Satan's Reign vs. Jesus' Reign

 Satan's Authority

Ruler of the Kingdom of the Air

Scripture clearly indicates that Satan is the present "ruler of the Kingdom of the air", and is the motivating spirit in those who are disobedient.

Now it should be noted that this is not due to any limitation on the part of Jesus, but is according to His will.

Eph 2:1-2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, (2) in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

We should not think it strange that God would permit Satan limited authority and rulership on the planet. This principle is illustrated in the story of Job (Job 1:6-12).

The Control of the Evil One

1Jn 5:19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

Here we have a quite explicit statement declaring that Satan is in fact in control of the whole world. 

The God of This Age

2Co 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Here is another explicit statement referring to Satan as "the god of this age", and his work to blind minds. If Jesus was actively reigning, eyes would be opening, not being blinded.

Satan Offers His Kingdom to Jesus

Luk 4:5-6 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. (6) And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.

If Satan did not possess authority over the kingdoms of the world, then he would not have been able to use this as a temptation. The offer of the kingdoms to Jesus would have been a false offer, and the lesson the passage is teaching would have been invalid. Satan did have the authority as permitted and limited by Almighty God to offer Jesus the kingdoms of earth.

Jesus States that Satan is the Prince of This World

Joh 14:30 I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me,

The context of "is coming" in this passage is the imminent arrival of Satan to fulfill the crucifixion of Christ. It is not saying that Satan is only then coming to the world, for that would conflict with the preceding passages.

The point of this passage is that even at this time, Jesus recognized Satan reigning as the prince of the world.

Authority of the Beast

Rev 13:11-12 Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon. (12) It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed.

This passage is speaking of the authority of the Antichrist and the False Prophet. It is explicitly stated that the False Prophet exercises authority such that he "made the earth and its inhabitants worship the beast" (Antichrist). These two could only have this power if Satan delegated it to them out of the authority that he had. This shows Satan's authority as the prince of the power of the air, reigning on earth and influencing people, again, within the confines that Almighty God permits.

Satan's Power Removed

Rev 11:15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever."

The timing of this event is quite explicit, it is when the seventh angel sounds his trumpet heralding the seven bowl judgments. This verse states that it is at this time that the "kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord". This clearly indicates that "the kingdom of the world" was Satan's prior to this event, and is removed after this event. As we have previously read in 1Jn 5:19 "the whole world is under the control of the evil one." This is clearly no longer the case.

Jesus's Reign Begins

Rev 11:17 saying: "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.

Two verses later, in verse 17, it is clearly and explicitly stated again that it is at this time that Jesus has "taken your great power and ... begun to reign". This clearly indicates that Jesus does not reign on earth until after this event occurs.

Conclusion

As can clearly be seen from the aforementioned scripture, God of course has all power and authority, however for a time, He has permitted Satan to reign on earth as "ruler of the kingdom of the air", "the evil one" or the "prince of the world". Scripture is quite clear and explicit regarding this.

This permissive will of God will not last forever. The end of Satan's reign and the start of Jesus' reign is also clearly and explicitly identified as the time of the seventh trumpet. If scripture identifies a future time when Jesus' reign will begin, then scripture is consistent with Satan ruling and reigning in the world prior to that.