...pretending when He stated that...? ..."All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth" Matthew 28:18 (NWT)
following His resurrection from the dead?
The Watchtower website's online article, entitled "Who Really Rules the World?" states -
"Many people would answer the above question with a single word - God. But significantly, NOWHERE does the Bible say that either Jesus Christ or his Father are the real rulers of this world." (caps for emphasis)
In support of this position, the Watchtower article goes on to say -
"On the contrary, Jesus said: 'The ruler of this world will be cast out.'" (from John 12:31)
Did the Watchtower writer forget that the above words were spoken by the Lord PRIOR to His death & resurrection and His subsequent claim to "ALL authority
(which quite clearly NOW makes Him the ruler of this world)
has been given me...on the earth." (caps for emphasis, insert mine)
?
Furthermore, in John 12:31, Jesus said that the current ruler would "be cast out."
While the Bible DOES refer to Satan as "god of this system of things," (2 Corinthians 4:4, NWT) that is clearly NOT the same as "ruler of this world." If you check the wording in the Greek, you can observe for yourself.
But significantly, nowhere does the Bible apply the term, "ruler of this world" to Satan following the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As the "god of this system of things," Satan undoubtedly still exercises influence over the majority of the world's population (see also Ephesians 2:2, 1 John 5:19), but he is a DEPOSED king.
Jesus Christ is Lord!
Your thoughts, comments?
Polite, concise answers which address the Scriptures cited (esp. Matthew 28:18) welcome.
Thanks in advance.
following His resurrection from the dead?
The Watchtower website's online article, entitled "Who Really Rules the World?" states -
"Many people would answer the above question with a single word - God. But significantly, NOWHERE does the Bible say that either Jesus Christ or his Father are the real rulers of this world." (caps for emphasis)
In support of this position, the Watchtower article goes on to say -
"On the contrary, Jesus said: 'The ruler of this world will be cast out.'" (from John 12:31)
Did the Watchtower writer forget that the above words were spoken by the Lord PRIOR to His death & resurrection and His subsequent claim to "ALL authority
(which quite clearly NOW makes Him the ruler of this world)
has been given me...on the earth." (caps for emphasis, insert mine)
?
Furthermore, in John 12:31, Jesus said that the current ruler would "be cast out."
While the Bible DOES refer to Satan as "god of this system of things," (2 Corinthians 4:4, NWT) that is clearly NOT the same as "ruler of this world." If you check the wording in the Greek, you can observe for yourself.
But significantly, nowhere does the Bible apply the term, "ruler of this world" to Satan following the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As the "god of this system of things," Satan undoubtedly still exercises influence over the majority of the world's population (see also Ephesians 2:2, 1 John 5:19), but he is a DEPOSED king.
Jesus Christ is Lord!
Your thoughts, comments?
Polite, concise answers which address the Scriptures cited (esp. Matthew 28:18) welcome.
Thanks in advance.