Provocative thoughts: Who really has spiritual authority over Earth?
Scripture used: Col. 1: 13. 2: 15; Luke 10: 19 and I Peter 5: 8; Gen. 1: 26; Eph. 6: 16.
There is confusion among some believers about the shift of authority over the dominion of Earth. Some erroneous believe that Satan is still in charge. Others believe that Jesus defeated Satan and all his power and evil works. Did He not deliver us from Satan’s power, they ask. The key to the answer is all about a power play for authority. It was a struggle for the Headship for all authority on Earth.
Briefly stated, God, in the beginning, gave Adam all authority over the Earth (Gen. 1:26). And then Satan entered the Garden of Eden and persuaded Adam and Eve to disobey God. God evicted Adam and Eve from the garden for their sins and disobedience; the (authority) passed to Satan because he won this struggle. Satan held the authority and power until Jesus defeated him through His sacrifice on the cross. Death was overcome and our sins were forgiven.
However, Satan’s defeat was a matter of breaking his authority over domination of the Earth. Jesus delivered us from Satan’s power – meaning Satan lost his right to use his evil powers on us. Jesus took back the authority that was lost by Adam. Satan still has his powers and uses them to attack Believers. The Holy Spirit has equipped us with powers to withstand and defeat Satan’s attacks by clothing ourselves with the full armor of God. The Apostle Peter warns us that Satan “prowls about like a roaring lion.”
Copyright 2020 by Joan Berry
Jesus has given the authority He has on earth to us, His followers. Luke 9:1, 2 says, Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
Matthew 28:18-20 18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Mark 16:17-20 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” 19After the LORD Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the LORD worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.