The Cosmos: Satan’s System Of Control Series

The Cosmos: Satan’s System of Control

January 12, 2025

Dr. Bradford Reaves

Crossway Christian Fellowship

1 John 2:15–17

Introduction: The Hidden Hand Behind the World

Good morning, church. As we continue our journey into spiritual warfare, we turn our focus to what the Bible calls “the world”—not the physical earth, but the organized system under Satan.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15–17)

Now, what most believers and even pastors fail to understand is that we are in the world, but not of the world. What’s happening in Christianity today is that churches are trying to make church appealing to the world by imitating worldly things in our worship services. That’s why you can have chocolate waterfalls and Superbowl worship service: pastors and modern churches has imitated the kingdom of Satan instead of the Kingdom of Christ. That can be difficult for many to hear because they think that the church is drawing a crowd or being successful, but what they are doing is following worldly strategies to gain money, power, and influence.

So what do these churches do? They say they are establishing the Kingdom here on earth. That’s false theology or better known as ‘Kingdom Now’ Theology which is also rooted in the prosperity gospel. When you begin to understand how Satan operates and how he establishes his counterfeit kingdom, you begin to recognize the false theology in this world and in the apostate church. Now, why is important to understand all of this? Because having solid foundation in your belief provides you with a deeper faith in the things of God and give you liberty. You are not holding onto the things of the world for security, but in Christ alone and from that you are better able to serve him.

This “world” refers to the cosmos—a structured system of rebellion designed to oppose God. Today, we will uncover the strategies of this world; what we also call a Babylonian Kingdom, we will understand the realms where spiritual warfare occurs, and learn how believers can stand firm against its influence. We’re going to talk about this in depth in a couple of months but I want to start by looking at the 5 I Will’s of Satan to better understand how Satan’s system of control.

I. The Five ‘I Wills’ of Satan

The “Five ‘I Wills’” of Satan are drawn from Isaiah 14:12-15, which describes the prideful declarations of Lucifer before his fall. These statements reveal the heart of Satan’s rebellion and form the foundation of his system of control, the cosmos. Look at Isaiah 14 with me and then we will break these down:

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! 13 You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ 15 But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit. (Isaiah 14:12–15)

1. “I will ascend to heaven.”

• Satan desired to usurp God’s throne, claiming authority that was never his.

• This reflects his attempt to exalt himself above God’s order and authority.

2. “I will set my throne on high.”

• He sought to establish a counterfeit kingdom, a rival dominion to God’s.

• This explains his role as the “god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4) and his influence over the world’s systems.

3. “I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north.”

• Satan aimed to take the place of honor and worship that belongs only to God.

• This highlights his desire to redirect worship from God to himself, seen in his temptations of Jesus (Matthew 4:8-9).

4. “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds.”

• He wanted to rise above God’s creation, exalting himself above all things.

• This reflects his arrogance and delusional belief that he could surpass God.

5. “I will make myself like the Most High.”

• The ultimate declaration of pride: Satan sought to equal God in power and glory.

• This ambition echoes through his actions, from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:5) to his future deception of the nations (Revelation 13).