Is Satan Currently Bound or Unbound?
Despite the evils of antisemitism, rampant lies, wars, persecution and general rising of evil in the world, there are some who believe that Satan is currently bound today.
However, there is plenty of biblical evidence to suggest otherwise. Here are 5 passages to consider:
Matthew 13:24-29
“ ‘An enemy did this!’ he told them.”
The Parable of the Wheat & Tares teach that Satan, the Enemy, is purposely sowing weeds among the wheat. These weeds, which are difficult to distinguish from the wheat, mix in with the wheat throughout the Church Age until the End of the Age, when the weeds will finally be gathered together and thrown into the fire. How can Satan be bound and yet be sowing weeds among the wheat?
1 Peter 5:8-9
“Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him and be firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.”
These verses teach that Satan is actively looking for people to deceive and destroy. This is the same “enemy” that is sowing weeds in the parable of the wheat & tares. He is operational but can only operate as God allows him. How can Satan be bound and yet be described as “prowling around, looking”? In addition, Satan’s activities are affecting believers “throughout the world.”
How can Satan be bound and yet have significant influence, causing “sufferings”, over the entire world?
Ephesians 6:10-17
“Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil.”
These verses teach that the believers' battle is not against flesh and blood, but against Satan and his spiritual forces. Satan is actively employing tactics against believers, seeking to deceive and destroy. This is not a description of an enemy that is bound.
How can Satan be bound and yet believers are commanded to “stand against the tactics of the Devil”? If Satan is bound, why are believers commanded to “resist” Satan and his tactics?
2 Cor. 4:4
“In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
Satan is described as “the god of this age”. God has allowed Satan a certain authority during this age. The amount of Satanic activity is so significant that Scripture calls Satan a “god” of this age. In addition, Satan is actively blinding people so they cannot see the truth of the gospel.
How can Satan be both bound and be called the “god of this age' by the Scriptures?
2 Cor. 11:13-15
“And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no great thing if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.”
This passage teaches the deceptive tactics of the enemy in the Church Age. Satan does not typically masquerade as a red devil with horns, like some sort of cartoon character. He disguises himself as “an angel of light.” In other words, Satan’s ways appear righteous. His ways appear to be God’s ways. This is one reason he is so effective at deception.
Just as God has servants who follow and obey Him, so Satan also has servants who obey him. But whereas God’s servants are not masquerading as something they are not, Satan’s servants are masquerading as good, when in fact they are evil.
If Satan is not allowed to deceive the nations while he is bound, why are so many from the nations currently deceived?
Summary - The above passages, and many others, teach that The Church Age is a time when Satan is at work in the world. Although Revelation 20 describes a time when he is bound, that time is yet future. The future binding of Satan is what makes the Millennial Kingdom such a peaceful time. Revelation 20:1-4 describes the future binding a Satan:
“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the abyss and a great chain in his hand. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for 1,000 years. He threw him into the abyss, closed it, and put a seal on it so that he would no longer deceive the nations until the 1,000 years were completed. After that, he must be released for a short time.”