Satan Controls The Leaders Of The World
Ezekiel 28:5,6,11,17,18
"By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, but your heart has become proud because of your wealth...Because you regard your heart as that of a god...You were the seal of perfection,
full of wisdom and perfect in beauty...Your heart became proud because of your beauty...For the sake of your splendor
you corrupted your wisdom...You profaned your sanctuaries
by the magnitude of your iniquities
in your dishonest trade..."
This continues a series of prophecies Ezekiel made against Tyre, the great commercial harbor city of the Phoenicians, that was once the jewel of the Mediterranean Sea, north of Israel. It seems that God especially has a heart and mind against corruption that comes from commercialism, and against the demonic forces that manipulate the minds of the leaders who have control over nations. He despises how the government leaders enslave the souls of the people through bureaucracy and corrupt practices. What is it that God hates about the wealthy and greedy? I believe he hates how it twists the minds of the people, causing them to become both fearful and proud. First fearful, afraid to miss out on the prosperity, and ultimately prideful, thinking they are gods of their own destiny. The fundamental sin of the prince of Tyre, and of Satan, was pride. The prince of Tyre said of himself, “I am a god” and gloried in his position of greatness in the midst of the seas. And the prince of demons said likewise of himself, and deceived the first parents in that same way.
The prophecy and ultimate reality about the destruction of the city of Tyre and the complete collapse of that once great city of commerce is a testament to God's mindset regarding the world of human enterprise. God recognizes that great wealth distorts the reality of the people and especially the leaders. It creates in them incredible arrogance. They deceive themselves, regarding themselves as all-powerful, superhuman and virtually eternal. And Satan whispers in their ears, "You're wiser than Daniel." He lies to them, "By your great wisdom in trade you have increased your riches."
So the great leaders think themselves as gods. And so it's very fitting that they ultimately face off with God. A battle of the gods and goddesses. If these princes have the audacity to claim the prerogatives of deity, let them get ready then, for a direct confrontation with the Lord God Almighty will become their history.
Ezekiel 28:18 God said:
"I made fire come from within you,
and it consumed you.
I reduced you to ashes on the ground
in the sight of everyone watching you."
God identified and targeted the evil spirit that was at the heart of Tyre's glory days. He saw that ancient cherub at work in these governments and merchant cities. And Satan has a prophecy prepared for him as well,
Ezekiel 28:19
"All those who know you among the peoples are appalled at you.
You have become an object of horror
and will never exist again."
There is no better teacher than death. God's do not die, creation dies. Satan, was a created being who fell through pride. And the world powers emulate his ways. In Ezekiel 28 we have this amazing description of Satan. His original power and greatness, his wisdom and his great beauty, all his exalted positions are described and his great fall from glory as well. All because of pride.
Satan was the “worship leader” in heaven. Privileged. Powerful. Ambitious. The living representation of God’s throne. And iniquity was found in him. Pride. The dishonest business practices of the leaders of Tyre were a reflection of the dishonest, deceptive dealings of the spiritual power behind them. Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44) and comes only to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).
I believe Satan hates mankind because God created them in God's image. He hates them with a burning passion. And he uses the human rebellious spirit to destroy them and to mock God.
And mankind is easily deceived. Especially those who rely upon their wealth.