Satan's Usurpation of the Political World

Satan is the ruler of this age (John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11). Satan is the god of this age (2 Corinthians 4:4). Satan is the prince of the power of the air, who now works in the sons of disobedience (Ephesians 2:2) Satan and his agents are the rulers of the darkness of this age (Ephesians 6:12). These verses, together with the text in Matthew chapter four, tell us that Satan is a political leader. Also, Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 are oracles against earthly kings (Babylon and Tyre) and yet it is clear that they are puppets of Satan. In the temptation of Christ, Satan offers Christ political rule over the nations of the earth. Christ does not refute that assertion. Further, Satan says that his political rule was "given" unto him. Given by whom? Well, first by God, who by his providence suffers Satan to rule. Second, by the nations who give their sovereignties over to Satan. So we read these texts in the Apocalypse:

“The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast." (Rev. 17: 12 nkjv)

"And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty." (Rev. 16: 13-14 nkjv)

Notice how Satan through his demons are able to "go out to" the kings and rulers of the world and to control what they do, even to gather them together for "the battle of that great day of God Almighty."

Satan's influence in world politics is also alluded to in several other bible texts. The apostle John testified:

"We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one." (I John 5: 19 niv)

"So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." (Rev. 12: 9 nkjv)

The fight for political power is seen in the book of Daniel in these words:

"Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia...Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come." (Dan. 10: 12-13, 20 nkjv)

Bible scholars agree that by "prince of the kingdom of Persia" is a spiritual or demonic being. This text shows that Satan, through his demons, exercises political power.  

Bible prophecy tells us that there is a coming "Antichrist," who is "the son of perdition," or son of the Devil, and who will be ruler over a one world government or as described in the Books of Daniel and Revelation where he and his empire are called "the beast." 

How much influence does Satan have in our government? How much in other governments today? If we are to keep an eye on Satan's workings, we will certainly be keeping an eye on global politics in the very last days. Of course, God will also be at work among the nations as he has always been.