Replies

To: HarleyD; Dr. Eckleburg

Satan can do nothing that God does not allow to believers. It does appear that Satan can rule non-believers.

Very true.

And if Satan is ruling unbelievers (which he is) he has a kingdom.

181 posted on 09/17/2006 6:44:49 AM PDT by fortheDeclaration (Am I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth? (Gal.4:16))

To: fortheDeclaration; HarleyD

Satan is a created being. As such, he is subject to the will of his Creator.

183 posted on 09/17/2006 9:24:14 AM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)

To: fortheDeclaration; Dr. Eckleburg

And if Satan is ruling unbelievers (which he is) he has a kingdom.

I see only one kingdom in scripture and that's the kingdom of God. There is a vague reference to one verse in Luke about "if Satan is against himself then his kingdom cannot stand..." but that's all. I wouldn't interpret that verse to say Satan has a kingdom.

I don't see Satan "ruling" unbelievers as much as I see him running around causing trouble. Just like the angels in heaven, Satan is limited in his abilities (e.g. he can't be in all places, all the time). Remember in Job he was roaming the earth, to and fro. In Ephesians he is seeking to devour. He is timeboxed just like the angels.

At the risk of understating it, people overstate Satan role. Really, it is my personal opinion that most of our problems are our own doing. Satan just nudges them along.

185 posted on 09/17/2006 12:29:24 PM PDT by HarleyD ("Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures" Luk 24:45)

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