send them the working of error, that they should believe a lie; that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but consented to iniquity.”

---

newadvent.org/fathers/0103429.htm

Quote:​

Adversus Haereses (Book III, Chapter 7)
Reply to an objection founded on the words of St. Paul (2 Cor. iv. 4). St. Paul occasionally uses words not in their grammatical sequence.

1. As to their affirming that Paul said plainly in the Second [Epistle] to the Corinthians, “In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them that believe not,” 2 Corinthians 4:4 and maintaining that there is indeed one god of this world, but another who is beyond all principality, and beginning, and power, we are not to blame if they, who give out that they do themselves know mysteries beyond God, know not how to read Paul. For if any one read the passage thus—according to Paul’s custom, as I show elsewhere, and by many examples, that he uses transposition of words—“In whom God,” then pointing it off, and making a slight interval, and at the same time read also the rest [of the sentence] in one [clause], “has blinded the minds of them of this world that believe not,” he shall find out the true [sense]; that it is contained in the expression, “God has blinded the minds of the unbelievers of this world.” And this is shown by means of the little interval [between the clause]. For Paul does not say, “the God of this world,” as if recognising any other beyond Him; but he confessed God as indeed God. And he says, “the unbelievers of this world,” because they shall not inherit the future age of incorruption. I shall show from Paul himself, how it is that God has blinded the minds of them that believe not, in the course of this work, that we may not just at present distract our mind from the matter in hand, [by wandering] at large.
2. From many other instances also, we may discover that the apostle frequently uses a transposed order in his sentences, due to the rapidity of his discourses, and the impetus of the Spirit which is in him. An example occurs in the [Epistle] to the Galatians, where he expresses himself as follows: “Wherefore then the law of works? It was added, until the seed should come to whom the promise was made; [and it was] ordained by angels in the hand of a Mediator.” Galatians 3:19 For the order of the words runs thus: “Wherefore then the law of works? Ordained by angels in the hand of a Mediator, it was added until the seed should come to whom the promise was made,”— man thus asking the question, and the Spirit making answer. And again, in the Second to the Thessalonians, speaking of Antichrist, he says, “And then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus Christ shall slay with the Spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy him with the presence of his coming; [even him] whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all power, and signs, and lying wonders.” Now in these [sentences] the order of the words is this: “And then shall be revealed that wicked, whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all power, and signs, and lying wonders, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the Spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the presence of His coming.” For he does not mean that the coming of the Lord is after the working of Satan; but the coming of the wicked one, whom we also call Antichrist. If, then, one does not attend to the [proper] reading [of the passage], and if he do not exhibit the intervals of breathing as they occur, there shall be not only incongruities, but also, when reading, he will utter blasphemy, as if the advent of the Lord could take place according to the working of Satan. So therefore, in such passages, the hyperbaton must be exhibited by the reading, and the apostle’s meaning following on, preserved; and thus we do not read in that passage, “the god of this world,” but, “God,” whom we do truly call God; and we hear [it declared of] the unbelieving and the blinded of this world, that they shall not inherit the world of life which is to come.

---

newadvent.org/fathers/0103307.htm

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

So, why do the church fathers get 2 cor 4:4 exactly backwards?

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

Of course He was tempted - men are. He was a man.​

**The Evangelists are saying a lot in these passages:

• Jesus is Israel in person
• He stood the test, unlike Israel in the desert
• He was obedient - unlike…
• He was not spared temptation
• satan had no hold over Him
• He is our Model
• He is fully human
• They are preparing for the Passion Narratives
• The OT is fulfilled in Him
• He is better than Moses
• He is the Messiah
• • & more

Jesus has crushed its head & cast it out - it is the “strong man”, but Jesus is the “stronger man” who “has despoiled it”, & “let it in triumph”.​

The theme of Kingly Rule -** that of the Father, preached by & shown forth in Jesus - is basic to the NT. The demonology of the NT is one expression of this - because the casting out of demons is a sign of the Presence of the Kingdom, & a work of the Messiah.

Jesus is often called** “the Son of Man”. **The Gospel use of this title is almost certainly coloured by its use in the Book of Enoch, which was familiar to the first Christians. In the BoE, there is a kingdom of satan, opposed to that of “the Lord of Spirits” (a title for God). If the BoE influenced Jesus or the formation of the gospels, it’s quite possible that His “work on earth” was seen as a fulfilment of the ideas in the BoE - including His encounters with demonic powers (they might not be demons to our way of thinking - but that does not matter).

The NT is full of expressions which underline the decisiveness & finality & irreversibility of His victory:
**

• “He has abolished death…”,
• cast out “the prince of this world”,
• established “the Kingdom/Kingship/Kingly ruling of God/Heaven” (= the Kingship of His Father)
  **It may not seem like it - this is because the Kingship is present in mystery: it is not political, like human lordships, which are here today, & forgotten tomorrow; they don’t last, haven’t lasted, can’t last, because they are built on human glory, strength, power, might & splendour - IOW, they are built on sin. It has been established on earth, so it is here already - but it is not fully present; so there is a tension between our life as the People of God now, & the fullness of the presence of the Kingdom to come we hope for. He has established it: therefore, we pray for its coming. The Sacraments are signs of it.

The Kingship of Christ OTOH is an everlasting kingdom, because it is built on the shame, disgrace, weakness & powerlessness of the Cross. It has a totally different basis from that of the worldly kingdoms offered by satan; because their sinful character has its source in satan. satan’s power is broken by the Cross - that’s one of the reasons that for St. John the Crucifixion is the Kingly Exaltation of Christ.

