As discussed in our previous post, Burning for Eternity in Hell, the punishment of those who choose not to follow the instructions of God is not to burn for eternity. Still many will believe that Satan is the ruler of a burning place where he tortures those who do not go to heaven.

Evidence to support this idea cannot be found anywhere in your bible. As we always state: it is important to read the bible for yourself to understand any topic of interest. Let’s explore the idea of Satan being the ruler of hell.

 

Where is Satan Now?

 

Contrary to popular belief, Satan is not ruling under the earth but rather on the earth. Note the fact that Satan is called the god of this world.

“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not…” (II Cor. 4:4 KJV)  

Paul is explaining that the god of this world has blind the minds of those who do not believe the gospel that Christ preached. In this verse Paul was referring to Satan. We know this to be true because a similar statement is made in Rev. 12:9.

“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.  (Rev 12:9 KJV) 

Here we can see that it is Satan who has deceived the whole world. He has done this by blinded the minds of men to the true gospel Jesus preached.

Notice the following verses:

 

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.” (Job 1:6-7 KJV) 

When God asked Satan where did he come from, Satan said he walks to and fro in the earth. Notice he didn’t say from a fiery kingdom under the earth’s crust nor does he mention torturing the dead. It makes perfect sense that he walks to and fro in the earth if he is the god of it.

 

Satan: the god of this World

 

As we have read, Satan is the god of this world based on II Cor. 4:4. Let’s look at more evidence of this fact.

 

“Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. (Matt 4:8-9 KJV)

Here Satan offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. How can he offer them if they did not belong to him? Some will say that they don’t belong to him and that he lied to Jesus. If this was the case why did Jesus respond in following way:

“Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” (Matt 4:10 KJV)

Jesus didn’t refute the fact that the kingdoms of the world were Satan’s to give. Why didn’t Jesus take this opportunity to call Satan a liar? Jesus took the opportunity to call the Jews liars.

“They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham… Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:39, 44 KJV)

Jesus is responding to the fact that the Jews said they were the children of Abraham. Notice he specifically called out their lie. He did not do this to Satan. Why? Because Satan wasn’t lying at that moment so there was no need to correct him. When calling Satan the father of lies, Jesus was referring to Gen. 3:4-5.

Remember Satan is referred to as the, “prince of power of the air.” (Eph 2:2 KJV) This show how he blinds the world. He broadcasts his attitude and spirit to the world. Read the whole verse of Eph 2:2. So how does he use the power of the air underneath the earth? Eph 2:2 coupled with Job 1:7 helps us understand where and how Satan influences and controls the world. Stop believing in concepts like the 7 circles of hell and other ideas that are not biblically based. 

 

Knowing Where We Are in Prophecy

 

Satan is on this earth ruling the kingdoms of the earth. Look at this prophecy in Revelation:

“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.’ (Rev 12:7-9 KJV) 

We believe this has already taken place. Read Daniel: Unsealed at Last by the Philadelphia Church of God to understand our belief in this. You can get this book for free. Satan has been permanently casted down to earth and no longer has access to go to heaven as we saw in the book of Job. Soon there will be a great tribulation. We should be watching to understand what will unfold while maintaining hope and faith in God.

It is important know who the enemy is, where he is, and what he is doing against you. Be sure to study what the bible has to say about Satan completely. If we allow ourselves to be deceive by one thing we can become susceptible to other false doctrine.

 

God bless…

-Bryant Muldrew