The Binding of Satan
By Jim Hopkins
In Gen 3:15 God told Satan that He would put enmity between him and the woman, between his seed and her seed; he would bruise his head and Satan would bruise his heel. You know this to be a prophecy of Christ overcoming Satan. But when does it happen? Some look for this event when Christ returns again. Others see a thousand year reign and then the overthrow of Satan. Perhaps a review of the scriptures will help clarify the matter.
In Mt 12:28 Jesus said, “But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then the Kingdom of God is come upon you. Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man?” Just the preaching about the Kingdom of God at hand was another way telling of the overthrow of Satan. The pro-claiming release to the captives is a quote from Isa. 62 that Jesus spoke in his hometown synagogue. The phrase, “This day hath this scripture been fulfilled in your ears,” also speaks of Satan’s overthrow. (Lk 4:18,21).
After the seventy returned from their preaching, they said that even the demons were made subject unto them. Jesus said, “I beheld Satan fallen as lightening from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall in any wise hurt you.” (Lk 10:18,19).
After His triumphal entry, Jesus spoke of his coming death: “Now is the judgment of the world; now shall the prince of this world be cast out.” (Jn 12:31). In speaking about the work of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. (Jn 16:8). It is of judgment because the prince of this world hath been judged. (Jn 16:11).
Now all of these statements speak as though the events of the cross have completed God’s judgment on Satan. But the use of the present tense is consistent with Old Testament prophesy like Isa 9:6 “To us a child is born; to us a child is given.” God “calls the things that are not, as though they were.” (Rom 4:17). Jesus is also speaking in the same manner of Satan’s overthrow. It will all tie in to the end of the age and the judgment of Israel.” (regressive)
To the Romans Paul spoke of “the God of peace bruising Satan under their feet shortly.” (Rom 16:20). To Corinth Paul wrote that “the God of the age had blinded the unbelieving that the light of the gospel might not dawn upon them.” (II Cor 4:4). To the Hebrews Paul wrote that “Jesus partook of flesh and blood that through death he might bring to nought him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” (Heb 2:14). Peter wrote that “the devil was going about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.” (I Pet 5:8). John says that “to this end was the Son of God manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil.” (I Jn 3:8).
So did Jesus accomplish what he came to do? The Book of Revelation is the story of this accomplishment. The Lord’s Day is the Day of the Lord’s Wrath — not Sunday. It was the day that John the Baptist spoke about (Lk 3:7). Satan is no longer in charge of the world. Jesus now has the keys of death and Hades (Rev 1:18). Satan will cast some of you in prison but you will overcome him (Rev 2:10). In Chap 12 the devil stands before the woman to devour her son when he is born, but he is caught up to heaven to the throne of God. There is a war in heaven which Satan looses and he is thrown down to the earth. He knows that his time is short so persecutes the woman and her seed. I believe this chapter sums up the great events of the generation of Jesus and his apostles. Notice the introduction of the enemies of Christ and his church. First, the devil in Chap 12. Then the beast of the sea in Chap 13. Then the beast of the earth who turns out to be the False Prophet. Then Babylon is introduced. Then they are judged and fall in the reverse order of their introduction. Satan last of all falls in Chap 20.
Now what do you see as the real purpose for Christ? Is it to restore man to the original garden paradise? A millennium in which Christ rules over the earth in perfect peace? Was His purpose to restore man in a perfect physical state free from disease and death? Or is the real mission a spiritual one that restores man to his relationship with God by making provision for sin and eternal death? This is really it! So when we read in Rev 21 that the new heaven and new earth have come down and God dwells in the midst of it, we are reading about the completion of Christ’s work for us. The real paradise of God has been restored. No sin is there; the blood of Christ covers it. No death is there; all things are made new. Those who are in Christ Jesus today have entered into this new relationship.
People are unable to accept that the Kingdom of God is present. They think in the physical realm where Satan still exists. But in the spiritual realm Satan has been removed from between man and his maker.
Yet we still wait for the change of our bodies. So we still are people of hope and faith. We partake of the typical arrangements that were given the church, such as the Lord’s Supper, Baptism, and church organization. We sing songs which reflect our temporary sojourn, but at the same time we can acclaim that Christ has fully redeemed us and we reside in an eternal abiding place.
May the Lord bless you in your study of God’s Word.
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Date: 10 Mar 2010
Time: 22:57:11
Your Comments:
I just have a question! Apostle John Eckhardt has joined the preterist theology but yet under the Apostolic we teach casting out demons. Are there still demons?