The die has been cast. From this time forward, Satan will contest with God for the possession of the earth and all therein. He has set himself up as an opposing rival claimant to the world’s sovereignty and to man’s worship. He will establish a kingdom of his own. God, for a purpose, will permit Satan to go forward with his evil designs.

Two Sovereigns
Now in the universe, there are two separate, distinct kingdoms, the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. Two Sovereigns claim authority over Heaven and earth.

As Creator, God is the rightful Lord because all things were created by Him and for Him. God has never given away to any created being, angelic or human, any part of His universe. He holds the possession of the whole universe in perpetuity.

Deuteronomy 10:14

Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the Lord’s thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.

Psalm 24:1

The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

The Kingdom of God is the only government recognized by God and the spiritual hosts of heaven and earth. It is the central government composed of all moral intelligences, angelic or human, celestial or earthly, of all centuries, who willingly place themselves within the circle of the divine will and, as their own free choice, acknowledge and accept God as their Sovereign. The Kingdom of God comprises the entire universe over which God is enthroned as the absolute Sovereign.

The Lord Jesus teaches that there is such a Kingdom of God and who is eligible for citizenship in it.

Luke 13:28-29

²⁸ There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. ²⁹ They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God.

John 3:5

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

God states with clearness the essential credentials for entrance into His kingdom.

James 2:5

Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

As unthinkable as it may seem, there is also a kingdom of Satan in God’s universe. Again, the Lord Jesus teaches that there is such a kingdom. Once when He was casting out a demon, some people accused Him of casting out demons through Beelzebub, the chief of demons. Jesus stated the following when he brought the kingdom of Satan and the Kingdom of God into sharpest contrast:

Luke 11:17-20 “But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. ¹⁸ And if Satan also is divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out demons by Beelzebub. ¹⁹ And if I by Beelzebub cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. ²⁰ But if I by the finger of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you.”

God acknowledges that Satan did set up a kingdom and that he sits on a throne of his own making.

Revelation 2:13

I know where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s throne is; and thou holdest fast my name, and didst not deny my faith, even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwelleth.

Christ never acknowledged Satan to be king, but he called him “the prince of this world” three times.

John 12:31

Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

God also acknowledges the worship Satan has succeeded in obtaining, for He calls him “the god of this world.”

2 Corinthians 4:4

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not 

There is still another title given to Satan in Scripture which shows that he not only obtained and exercises great power on earth among men, but that he carried his rebellion against God even into Heaven and secured a following among the angelic host.

Ephesians 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.

Ephesians 6:12

For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Then, it is evident that Satan gained a temporary conquest of the earth through Satan’s treason and Adam’s disobedience, which became a revolted province in God’s universe. Satan is a sovereign over a rebel government; it is a government against government. It is composed of all moral intelligences, angelic or human, celestial or earthly, of all centuries, who are without the circle of the divine will and who continue to be subjects of Satan. The kingdom of Satan embraces the whole world of mankind that is without the Lord Jesus Christ.

Next: Two Spheres/Two Seeds

Source: “Life on the Highest Plane” by Ruth Paxson

Thank You, God, even though Satan is attempting to overthrow You in Your universe, we have the Bible that reveals to us the result of the conflict. We have victory in Christ Jesus.

In Him,

Marion