What is Amillennialism? By Michael J. Vlach, Ph.D.

[FireOnTheAltar]

Its hard to change a world view overnight. I think when the chains come off and we see a period unlike its never been seen before, then
we would understand that what we have seen with the evil hearts of men was a small thing. It doesnt take the help from satan or devils to
go corrupt and tear apart society, just a little greed for power thirsty men to devise ways to gain and accomplish what weve seen so far. Not that evil beings arent willing to help out.

I understand the sentiment that how could there be so much evil if satan has bounds, Im saying thats how evil men can be. And when satans bounds are loosed, and men are taken in their dilusion then we will see what he can do. So this wasnt too hard of a hurdle for me with the amil. view.

When you think about it, Satan has always been bound to a certain degree. While God can do whatever it is He wants, He chose to give man dominion over the physical realm thus He also chooses to work through men to accomplish His will.

Satan and his minions must also abide by the same rule. They are forced to use mankind's own weaknesses against them in an attempt to manipulate men into doing their bidding in the hopes of eventually deceiving a person to the point where that person allows the evil spirit to inhabit them. That is how it worked in the Old Testament and obviously how it still works today.

There's absolutely no evidence that I have seen so far, scriptural or otherwise, that proves that Satan is somehow bound in this age. The only apparent evidence that I have seen is that fact that people are guilty of pulling scripture out of it's intended context.

 

[AnandaHya]

when does the Bible say that Satan's minions are bound?

I'm still researching as well but that thought popped into my head.

Revelations 20 says Satan is bound. but I ask you if a mafia boss was placed in prison but still had contact with his minions what harm can he do the people who betray him? maybe not physically but think about it. if Satan's minions are not bound and I have yet to read were they are then what do you think they are doing? whose orders do you think they are following. do the math 1/3 of the angels in Heaven were cast out with Satan. how many sang praises to God? ten thousand upon ten thousand....

Revelations 16
13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and[f] of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

the spirits of demons come from the dragon, the beast and the false prophets. perhaps if more people understood what demons truly are they might understand what is going on?

perhaps if more people understood the difference between natural bodies and spiritual ones it would also make more since.

1 Corinthians 15:43-45
New King James Version (NKJV)
43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.”[a] The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

And that is why we don't need to worry about post, pre, mid, or "a".. because when Christ takes us up to be with Him we will have all the answers to the many questions and debates going on at the present time. Jesus will be looking for "faith" when he returns, not for someone saying 'see I was right'... (yuck)

A big hardy amen!

 

[eternally-gratefull]

When you think about it, Satan has always been bound to a certain degree. While God can do whatever it is He wants, He chose to give man dominion over the physical realm thus He also chooses to work through men to accomplish His will.

Satan and his minions must also abide by the same rule. They are forced to use mankind's own weaknesses against them in an attempt to manipulate men into doing their bidding in the hopes of eventually deceiving a person to the point where that person allows the evil spirit to inhabit them. That is how it worked in the Old Testament and obviously how it still works today.

There's absolutely no evidence that I have seen so far, scriptural or otherwise, that proves that Satan is somehow bound in this age. The only apparent evidence that I have seen is that fact that people are guilty of pulling scripture out of it's intended context.

I think the story of Job proves this. Satan had to ask permission to do anything. This is no different than today.

 

[AnandaHya]

There's absolutely no evidence that I have seen so far, scriptural or otherwise, that proves that Satan is somehow bound in this age. The only apparent evidence that I have seen is that fact that people are guilty of pulling scripture out of it's intended context.

If it was true (not saying I'm convinced that it is) and Satan is bound then when he is released for that short space, when he is released you will see a repeat of the miracles and wonders recorded in the old religions of the world.

For example I have studied Tibetian Buddhism and Hinduism. they talk of sages and monks who can walk through walls, fly, shape shift, heal, turn into rainbows, become invisible, etc.

If he was bound and he is not currently able to empower his minions it can explain why they have not done a repeat performance yet of these things.

the question is will Christians hold true to their faith when faced with these lies and illusions or will they abandon Christ to play mystic sage/priest or Earthly rulers under an AntiChrist?

 

[eternally-gratefull]

when does the Bible say that Satan's minions are bound?

I'm still researching as well but that thought popped into my head.

Revelations 20 says Satan is bound. but I ask you if a mafia boss was placed in prison but still had contact with his minions what harm can he do the people who betray him? maybe not physically but think about it. if Satan's minions are not bound and I have yet to read were they are then what do you think they are doing? whose orders do you think they are following. do the math 1/3 of the angels in Heaven were cast out with Satan. how many sang praises to God? ten thousand upon ten thousand....

