Is the Devil bound right now...?
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Let's see, Satan is not a flesh man, yet he is a man in the 'image' sense, for that is the image which God also made the angels with. Satan is a heavenly being, a cherub, and is still in the heavenly dimension. Also, since there are only... two different dimensions of existence revealed in God's Word (this earthly one, and the heavenly one), and we know per God's Word that Satan is not bound in chains in the heavenly prison pit until Christ's second coming, then yes, he still has a revolving door between the heavenly realm and this earth.
R
The devil is not bound any more than a bird is bound to its nest!
Question
Would you please assist me with a question about Revelation 20? I understand that Christ is now reigning and that when death is conquered at his second coming his reign will end. I know his reign is not a literal thousand years. But my question is: How is Satan bound for the thousand years when I Peter 5:8 says he is here at work.
[HR][/HR] Answer:
In Revelation, one of the things we have described for us is Satan's attempts at preventing God from establishing His kingdom on earth. As Jesus predicted, Satan was unable to stop God from accomplishing His will. "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). In the process of killing Jesus, Satan sealed his own defeat because it was through the death of Christ that salvation came into the world and the kingdom was established. Christ's kingdom raided Satan's domain, bring out those held in the bondage of sin.
In Revelation we see that Satan tried to use the governmental authorities of the time to destroy the newly founded kingdom, but it was prophesied that in the end Satan would lose. One of the results of his loss was that he was bound (restricted) and the terms of his restriction are mentioned in Revelation 20:3, he is prevented from using the nations to make war on the church. This will continue until just before the end.
Question
Would you please assist me with a question about Revelation 20? I understand that Christ is now reigning and that when death is conquered at his second coming his reign will end. I know his reign is not a literal thousand years. But my question is: How is Satan bound for the thousand years when I Peter 5:8 says he is here at work.
[HR][/HR] Answer:
"Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 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" (Revelation 12:1-3).
The idea behind "bound" (the Greek word deo) is not necessarily an absolute imprisonment, but typically speaks of placing restrictions on someone. When you tie up your dog, he is not on his back with his feet roped together as in a calf roping contest. He has some freedom of movement, but he can't go everywhere he might want to go.
In Revelation, one of the things we have described for us is Satan's attempts at preventing God from establishing His kingdom on earth. As Jesus predicted, Satan was unable to stop God from accomplishing His will. "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). In the process of killing Jesus, Satan sealed his own defeat because it was through the death of Christ that salvation came into the world and the kingdom was established. Christ's kingdom raided Satan's domain, bring out those held in the bondage of sin.
In Revelation we see that Satan tried to use the governmental authorities of the time to destroy the newly founded kingdom, but it was prophesied that in the end Satan would lose. One of the results of his loss was that he was bound (restricted) and the terms of his restriction are mentioned in Revelation 20:3, he is prevented from using the nations to make war on the church. This will continue until just before the end.
"And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven"" (Luke 10:18).
"He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil" (I John 3:8).
"Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it" (Colossians 2:15).
However, this doesn't mean Satan isn't still causing problems for Christians. It just means he can't do all that he would like to do against the Church. For about two thousand years now, the gospel message has spread through the world. It is translated into almost every language. There are faithful brethren across the globe. Satan has tried his best to stop the spread, but it has been unstoppable because God is keeping Satan reined in."He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil" (I John 3:8).
"Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it" (Colossians 2:15).
Ahwatukee,
It seems Peter disagrees with you. What he preached at his Pentecost sermon puts the whole theory of premillennialism down the drain.
Just so you read it without some blinders let scripture and the apostles explain it as they taught the early Church.
First a word regarding the Kingdom of Christ or Heaven.
Christ clearly stated that the time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is at hand, Mark 1:15. Matt 12:28. Kingdom of God is within you. Luke 17:20-21. One cannot enter this kingdom except a man be born again. John 3:3. Before Christ's resurrection the kingdom of God was not accessible to man. (OT saints.) Luke 7:28. Because of His resurrection He could make this statement. Mark 9:1. John states that he was in the kingdom. Rev 1:9.
When is this sacred reign?
