The Everlasting Covenant
The Covenant of God to redeem mankind, as presented throughout history.
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4.5 Who is The Prince?
by Hubert F. Sturges, www.everlastingcovenant.com, April 7, 2010
by Hubert F. Sturges, www.everlastingcovenant.com, April 7, 2010
Topics:
Owner and Creator
Great Controversy
“The Prince”
The Creator Responds
Great Controversy
“The Prince”
The Creator Responds
Christ is given all power and all authority in this earth through His sacrifice on Calvary. This power He exercises to offer and give grace to us, and by our consent to change our lives.
Owner and Creator
At Creation, God was owner of all creation and the focus of all activity. As a benevolent and loving God, His position was freely accepted and He was recipient of unlimited appreciation, love and praise from all. As Creator, He was King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Adam and Eve and all sinless creation, were under the laws of God. Adam and Eve were delegated authority and specific instructions as to how to live:
Owner and Creator
At Creation, God was owner of all creation and the focus of all activity. As a benevolent and loving God, His position was freely accepted and He was recipient of unlimited appreciation, love and praise from all. As Creator, He was King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Adam and Eve and all sinless creation, were under the laws of God. Adam and Eve were delegated authority and specific instructions as to how to live:
Follow His example as being in the image of God (Genesis 1:26, 27).
Dominion over all of creation on the earth (Genesis 1:26, 28).
Be fruitful and multiply. Have families and raise children (Genesis 1:27, 28).
A diet of fruit, nuts, and grains. No flesh food in Eden (Genesis 1:29).
Seventh-day set aside for rest and worship of God (Genesis 2:1-3).
Take care of the Garden (Genesis 2:8, 15).
Mine the gold and precious stones (Genesis 2:11,12).
Avoid the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16,17).
Name (and take care of) all the animals (see dominion above) (Genesis 2:19,20).
Cleave to his wife, Eve ( see fruitful above) (Genesis 2:23,24)
Dominion over all of creation on the earth (Genesis 1:26, 28).
Be fruitful and multiply. Have families and raise children (Genesis 1:27, 28).
A diet of fruit, nuts, and grains. No flesh food in Eden (Genesis 1:29).
Seventh-day set aside for rest and worship of God (Genesis 2:1-3).
Take care of the Garden (Genesis 2:8, 15).
Mine the gold and precious stones (Genesis 2:11,12).
Avoid the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16,17).
Name (and take care of) all the animals (see dominion above) (Genesis 2:19,20).
Cleave to his wife, Eve ( see fruitful above) (Genesis 2:23,24)
These instructions were pleasant, and being sinless, it was natural for them to obey. Adam was a steward under the sovereignty of God for all these privileges and responsibilities. God Himself continued to be owner, Creator and Lord. Meanwhile, we must look at something else ....
Great Controversy
Associated with the everlasting covenant are several parallel themes. The everlasting gospel is the proclamation of the covenant and the promises of God. The great controversy between Christ and Satan underlies the reason for the covenant and the hope of the gospel. In light of the great controversy we need to look at the position occupied by Christ and Satan in this conflict.
Revelation chapter twelve describes a war in heaven.
7 “And there was war in heaven: Michael (Christ) and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
8 “And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
9 “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Revelation 12:7-9)(“Christ” in parenthesis added).
Lucifer was the highest angel in heaven. He held a position right next to God. In beauty, talent and wisdom he surpassed all the other angels. But it was not enough, he wanted to be as God. See Isaiah 14:12-14 and Ezekiel 28:11-19. Through pride and envy of Christ he became the “old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan” (Revelation 12:9).
Pride led to open rebellion and war in heaven. Satan was cast into this earth where Adam and Eve lived in the idyl of the Garden of Eden. Satan could tempt man, but in one way and one way only. He could tempt Adam and Eve to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
“The Prince”
The beauty and order of Eden changed after Adam sinned. The position of God was challenged. Satan intended to usurp the position of God as ruler of this world. And not only that, he intended to take over the dominion of Adam and reduce all mankind to servant hood or worse.
“For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north” (Isaiah 14:13, also verses 12 - 20):
“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness” (Romans 6:16)?
