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The "God" of this World
The “God” of This World
By Lahry Sibley
For probably as long as I have been a bible student, without exception, I have always heard when 2 Cor 4:4 is quoted, that “satan is the god of this world”. This has troubled me from the very beginning of my walk with Christ and the study of His Word. My spirit always grieves every time I hear anyone quote this verse and then say that “satan is the ‘god of this world’”.
Using virtual study helps, and more recently electronic study helps, I have not been able to find one other supporting scripture for the hypothesis that “satan is the ‘god’ of this world” or that satan has ever blinded anyone is the old or new testaments . Nor have I been able to find one other minister of the Gospel, preacher or writer, that opposes this same hypothesis. Why is that? I’ve read the works of many a renowned and respected preacher and teacher of the Word, and nowhere can I find anyone saying anything different about this scripture verse. I suppose this puts me, and what you are about to read in a very precarious position. So be it.
The Bible tells us that out of the mouth of two or three witnesses let every word be established (2 Cor 13:1) Where oh where are the witnesses for this doctrine that is beheld as a sacred cow by so many a “learned” man of God that “satan” is the “god” of this world?
Jehovah God is the God of this World, beloved. Please allow patience for me as I set scriptural expose’ before you. Let us first take a look at this scripture verse itself in its original language:
2 Cor 4:4 ἐν οἷς ὁ θεὸς τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου ἐτύφλωσεν τὰ νοήματα τῶν ἀπίστων εἰς τὸ μὴ αὐγάσαι αὐτοῖς τὸν φωτισμὸν τοῦ εὐαγγελίου τῆς δόξης τοῦ Χριστοῦ ὅς ἐστιν εἰκὼν τοῦ θεοῦ
Just below this paragraph I’m writing, we see the Greek word and its English rendering of theos, meaning deities or divinities. Once you look at the word in Greek, you can easily spot it in the original text above, the 4th word from the beginning (highlighted above in red). Please note, that in the original text, the word θεὸς is capitalized. But in the translation “theos” it is not capitalized. Very important. Why it was not rendered “Theos” as it is for every other reference to Jehovah God is beyond me.
Please refer to all of the definitions of “theos” below. As an English speaking person, what does this mean to you? To me it means all the definitions quoted below from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance refer to Jehovah God, except the first one which refers to anything thought to be a deity, but is not. Now, I ask you simply, can you find “fallen angels, satan, Lucifer, advisory, devil(s) or any such reference in the definitions below? My friend, neither can I.
θεός theos
1) a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities
2) the Godhead, trinity
a) God the Father, the first person in the trinity
b) Christ, the second person of the trinity
c) Holy Spirit, the third person in the trinity
3) spoken of the only and true God
a) refers to the things of God
b) his counsels, interests, things due to him
4) whatever can in any respect be likened unto God, or resemble him in any way
a) God's representative or viceregent
1) of magistrates and judges
Men and women of God, please prayerfully hear me. What would you say of someone who took the things of God, His activities, and attributed them to satan? Your answer, whatever it may be causes me to tremble. To me, if it is not blasphemy to do so, it is certainly blasphemy’s next door neighbor.
Now, before you begin constructing a cross to nail me too, let’s see if God has ever blinded anyone, shall we?
John 12:40 - He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with [their] eyes, nor understand with [their] heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. (Red = Jesus Himself is speaking)
Now I am not one who favors taking a word out of context and assume that the word “He” the first word of the above scripture is God or Satan. So I recommend you read the last half of John 12. John, in verse 38 is referring to Isaiah 53:1:
“Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?”
Then in vs. 40 above, John writes: “He Hath blinded their eyes. So I it is obvious to me, and I hope to you as well, that “He” in vs 40 is not any other that Almighty God. To keep this as brief as possible, I will hope that you will search the scriptures yourself, to see it these things be so. (Acts 17:11)
Here’s another verse, Romans 11:7:
“What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded”
Oh this verse is rich in Old Testament references. Paul is speaking of Israel. It is not difficult to see here, that Paul is preaching about the Gospel and stating that only a few or a remnant, himself included, of all of Israel, have been brought into the Light of the Gospel. Paul Himself had to be struck down on the road to Damascus to have his blind eyes opened. Most of Israel, and the majority of those not Israel are still blind to the Gospel. But beloved, I would that you check for yourself and see that it is not the “devil or satan” that has blinded them but God Himself! (Please go back to Romans 10:16 and read through 11:10 and read the context of the above scripture, then Is. 53:1, Ps 19:4, Dt 32:21, Is 65:1-2, Dt 29:4, Is 29:10, Ps 69:22-23) This is Jehovah God dealing with Israel exactly how He would deal with them in reference to the coming Messiah. Now, just for the sake of clarity, let’s take a close look at Romans 11:8: καθὼς γέγραπται Ἕδωκεν αὐτοῖς ὁ θεὸς πνεῦμα κατανύξεως ὀφθαλμοὺς τοῦ μὴ βλέπειν καὶ ὦτα τοῦ μὴ ἀκούειν ἕως τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας
Now, let’s look at it in English: 11:8 - (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
Now, in this verse, can you find the Greek word for God, “θεὸς”, in the scripture above? Is this not the same word used, beginning with a capital letter for “God” of this world in 2 Cor 4:4? It sure looks like it to me. But I don’t think you could find a single Bible scholar who would say that here in Romans 11 and the Old Testament verses referred to by Paul, that Paul is speaking of “satan”. Do you?