At the Last Supper Christ revealed when the reign would begin. Whenever next Jesus drinks with the disciples, He says, it will be in His Fathers's kingdom. After His resurrection Jesus did eat and drink with his disciples. The millennium of grace had begun and the message of the Gospels is that salvation comes in the here and now. It is this reigning of believers as living in a relationship with Christ within His Church, His Body. That the saints are reigning can be clearly seen in the verse Matt 16:19, Matt 18:18.
Now Peter's sermon.
In Acts 2:30-36, Peter relies upon the prophecies of David concerning Christ by showing that even though the Jews had crucified Jesus, God had raised him from the dead. Peter then shows that this (the death and resurrection of Jesus) fulfilled OT prophecies of David concerning the Messiah. First, David had prophesied of the death and resurrection of the Messiah (vv25-29). Second, David had prophesied that God had sworn with an oath that He would raise up Christ to sit on his throne (v30). In verse 31 Peter makes the application he foreseeing this spake of the resurrection of the Christ. Peter draws a direct connection between Christ upon his throne and the resurrection of Christ. The kingdom of Christ, the reign of Christ, is not tied to his second coming but to his resurrection!
In verse 32, the apostle proclaims that God raised up Jesus (showing a direct link between the Christ of prophecy and Jesus whom they had crucified), and in verse 33 he declares that this Jesus is now (present tense, as a consequence of his resurrection from the dead) by the right hand of God exalted (tying back once more to the prophecy of David that God would raise his seed to sit on his throne). What’s more, Peter says that in the resurrection and anointing of Jesus to sit on the throne of David he received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit.
Then verse 34, Peter announces that all those OT prophecies could not refer to David, for David ascended not into the heavens. The OT prophecies are fulfilled only in Jesus: he was put to death, he was resurrected, he was set upon the throne, he is in the heavens on [God’s] right hand. A future earthly throne? Not according to Peter. Christ is on his throne, and his throne is in heaven.
And how long will he reign?
According to verse 35, till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death (1Cor. 15:26). Therefore, Christ is now reigning on his throne in heaven, and he will continue to reign there until death (the last enemy) is destroyed (1Cor. 15:25) at his coming (1Cor. 15:23-24). So, you see, there’s no room for a future earthly kingdom. If Christ is not reigning now upon his throne in heaven, then Peter’s sermon and application of OT prophecies makes no sense at all.
You are absolutely correct in this statement. Your only misunderstanding is that the mellennium mentioned is in progress NOW.
It seems Peter disagrees with you. What he preached at his Pentecost sermon puts the whole theory of premillennialism down the drain.
Just so you read it without some blinders let scripture and the apostles explain it as they taught the early Church.
First a word regarding the Kingdom of Christ or Heaven.
Christ clearly stated that the time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is at hand, Mark 1:15. Matt 12:28. Kingdom of God is within you. Luke 17:20-21. One cannot enter this kingdom except a man be born again. John 3:3. Before Christ's resurrection the kingdom of God was not accessible to man. (OT saints.) Luke 7:28. Because of His resurrection He could make this statement. Mark 9:1. John states that he was in the kingdom. Rev 1:9.
When is this sacred reign?
At the Last Supper Christ revealed when the reign would begin. Whenever next Jesus drinks with the disciples, He says, it will be in His Fathers's kingdom. After His resurrection Jesus did eat and drink with his disciples. The millennium of grace had begun and the message of the Gospels is that salvation comes in the here and now. It is this reigning of believers as living in a relationship with Christ within His Church, His Body. That the saints are reigning can be clearly seen in the verse Matt 16:19, Matt 18:18.
Now Peter's sermon.
In Acts 2:30-36, Peter relies upon the prophecies of David concerning Christ by showing that even though the Jews had crucified Jesus, God had raised him from the dead. Peter then shows that this (the death and resurrection of Jesus) fulfilled OT prophecies of David concerning the Messiah. First, David had prophesied of the death and resurrection of the Messiah (vv25-29). Second, David had prophesied that God had sworn with an oath that He would raise up Christ to sit on his throne (v30). In verse 31 Peter makes the application he foreseeing this spake of the resurrection of the Christ. Peter draws a direct connection between Christ upon his throne and the resurrection of Christ. The kingdom of Christ, the reign of Christ, is not tied to his second coming but to his resurrection!
