Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps!   I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2746 of our Trek.   The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

Our current series of Theology Thursday lessons is written by theologian and teacher John Daniels. I have found that his lessons are short, easy to understand, doctrinally sound, and applicable to all who desire to learn more of God’s Word. John’s lessons can be found on his website   theologyinfive.com.   Today’s lesson is titled Satan Was Not Allotted a Nation.

 

The Bible presents Satan as the first rebel, deceiving humanity in Eden and setting himself in opposition to Yahweh’s purposes from the very beginning. But when God disinherits the nations at Babel (Deuteronomy 32:8-9), there is no indication that Satan is assigned a nation. The divine council sons of God are given authority over the nations, and Yahweh retains Israel for Himself. Satan is nowhere in that picture.

 

This is not surprising. Satan had already rebelled. He had already introduced sin into the world and brought death through deception. Why would he be entrusted with a nation? He would not be, and he was not.

But he would not stay excluded.

 

Psalm 82 shows that the gods of the nations, the ones given legitimate rule over the peoples, eventually rebelled. They pervert justice, show partiality, and demand worship for themselves. They become corrupt stewards, and Yahweh condemns them to die like men.

 

 

It is in this spiritual vacuum that Satan likely saw his opportunity. The pattern is familiar. Just as he deceived Eve, it is plausible that he seduced the other elohim as well. He may have promised them greatness, freedom from Yahweh, or worship for themselves. Perhaps he did not originate their rebellion, but he certainly seems to have benefited from it. Over time, as the gods of the nations fought among themselves through their human empires, Satan emerged as the one spirit behind them all.

 

We can see this in the way ancient religion developed. The gods of Egypt, Canaan, Babylon, Greece, and Rome were originally distinct, but as empires grew and conquered one another, their gods merged. Baal rose in Canaan. Marduk overtook the other gods of Babylon. Zeus became king of Olympus and was later identified with Jupiter in Rome. At each step, the god at the top took on more authority, often absorbing characteristics of the others.

 

The altar of Zeus at Pergamum, described in Revelation 2:13 as the throne of Satan, confirms the trajectory. Zeus had become the highest god of the pagan world. His altar stood like a throne on a high place. Jesus identifies that location not just as idolatrous, but as Satan’s seat. This implies that Satan, though never given a nation by God, had risen through the corruption of the divine order to become the ruler over the fallen gods.

 

This also explains why Satan could offer Jesus all the kingdoms of the world in Matthew 4. He claimed authority over what was not given to him, a stolen reign that came through deceit and manipulation. He was not a rightful king. He was a usurper.

 

 

But his rule did not go unchallenged. At the cross, Christ disarmed the rulers and authorities and exposed them. His resurrection declared Him the rightful heir of the nations. His ascension stripped Satan of his access to any real authority. The rebel bene elohim were still around and in full rebellion, but they no longer had the authority given to them by Yahweh.

Satan began as a deceiver, not a ruler. He was not given a territory, but he took one anyway. Through the rebellion of the gods of the nations, he found his place among them, rising above them as the counterfeit king of a crumbling empire. But his dominion is temporary, and his defeat is certain.

 

 Join us next time on Theology Thursday, where our lesson will explore: From Eden to New Jerusalem: The Pattern of Ascent, Fall, and Redemption

 

 If you found this podcast insightful, please subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of ‘Wisdom-Trek,      Creating a Legacy.’   

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly,   I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this Trek of life together, let us always:    

I am Guthrie Chamberlain   reminding you to      ’ Keep Moving Forward,’      ‘Enjoy your Journey,’       and ‘Create a Great Day, Everyday!     Join me next time for more daily wisdom!