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length issued in a slanderous accusation against Him, and led to that
overt act of rebellion, that was the cause of his ruin' (Robert Brown).
Satan as the Serpent of Genesis 3 is the subject of the first great
prophecy of the Bible and this is considered under the heading, Seed4 (see
also, The Two Seeds in The Berean Expositor Vol. 13, page 13.
A study of the plan of the ages reveals two great powers, the one
heading up in the mystery of godliness (1 Tim. 3:16), the other the mystery
of iniquity (2 Thess. 2:7), all other mysteries belonging to one or other of
these all -embracing systems. L. S. Chafer changes the word 'world' in many
passages to the words 'satanic system' and refers to this system under seven
headings:
(1)
Satan is its governing head (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). In
addition we can place here the titles, 'the prince of the power
of the air', 'the god of this age' and 'the rulers of the
darkness of this world'.
(2)
This Satanic system is wholly evil.
Friendship with this system is enmity with God (Jas. 4:4).
(3)
Satan has great authority in this realm.
He has the power of death (Heb. 2:14); he oppressed many with
physical ills (Acts 10:38; Luke 13:16).
(4)
The methods employed by Satan are defined.
'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' (1 John
2:16).
(5)
Earthly possessions can be used by Satan for his own ends.
'The cares of this age, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the
lust of other things entering in, choke the word' (Mark 4:19).
(6)
The same Satanic system that crucified Christ will hate His
people (1 John 3:13).
(7)
The impotency and limitations are nevertheless evident.
'Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world' or
in the Satanic system (1 John 4:4). 'The world passeth away and
the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for
ever' (1 John 2:17).
Whether we endorse this sevenfold presentation or not, it is clear that
the word kosmos, 'world', represents more than one aspect of things in the
Scriptures*. It will have been observed that there are many references to
the 'system' in 1 John and many more remain to be examined, but this we can
only suggest and leave to the individual inquirer. Under the headings,
Satan4; Satan and Redemption4; and Satan, and War on the Saints4, Satan's
method of attack will be discussed and should be considered with prayer, for
it is vital. Much more would be required if the subject of the Adversary
were the only theme before us, but this is but an analysis, and the reader is
expected to be able to take the hint given and pursue to greater lengths each
truth thus presented.