In verse 32, the apostle proclaims that God raised up Jesus (showing a direct link between the Christ of prophecy and Jesus whom they had crucified), and in verse 33 he declares that this Jesus is now (present tense, as a consequence of his resurrection from the dead) by the right hand of God exalted (tying back once more to the prophecy of David that God would raise his seed to sit on his throne). What’s more, Peter says that in the resurrection and anointing of Jesus to sit on the throne of David he received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit.
Then verse 34, Peter announces that all those OT prophecies could not refer to David, for David ascended not into the heavens. The OT prophecies are fulfilled only in Jesus: he was put to death, he was resurrected, he was set upon the throne, he is in the heavens on [God’s] right hand. A future earthly throne? Not according to Peter. Christ is on his throne, and his throne is in heaven.
And how long will he reign?
According to verse 35, till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death (1Cor. 15:26). Therefore, Christ is now reigning on his throne in heaven, and he will continue to reign there until death (the last enemy) is destroyed (1Cor. 15:25) at his coming (1Cor. 15:23-24). So, you see, there’s no room for a future earthly kingdom. If Christ is not reigning now upon his throne in heaven, then Peter’s sermon and application of OT prophecies makes no sense at all.
You are absolutely correct in this statement. Your only misunderstanding is that the mellennium mentioned is in progress NOW.
E
lol.. Well if yuo do not know scripture. Then I certainly do not need to listen to you.
Revelation 12:10 [Full Chapter]
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.
Oh and just in case you say that was past.. You can do the work of looking it up to get context..
I agree with Bouman on his initial statement of the OP, even though he has an incorrect understanding of it, but he is also correct on the writing of Revelation. It is all based on numbers and seven is a very common number which means complete. Revelation is divided into seven parts, each part repeats. Here are those divisions.
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]1. Rev 1-3[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]2. Rev 4-7[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]3. Rev 8-11[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]4. Rev 12-14[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]5. Rev 15-16[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]6. Rev 17-19[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]7. Rev 20-22[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]All sections repeat the history of the church from the first advent of Christ to His second coming. Thus most of it is past history with the second coming, judgment and new heaven/new earth in the future. It depicts a war that is occurring between Christ and Satan and secondarily with Christ's Church. A war that has been in existance since Satan fell from Heaven.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]The first three deal with the real, live, on earth church and Christians in their struggle against powers and principalities, Satan. All speak of promise, hope and admonition. Basically, stay the course, overcome, Christ will triumph. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]The next two are a transition between the real world, reality and the spiritual and mystical struggle of the church against Satan. The message is the same, promise and admonition.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]The last two are totally spiritual, or mystical and deals with the underlying real struggle going on between Christ and Satan.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Thus Revelation gives us an ever deepening understanding of what is happening in the world and an ever spiraling revelation of the destiny of man from God's perspective and revealed to John by visions.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]1. Rev 1-3[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]2. Rev 4-7[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]3. Rev 8-11[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]4. Rev 12-14[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]5. Rev 15-16[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]6. Rev 17-19[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]7. Rev 20-22[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]All sections repeat the history of the church from the first advent of Christ to His second coming. Thus most of it is past history with the second coming, judgment and new heaven/new earth in the future. It depicts a war that is occurring between Christ and Satan and secondarily with Christ's Church. A war that has been in existance since Satan fell from Heaven.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]The first three deal with the real, live, on earth church and Christians in their struggle against powers and principalities, Satan. All speak of promise, hope and admonition. Basically, stay the course, overcome, Christ will triumph. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]The next two are a transition between the real world, reality and the spiritual and mystical struggle of the church against Satan. The message is the same, promise and admonition.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]The last two are totally spiritual, or mystical and deals with the underlying real struggle going on between Christ and Satan.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Thus Revelation gives us an ever deepening understanding of what is happening in the world and an ever spiraling revelation of the destiny of man from God's perspective and revealed to John by visions.[/FONT]