Satan, the Current Ruler of this World
Satan, the current ruler of this world will continue to reign until the end of the age (end of Day 6), when Christ will return and take back the world and establish His Kingdom for 1,000 years (Day 7, the Sabbath-rest).
We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one (1 John 5:19).
Scriptural references to Satan and their frequency:
Satan - 53 times
Devil - 33 times
Dragon - 14 times
Serpent - 12 times
Evil one - 12 times
Beelzebub - 7 times
Prince of demons - 3 times
Prince of the World - 3 times
The father of lies - once
Secret Power of Lawlessness - once
Ruler of the kingdom of the air - once
From the beginning Satan has been at work, circa 4,000 BC – Day 1.
Now the serpent [Satan] was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" (Genesis 3:1)
He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning (1 John 3:8).
Satan at work at the time of Job, uncertain – Day 2.
Note: Satan is appearing before God in heaven to accuse the saints, Job.
One day the angels came to present themselves before Yahweh, and Satan also came with them. Yahweh said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered Yahweh, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it. Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied.” (Job 1:6-9)
Satan at work at the time of Joshua, circa 1,400 BC – Day 3.
Note: Satan is still appearing before God in heaven to accuse the saints.
Be still before Yahweh, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling." Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of Yahweh, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. Yahweh said to Satan," Yahweh rebuke you, Satan! Yahweh, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! (Zechariah 2:13-3:2)
Satan at work at the time of David, circa 980 BC – Day 4.
Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel (1 Chronicles 21:1).
Satan at work at the time of Christ, circa 30 AD – Day 5.
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only'" (Matthew 4:8-10)
Satan at work at the time of the Apostles, circa 55 AD – Day 5.
He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning (1 John 3:8).
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 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 (Ephesians 2:1-2).
Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3)
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).
Satan still has access to the heavenly realms, circa 2007 AD – Day 6.
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 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 6:11-12).
When Satan will be thrown from heaven, circa 2029 ½ AD – Day 6.
Note: Satan will be appearing before God in heaven until this time, when he is hurled down to earth, by Michael. At the same time Michael throws Satan to earth, the Antichrist will be revealed at “the abomination that causes desolation,” - 3 ½ years before the end of the age.
And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. … Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short." When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman [Israel] who had given birth to the male child. The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the desert, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time [3½ years], out of the serpent's reach (Revelation 12:7-14).
Other prophecies about Satan and his fall, circa 2029 ½ AD – Day 6.
"He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me." The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:16-20).
I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. (John 14:29-30).
Another passage which connects Satan to the coming of the Antichrist.
And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. The coming of the lawless one [Antichrist] will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing (2 Thessalonians 2:8-10).
This also indicates that Satan will be at work until the end of the age.
He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels (Matthew 13:37-39).
Prophecy regarding Satan, circa 2,032 AD - end of Day 6 beginning of Day 7.
Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out (John 12:31).
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet (Romans 16:20).
Satan in the Abyss for 1,000 years, from circa 2032 to 3032 AD - all Day 7.
And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time (Revelation 20:1-3).
And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever (Revelation 20:10).
In Summary:
- Satan has been at work since the beginning.
- Satan accuses the saints before the throne of Yahweh.
- Three and a half years before the end, Satan will be throne to earth.
- Satan gives his power to the Antichrist for 3 ½ years, the Great Tribulation.
- At the end of the age, Satan will be bound for 1,000 years.
- After the 1,000 years, of Day 7, Satan will be released for a short time.
- Finally, Satan will be throne into the burning lake of fire, forever.
Richard H Perry
