I do not object to considering other thoughts on this, or any other matter. However, all things must be tested. It would be unjust for you to expect me to accept your view because YOU have said that this must be the proper interpretation. We all need something more solid, authoritative, and substantial to base our beliefs upon. This is why I always point people back to the Scriptures to establish doctrine.

I am sure there are many who hold the view that you have stated in your comment, for most Christians have no understanding of the ruling authority that is borne by Satan and his angels. Few conceive what it means for Satan to be “the prince of this world,” and for those angels allied with him to be “principalities, and powers, and spiritual forces of wickedness in high places.” Therefore, when considering whom Christ was referring to when He said, "You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me up to you has the greater sin," they are left with only God, or men, as possible options. Since they rule out God being the one Christ was referring to, for obvious reasons, they have only men left as an option. Some possibilities are that Christ was speaking of the High Priest and Jewish leaders, as you have suggested, or He was speaking of Caesar from whom Pilate in his office of a Roman Governor, derived his authority.

We can rule out Caesar, for Pilate did not consult with Caesar to ask whether Christ should be crucified. This leaves only the Jews, but this possibility is proven invalid as well. The most obvious reason that it could not have been the Jewish leaders that Christ was speaking about is that Pilate did NOT receive his authority from the Jews. To suggest that he did is to turn history, affirmed by the Scriptures, on its head. It was the Jews who were under the authority of Rome. The Jews were a conquered people. Therefore, it is inaccurate to say that Pilate received his authority from the High Priest and the Scribes.

Pilate in no measure received his authority from the people he ruled. Rome had garrisons of soldiers stationed throughout Judea. The Jews were a conquered people. They paid taxes to Caesar. They had to submit to Roman Governors, and abide by the laws of the Roman Empire. There is no basis to suggest that Pilate received his authority from the Jews, and it is contrary to the entire context of Christ’s words to suggest that the High Priest and Scribes fit the description of being “above” Pilate and the source of his authority.

Having ruled out man as the subject of Christ’s words, and having ruled out God, we still have Satan and the angelic powers who rule this world as a very viable option. Indeed, they are the only ones who cannot be ruled out as being the subject of Christ’s words.

I Corinthians 2:7-8
We speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory…

The rulers of this age are Satan and his angels.

I anticipate that being in the next post.

May you be blessed with peace and understanding in these days.

I think that I remember you saying somewhere in your "The Genesis Gap" blog post back on March 31st that you were going to write a subsequent post about what you think happened in the gap of time between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2.

Are you still planning to write that particular post?

Steve

On the part where the archangel Michael did not slander Satan, I think this can show that slandering (to assail with verbal abuse with intent to destroy) is by itself ungodly, even if it contains truth.

Thank you for your expression of interest in this subject. Undoubtedly there are many questions readers have that were not answered in this chapter of this series of writings. I encourage you to continue to read the series as it is posted.

Although I am interested in knowing what specific questions readers have, it would be counter-productive to spend my time trying to answer each query in a comment field, or in a personal e-mail when I can reach so many more people by continuing to teach on this subject through blog posts that reach a great many more individuals.

I appreciate your understanding in this matter, and if at the end of this series there are questions left unanswered that are weighing upon your mind, please do not hesitate to contact me via e-mail to let me know about them.

May you be blessed with peace and understanding in these days,

Joseph Herrin