Ok my bad, sorry sorry sorry , had to go back and read LRays teachings, any how the short of it
The world:
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience
The world= the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.
2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world( the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life ) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them... Yes satan is the god of this world
Hi Micheal,
I don't agree with your conclusion that "The world" IS "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life."
I just don't think you can make that jump. Certainly these things exist IN the world and are OF it as the apostle said but I don't think you can now take the word "Kosmos" and replace it with those sins and maintain the integrity of the scriptures.
I think if we are going to call satan the "god of this age" then we must see it through the same spirit that inspired this verse:
1Co 8:5 For though there be that are
called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
1Co 8:6 But to us there is but ONE God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
Or as the CLV has it "For even if so be that there are those being
termed gods, whether in heaven or on earth, even as there are many gods and many lords, NEVERTHELESS FOR US there is ONE God, the Father, out of Whom all is, and we for Him, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through Whom all is, and we through Him."
Indeed, though satan may be termed a god, he is no god. There is only ONE GOD.
I am still praying about this but what holds me back is:
Exo 4:11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?
John 12:37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
John 12:38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
John 12:39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
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.
John 12:41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
Is not being blind spiritually the result of having ones heart hardened? Who hardens? Who is capable of such things but God?
Exodus 7:13 And he [GOD] hardened Pharaoh's heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said.
Exodus 10:20 But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.
Romans 9:18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.
Similarly we have this:
Matthew 13:10-11 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is NOT given.
Who gives in this case? God gives (Job 1:21, Matthew 13:12). So then God has not given to them, they are blind.
An even bolder declaration. God sends strong DELUSION so that people BELIEVE A LIE!
2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2 Thessalonians 2:1112 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
I'm genuinely trying to see if satan can blind but it all goes back to God in the end so how can we be so certain that 2 Cor 4:4 is about satan and not God?
Perhaps it is both, that is, God blinds through satan which He created but if that is the case, I'm hard pressed to find a verse (aside from 2 Cor 4:4) that makes or shows this to be the case. Does anyone know of a verse?
Paul states that the serpent DECEIVED eve and NOT that he blinded her (1 Tim 2:14, 2 Corinthians 11:3).
John also describes him in Revelation as the seprent that DECEIVES the world and NOT blinds it (Revelation 12:9, Revelation 20:8 ).
I'm having a hard time accepting even
the term "god of this world" for satan as the blinding part erks me greatly in light of other scripture.
As I said, I will continue to pray on this matter and perhaps God will provide a light.
God bless,
Alex
P.S. The word translated "prince" of this world in John 10 (notice Jesus doesn't say "god" of this world but He could have) is NEVER translated god at any time in the KJV according to strong's. I cannot agree with JFK that prince and God are synonymous in meaning when applied to satan.