The most common belief is that Satan will be bound some time in the future. This belief has Satan running amok around us with greater authority on earth. The crucial question is this: when was the time frame of the Satan bound?In Mark 3:22-27 we read, And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, "He is possessed by Beelzebub, and by the prince of demons he casts out the demons." 23 And he called them to him, and said to them in parables, "How can Satan cast... out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. 26 And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. 27 But no one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man; then indeed he may plunder his house.
Satan was held up in the Old Covenant system it was his house. He was the prince of the power of the air who worked in the sons of disobedience, (Ephesians 2:2) To Corinth Paul wrote that "the god (Satan) of the age (Jewish age ) had blinded the unbelieving that the light of the gospel might not dawn upon them." (2 Corinthians 4:4). These same sons of disobedience, unbelieving Jews Jesus called the children of the Devil. (John 8:44)
The scribes were accusing Jesus of working under the power of Satan. Jesus answers their charge with two arguments. Jesus first argument “How can Satan cast out Satan” If Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. He asserts that no kingdom divided against itself can survive for long. If Satan lends his power against his own forces then he is finished.
In his second argument Jesus says. How can a strong person be defeated except by someone who is stronger? No one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man; then indeed he may plunder his house. It is important, that one take into consideration the time frame of the BINDING taught in (Mark 3:22-27).
Satan was the strong man and Jesus was the stronger man. When Jesus asserted his authority over demons he entered the strong man’s house (Satan domine) which was a clear demonstration that Satan was bound during the ministry of Jesus. In Mark 1:23-27 we read, Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, saying, "Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are the Holy One of God!" But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!" And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him."
The stronger one is Jesus, who has come from God, invaded Satan’s stronghold, and bound him and plundering his goods. In confirmation of the time frame Christ sent seventy disciples, two and two, that they might strengthen and encourage one another. Notice should be taken of their hour of joy; when they returned to Jesus with the good news. Luke 10:17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." What was Jesus’ reply? Verses 18-19 And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
We see the time frame and historical setting in Luke harmonize with Jesus time statements. Because Satan was bound the disciples were able to plunder, rob, Satan of his valuables in the name of Christ the gospel. About three thousand souls were saved in one day. Act 2:41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
It is also no accident, that John, who probably was an eyewitness to the Beelzebub controversy related to Satan be bound writes. Revelation 20:1 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). A chain is a symbol of restraining power.
So the binding of Satan was during the first century and not in our future. In Conclusion Jesus later gives a specifically, time frame for Satan end. John 12:31 "Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. Jesus who is the all knowing God said, NOW at the present time, without further delay; immediately; at once, in these present times; the ruler (Satan) of this world (Old Covenant world) will be cast out.
Later the Apostle Paul tells the saints in Roman. Romans 16:20 And the God of peace (will crush Satan under your feet shortly). The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. Shortly is not over 2000 years later and there is no biblical reasons to believe Jesus and the inspired Apostle Paul did not know what they were talking about and Satan is running amok among Christians in the kingdom age.
A common error of man is the tendency to form a concept about Satan and what is going to actually transpire, and then ignore any time-element involved in the scripture, choosing instead to wait for things to happen as he thinks they must. This might be safe and justifiable, if God had not given us a way to tell of someone was speaking for Him through TIME STATEMENTS.
Specifically, if the Bible made a promise that something would happen within a specified time frame, if that event did not happen when and as promised the Bible's claim to inspiration falls. Deuteronomy 18:21-22 "And if you say in your heart, 'How shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken? "when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.
