Expert: Dr Eddy Cheong - 12/18/2010

Question
Is it true that satan is the "Prince of this World"? I think Jesus said it in John; John 12:31 & John 14:30? If he is, what is he in charge of? And why and how he became the prince of this world?... Also, who is the world? What did Jesus meant to say when He said that "The world hates you and know that it hated me..." 1 John 5:19, "And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness." What does that mean?

Thanks and I appreciate your time.

God bless through the Living and Glorious Jesus Christ who is praised now and forever. Amen.

Answer
Satan prince of this world

Bible scholars believe that Satan was called Lucifer before the fall of Adam.
It is believed that Lucifer was once the morning star and had king like-jurisdiction over the pre Adamic world.
Isa 14:12-17

12 "How you are fallen from heaven,
O Lucifer, son of the morning!
How you are cut down to the ground,
You who weakened the nations!
13 For you have said in your heart:
'I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north;
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High.'
15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol,
To the lowest depths of the Pit.

16 "Those who see you will gaze at you,
And consider you, saying:
'Is this the man who made the earth tremble,
Who shook kingdoms,
17 Who made the world as a wilderness
And destroyed its cities,
Who did not open the house of his prisoners?'

NKJV
When Adam (and Eve) fell into sin in the garden of Eden, Satan took back control of the present world. That is why when Satan tempted Jesus on the Mount of Temptation, he said the following:
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
NIV Matt 4:8-9
Notice that in verse 9, he said “ALL THIS I WILL GIVE YOU” meaning that he owned the kingdoms of this world, spiritually at least.
Satan is also known as “the god of this world” in 2 Cor. 4:4 and ““the prince of this world” in John 12:31; 14:30. He is a prince because he inherited the Kingdom from Adam. But he is not a King because Jesus is the only King of Kings and Lord of Lords...
Rev 17:14
14 They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings
NIV
The word “World” can either mean the physical world that we live in or alternatively it can also refer to the “present social world order that exists”.
In Romans 12:2, the word “world” cannot refer to the physical world that we live in but rather to the age and social order that we live in...
Rom 12:2
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
NKJV
So the New Testament is admonishing us not to allow our minds to follow the sinful social system, its mores and practices which are directly opposed to God and the principles taught in the Bible. Instead with a renewed mind and guidance from God’s Word and the Holy Spirit, we can lead a new life in Christ, no more under the domination of the prince of this world, Satan but under the Lordship and Kingship of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.