The New Testament Witness to Christ and His Kingdom, Student Workbook, SW13

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T H E N E W T E S T A M E N T W I T N E S S T O C H R I S T A N D H I S K I N G D O M

b. Through the deception of Satan, humankind fell into rebellion, losing their freedom under God, and passed under the control of Satan’s rule and domination.

c. Because of their rebellion against God, human beings have passed from the Kingdom of God (God’s rule and influence) to the kingdom of Satan (the devil’s rule and influence).

3. The kingdom of the devil rules in the present world system.

a. His influence and presence touches all phases of this present world order.

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b. The kingdom of Satan functions in both the material universe and the affairs of humankind.

4. The kingdom of the devil and the Kingdom of God are in mortal conflict and combat with each other.

a. God is reasserting his right to rule over his creation, and the kingdom of the devil resists this effort with all its fury and energy.

b. At issue in this battle is this: who will possess the absolute right to rule and reign over creation and humankind .

D. Israel’s special vision of the Kingdom related to its identity.

The idea of the Kingdom affected the Jewish view of spiritual opposition in regard to the forces of the material world, human affairs, and Israel’s place as a nation.