A mob boss in prison can still have communication with the outside world. and can still give orders. Satan bound in the bottomless pit where he will have absolutely no control or communication with any of his fallen angels. He is taken completely out of the picture. An army without a leader crumbles.

Notice what happens at the end of the 1000 years. Satan is released. Takes control of his army and complete chaos breaks out again on earth as Satan again has influence and decieves people. He actually gets people to believe they can actually defeat Christ (which proves how good he is, and what influence he has on this earth). Of course they lose

 

[zone]

When you think about it, Satan has always been bound to a certain degree. While God can do whatever it is He wants, He chose to give man dominion over the physical realm thus He also chooses to work through men to accomplish His will.

Satan and his minions must also abide by the same rule. They are forced to use mankind's own weaknesses against them in an attempt to manipulate men into doing their bidding in the hopes of eventually deceiving a person to the point where that person allows the evil spirit to inhabit them. That is how it worked in the Old Testament and obviously how it still works today.

There's absolutely no evidence that I have seen so far, scriptural or otherwise, that proves that Satan is somehow bound in this age. The only apparent evidence that I have seen is that fact that people are guilty of pulling scripture out of it's intended context.

the ONLY thing Rev 20 says satan is bound from doing is :

TO DECEIVE THE NATIONS.
(to gather them to battle against Christ's church).

it does NOT say he is unable to do a whole list of others things.

there's one thing he is unable to do until he is released: DECEIVE the NATIONS (to make war with Christ and destroy the church).

that's it.....so there's just no need to list all the things he IS ALLOWED to do, he's still allowed to do them, and does.

 

[AnandaHya]

who is the strong man in this passage and what does the kingdom of God truly mean?

Matthew 12

25 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. 28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. 30 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.

Revelation 12:10
Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

the ONLY thing Rev 20 says satan is bound from doing is :

TO DECEIVE THE NATIONS.
(to gather them to battle against Christ's church).

it does NOT say he is unable to do a whole list of others things.

there's one thing he is unable to do until he is released: DECEIVE the NATIONS (to make war with Christ and destroy the church).

that's it.....so there's just no need to list all the things he IS ALLOWED to do, he's still allowed to do them, and does.

He sis

1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.

I see nothing here which shows the only thing satan is bound from is making wart with the church. WHy would we want to limit what it says when it is not there.

The text literally says to SHUT HIM UP.

second thought I had on this, even if it is true. I have seen satan destroy many a church. and many a people in the church. I have to disagree with you on thinking he is bound from making was with the church. He is at war with Christ and the church. as scripture says, our battle is not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers of darkness (satan) we are at war with satan. satan is in no way bound today from making war with the church.

Love ya sis!

 

[zone]

who is the strong man in this passage and what does the kingdom of God truly mean?

Matthew 12

25 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. 28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. 30 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.

Revelation 12:10
Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.

good job.
you've shown the two passages that describe the same event.
satan is only restrained from stirring up the unsaved to persecute and kill the saints at the very end of the age (during his short space).

see 2 Thessalonians 2 also ('and now you know what witholdeth that he might be revealed in his time')....same binding, describes his short space.

he was "bound" from wiping out the church at the Death Burial, Resurrection and Ascension of Christ....and will not be able to stir up the final war until he is realsed to do so, just at the end.

 

[Abiding]

Im not belittling the dark powers we wage against, but Jesus bound satan and it says that in more than one context (one being 11:17-22)that id have to look up. It both in the gospels and epistles
Others were dealt with, explained in Jude. The rest are under the total authority of Christ.
Cool thing is we can quench the darts. We were dilivered from the power of darkness.col1:13

 

[zone]

The text literally says to SHUT HIM UP.

second thought I had on this, even if it is true. I have seen satan destroy many a church. and many a people in the church. I have to disagree with you on thinking he is bound from making was with the church. He is at war with Christ and the church. as scripture says, our battle is not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers of darkness (satan) we are at war with satan. satan is in no way bound today from making war with the church.

Love ya sis!

hi bud.
love you too my brother
no, it is only the gog and magog event he is restrained from bringing about.

these bolded parts are the ONLY mention of what he is restrained from doing.
that's all the binding concerns.

Rev 20
1And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.


4And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

7And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 10And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

11And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

 

[zone]

Im not belittling the dark powers we wage against, but Jesus bound satan and it says that in more than one context (one being 11:17-22)that id have to look up. It both in the gospels and epistles
Others were dealt with, explained in Jude. The rest are under the total authority of Christ.
Cool thing is we can quench the darts. We were dilivered from the power of darkness.col1:13

i know Abiding, this hit me today with such force: how much The Lord has done for us.
my heart is just overflowing today in love for Him....today especially...it happens now and then this way for me - spend half the day crying in gratitude and thankfulness, and the other half grinning like a kid with a new bike.

and love to all His people
*hugs for all my brethren*
zone

 

[eternally-gratefull]

hi bud.
love you too my brother.
not, it is only the gog and magog event he is restrained from bringing about.

these bolded parts arethe ONLY mention of what he is restrained from doing.
that's all the binding concerns.

