Satan exercises authority over the world through powerful spiritual forces—principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places—and by blinding the minds of those who do not believe.
Paul describes the believer's conflict as not against flesh and blood but against these spiritual forces (Ephesians 6:12). Les Feldick emphasizes that this is authority rather than mere strength, and that Satan, as the god of this world, holds the kingdoms and blinds the lost to the gospel. Yet Satan is not absolute; he operates under God's sovereign restraint.
Ephesians 6:12 — It directly names the spiritual forces through which Satan's authority operates.
2 Corinthians 4:4 — It identifies Satan as the god of this world who blinds the minds of unbelievers.
Matthew 4:8-9 — It records Satan offering Jesus all the kingdoms of the world, showing his claimed authority over them.
The Bible describes Satan's authority as operating through the unseen spiritual realm. In Ephesians 6:12, Paul writes, 'For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.' This locates the conflict in high places, not merely in human society. Second Corinthians 4:3-4 reveals that Satan, called 'the god of this world,' blinds the minds of those who do not believe: 'But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.' In Matthew 4:8-9, the devil claims authority over all the kingdoms of the world, saying, 'All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.' Romans 8:38-39 also lists 'principalities' and 'powers' among the created things that cannot separate believers from the love of God.
Les Feldick takes Paul's words in Ephesians 6:12 literally: the believer is up against principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places. He stresses that these are not down-and-out forces but powers positioned in the upper levels of society and religion. The word translated 'power' in this context, Les says, is not energy but authority—the kind of authority Jesus gave the twelve when He sent them out—though these evil powers are also energized in a way that seemingly never runs out. Les also teaches that Satan is the god of this world and has been head of the nations since Adam left the garden. He was telling the truth when he offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world; they were his to give. His method includes promoting good and beautiful things, working through ecclesiastical leaders so that his power funnels down to the pew, and holding the veil over the lost so they cannot comprehend the gospel. He can even appear as an angel of light. At the same time, Les consistently says Satan is not omnipotent. He is under God's sovereign checks and balances and can only do so much. Ultimately, Christ will defeat him and take the kingdoms of this world by conquest, not by compromise.
The Bible says these are what we wrestle against: principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places. Les Feldick explains that the word 'power' here does not speak of energy but of authority, like the power Jesus gave the twelve disciples. It is a position in which one is permitted to act, and these powers in Satan's realm are positioned and loaded with energy that seemingly never runs out.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 says the gospel is veiled to those who are lost, and the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not. Les Feldick says Satan is the one holding the veil in place. He also warns that Satan is not a cartoon character; he is powerful and can transform himself into an angel of light.
In Matthew 4:8-9, the devil shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and says, 'All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.' Les Feldick teaches that the kingdoms were his to give, since Satan is the god of this world and has been head of the nations ever since Adam left the garden. However, Les also notes that Satan's rule is not absolute; he is still under God's sovereign control, and one day Christ will receive the kingdoms by defeating him.
Spiritual Forces
The conflict is not against people; it is against spiritual forces at high levels.
Satan's High Places
Satan concentrates his work among religious leaders so that his influence flows down to everyday believers.
Power as Authority
The 'power' in Ephesians 6 is authority, not energy; yet these evil powers are energized and positioned.
God of This World
Satan is the god of this world, and the kingdoms were his to give when he tempted Jesus.
Blinding and Deception
Satan hides the gospel from the lost and can transform himself into an angel of light.
Total Dominion
Satan prompts human accomplishments and holds the world in his lap.
Under God's Sovereignty
Satan is under God's sovereign restraint and cannot do everything he wants.
Christ's Coming Victory
One day Christ will defeat Satan and receive the kingdoms of the world by right.
Ephesians 6:12: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
This verse precisely names the spiritual forces behind Satan's authority.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4: But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
This identifies Satan as the god of this world and explains how he veils the gospel.
Matthew 4:8-9: Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
This records Satan's claim that the kingdoms of the world were his to offer.
Romans 8:38-39: For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This lists principalities and powers among everything that cannot separate us from God's love.
Yes. The Bible calls him 'the god of this world' in 2 Corinthians 4:4, and Les Feldick says he has been head of the nations since Adam left the garden. Satan's authority includes the kingdoms of the world, which he offered to Jesus.
No. Les Feldick teaches that Satan is still held in check by God's checks and balances. He is the god of this world, but he operates under the sovereign God and can only do so much.
Les says Satan works in high places — the upper levels of religious leadership, seminaries, and large denominations. He doesn't need to work on the down-and-out; he already has them. His power funnels down to the average person in the pew.
According to 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, the god of this world blinds the minds of those who believe not. Les says Satan is the one holding the veil in place, and he can present himself as an angel of light.
Watch the Teaching: Romans 8:31-39 Explained — Why Nothing Can Separate You From God