Does Satan own the world we live in?

Question

How could Satan offer Jesus the great cities of the world if he was/is not the owner?

Answer 1

Rev.12:12 --"Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."
2 Corinthians 4:4---" In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." (here Satan is called the god of this world)

Think about this. Satan tempted Jesus by offering him "all the kingdoms of the world." Yet, would Satan's offer have been a real temptation if Satan was not actually the ruler of these kingdoms? No, it would not. And note, Jesus did not deny that all these worldly governments were Satan's, which he would have done if Satan did not have power over them. So, then, Satan the Devil really is the unseen ruler of the world!

Answer 2

According to the Bible, when God placed Adam and Eve in the garden, He gave them certain rights over the earth. They were commanded to guard and keep it.

When Adam sinned, he gave much of the authority over to satan. Which is why wars, famines, natural disasters, death, etc. happens.

Does satan own the world, no. But does he have influences and power in the world, yes. And it was that influence and power that satan offered to Jesus. He knew that Jesus had come to take back the power from him, so he offered it to Jesus in exchange for worshipping him. Jesus would have gotten what he want - the authority back - without having to go to the cross. satan would have gotten what he wanted - worship. But in the end, no one else would have been saved.

Instead Jesus choose the cross, and our salvation. And in the process He took back from satan the authority that he did have in the world. Today, the only thing satan has left is deception. That is why Christian need to keep letting people know they can be free in Christ.

Answer 3

Satan doesn't own them.The bible tells us that Satan is the "god of this system of things"-2Cor4:4.And as such is controlling the political,economic and commercial elements.That is why he was able to offer Jesus the kingdoms of the world,because he is the "ruler of this world"-John 12:31,14:30,16:10.
The Bible also tells us that soon now Jehovah will act and remove all wickedness from this earth and Satan and his demons will be done away with.Once more the earth will be a paradise and righteous will dwell.-Ps37:9-11,29

Answer 4

Scripture supports this. Read and study these few verses the word of God will answer you.

NIV Matthew 12:26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?

NIV Mark 4:15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.

NIV Revelation 2:13 I know where you live--where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city--where Satan lives.

NIV Revelation 12:9 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.

NIV Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.

NIV Matthew 4:5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple
NIV Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.

NIV Matthew 13:39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

NIV Luke 4:5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.

NIV Luke 4:9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here.

NIV Luke 4:13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

NIV Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

NIV Ephesians 4:27 and do not give the devil a foothold.

NIV 1 Timothy 3:7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.

NIV 2 Timothy 2:26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

NIV James 3:15 Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.

NIV 1 Peter 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

NIV Revelation 2:10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

NIV Revelation 12:12 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."

Answer 5

Satan doesnt own the earth just the hearts, minds and souls of most of the people on it. I think Satan meant that the people of the world basically bow to him and he would make Jesus his right hand man if he would also bow. Kind of hard to believe that Satan would actually be dumb enough to ask him that.

Answer 6

God gave the keys to the kingdom to Adam and Eve in the beginning. In the human free will they chose to give the keys to Satan by disobeying God. So yes, Satan did "own' the world. This is why God himself became flesh and died a sinless life to be the blood sacrifice for all sin. I have read it in the bible but the verse slips my mind. maybe someone can help me. It says that Jesus conquered death and the grave and went to the gates of Hell and regained ownership of the keys. So sin can't rule our lives. The blood ofJesus cleans us up.

Answer 7

Do realize that the explicit meaning of the word Satan is simply self. SELF. To be motivated for self instead of for others is not the higher action. How many of the people in the world are motivated to help others, and how many motivated to please self might make your question plainer--does Satan own the world we live in. How much self motivation is there in a prison? Almost 100% If you see too much self motivation in this world you are just seeing things the way they are in these times.

Answer 8

I really don't think in such terms, but if I had to give a somewhat witty fundamentalist answer I would say, he does not own the world but merely has the leasing rights. Instead of mining oil sands for oil, he mines for souls. Oooooow, watch out the boogie man is going to get ya. Actually I had a great idea. See you on the answering board.

Answer 9

Satan did offer property he didn't own. The Earth is the Lord's and the cattle on a thousand hills.

God owns the earth and everything in it...even the anti-God haters will bow before him.

Answer 10

Corporate america owns the world we live in. And we help them. Geez i can't get through 5 minutes of TV without al lthese darm commercials. Wait maybe I need this stuff. Well I'll buy it. My image is better than my dreams. Guess I sold out. Yeah, I can't contribute. I'll sit back and wait. The more I wait the more I let them perfect their manipulating schemes. But isn't that what christianity is all about...waiting? It's nice not to feel responsible