Yes. The kingdoms of the world were Satan's to offer to Jesus, because since Adam fell he is the god of this world.
In Matthew 4, Satan took Jesus to a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, and said, 'All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.' Les Feldick teaches that this offer was genuine and within Satan's power to give, since Satan is the god of this world. But these kingdoms will not remain his; Christ will one day rule them by defeating Satan, not by worshipping him.
Matthew 4:8-9 — This is the key passage where Satan tells Jesus the world's kingdoms are his to give on the condition of worship.
1 John 5:19 — This verse states that the whole world lies in wickedness, which underlies Satan's present dominion over the kingdoms.
Matthew 4:8-9 records that '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.' The Bible also says in 1 John 5:19, 'And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.' These verses show that Satan himself claimed title to the world's kingdoms and offered them to Jesus in exchange for worship.
Les Feldick is emphatic that the offer was real. He says the kingdoms 'were his to give' and that Satan was 'sincere' when he made the offer. His reason is that since Adam fell, Satan is 'the God of this world' and 'the world is in his lap.' Les also points out that from the high mountain, both Jesus and Satan, as spiritual beings, could view all the empires of history—past, present, and future—and Satan offered them all to Jesus if Jesus would fall down and worship him. At the same time, Les notes that Satan evidently did not understand that Christ will one day receive those same kingdoms as a result of his sovereignty and will rule as King of kings and Lord of lords. Christ will not get the kingdoms by kowtowing to Satan but by defeating him.
Les explains that since Adam fell, Satan has been 'the God of this world.' He says the world is in the lap of the wicked one and that Satan has total dominion over it. Les asks, 'Was it in Satan's power to give those kingdoms?' and answers, 'Yes, absolutely.' He also says 'they were his to offer' and that Satan was sincere in making the offer. This is why Satan could say to Jesus, 'All these things will I give thee.'
According to Les, the temptation took place from a high vantage point, but the view was not limited to physical sight. Because Jesus and Satan are both spiritual beings, Satan could let Jesus look all the way back to Nebuchadnezzar and David's great kingdom, and show Him the great empires that would come down through human history. Satan then said, 'If you'll fall down and worship me, you can have control over all these nations.'
Yes, in God's plan. Les says the kingdoms of the world 'are going to be Christ's' and that He will be 'King of kings and Lord of lords.' Christ will receive them by defeating Satan, not by worshipping him. Les also points out that Satan did not understand or comprehend that these same kingdoms will one day be Christ's, and that Christ will set up His own glorious kingdom while the previous kingdoms 'blow away like the dust of the summer threshing floor.'
Satan's Ongoing Opposition to God's Plan
Les places the temptation scene in the context of Satan's long warfare against Israel and God's promise of a Redeemer, showing why Satan would try to derail Jesus.
Satan as God of This World
Les states plainly that Satan is the god of this world and that the kingdoms 'were his to give'; they will become Christ's by defeating Satan, not by worship.
Satan's Power to Give the Kingdoms
Les answers the question directly: 'Was it in Satan's power to give those kingdoms? Yes, absolutely,' because Satan is the god of this world since Adam fell.
Satan's Total Dominion
The world lies in the lap of the wicked one, and Satan has total dominion; Les points to the temptation as proof.
Spiritual View of All Kingdoms
Because Jesus and Satan are spiritual beings, Satan showed Jesus past and future empires and offered control over all nations for worship.
The Temptation as Proof
Les cites Matthew 4 as his example that Satan is god of this world and used the temptation to try to make Jesus bow.
Satan's Offer and Christ's Coming Kingdom
Satan offered the accumulated kingdoms of history on condition of worship, not realizing Christ will obliterate those kingdoms and establish His own.
Satan's Sincere Offer
Les says Satan was sincere—the kingdoms were his to offer, though they won't always be; tonight he is still god of this world.
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.
Satan's own words to Jesus confirm that he claimed the world's kingdoms as his to give.
1 John 5:19: And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
This verse is the scriptural basis for Les's statement that the world is in the lap of the wicked one.
No. Les Feldick says the offer was sincere and that the kingdoms 'were his to offer.' Because Satan is the god of this world, he had the power to make that offer. Still, the condition was that Jesus worship him.
Les explains that since Adam fell, Satan has been the god of this world and the world is in the lap of the wicked one. He has total dominion and is the unseen force behind human accomplishment.
Yes. Les says the kingdoms will be Christ's one day; He will be King of kings and Lord of lords. He will receive them by defeating Satan, not by bowing to him.
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