In Ephesians 2:1–2, Paul writes, “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which once you walked according to the age of this world, according to the prince of the authority of the air, the spirit that now works in the sons of the unpersuaded,” exposing the realm of Satan’s authority.
When Lucifer determined to set his throne in the third heaven with God’s throne and go above the heights of the clouds, where only God is permitted to go, he lost his position of authority in God’s government (Isaiah 14:13–14). He was the anointed Cherub who ruled the universe from Eden (Ezekiel 28:14). God covered the earth, Lucifer’s throne, under water so that light would no longer reach the precious stones that made up the garden Lucifer ruled from (Genesis 1:2; Ezekiel 28:13). After God renovated the earth for biological life and He created mankind to dwell in the place where Lucifer once ruled, Lucifer usurp authority over the earth by deceiving the woman, resulting in the fall of humans and their separation from God (Genesis 3:1–7). After Cain slew his brother, Lucifer set up the first world system to control mankind and to again assert his dominance over the earth.
As the prince of the air, Satan’s authority does not extend beyond the air. Air (ἀήρ) refers to the atmosphere above the earth, limited to the lower atmosphere breathed and experienced by humanity. The air is affected by dust (Acts 22:23) and smoke (Revelation 9:2). During the tribulation, the seventh bowl poured out in judgment impacts the air (Revelation 16:17).
Satan is the prince of the air, indicating that he has authority over the portion of the atmosphere that possesses air (Ephesians 2:2). Since the sun and moon are given the firmament to light the earth (Genesis 1:17), they would be beyond the aithḗr, the higher atmosphere, and thus outside Satan’s authority.
Paul also uses “air” to describe someone who runs without certainty, as though they punch the air (1 Corinthians 9:26), and a person who speaks in a tongue that is not understood speaks only into the air (1 Corinthians 14:9).
When Christ returns, the Church will be caught up to meet Him in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Since this is Satan’s area of authority, the archangel Michael commands the fallen angels who followed Lucifer in his corruption to make way for the saints of the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Although no demon could hinder the resurrected saints from meeting the Lord in the air, spirit beings do not disobey one of greater authority (Jude 9). Therefore, this command is a show of authority as the archangel steps into the realm of Satan’s authority, displaying to all spirit beings that there is no greater authority than Christ, for He was set above the principalities, authorities, might, and lords of this world (Ephesians 1:19).
