The Binding of Satan.

[Cerebrum123]

I did a little reading on preterism, and the idea that Satan is currently bound. I currently do not agree with this position, but I am wanting to know more about it. I had read an article linked to by Dee Dee Warren on her site advocating preterism. The article was by Dr. Greg Bahnsen, and was titled "The Person, Work, and Present Status of Satan". Here is a link to it http://www.cmfnow.com/articles/pt015.htm
As I understand it, his claim that Satan is currently bound, is largely due to his preterism, and his basic stance was that since Satan has no power over Christians, and that we have power over him, through being saved by Christ, means that he is effectively "bound". There are problems that I see with this, first off, even before Jesus was crucified, His disciples had power over the demons, and were able to cast them out in Jesus' name. Second, I have had personal experience with demonic activity(just preemptively answering this. No, I was not involved in any kind of occult activity, nor was anyone in my family, or household at that time), and I know many people who were Christian, who have had similar experiences. To me, if Satan was truly bound in the way the Bible describes(how he will "no longer deceive the nations"), then these things would not be happening. I also see many problems on a rather worldwide scale, as many people are turning from Christ, and are turning to either atheism, or in my experience, some kind of "New Age" philosophy of some kind.
This is perhaps the biggest problem I see with preterism(not the only one, but I will do more research before asking question about them). I would greatly appreciate an answer on this subject.

[Chaotic Void]

I did a little reading on preterism, and the idea that Satan is currently bound. I currently do not agree with this position, but I am wanting to know more about it. I had read an article linked to by Dee Dee Warren on her site advocating preterism. The article was by Dr. Greg Bahnsen, and was titled "The Person, Work, and Present Status of Satan". Here is a link to it http://www.cmfnow.com/articles/pt015.htm
As I understand it, his claim that Satan is currently bound, is largely due to his preterism, and his basic stance was that since Satan has no power over Christians, and that we have power over him, through being saved by Christ, means that he is effectively "bound".

Allrighty, I'm not an expert, but I'll give it a go...

There are problems that I see with this, first off, even before Jesus was crucified, His disciples had power over the demons, and were able to cast them out in Jesus' name.

It could be said that Jesus' resistance of Satan in the wilderness was the first stepping stone in the binding process (since if Jesus failed to resist temptation everything else would be pointless). It established that Satan had no authority over Christ, rather Christ had Authority over Satan, and then Christ extended that authority to his Disciples when he sent them out.

Second, I have had personal experience with demonic activity(just preemptively answering this. No, I was not involved in any kind of occult activity, nor was anyone in my family, or household at that time), and I know many people who were Christian, who have had similar experiences. To me, if Satan was truly bound in the way the Bible describes(how he will "no longer deceive the nations"), then these things would not be happening.

Not necessarily. I've had some experiences with Demonic activity as well, and yet I'm still a Post-Mill Preterist. Just because the figurehead is incapacitated doesn't mean that his followers are kaput. Limited, maybe, but not out of the picture entirely.

I also see many problems on a rather worldwide scale, as many people are turning from Christ, and are turning to either atheism, or in my experience, some kind of "New Age" philosophy of some kind.

That was happening even in the early church, so it should come to no surprise that it still goes on today. Aside from that, there's also what I mentioned earlier about how Satan is bound, but his minions ain't exactly on vacation. Amidst all that, I think that stems from a preconceived notion that if Satan was to be out of the picture, the world would be all "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows Everywhere," and people wouldn't hesitate to convert to Christianity. The problem is, even with Satan bound, human selfishness and just our general depravity are still obstacles that need to be overcome.

This is perhaps the biggest problem I see with preterism(not the only one, but I will do more research before asking question about them). I would greatly appreciate an answer on this subject.

Well, hopefully I answered these questions sufficiently.

[Cerebrum123]

Allrighty, I'm not an expert, but I'll give it a go...


It could be said that Jesus' resistance of Satan in the wilderness was the first stepping stone in the binding process (since if Jesus failed to resist temptation everything else would be pointless). It established that Satan had no authority over Christ, rather Christ had Authority over Satan, and then Christ extended that authority to his Disciples when he sent them out.


