First, Satan is its governing head. Three times Jesus referred to Satan
as the prince of the Satanic system: "Now is the judgment of this world:
Now shall the prince of this world (_Satanic system_) be cast out" (Jno.
12:31). "Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this
world (_Satanic system_) cometh, and hath nothing in me" (Jno. 14:30).
"Of judgment, because the prince of this world (_Satanic system_) is
judged" (Jno. 16:11). Paul also refers to Satan as the "prince of the
power of the air" (Eph. 2:2), and again as the "god of this age" (II
Cor. 4:4). In the latter passage, mention is made of the age or period
of time only, as in Eph. 6:12: "For our wrestling is not against flesh
and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against
the age rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of
wickedness in the heavenlies" (R.V.).

From these Scriptures it must be conceded that the offer, which Satan
made to Christ, of the then inhabited earth, was very real. The
Scripture is as follows: "And the devil, taking Him up into an high
mountain, showed Him the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And
the devil said unto Him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory
of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give
it. If Thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be Thine" (Lu. 4:5-7).
It has sometimes been held that the claim of possession of the earth was
a lie, this being asserted on the ground that Satan is exposed in
Scripture as a liar. Such a conclusion is impossible for at least two
reasons. It would have been no temptation had he not possessed the
kingdoms he offered; and any such false claim would have been
immediately branded as a lie by the Son of God. He is still further
revealed as the recognized head of this world system in two additional
passages: "Because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the
world (_Satanic system_)" (I Jno. 4:4). "And we know that we are of God,