After his political bargaining and maneuvering to gain followers, Satan was cast out of the “mountain” or Kingdom of God. As Revelation 12:3–4 indicates, Satan was able to draw after himself a third of the angelic host in this rebellion against God! These fallen angels are now called “demons.” Satan now has literally millions of fallen angels who are his followers, and in that sense has a “kingdom” over which he rules in the spirit world.
Matthew recounts the story of Jesus’ temptation by Satan, a very conniving personality. “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Matthew 4:1).
This gospel account forewarns us that Satan is not against quoting Scripture. In fact, Satan even had the audacity to quote Scripture to the Author of Scripture, Jesus Christ! “Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone’” (Matthew 4:5–6).
Then Satan offered Jesus “all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, ‘All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me’” (vv. 8–9).
Of course, Jesus knew the spiritual principles involved and correctly applied the appropriate scripture in response, saying, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve’” (v. 10). Jesus chose to obey God and to receive His kingdom in God’s time and in God’s way.
Later, when Jesus was accused of using Beelzebub to cast out demons, He said, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his [Satan’s] kingdom stand?” (Matthew 12:25–26).
Satan does have a kingdom! He is the invisible “god” of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4). He is the prime deceiver of men and nations. “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Revelation 12:9).
Satan is the spirit being who will powerfully influence, and perhaps even finally possess, a soon-to-come, charismatic, political dictator who will seduce a mighty world superpower arising in a revived, militant, united Europe—the end-time “Babylon.” Satan will be the “god” who animates and empowers the false religious system that will undergird this world-dominating economic and military power! Do not just believe me or take my word for it. Look at the Bible for yourself!
God’s word predicts that this coming oppressive system will be energized by demons:
After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.” And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues” (Revelation 18:1–4).
Satan will motivate these coming world rulers to fight against Christ at His return as King of kings and Lord of lords. But Christ will depose Satan and his wicked rule will come to a sure end.