Not necessarily. I've had some experiences with Demonic activity as well, and yet I'm still a Post-Mill Preterist. Just because the figurehead is incapacitated doesn't mean that his followers are kaput. Limited, maybe, but not out of the picture entirely.


That was happening even in the early church, so it should come to no surprise that it still goes on today. Aside from that, there's also what I mentioned earlier about how Satan is bound, but his minions ain't exactly on vacation. Amidst all that, I think that stems from a preconceived notion that if Satan was to be out of the picture, the world would be all "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows Everywhere," and people wouldn't hesitate to convert to Christianity. The problem is, even with Satan bound, human selfishness and just our general depravity are still obstacles that need to be overcome.

I really doubt that I am not taking human nature into consideration on this one, but I just have a hard time accepting the demonic activity. I see that you do not have a hard time believing both, but I still just can't wrap my head around this one.

Well, hopefully I answered these questions sufficiently.

You did do a good job answering, but I just really have a hard time believing it right now. Thanks for taking the time to answer my question though. I am kind of hoping that dizzle will give an answer as well.

[Teluog]

I would add that given the highly symbolic nature of Revelation, the "binding of Satan" might not need to be taken so literally. The binding could simply refer to how he no longer is the ruling king of this world now that Jesus has overcome the world and taken over the throne (John 16:33). Satan still could have a lot of influence, but he no longer is the top dogg.

When Revelation says that Satan will not be deceiving nations, that could simply mean that although many people in the world are still literally deceived by him, that the Gospel will still spread throughout the world , and due to Satan's binding he simply won't be able to get in the way.

My two cents.

[Dee Dee Warren]

Cerebrum, I just don't have the time outside of my podccast right now. That is where I devote the time to answering questions. I know audio isn't best for you, but that is just how it is for me. Plus I am under no delusion that I am the best and only person to answer this question.

[Cerebrum123]

Cerebrum, I just don't have the time outside of my podccast right now. That is where I devote the time to answering questions. I know audio isn't best for you, but that is just how it is for me. Plus I am under no delusion that I am the best and only person to answer this question.

I understand completely. I had wanted your input, because I know that you are respected here, and you know a lot about this issue. I will probably start some research in other places on this subject, but I would like it if someday you could give an answer, but like I said, I completely understand, and I realize that you might not ever get a chance to do so. Thanks for the information you have given though, it was certainly helpful.

[Manwë Súlimo]

Satan isn't the only fallen angel. He's internment doesn't necessarily mean NO demonic activity exists today (although I have this feeling it's often over-diagonsed). But I don't necessarily see "bad things happening" as proof that he isn't bound. Human beings have free will and responsibility and we can be bad all by our self.

[MegaHertz]

...... and that we have power over him, through being saved by Christ, means that he is effectively "bound". There are problems that I see with this, first off, even before Jesus was crucified, His disciples had power over the demons, and were able to cast them out in Jesus' name. .......

Judas wasn't able to keep Satan from possessing him, nor did Jesus stop it. The Disciples did not have power over demons that needed prayer and fasting before they would obey the orders, the Apostles lacked the fasting qualification.

4 fallen angels manifest into 200M horsemen that kill 1/3 of mankind in 1110 days, Satan is stronger than that. Even at that, the 2 witnesses will be able to 'resist all efforts' to kill them until their appointed time. The ones that are killed obviously do not have power over the horsemen.

[Cerebrum123]

Satan isn't the only fallen angel. He's internment doesn't necessarily mean NO demonic activity exists today (although I have this feeling it's often over-diagonsed). But I don't necessarily see "bad things happening" as proof that he isn't bound. Human beings have free will and responsibility and we can be bad all by our self.

I realize that, but I think that with Satan being bound there would at least be some kind of decrease in evil, and I only see increase outside of Christian communities. I don't see demons under every rock and tree, but I have had encounters with them, and due to other reasons I just don't feel that Satan is bound either, even if we were to go by the idea that the other fallen angels were still active.

Judas wasn't able to keep Satan from possessing him, nor did Jesus stop it.