For a kingdom built on sin & manifesting its power, ISTM one need look no further than the Third Reich. It’s deeply ironic that a reich devoted to exterminating the Jews should have an ideology so full of OT & Messianic imagery, such as:
**

• salvation, or spaciousness for living - cf. Lebensraum**
• holy war - speaks for itself IMO
• exterminating of the enemies of God
• a 1000-year kingdom (Millennialists please note)
• a festal calendar
• an elect nation - the German Volk
• a Lord’s Anointed - its Fuehrer
• a Cross
• apostles & prophets - its ideologues
  satan does not rule anything - but it has its satanic counter-Messiahs.

The Kingdom of Christ is totalitarian - it requires from Him a totally self-giving Love, that which is His Father’s, which He pours out on the Cross in order to give new Life to His enemies. Which is why we cannot be less total

These other kingdoms are totalitarian, in a more familiar sense - they enslave & murder their subjects, & are never done murdering; their rulers slaughtered their own helpers.

I found the lists interresting. who is Lebensraum? please supply the scriptures referred to in those lists, and quote them. I am also interrested in the passages in the Book of Enoch you refer to, online english editions of the books of enoch are online. so please, quote the revelant passage with link to full text.

Thanks
Daniel

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

What about what Jesus said about a kingdom not being divided. It would seem strange for Jesus to speak about Satan’s kingdom – demon casting out demons – if satan had no kingdom of anykind.

Matthew 12:25-26

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?

 

[ryanoneil]

Satan was not chained prior to Christ Passion and resurection. True, the assault of evil upon good has been almost without pause since the first advent. St. John wrote that many antichrists have come (1 John 2:18) It is fair to say Satan has a kingdom. Evil rising will be the catalyst for the second coming of Christ.

St. John Chrysostom preached, " THe time of antichrist will be a sign of the coming of Christ". St. Augustine cleary agreed, “The kingdom of antichrist shall fiercely, though for a short time, assail the Church”.

This doesn’t mean that Satan rules the world though. God’s mercy is allowing time for more people to enter His Kingdom. The true Kingdom. Satan is in a desparate death throw.

We know how the battle with the antichrist ends up. Satan’s kingdom will NOT stand. “THe lawless one will be revealed, and the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of His mouth and destroy him by His appearing and His coming” (2 Thess 2:8)

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

1 Thessalonians 2:18 (New International Version)

For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan stopped us.

 

[ryanoneil]

(Ephesians 1:20-23) The New American Bible

"which He worked in Christ, raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in the heavens, far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things beneath His feet and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

You forgot to underline the qualifer, “to the church”

Satan still rules the kingdom of darkness. God rules all.

are you then making God satan? or are you simply ignoring the fact that Satan does rule the kingdom of darkness?

Even Jesus speaks of Satan’s kingdom in the words “a kingdom divided”.

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

Ephesians 1
1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

2Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

8Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

15Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

16Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

18The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

 

[bunkey]

God allows–Even Jesus himsewlf was allowed to be tempted because he was human as well as devine. If Christ was tempted, how much more are we?** **Say a quick Hail Mary–****The devil can never get through to you if you quick… pray… --Mary has power over Satan!!! Thanks be to God
Bunkey

 

[ryanoneil]

You forgot to underline the qualifer, “to the church”

Satan still rules the kingdom of darkness. God rules all.

are you then making God satan? or are you simply ignoring the fact that Satan does rule the kingdom of darkness?

Even Jesus speaks of Satan’s kingdom in the words “a kingdom divided”.

No, I’d never make God satan.

Yes, I’d agree Satan rules the kingdom of darkness.

All I’m saying is Satan does not rule the world.

His kingdom is subject to the will of God, and it’s dying, while Christ kingdom is everlasting.

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

so you agree that satan rules the world system which is the kingdom of darkness?

like Rom 12 tells us not to be conformed to the world.

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

So, we have God’s active actions of II cor 4:4 contradicting his will that none should perish, but all come to him?

John 12:31 (King James Version)

Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the **rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world **and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 2:2
in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the **ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. **

John 14:30
I will not speak with you much longer, for the **prince of this world **is coming. He has no hold on me,

Acts 26:18
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

1 Thessalonians 5:5
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 6:14
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

Ephesians 4:18
Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

Ephesians 5:8
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

Ephesians 5:11
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

Ephesians 6:12
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.

Colossians 1:13
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Acts 26:18
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

John 8:12
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 12:35
Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

John 12:46
I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

John 1:5
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 3:19
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Luke 22:53
When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

Luke 22:53
When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament

The god of this world (o qeoߠtou aiwnoߠtoutou). “Age,” more exactly, as in 1 Corinthians 1:20. Satan is “the god of this age,” a phrase nowhere else in the N.T., but Jesus uses the same idea in John 12:31; John 14:30 and Paul in Ephesians 2:2; Ephesians 6:12 and John in 1 John 5:19. Satan claimed the rule over the world in the temptations with Jesus. Blinded (etuplwsen). First aorist active of tuplow, old verb to blind (tuplo߼/B>, blind). They refused to believe (apistwn) and so Satan got the power to blind their thoughts. That happens with wilful disbelievers. The light (ton pwtismon). The illumination, the enlightening. Late word from potizw, to give light, in Plutarch and LXX. In N.T. only in 2 Corinthians 4:4,6. Accusative case of general reference here with the articular infinitive (eiߠto mh augasai that should not dawn). That is, if augasai is intransitive as is likely, though it is transitive in the old poets (from augh, radiance. Cf. German Auge=eye). If it is transitive, the idea would be “that they should not see clearly the illumination, etc.”

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Weymouth New Testament
in whom the god of this present age has blinded their unbelieving minds so as to shut out the sunshine of the Good News of the glory of the Christ, who is the image of God.

Young’s Literal Translation
in whom the **god of this age **did blind the minds of the unbelieving, that there doth not shine forth to them the enlightening of the good news of the glory of the Christ, who is the image of God;