So, WHO IS this 'god of this world'?
Blessings,
MEC
In the Bible Greek manuscripts, according to my reading . . . "o theos" usually means "the God". The thing is that "theos" is not capitalized in the Greek Bible, because it is not a proper name; so it is not capitalized, even when referring to our Heavenly Father. But in English we capitalize "God" and use it as a proper name for Him.
Also, there is one place that I know of, where "o theos" is used for other than God > in 2 Corinthians 4:4 our Apostle Paul talks about how "the god of this age" "has blinded" the "minds" of unbelievers. Here "the god" is "o theos", in the Greek Bible manuscript, but I think it is clear that this means Satan, who "has blinded" people's "minds".
And in Ephesians 2:2, Paul talks about "the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience." I can see that Satan who blinds people's minds is also the one who works in people to have them disobeying God.
Plus - - in 2 Corinthians 11:14, Paul says, "And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light." And, in Isaiah 14:12 we see what Isaiah says to "Lucifer, son of the morning". By the way . . . ones say "Lucifer" can mean "day star". So - - if Lucifer can give off some kind of light, by being a "day star" - - this, for me, fits with how Satan "transforms himself into an angel of light". I see they can mean the same one. And, "of course", Satan's "light" is false - - not the light of God's love.
Plus, it says Lucifer is "fallen from heaven" >
Jesus says, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven," in Luke 10:18.
So . . . again . . . I can see that Lucifer and Satan are the same one who has "fallen from heaven".
But a prophecy can multi-task
I understand. This prophecy of Isaiah could also be talking about a person in human history, who was high-up and has fallen so far.
But what I find to be especially important is how it says "Lucifer" is called "You who weakened the nations," in Isaiah 10:18.
And this is true of Satan. He makes nations weak.
Why?
So he can control the people in his kingdom.
Therefore, I would say it is good to understand how Satan can make people and countries weak.
One way to keep people weak is to keep their attention away from God who would make people strong, in His love.
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love." (1 John 4:18)
So, Satan can use media to call a lot of attention to things that have people in fear. And this can keep us from paying attention to God and submitting to how He makes us strong in His love.
There is the constant warring for our attention, then.
Also, we can see how one country has an industry of killing unborn people. Yet, this country is so busy with criticizing other countries and groups who are inhumane. While a person is busy with pointing at the wrongs of others, the person may not notice how he or she oneself needs correction. And in this a person has weak character so the person can be controlled by Satan. And we see how ones not caring for their unborn also are not doing well to care for their own selves and other countries. If you have a killer spirit, this can wreck you so you are weak enough to suffer in many different torments.
But "perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment".
Therefore, Satan "works" (Ephesians 2:2) people into torments of their personalities; this is included in how he makes people weak > so they will try to seek pleasure to get relief from their torments. And their pleasure seeking helps to keep them from giving themselves and their attention to God and how He corrects us and makes us strong and safe in His love.
