Schools of systematic theology develop out of a felt need to explain difficult or unclear passages of scripture. As much as we might try to avoid systems — and I certainly do — the necessity of finding a coherent set of overarching principles within which we may evaluate the meaning of any individual text eventually asserts itself. Even refusing to interpret becomes its own sort of interpretation, or at very least a comment on the significance of what God has said. So we try to explain the text without explaining it away.
What then should we do when our systematic theology collides with both observable reality and, more importantly, the scriptures?
Not the Best Interpretation
I’m not convinced, for example, that this is the best way to explain the binding of Satan in Revelation 20. Both questions and answer assume facts not in evidence. The eschatological system (in this case, Postmillennialism) has taken over:
[Sorry about the quality of the graphic. A double click will take you to a clearer version.]
The Fate of the Minions
Both questions are legitimate, I think, and it’s notable Doug doesn’t directly answer either one, probably for good reason.
With respect to Satan’s “lieutenants and minions”, the notion that their master might be bound and thrown into a pit sealed shut for a thousand years (either metaphorically or literally) while they roam the earth doing his bidding unrestrained seems, at bare minimum, hard to credit. Still, if Christ’s resurrection bound Satan as Postmillennialists teach, and if he remains bound today, something other than “the devil made me do it” must account for the appalling state of our world for the last 2,000 years. Thomas wonders if maybe Satan’s lieutenants and minions are running around loose doing his bidding in his absence. Let’s eliminate that possibility.
First, it’s abundantly evident demons fully anticipate their own inevitable judgment by God. Confronted with the presence of the Lord Jesus in the country of the Gerasenes, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” They know they have an appointment they cannot avoid. So then, while Revelation 20 tells us nothing about the fate of Satan’s servants and allies, the gospels reveal their destiny and his are bound up together.
Not only that, Satan’s emissaries know exactly what form their judgment will take. Luke has them begging Jesus “not to command them to depart into the abyss”. That “abyss” is mentioned seven times in Revelation, including chapter 20, where Satan is “bound and in the pit”. Same Greek word, same pit, same fate, surely at the same time. If Satan is bound, then so are his servants. If the servants are still free, then so is their master.
It’s no wonder Doug doesn’t directly respond to Thomas’s first question.
So What is Satan Up to Currently?
As for Satan’s present activities, we need go no further than the rest of the New Testament to find out. Bear in mind that the following quotes describe the current state of affairs during the period between Christ’s ascension and bodily return to earth in judgment. As you read them, ask yourself how we might consider Satan bound or restricted today in any sense that he wasn’t throughout the rest of history:
“Why has Satan filled your heart?”
“… the Gentiles — to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from … the power of Satan to God.”
“The God of peace will soon [not yet] crush Satan under your feet.”
“Deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh.”
“Come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you.”
“I also forgive … so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.”
“Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”
“A thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me.”
“We wanted to come to you … but Satan hindered us.”
“Some have already strayed after Satan.”
“They may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.”
“We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.”
“I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is.”
“… my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.”
“The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world.”
That last one is a doozy. The Greek is literally “who deceives”, with the verb in the present tense. The point is not merely that Satan deceived the world in the past, but that he is currently doing it. Does that resonate with you? It does with me.
To sum up, then, in the post-resurrection era, the Bible teaches that Satan’s current dwelling place is not the abyss but the world, our ruling social order. This is where the devil has his throne and where he deceives not just individuals but also “the whole world”. Yes, nations too. He personally tempts even the saints. Moreover, he does not merely do his evil work through deception. He is real-world powerful; in fact, the whole world lies in his power. He is able to hinder the servants of God from moving around freely as they wish. He is able to physically injure the servants of God to the extent the Lord permits. He is able to “destroy the flesh” of those put outside the church. He is able to fill the hearts of the unregenerate.
Cognitive Dissonance
On what biblical basis can Doug say Satan has lost most of his power, or suggest he is restricted only from explicitly political deception? When I read the New Testament, I find no evidence he is currently bound at all. The scripture portrays a powerful spirit being who goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, both in the first century and right now.
Indeed, that’s exactly what Dispensationalists believe. Satan has yet to be bound. He goes about as a roaring lion in this present era. The stone cut out by no human hand has yet to strike Nebuchadnezzar’s image on its feet of iron and clay and break them in pieces. All of that remains for a future day, though the work of Christ has made it absolutely sure and certain.
When your theology clashes not only with observable reality but also with the plain teaching of the word of God, it’s the system that needs to bow to the scripture, not the other way round.
No comments :
Post a Comment