Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Although the Bible identifies Satan
as the “prince of the power of the air” and the ruler of this world (Ephesians
2:2; John 12:31; John 14:30; John 16:11), God maintains overall control as
“Lord of heaven and earth” (Matthew 11:25). While He gives the devil
considerable latitude in what he does for now, God retains the right and power
to intervene.
The biblical record shows that
during this age God uses His power to intervene sparingly, often letting the
natural course of events work out His purpose and plan for mankind. Remember
that our Lord Jesus told Pontius Pilate, “You could have no power at all…unless
it had been given you from above” (John 19:11).
“The God of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the all-glorious Father” is the main subject of Ephesians 1:3 and Ephesians
1:17 (REB). His throne is “far above all government and authority, all power
and dominion, and any title of sovereignty that commands allegiance, not
only in this age but also in the age to come. He put all things in
subjection beneath His [Jesus’] feet” (Ephesians 1:21-22, REB).
Israel’s King David recognized God’s
sovereignty: “The Lord has established his throne in heaven, his kingly power
over the whole world” (Psalms 103:19, REB) and “The Lord looks down from his
sanctuary on high; from heaven he surveys the earth” (Psalms 102:19, REB).
The Babylonian ruler Nebuchadnezzar
eventually came to see these same truths after God humbled him for seven years.
“His [God’s] sovereignty is everlasting and his Kingdom endures throughout all
generations”, said the king. “All who dwell on earth count for nothing [by
comparison]; he does as he pleases with the host of heaven [the angelic realm]
and with those who dwell on earth” (Daniel 4:34-35, REB; compare Daniel 5:21).
------------------------