“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Corinthians 4:3,4)
The statement is true enough that people get the government they deserve. Likewise, people get the god they want. Satan knows how to transform himself into an angel of light. He also presents himself as a better god than the Creator. By popular vote, he is “the god of this world.”
When God came in the flesh, he was despised and rejected by those who were uninterested in the true and full revelation of divinity. Had He appeared differently, with the kind of power and influence they wanted Him to have, they would have enthusiastically embraced Him. But He was a grave disappointment to the builders who rejected the Cornerstone.
Jesus is as unpopular today as He ever was. The government He would set up in the human heart continues to be despised and rejected of men. The citizens of this earth will not have this one reign over them (Lk. 19:14). They do not want His kingdom to come, or His will to be done in their lives. They would rather rule themselves. And so they prefer a different version of god, who represents them better. They will soon unite in the worldwide worship of their preferred “god.” They will get the government they deserve, until the One they rejected returns to destroy it.