WHO HAS POWER OVER THE EARTH TODAY?
What Jehovah’s Witnesses Teach
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Satan the Devil is the real ruler of the world. They base this doctrine on a statement in John 5:19, which says that “the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.”
As a supporting argument, Jehovah’s Witnesses refer to Luke 4:6, where Satan offers Jesus power over the whole world. Jehovah’s Witnesses argue that if Satan were not the ruler of the earth, he could not offer Jesus power over the world.
Furthermore, Jehovah’s Witnesses interpret 2. Corinthians 4:4 to mean that “the god of this system of things” must refer to Satan.
What the Bible Says
In Matthew 28:18 Jesus said in year 33 that “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth”.
If Satan had power over the earth at the time Jesus was tempted by Satan, then that power could not have been maintained after Jesus received “all authority . . . on the earth.” Jesus’ “all power” excludes that Satan also has power over the earth.
It is people who rule this world in an evil way, not Satan (Ecclesiastes 7:29). Ecclesiastes 8:9 says: “during the time that man has dominated man to his harm.” Psalm 115:16 goes on to say that “As for the heavens, they belong to Jehovah, But the earth he has given to the sons of men.” It is the people themselves who constitute “the power of the wicked one” mentioned in 1. John 5:19 (see also Matthew 20:25). Thus, “the power of the wicked one” is not subject to Satan’s authority. Humans have been given this power by God. This is clearly stated in Romans 13:1,2 which states:
Let every person be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God; the existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God. Therefore, whoever opposes the authority has taken a stand against the arrangement of God; those who have taken a stand against it will bring judgment against themselves.
If Satan were the ruler of this world today, then humans would receive their authority from Satan and not God. Even though humans have been given power by God, it is humans themselves who decide whether they will be wicked or not.
Why then does it say in 2. Corinthians 4:4 that “the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers…”? Who the “god of this system” is, depends on which god the various societies on earth worship. It is not one specific god, because humans (this system of things) have created many different gods for themselves. There are still humans who have made these into gods, and it is not the gods themselves who have power (Psalm 115:4-7, Jeremiah 10:3-5, and 1 Corinthians 8:4).
WHEN IS SATAN HURLED DOWN TO THE EARTH?
Revelation 12:7, cf. verse 9, states that “And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels battled with the dragon [Satan], … he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him…”.
The new Jerusalem “gave birth” to a son who will “shepherd all the nations with an iron rod” and who will be brought to God and his throne (Rev. 12:5). He is brought forth by the city of Jerusalem during the 1000-year kingdom. The logical order would then be that Jesus first comes to earth, and then is installed as king in the New Jerusalem on earth.
To understand Revelation chapter 12, you must read it in the context of chapter 20. These chapters complement each other. If you just read chapter 12, you might get the impression that Satan is thrown down to earth in connection with Jesus’ starting as king in 1,000 year rule. That is not true. Revelation 20:1,2 say that “an angel … seized … Devil and Satan, and bound him for 1,000 years.” 20:7 says that “Now as soon as the 1,000 years have ended, Satan will be released from his prison.” When Jesus starts to rule over earth, Satan will not be hurled down to earth, because Revelation 20:3 say that Satan at this time is hurled “into the abyss” .
Revelation 12:12 say that Satan “having great anger, knowing that he has a short period of time.” and 20:3 says that Satan “was released for a little while.” This is the same short little while after the 1,000 years ended until the removal of Satan (Revelation 20:10).
Revelation 12:13, cf. 17, say “Now when the dragon saw that it had been hurled down to the earth, it persecuted the woman …”. The woman is the new Jerusalem . Revelation 20:7 says that during this short period of time, Satan will “mislead the nations” and gather them to war. Gog of Magog surrounds “the beloved city”, that has served as the capital for 1,000 years. Revelation 12:9 also says that Satan “misleads all the inhabited earth” after he was hurled down.