Brother Fisher,fatherfisher wrote:In the context of Matthew 12, the main point Jesus makes is that by overcoming the power of Satan in casting out demons, it’s proof that the kingdom of God has come upon them. His ministry cannot be attributed to Satan, since if it were he would be fighting against himself. What Jesus is doing when He casts out demons is plundering Satan’s possessions, proving He is stronger than Satan. The analogy is that Jesus is the plunderer, who has entered Satan's house and begun to wreak havoc . . . something He couldn't do unless He first bound the strong man.
But although Christ’s ministry inaugurated the kingdom and provided a sort of preview of coming attractions, the kingdom still awaits its consummation at His return. And that is what John writes about in The Revelation. It seems plain to me that the binding of Satan and his removal to the bottomless pit in Revelation 20 is later than his being thrown down to earth in Revelation 12. Throughout the Book of Revelation until chapter 20, John views Satan as very much unbound and raging, very much an adversary like “a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour”.
Here CHRIST is presenting HIS power over the demonic forces of this world,
and proving HE has no alliance with satan, and is proof of Satan's defeat. HE is Clearly claiming that HE has bound the strong man (satan). Yes, JESUS acknowledges that satan still has an organized kingdom, which "stands" according to Matthew 12:26. Nothing JESUS says implies that Satan will from then on be inactive in this world. But he (satan) is bound and defeated to the extent that he can not stop the arrival or the advancement of The Gospel or the message of Salvation to the nations (gentiles) who were in all past history deceived. What Jesus points out, is that Satan cannot stop the deliverance of those who had been previously under satan's dominion, as JESUS has bound the strong man (satan) so that he should not deceive the nations no more.
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