THE DARK PRINCE

"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:" (Eph 2:2) Satan is here called the "prince of the power of the air." The Lord Jesus referred to him as the "prince of this world" (Joh.12:31; Joh.14:30; Joh.16:11). Though evil, yet has he a royal dignity to not be taken lightly. For this reason, "...Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee" (Jude 1:9). What then, do we make of some television evangelists who wax bold about how they will frankly give Satan a spiritual karate kick and put him in his place? Perhaps the poet said it well, "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread." Satan seized reign over the world in Eden (Gen.3:1-7) and has ever since played a powerful role in the government of the kingdoms of this world. He was not "blowing smoke" when he tempted Christ with their glory and power (Luk.4:5-7). Whereas different men in history have at least nibbled at the same bait, the Lord Jesus rejected it. Though the title is not used in Scripture, Satan may also be thought of as the prince of darkness. Satan's kingdom (from which Christ's grace alone delivers men) is "the power of darkness" (Col.1:13) and the "rulers of the darkness of this world" (Eph.6:12) are part of his principalities. That "power of darkness," unfettered, crucified Jesus Christ (Luk.22:53). It is a general observation that evil flourishes in the dark where it can avoid scrutiny. "...They that be drunken are drunken in the night" (1 Th.5:7). "...And men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil" (Joh.3:19). It is for good cause that saints trifle not with things of darkness; we should have "NO fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness..." (Eph.5:11). Customs such as Hallowe'en or the dark, droll morbidity of the Goth movement are not where lovers of Jesus Christ should be playing. Satan is not only a prince, but a king---the king over the bottomless pit whose name is Abaddon and Apollyon ("a destroyer," see Rev.9:11). Apollyon is his name; destruction is his game. He transforms himself into an angel of light (2 Co.11:14) but his "light" is actually a death ray. Those who are under his dominion, though he promises them the world, are but deceived pawns to be destroyed when their usefulness to him runs out. Satan is real. He is a powerful, crafty, manipulating, tyrannical prince and king who should not be taken lightly. But he has been conquered. By virtue of His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ destroyed "him that had the power of death, that is, the devil" (Heb.2:14) and the Heavenly Father "hast put all things in subjection under his feet" (Heb.2:8)." He is "gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him" (1 Pe.3:22). Indeed, ALL power is given unto Him in heaven and in earth (Mat.28:18). The king of the bottomless pit must answer to Jesus Christ, the "prince of the kings of the earth" (Rev.1:5), the now reigning "KING OF KINGS" (Rev.19:16; 17:14). "Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ..." (Rev.12:10)! The Lord Jesus Christ is now reigning over all. Believer, who is reigning in your heart? Which king is your king?