After Adam and Eve sinned Satan became “prince of this world (1).” Adam had forfeited his dominion. However, Adam’s dominion was only in his relation to God. Lacking such a relationship, Satan could only be a usurper. However, Satan strongly maintained his claim and insisted that God had no right to intervene (Job 1:8-11)(2).
Satan is called the “prince of this world” or “prince of the power of the air” (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Ephesians 2:2). He is pictured as a prince limited to this earth, fostering disobedience and being bound for judgment.
Satan was not an hereditary prince. He had no right to that office. In claiming the office he used deceit and lying. He would soon demonstrate hatred, murder, and no end of sin. He did not have the support of God above nor the support of men under him. From first to last he was a usurper of his claimed position. In his plan he would try to destroy everything of beauty, order, peace, and love in the creation of God.
But God was not idle .... “Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:5).
The Creator Responds
The Plan of Salvation, "my covenant," formulated before creation was immediately brought into play. When Adam and Eve sinned, before the sun set that day, God came with the covenant of grace.
"And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel" (Genesis 3:15).
In this cryptic message is the promise and the hope of the covenant. Men would be given a conscience, an "Enmity between thee (Satan via the serpent) and the woman (mankind)." They would not be helpless before Satan. It was the law of God written on their hearts, an inborn sense of right and wrong.. Implied in this is the mandate for men to follow their conscience to do what is right. Also accepted was that the conscience needed to be educated as to the mercy, love, and justice of God.
• "It (the seed of the woman) shall bruise thy (Satan’s) head."
• The Sin Bearer (seed of the woman) would destroy sin and Satan.
• “And thou (Satan) shalt bruise his (the Sin Bearer’s) heel.”
• Sin would be destroyed but only through the suffering of the Sin Bearer.
In disobeying the direct command of God and obeying Satan, Adam had chosen another master. He had forfeited the dominion of this earth to Satan. Satan was now the prince of this world. Even God did not have a right to intervene -- except in prolepsis (to act as if a future event had already occurred).
Was God unable to act to end sin and to bind Satan? It is important here to distinguish between what God “can” do and what He “chooses” to do. In giving free will to created beings, God has chosen to limit His power. He had already an extensive Creation with innumerable affectionate creatures whose love and loyalty were intuitive. But this was not enough. God desired a love freely given. Creatures with free choice must be persuaded by love, not automated and not intimidated by threat. Even Adam’s choice to disobey must be respected!
Satan, through deception, had broken the tie between God and Adam. He now claimed Adam and all mankind as his. But Jesus would come and pay the price for the sins of man in his sacrifice on Calvary. He would succeed where Adam failed and restore all that was lost in Eden. In addition, Jesus contested the usurpation of Satan and continued to rule His creation and to give His blessings to men.
24 "Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?
25 "But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.
26 "And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob" (Isaiah 49:24-26).
See also: Job 1:6-8; John 12:31; 14:30; Romans 16:20; 2 Cor. 4:4; Ephesians 2:2.
God did not wait to see “if something would happen.” He acted immediately - before the day ended. He met the emergency. He gave the Everlasting Covenant to men, including the covenant promise "I will be their God, and they shall be my people." God will never abandon His creation!
Great Controversy
Associated with the everlasting covenant are several parallel themes. The everlasting gospel is the proclamation of the covenant and the promises of God. The great controversy between Christ and Satan underlies the reason for the covenant and the hope of the gospel. In light of the great controversy we need to look at the position occupied by Christ and Satan in this conflict.
Revelation chapter twelve describes a war in heaven.
7 “And there was war in heaven: Michael (Christ) and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
8 “And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
9 “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Revelation 12:7-9)(“Christ” in parenthesis added).
Lucifer was the highest angel in heaven. He held a position right next to God. In beauty, talent and wisdom he surpassed all the other angels. But it was not enough, he wanted to be as God. See Isaiah 14:12-14 and Ezekiel 28:11-19. Through pride and envy of Christ he became the “old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan” (Revelation 12:9).
Pride led to open rebellion and war in heaven. Satan was cast into this earth where Adam and Eve lived in the idyl of the Garden of Eden. Satan could tempt man, but in one way and one way only. He could tempt Adam and Eve to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
“The Prince”
The beauty and order of Eden changed after Adam sinned. The position of God was challenged. Satan intended to usurp the position of God as ruler of this world. And not only that, he intended to take over the dominion of Adam and reduce all mankind to servant hood or worse.