Let’s look at another New Testament vs, talking about this same “blinding”:
2 Cor 3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which [vail] is done away in Christ.
If you would simply look at the vs preceding this one, the context subject people here is the nation of Israel:
2 Cor 3:13 -And not as Moses, [which] put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
“Their”, in vs 14 is the nation Israel whose minds were blinded by God. You can read the chapter for yourself. If you simply continue to read on into chapter 4 of 2 Cor. , you will see that Paul is still on the same subject and concludes it in vs 4.
Beloved, Jehovah is the God of this world. It makes me ill for anyone to refer to Him or His work as the work of “satan”. Evidently, the early, if not first English translators erred in rendering God as “god” in 2 Cor 4:4. Someone, somewhere along the way, attributed this, after reading it in English to mean reference to “satan”. Yet there are no scriptural witnesses to support this “supposition”.
Satan may be the prince of the air, but God is God over this world. Amen. So Be It. To refer to Jehovah God, our Father in Heaven, as “satan” is a very, very scary thing to do, don’t you agree?
In fear and trembling,
Lahry Sibley
By Lahry Sibley
For probably as long as I have been a bible student, without exception, I have always heard when 2 Cor 4:4 is quoted, that “satan is the god of this world”. This has troubled me from the very beginning of my walk with Christ and the study of His Word. My spirit always grieves every time I hear anyone quote this verse and then say that “satan is the ‘god of this world’”.
Using virtual study helps, and more recently electronic study helps, I have not been able to find one other supporting scripture for the hypothesis that “satan is the ‘god’ of this world” or that satan has ever blinded anyone is the old or new testaments . Nor have I been able to find one other minister of the Gospel, preacher or writer, that opposes this same hypothesis. Why is that? I’ve read the works of many a renowned and respected preacher and teacher of the Word, and nowhere can I find anyone saying anything different about this scripture verse. I suppose this puts me, and what you are about to read in a very precarious position. So be it.
The Bible tells us that out of the mouth of two or three witnesses let every word be established (2 Cor 13:1) Where oh where are the witnesses for this doctrine that is beheld as a sacred cow by so many a “learned” man of God that “satan” is the “god” of this world?
Jehovah God is the God of this World, beloved. Please allow patience for me as I set scriptural expose’ before you. Let us first take a look at this scripture verse itself in its original language:
2 Cor 4:4 ἐν οἷς ὁ θεὸς τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου ἐτύφλωσεν τὰ νοήματα τῶν ἀπίστων εἰς τὸ μὴ αὐγάσαι αὐτοῖς τὸν φωτισμὸν τοῦ εὐαγγελίου τῆς δόξης τοῦ Χριστοῦ ὅς ἐστιν εἰκὼν τοῦ θεοῦ
Just below this paragraph I’m writing, we see the Greek word and its English rendering of theos, meaning deities or divinities. Once you look at the word in Greek, you can easily spot it in the original text above, the 4th word from the beginning (highlighted above in red). Please note, that in the original text, the word θεὸς is capitalized. But in the translation “theos” it is not capitalized. Very important. Why it was not rendered “Theos” as it is for every other reference to Jehovah God is beyond me.
Please refer to all of the definitions of “theos” below. As an English speaking person, what does this mean to you? To me it means all the definitions quoted below from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance refer to Jehovah God, except the first one which refers to anything thought to be a deity, but is not. Now, I ask you simply, can you find “fallen angels, satan, Lucifer, advisory, devil(s) or any such reference in the definitions below? My friend, neither can I.
θεός theos
1) a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities
2) the Godhead, trinity
a) God the Father, the first person in the trinity
b) Christ, the second person of the trinity
c) Holy Spirit, the third person in the trinity
3) spoken of the only and true God
a) refers to the things of God
b) his counsels, interests, things due to him
4) whatever can in any respect be likened unto God, or resemble him in any way
a) God's representative or viceregent
1) of magistrates and judges
Men and women of God, please prayerfully hear me. What would you say of someone who took the things of God, His activities, and attributed them to satan? Your answer, whatever it may be causes me to tremble. To me, if it is not blasphemy to do so, it is certainly blasphemy’s next door neighbor.