Rev 20
1And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.


4And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

7And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 10And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
11And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Sorry sis, I still do not see it. When satan is released he goes to those who knows he can convince to start war. Satan is no fool, he knows the bible. He knows this is his last chance. This is his last ditch effert to save himself. I think you reading way to much into this.

If we read earlier God and magog come to battle and are destroyed by God. The result of this was is no different. The fact satan has them do it before he is said to be bound and the fact he dopes it again after he is bound, and the end result is the same would lead me to question this line of thinking. in other words. it makes no sense

Just because he does this at the end does not mean this is what he was bound from. Especially since he did it before he was bound.. make sense?

 

[Abiding]

Sometimes I think people suppose that satan is to blame for all calamities and man would be docile without him.
Just huckleberryland if he was gone.

To me hes no more than a friend and a helper to those who would do evil. Noone will have an excuse.

 

[Abiding]

i know Abiding, this hit me today with such force: how much The Lord has done for us.
my heart is just overflowing today in love for Him....today especially...it happens now and then this way for me - spend half the day crying in gratitude and thankfulness, and the other half grinning like a kid with a new bike.

and love to all His people
*hugs for all my brethren*
zone

Oh my great news!! I missed u and had to pray for you. So glad u had a nice day. ty Lord!
Hugs

 

[eternally-gratefull]

Sometimes I think people suppose that satan is to blame for all calamities and man would be docile without him.
Just huckleberryland if he was gone.

To me hes no more than a friend and a helper to those who would do evil. Noone will have an excuse.

I think people blame Satan for to much and don't take credit for their own mistakes. But I also have felt satanic attack.

When I moved into leadership in my church, I was warned I would be attacked by satan and his army (there were two of us) One of us was taken out and is still struggling to come back. It took everything I had, My body (church family) and God to help me get through it. I never want to go through that again!!

 

[zone]

Sorry sis, I still do not see it. When satan is released he goes to those who knows he can convince to start war. Satan is no fool, he knows the bible. He knows this is his last chance. This is his last ditch effert to save himself. I think you reading way to much into this.

If we read earlier God and magog come to battle and are destroyed by God. The result of this was is no different. The fact satan has them do it before he is said to be bound and the fact he dopes it again after he is bound, and the end result is the same would lead me to question this line of thinking. in other words. it makes no sense

Just because he does this at the end does not mean this is what he was bound from. Especially since he did it before he was bound.. make sense?

Jesus has protected his church from being utterly wiped out so the gospel could go out around the whole world. when that has been accomplished, satan gets his short space to attack and destroy the saints...to make war with them.

the men he stirs up to help in this will be, as usual, working their own judgment, and rewarding the saints with their robes.

just as the Bible says if the rulers and princes of this world had known they were crucifying The Lord of Glory - they would NEVER HAVE DONE IT! hehehe....we who will have been (and many are now) hated and killed by this world, will be rewarded in the eternal Kingdom.

Psalm 44:22
Yet for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.

Romans 8:36
As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."

 

[Abiding]

I think people blame Satan for to much and don't take credit for their own mistakes. But I also have felt satanic attack.

When I moved into leadership in my church, I was warned I would be attacked by satan and his army (there were two of us) One of us was taken out and is still struggling to come back. It took everything I had, My body (church family) and God to help me get through it. I never want to go through that again!!

I understand, thats why we are to never put a novice into a position, and its never wise to not be diciplined and groomed and watched by a mature overseer that knows the tactics and schemes and wiles that are well known to the mature.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

Jesus has protected his church from being utterly wiped out so the gospel could go out around the whole world. when that has been accomplished, satan gets his short space to attack and destroy the saints...to make war with them.

the men he stirs up to help in this will be, as usual, working their own judgment, and rewarding the saints with their robes.

just as the Bible says if the rulers and princes of this world had known they were crucifying The Lord of Glory - they would NEVER HAVE DONE IT! hehehe....we who will have been (and many are now) hated and killed by this world, will be rewarded in the eternal Kingdom.

Psalm 44:22
Yet for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.

Romans 8:36
As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."

Well yeah. But Satan is attacking the church today. He is not bound from doing this. Just as he was never able to wipe out Israel. he will never be able to wipe out the church. Bound or not. It ain't happening. Satan has no power over God. never has never will. he does not have to be bound to keep him from doing it. He does not have the power to do it.