“For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north” (Isaiah 14:13, also verses 12 - 20):
“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness” (Romans 6:16)?
After Adam and Eve sinned Satan became “prince of this world (1).” Adam had forfeited his dominion. However, Adam’s dominion was only in his relation to God. Lacking such a relationship, Satan could only be a usurper. However, Satan strongly maintained his claim and insisted that God had no right to intervene (Job 1:8-11)(2).
Satan is called the “prince of this world” or “prince of the power of the air” (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Ephesians 2:2). He is pictured as a prince limited to this earth, fostering disobedience and being bound for judgment.
Satan was not an hereditary prince. He had no right to that office. In claiming the office he used deceit and lying. He would soon demonstrate hatred, murder, and no end of sin. He did not have the support of God above nor the support of men under him. From first to last he was a usurper of his claimed position. In his plan he would try to destroy everything of beauty, order, peace, and love in the creation of God.
But God was not idle .... “Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:5).
The Creator Responds
The Plan of Salvation, "my covenant," formulated before creation was immediately brought into play. When Adam and Eve sinned, before the sun set that day, God came with the covenant of grace.
"And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel" (Genesis 3:15).
In this cryptic message is the promise and the hope of the covenant. Men would be given a conscience, an "Enmity between thee (Satan via the serpent) and the woman (mankind)." They would not be helpless before Satan. It was the law of God written on their hearts, an inborn sense of right and wrong.. Implied in this is the mandate for men to follow their conscience to do what is right. Also accepted was that the conscience needed to be educated as to the mercy, love, and justice of God.
• "It (the seed of the woman) shall bruise thy (Satan’s) head."
• The Sin Bearer (seed of the woman) would destroy sin and Satan.
• “And thou (Satan) shalt bruise his (the Sin Bearer’s) heel.”
• Sin would be destroyed but only through the suffering of the Sin Bearer.
In disobeying the direct command of God and obeying Satan, Adam had chosen another master. He had forfeited the dominion of this earth to Satan. Satan was now the prince of this world. Even God did not have a right to intervene -- except in prolepsis (to act as if a future event had already occurred).
Was God unable to act to end sin and to bind Satan? It is important here to distinguish between what God “can” do and what He “chooses” to do. In giving free will to created beings, God has chosen to limit His power. He had already an extensive Creation with innumerable affectionate creatures whose love and loyalty were intuitive. But this was not enough. God desired a love freely given. Creatures with free choice must be persuaded by love, not automated and not intimidated by threat. Even Adam’s choice to disobey must be respected!
Satan, through deception, had broken the tie between God and Adam. He now claimed Adam and all mankind as his. But Jesus would come and pay the price for the sins of man in his sacrifice on Calvary. He would succeed where Adam failed and restore all that was lost in Eden. In addition, Jesus contested the usurpation of Satan and continued to rule His creation and to give His blessings to men.
24 "Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?
25 "But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.
26 "And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob" (Isaiah 49:24-26).
See also: Job 1:6-8; John 12:31; 14:30; Romans 16:20; 2 Cor. 4:4; Ephesians 2:2.
God did not wait to see “if something would happen.” He acted immediately - before the day ended. He met the emergency. He gave the Everlasting Covenant to men, including the covenant promise "I will be their God, and they shall be my people." God will never abandon His creation!
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Articles In this section:
1.0 Covenants Explained
1.1 Covenant References
1.3 Overview of Covenant
1.5 General Terms
1.6 Covenant Terms
1.7 Theological Terms
2.0 Council from Eternity
2.1 Council References
3.0 Adam and Eve in Eden
3.1 References
3.3 Temptation and Fall
3.4 Fall - References
3.5 What Is Grace?
3.6 Path of the Overcomer
3.7 A Creation Covenant
4.0 Covenant Given to Adam
4.1 Covenant to Adam - 2
4.5 Who Is The Prince?
4.6 References / Authority
4.7 The Great Controversy
5.0 Noah and the Flood
5.1 Noah: References
5.2 Flood Legends
5.5 The Close of Probation