Now, before you begin constructing a cross to nail me too, let’s see if God has ever blinded anyone, shall we?
John 12:40 - He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with [their] eyes, nor understand with [their] heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. (Red = Jesus Himself is speaking)
Now I am not one who favors taking a word out of context and assume that the word “He” the first word of the above scripture is God or Satan. So I recommend you read the last half of John 12. John, in verse 38 is referring to Isaiah 53:1:
“Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?”
Then in vs. 40 above, John writes: “He Hath blinded their eyes. So I it is obvious to me, and I hope to you as well, that “He” in vs 40 is not any other that Almighty God. To keep this as brief as possible, I will hope that you will search the scriptures yourself, to see it these things be so. (Acts 17:11)
Here’s another verse, Romans 11:7:
“What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded”
Oh this verse is rich in Old Testament references. Paul is speaking of Israel. It is not difficult to see here, that Paul is preaching about the Gospel and stating that only a few or a remnant, himself included, of all of Israel, have been brought into the Light of the Gospel. Paul Himself had to be struck down on the road to Damascus to have his blind eyes opened. Most of Israel, and the majority of those not Israel are still blind to the Gospel. But beloved, I would that you check for yourself and see that it is not the “devil or satan” that has blinded them but God Himself! (Please go back to Romans 10:16 and read through 11:10 and read the context of the above scripture, then Is. 53:1, Ps 19:4, Dt 32:21, Is 65:1-2, Dt 29:4, Is 29:10, Ps 69:22-23) This is Jehovah God dealing with Israel exactly how He would deal with them in reference to the coming Messiah. Now, just for the sake of clarity, let’s take a close look at Romans 11:8: καθὼς γέγραπται Ἕδωκεν αὐτοῖς ὁ θεὸς πνεῦμα κατανύξεως ὀφθαλμοὺς τοῦ μὴ βλέπειν καὶ ὦτα τοῦ μὴ ἀκούειν ἕως τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας
Now, let’s look at it in English: 11:8 - (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
Now, in this verse, can you find the Greek word for God, “θεὸς”, in the scripture above? Is this not the same word used, beginning with a capital letter for “God” of this world in 2 Cor 4:4? It sure looks like it to me. But I don’t think you could find a single Bible scholar who would say that here in Romans 11 and the Old Testament verses referred to by Paul, that Paul is speaking of “satan”. Do you?
Let’s look at another New Testament vs, talking about this same “blinding”:
2 Cor 3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which [vail] is done away in Christ.
If you would simply look at the vs preceding this one, the context subject people here is the nation of Israel:
2 Cor 3:13 -And not as Moses, [which] put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
“Their”, in vs 14 is the nation Israel whose minds were blinded by God. You can read the chapter for yourself. If you simply continue to read on into chapter 4 of 2 Cor. , you will see that Paul is still on the same subject and concludes it in vs 4.
Beloved, Jehovah is the God of this world. It makes me ill for anyone to refer to Him or His work as the work of “satan”. Evidently, the early, if not first English translators erred in rendering God as “god” in 2 Cor 4:4. Someone, somewhere along the way, attributed this, after reading it in English to mean reference to “satan”. Yet there are no scriptural witnesses to support this “supposition”.
Satan may be the prince of the air, but God is God over this world. Amen. So Be It. To refer to Jehovah God, our Father in Heaven, as “satan” is a very, very scary thing to do, don’t you agree?
In fear and trembling,
Lahry Sibley
Views: 281
Comment
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Comment by Carla on February 18, 2010 at 3:09pm
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Dear Lahry... Yes! I have a love for truth and light. Because I do.. I respectfully back out of this conversation as I can see it will go nowhere.
God's Blessings, Carla
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Comment by Lahry Sibley on February 18, 2010 at 2:53pm
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Ok Carla,
I accept your statement. Now, what do you base your statement upon, given the evidence that I have presented out of love for truth and light?
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Hi Lahry...
There are scriptures where we see that God has heardened the hearts of certain people, but this scripture in particular (2 Cor 4:4) is clearly referring to satan and not to God!
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Thanks Carla, but there is not one other scripture that says satan ever blinded anyone. There are many witnesses in scripture where God did.
