The New Century Version: "The devil who rules this world has blinded the minds of those who do not believe" (2Cor.4:4, NCV). The Living Bible: "Satan, the god of this evil world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe…" (2Cor.4:4, TLB).  The Contemporary English Version: "The god who rules this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers" (2Cor.4:4, CEV).  (Notice that Satan seems only to have "rule" over unbelievers.  He does not rule over believers.)  The Jerusalem Bible also renders it as "the god of this world."  Finally, The Interlinear Bible, by Jay P. Green: "in whom the god of this age has blinded…" (2Cor.4:4, TIB).  The operative word in Greek that is translated "world" is Strong's G165, aion.  Scriptures to compare: Matt.12:32;13:39; 24:3; 28:20; Lk.16:8; 18:30; 20:34-35; Acts 3:21; 15:18; Rom.12:2; 1Cor.2:6-8; Gal.1:4; Eph.1:21.

True enough, most of those who espouse that Satan is the god of this world will readily affirm, if pressed, that God Almighty is the "ultimate" ruler--that in the long run, the Almighty has the final say in all matters ecclesiastical and secular.  Understandably, they don't want to push God out of the picture altogether.  What they are telling us is that God reigns but he does not rule.  It's like saying he has the final word, but he has muzzled himself and does not--indeed cannot--intervene in this world's affairs.  Nothing can be farther from the truth.  How can a sovereign God be in charge and yet walk away from His jurisdiction, responsibility, and dominion (cf. Dan.2:20-22; Hos.8:4)?  Those who espouse this view would present to us an irresponsible and impotent God and king.

But Christ "cast out" the so-called "ruler" in the first century.  This "ruler" was demoted; this "ruler" was deposed.  This "ruler" was defeated and his "house" plundered.  So, why do some folks seem to WANT Satan to be a ruler today?  It is because of a twisted religious worldview; a twisted view that promotes a peculiar doctrine that denies the true ruler of mankind.  Their unbelieving eyes have been blinded to God's revelation.  They want the Devil to rule so that their “end-times” view can make sense.

Notice in Jn.12:30-32 that Christ cast the "ruler" out in the first century.  Who was this "ruler" that was cast out, and how did it happen?  "And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, 'He has Beelzebub,' and, 'By the ruler of the demons he casts out demons.'  So he called them to himself and said to them in parables: 'How can Satan cast out Satan?  If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.  And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end.  No one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man.  And then he will plunder his house" (Mk.3:22-27; cf. Matt.12:29).

Note several things: (1) The parable has Satan as its central character.  (2) Satan is depicted as the strong man.  (3) The strong man has a house.  (4) The strong man defends his house against plunder and division.  (5) Satan is not divided.  (6) A divided kingdom or a divided house cannot stand.  (7) Before plundering the strong man's house, the strong man has to first be defeated, and then tossed out.  (8) Presumably, when the strong man is thrown out, his loyal servants will go with him. (9) The strong man is cast out and is bound--he is tied up and prevented from effecting any retaliation upon the "stronger man" who bound him in the first place, or upon his loyal servants.  (10) The "stronger" man is Jesus Christ.

Where does the Devil rule? He rules over demons: "But some of them said, 'He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons" (Lk.11:15).  Who is Beelzebub?  "Beelzebub" means literally "god (or lord) of the flies"--insects.  "If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub.  And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges" (Lk.11:18-19).

Jesus the Christ is indeed speaking of Satan, so, the passage very plainly suggests that this insect "ruler" was "cast out" in the first century!  Christ said "NOW" the ruler would be cast out—he did not say "tomorrow" the ruler will be cast out, or "after 2,000 years" the ruler will be cast out.  He plainly said "now" the ruler will be cast out.  So, according to the words of the Lord (which we are supposed to accept and believe as professing Christians), the "ruler of the world" (of insects) was cast out some 2,000 years ago.  But cast out of what?  It would seem logical that he would be cast out of any position of rulership he might have had—whatever that position is which he represented. The Devil only has Influence in the darkness.  And since these people are in the darkness...   (Continued...)