Question #2
April 17th, 2008 by Dan Waugh
On Sunday night I explained my understanding that the millennium is a current spiritual reality and that Satan is currently bound so that he can no longer deceive the nations. I want to be real clear here because if you misunderstand me, it would have real and nasty consequences. I am not saying that Satan has been bound to such a degree that he is no longer active. That would be contrary to the clear teaching of Peter who says that the devil is still on the prowl, seeking to destroy (devour).
The question that came to me on Sunday night was based on Matthew 13:19 which reads, “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.” (ESV). The question was, “how can Satan snatch the word if he’s been bound?”
This is a great question because it forces us to look at the text of Revelation 20 more intensely and forces me to be clearer. Again, Satan’s activity isn’t completely curtailed, nor is his ability to deceive. The Matthew passage and the parable of the sower is meant to help explain why some people do not receive the word of God. It is talking about individuals - some who’s hearts are heart, some who get deceived, etc. Revelation 20 is different. It’s talking about Satan’s ability to deceive nations: “And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him so that he might not deceive the nations any longer” (ESV).
Prior to the life and ministry of Jesus, the good news of a Savior had been heard/believed only by a small nation called Israel. However, as Jesus bound Satan in his ministry and especially on the cross the good news would spread and be believed beyond the boundaries of Israel and will include all nations.
That, I think is how these two passages relate to one another - Satan can and does still deceive people, but his ability to deceive and keep the nations from Christ has been thwarted in his binding.
