Adam was created to rule the earth initially, then to rule the universe along with his descendants. In order to do so he had to defeat the reigning god of the earth–Satan, the serpent of Eden–in a heart-to- heart spiritual confrontation. Adam lost, thereby handing over to God’s arch enemy rulership and control of the earth and everything on it. This includes those human beings who willingly place themselves under his power by obeying him. The only exceptions to Satan’s dominance are those who resist him by obeying the Biblical God. It is these few resisters whom Jesus said would rule not only the earth, but the entire universe in the future (Rev. 3:21/Heb. 2:6-8). As the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome, the entire universe groans in anticipation of the manifestation (revealing) of God’s true sons who will, with Jesus Christ, rule that universe forever (Rom. 8:22).

Satan owns and controls the world and everything in it, with the exception of God’s “… little flick” (Lk. 12:32)–His “remnant” (Rom. 11:5) that has remained true to Him over the centuries since creation. The world, including the church world, does not recognize these people for who and what they are, just as the Jews and the religious hierarchy did not recognize Jesus and his people for who and what they were. Proof that the devil owns the earth, its people and its treasures is found in Matthew 4:8,9 where he offered all of it to Jesus if He would only bow down and worship him. One cannot offer what one does not possess. Jesus knew that Satan was in control. Note that He did not refute his ownership of the world and his power to do with it whatever he wanted. Nothing has changed. Satan is still in charge of all things and all people. The exceptions are those “few” who have chosen to go through God’s strait gate and walk His narrow way leading to eternal life (Mat. 7:13,14). Jesus knew then, and his people know now, that Satan owns the world and can do with it whatever he desires. This explains why so much of the world’s fame and fortune belong to the most wicked among us. Service to Satan produces great rewards. One will notice that many of the rich and famous are among those with the highest public profiles. This is Satan’s way of showing the world that sin pays well, at least over the short term.

Being the owner and operator of the world, the devil determines what it produces through his people. Listen to and look at what they flood the world with on a continuous basis. It is impossible to escape the onslaught of sin and degradation being produced and displayed by his followers. Watch the t.v. programs and movies being produced today. Read the best selling novels and popular magazines, look at their covers–sin and filth permeate every society. Listen to country and pop “music,” read what is written on T shirts and bathroom walls. Listen to the Satanic filth being spewed out during public conversations and pronouncements. Even politicians have gotten in on Satan’s act. Vulgarity has become necessary if one is to get his message across.

The above facts and activities highlight the second type of death the saint must voluntarily experience. As the Lord said through the apostle Paul, we cannot escape the world around us as long as we are alive. We must not, however, be a part of it. We must resist the offerings of the world and its religious wing–the church system. The Scriptures tell us that Jesus was tempted, tested and tried as are all men, yet without sin (Heb. 4:15). He is our perfect example of how to resist the world. As did He, so must we die to self and the world if we are to qualify to live with the Father in the future. In summary, THE WAY TO LIFE IS THE WAY OF DEATH. There is no alternative. We must die in this temporary life in order to live eternally. L.J.