Because of the presence of these two classes in the world in this age, there are two very distinct lines of Scripture descriptive of them.  One body of Scripture directly applies to and governs the “wheat” or heavenly people, and one applies to the “tares,” the “children of the evil one.”  The marvelous revelation of the believer’s relation to Christ and the heavenlies, and his deliverance from any actual identification with this age, though in it, will be the subject of another chapter.  Only the relation of the unregenerate to this world and to Satan will be continued here.

As it has pleased Satan to hide himself and all his projects from the unbelieving world, that which God has revealed in all faithfulness will be received only by those who have unquestioning confidence in His Word.

According to Scripture, the relation of the unbelieving to Satan is far more vital than a mere pleasure-seeking allegiance.  On two occasions Jesus spoke of the unsaved as the “children of Satan” (Matt. 13:38; Jno. 8:44), and Paul so addressed Elymas, the sorcerer, according to Acts 13:10.  The same class is also twice called the “children of disobedience” (Eph. 2:2; Col. 3:6), and once it is called the “children of wrath” (Eph. 2:3).

It is evident that these are descriptions of the same class of people, since both terms are employed together in Eph. 5:6:  “Let no man deceive you:  for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.”  The exact cause of that wrath is stated in Rom. 1:18 (R.V.):  “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness;” the word “hinder” being the same as is used in II Thes. 2:7, where the Holy Spirit is said to be restraining the working of lawlessness in this age.  Therefore, the willing neglect and disregard for the testimony of God by the world, has allied them with Satan, and placed them under the wrath of God, which must find its righteous execution in due time if grace is not accepted.

Again, Satan is revealed as directing and empowering the children of disobedience:  “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in times past ye walked according to the course of this age, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (Eph. 2:1, 2).  The real force of this passage, also, is dependent upon the meaning of one word; the word “worketh” being the same as is used in Phil. 2:13, where God is said to impart His wisdom and strength to the believer:  “For it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”  Additional light may be had as to the reality of this relationship from the following passages in which the same original word is used:  “And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God that worketh all in all” (I Cor. 12:6);