The Binding of Satan
In ancient times, Satan had virtually free reign on earth – always under the rule of YHWH. The accounts in Job make this latter point clear: see Job 1:6-12 and 2:1-6; Satan could go no further than God specified.
With this rule in mind, we can understand the behavior of evil people and nations in the ancient world – carnal individuals and large groups acting out in their depraved natures according to the rule of YHWH. The well-known conflict between Elijah and the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18 shows us how unregenerate people are influenced to follow after demonic idols. This is what happens when the Spirit of God does not restrict carnal people.
In Daniel 7 we see the beast (teeth of iron, nails of bronze, ten horns), and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom. (Daniel 7:21-22) This shows that Satan was running amuck, until the Ancient of Days appeared to bind him, passing judgment on behalf of His saints
Zechariah 3:1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, with Satan standing at his right side to accuse him.
Luke 4:5-6 So he took Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. The Devil said to Him, “I will give You their splendor and all this authority, because it has been given over to me, and I can give it to anyone I want.”
We have this in Acts 16:16, “In past generations He allowed all the nations to go their own way,”. The implication being that since Christ came and inaugurated His kingdom, the nations were not free to go their own way. What caused the change?
During Jesus’ earthly ministry, Satan was Bound.
Mark 3:26-27 (HCSB) “And if Satan rebels against himself and is divided, he cannot stand but is finished! On the other hand, no one can enter a strong man’s house and rob his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he will rob his house.”
John 12:31-33 (HCSB) “”Now is the judgment of this world. Now the ruler of this world will be cast out. As for Me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to Myself.” He said this to signify what kind of death He was about to die.
Luke 10:17-18 The Seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name.” He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a lightning flash.
Colossians 2:15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; He triumphed over them by Him.
After Satan was bound, Jesus was close to His ascension.
John 14:30 I will not talk with you much longer, because the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over Me.
1 John 5:19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world is under the sway of the evil one.
1 Corinthians 10:26 for the earth is the Lord’s, and all that is in it. (citing Psalm 24:1) Though Satan had “ownership” of the kingdom of the world, God owns everything.
Satan, the strong man, was bound; yet he prowls like a lion. Satan was bound, yet he holds the whole word under his sway. Satan was bound and can deceive many. So how was he bound?
From Hal Brunson:
How can you possibly say that Satan has been bound so as not to deceive the nations?” Only in this sense—Satan is bound so that he longer exercises unilateral dominion over the nations as God calls his elect from among the inhabitants of the world. Did not Jesus Himself prophesy that there would “arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect”? (Matt 24:24) While Satan may indeed blind the nations partially, he cannot blind them completely, for God has ordained that He should call out His redeemed people from “out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” (Rev 5:9) God’s will remains inexorable and immutable in this matter, and no power in earth or heaven, not even Satan’s power, can prevent the salvation of “the Israel of God.”
People who deny that Satan is currently bound are either a.) blinded by assumptions that are not supported by Scripture, or b.) unable to accept that binding a person does not necessarily mean the complete and total disabling of that person. There is coming a day when that binding will be complete, just our sanctification will be. But that day is not now. We live in the inaugurated kingdom which will be consummated upon the return of Christ. Just as His kingdom is not yet complete or total, neither is the binding of Satan. Just as His kingdom will be complete and total when He returns, so will Satan's binding.
