Thus, it is presented from the Scripture that the present age and its great federation is, in God’s sight, most unholy.

Third, Satan is also set forth as having direct control of the physical well-being of his subjects, and at the same time as being able, by special permission, to gain access to the people of God:  “For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He (Christ) also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Heb. 2:  14).  “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power:  who went about doing good, and healing all them that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him” (Acts 10:38).  “And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” (Lu. 13:  16).  “And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for naught?  Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side?  Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.  But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.  And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand” (Job. 1:9-12).  “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat:  but I have made supplication for thee, that thy faith fail not; and do thou, when once thou hast turned again, establish thy brethren” (Lu. 22:31, 32 R.V.).  “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure” (II Cor. 12:7).

By these passages, the emphasis of Scripture on the power and authority of Satan in this age may be seen.  And though the exact limits of his power under the restraining hand of God are not revealed, it would be unreasonable to deny that he is the god of this age, the head of the great world system; and, though all unknown to them, the director of the affairs of unregenerate men.

Fourth, The works of the Satanic order are clearly outlined in several descriptive passages which also present that which is highest in ideal, and deepest in motive in the Satan energized mass of humanity.  One passage, alone, contains the entire revelation:  “For all that is in the world (Satanic system), the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world (Satanic system)” (I Jno. 2:16).  The satisfaction of these same cravings was the temptation placed before Eve in the Garden:  “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did give also unto her husband with her; and he did eat” (Gen. 3:6).  The real nature of these cravings is easily recognized as wholly self-centered and without thought of God or of any true character.