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Hi again Lahry,
I have re-looked at this scripture... And upon looking at it further I believe that 2 Cor 4:4 is referring to all people. 2 Corinthians 3 is referring to the 'New Covenant' for Israel (up to 2 Corinthians 3:16).. 2 Cor 3:7-15 is the New Covenant for Israel. Now, all are blinded (Jew and Gentile) by 'the god of this world' if they reject Christ....anyone who turns to the Lord will be saved 2 Corin 3:16... This appears to be an 'all inclusive anyone' who is turning to the Lord to be saved...
Blessings, Carla
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Hi Lahry..
I would agree the verse 2 Cor 4:4 is referring to Israel....but there are others...
In the article I posted below I believe that the scripture is there to explain it further...
satan is described as...
the 'prince of the power of the air (Eph 2:2)
'the ruler of the world' in John 12:31...However, God (Jesus) is drawing everyone to Himself.
Unbelievers have been given over to the 'god of this world' (2 Tim 2:26) and (1 John 5:19)
Believers are no longer under satan's rule.. (1 Colossians 13)
God is in control...but He has allowed for satan to rule over anyone who will not turn to Christ Messiah to be saved...
The article I posted below says it way better... I think that gives us more than two witnesses. :)
Blessings, Carla
ps--my personal testimony (and that of all believers) is also a witness to that fact. Before I gave my life to Christ, I was absolutely under the power of satan...now I am free... :)
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I think "specifically", Paul is talking about the nation of Israel, that for the most part were blinded to the authenticity of the Master as Messiah.
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Hi Lahry,
Are you asking specifically about the blinding of gentiles by satan?
Blessings, Carla
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Hi there Carla,
Thank you for caring enough to comment, and for that great article. But one thing still bothers me. The Bible says that out of the mouths of two or three witnesses, let everything be established. Where are the witnesses in scripture that satan ever blinded anyone? I can tell you, they are not there. Where are the witnesses that God blinded individuals and whole nations? They abound in the Word of God.
Thank you again for the kindness and information. God bless you abundantly today.
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Hi Lahry,
God is in control...absolutely!
I have understood this to be that satan was cast out of heaven and down to earth for a time. There is evil in the world...and satan is responsible for much of it. God is Sovereign...He is in control, and He allows certain things for His purposes which we cannot understand...Romans 8:28.
This article says that better that I can articulate it... from www.gotquestions.org
Question: "How is Satan god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4)?"
Answer: The phrase “god of this world” (or “god of this age” [NKJV]) indicates that Satan is the major influence on the mind-set expressed by the ideals, opinions, goals, hopes and views of the majority of people. His areas of influence also encompass the world’s philosophies, education, and commerce. The thoughts, ideas, speculations and false religions of the world are under his control and have sprung from his lies and deceptions.
Similar titles are found elsewhere in Scripture concerning Satan. Satan is called the "prince of the power of the air" in Ephesians 2:2. He is called the "ruler of this world" in John 12:31. These titles, and many more attributed to Satan throughout Scripture, signify his capabilities. To say, for example, that Satan is the "prince of the power of the air" is to signify that in some way he rules over the world and the people in it.
This is not to say that he rules the world completely; only God does this. But it does mean that God, in His infinite wisdom, has allowed Satan to operate in this world (within the boundaries God has set for him) and has allowed Satan to operate with an agenda. When the Bible says Satan has power over the world, it must be made clear that God has given him domain over unbelievers alone. Believers are no longer under the rule of Satan (Colossians 1:13). Unbelievers, on the other hand, are caught "in the snare of the devil" (2 Timothy 2:26), lie in the "power of the evil one" (1 John 5:19), and are in bondage to Satan (Ephesians 2:2).
So, when the Bible says that Satan is the "god of this world," it is not saying that he has ultimate authority. It is conveying the idea that Satan rules over the unbelieving world in a specific way. In the case of 2 Corinthians 4:4, the unbeliever follows Satan's agenda. According to 2 Corinthians 4:4, the "god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ." Satan's agenda includes pushing a false philosophy onto the unbelieving world—a false philosophy that blinds the unbeliever from the truth of the Gospel. Satan’s philosophies are the fortresses in which people are imprisoned, needing to be set free and brought captive to Christ in obedience to the truth.
An example of a false philosophy might be a belief that man can earn God's favor by a certain act or acts. In fact, earning eternal life is a predominate theme around the world. Earning God's favor by works, however, is contrary to biblical revelation. Man cannot work to earn God's favor; eternal life is a free gift (see Ephesians 2:8-9). And that free gift is available through Jesus Christ and Him alone (John 3:16; 14:6). You may ask why does mankind simply not receive the free gift that enables them to truly be called children of God (John 1:12)? The answer is that Satan—the god of this world—pushes a false philosophy onto the world. Satan sets the agenda, the unbelieving world follows, and mankind continues to be deceived. It is no wonder that Scripture calls Satan a liar (John 8:44).
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