I was talking about things like this.

Luke 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

Judas was the betrayer, and was not truly following Jesus.

The Disciples did not have power over demons that needed prayer and fasting before they would obey the orders, the Apostles lacked the fasting qualification.

Like in the above verse, the demons were leaving just at the mention of Jesus' name, and then there are examples like this.

Acts 19:14-16
New International Version (NIV)
14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.

Obviously Paul was known by the demons, and they knew that he had authority that came from Jesus, but this guy wasn't a Christian, and was quickly beaten by the demon.

4 fallen angels manifest into 200M horsemen that kill 1/3 of mankind in 1110 days, Satan is stronger than that. Even at that, the 2 witnesses will be able to 'resist all efforts' to kill them until their appointed time. The ones that are killed obviously do not have power over the horsemen.

This thread was intended so I could ask preterist's their understanding of how Satan is bound, since this is one of their claims. If you have specific arguments against preterism, rather than stating your beliefs on this matter, I certainly welcome them though.

[Adrift]

A lot of the early Church Fathers talk about the exorcism of demons in their day as well (as well as having the gift of prophecy still). That's of course no proof for or against satan being bound. Just interesting...

[MegaHertz]

Judas repented so that qualified as cleansing the sin, that he committed suicide means he could not forgive himself.

The Apostles before being baptized with the holy spirit after the cross would have been still subject to demons of various 'strengths'. Satan is only life threatening for a period of 3 1/2 years, that doesn't mean he is slack during that time, after all that is called a 'woe' in the Bible

[Livelystone]

I did a little reading on preterism, and the idea that Satan is currently bound. I currently do not agree with this position, but I am wanting to know more about it. I had read an article linked to by Dee Dee Warren on her site advocating preterism. The article was by Dr. Greg Bahnsen, and was titled "The Person, Work, and Present Status of Satan". Here is a link to it http://www.cmfnow.com/articles/pt015.htm
As I understand it, his claim that Satan is currently bound, is largely due to his preterism, and his basic stance was that since Satan has no power over Christians, and that we have power over him, through being saved by Christ, means that he is effectively "bound". There are problems that I see with this, first off, even before Jesus was crucified, His disciples had power over the demons, and were able to cast them out in Jesus' name. Second, I have had personal experience with demonic activity(just preemptively answering this. No, I was not involved in any kind of occult activity, nor was anyone in my family, or household at that time), and I know many people who were Christian, who have had similar experiences. To me, if Satan was truly bound in the way the Bible describes(how he will "no longer deceive the nations"), then these things would not be happening. I also see many problems on a rather worldwide scale, as many people are turning from Christ, and are turning to either atheism, or in my experience, some kind of "New Age" philosophy of some kind.
This is perhaps the biggest problem I see with preterism(not the only one, but I will do more research before asking question about them). I would greatly appreciate an answer on this subject.

Jesus is the one who led captivity captive, and if Jesus is the one who is in the heart of the Christian, Satan is as captive today as he was 2000 years ago.

This does not mean that Satan is not going to come again to tempt the believer into setting him free within the person, because as the Scriptures say Satan is the prince of the power of the air. After all, when Satan departed Jesus after being defeated when he tried to tempt Him, the Scriptures tell us it was only for a season meaning that Satan would return again.

With Christ in the heart it is Christ who rebukes Satan, but if Christ is not the one in the heart, it is going to take a lot more than a simple rebuke made by the person who is being tempted to overcome whatever temptation is being presented to them.

Where the problem comes in is when a believer thinks that Christ is the one in their heart, but the truth is it is Satan's messenger appearing to be Christ. Obviously Satan will not rebuke Satan, or we would have "a house divided," to quote Jesus. The parable of Jesus that teaches of the unclean spirit returning to where he had gone out of is a perfect example of someone who thinks Christ is in their heart, but instead they have become captive to Satan again albeit unknowingly.

False doctrines are from Satan and if someone is believing in false doctrines it does not matter that they have been deceived, because as long as any false doctrines remain in their heart, Christ is not the "man in the temple," and their ability to overcome Satan will remain severely limited.

Doug