Satan’s powers

Satan enjoys the usual supernatural powers that make him transcend the dimensions of time and space. He can move instantaneously to great distances, the future and the past are only a walk away.

He can read our minds and take possession of whatever he wants. When he comes down to Earth, he can borrow any disguise but remains strangely a fashion victim.

Satan seems to follow our obsessions and fear : Dragon, serpent, black goat, cat, beggar, old man, child, gentleman, rock star, Pope, King, Prime Minister, …

 “For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places. Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Eph 6:12”

We saw that the whole race, according to this passage, has fallen under the control of satanic forces, whom Paul calls, “the world rulers of this present darkness”. Jesus confirms this in his figurative description of Satan as the strong man who, armed, rules his own palace and keeps his goods in peace.

The picture of the Bible from beginning to end is that all human beings, without exception, regardless of how clever or educated or cultured they may be, if without Christ, are the helpless victims of satanic control. Under the control of satanic forces human beings are uncomfortable and unhappy, but also completely unable to escape by any wisdom or power of their own.

As the god of this world system, Satan has authority over a federation that also includes all of the unsaved and fallen humanity whom he takes captive and uses at his will – Matthew 4:8-10; John 14:30;. The apostle John wrote: “We know that we are of God and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” 1 John 5:19. We are also told that “the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not” – 2 Cor. 4:4.

Satan influences governments and nations. Daniel 10:12-13,20-21 gives us a glimpse into the spiritual realm of angels and demons and how they affect nations. The “prince of the Persian kingdom” (v.13) is apparently a demon exercising influence over the Persian realm in the interests of Satan. The archangel of God named Michael finally overcame his resistance. Likewise the “prince of Greece” in verse 20 is also a demon.