Satan Bound

(Sermon Notes) By Warren Zehrung 10/9/2019

Today is the Day of Atonement. This Day of Atonement pictures our High Priest, Jesus Christ, cleansing mankind of its sins. We are looking forward to the day of universal Atonement—which will bring about the entire world’s reconciliation to God. That Day will come after Jesus returns to this earth in great power to eradicate and abolish the enemies of God – shown by the Feast of Trumpets.

Atonement pictures the ultimate salvation which will allow, man to enter into the “holiest of all” (Romans 5:9; Hebrews 9:1-15). Mankind is cut-off from God because of sin (Isaiah 59:2).

Jesus came to remove that barrier that separates us from God—first for the Church brethren, and then for the entire world. This day is primarily about Jesus and the things He has done for us.

This day is not about Satan bearing the sins of mankind—because he does not.

Because Jesus has not yet removed Satan as ruler of the earth he continues to rule and deceive this world. Brethren, Satan is not going to be around forever. Jesus said that Satan, the ruler of this world, shall be cast out (John 12:31, Revelation 12:9).

John 12:31  Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. [ejected away]

The question for us to consider – today on Atonement – is when in the Plan of God Satan will be cast out and bound (Revelation 20:1-3)?

Revelation 20:1  I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 

Revelation 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 

Revelation 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. 

The Plan of God shows us the great scheme of things God is working out. We know that Jesus died at Passover, We know that Jesus led His people out of Sin at Unleavened Bread, We know that Jesus sent His Spirit at Pentecost—right on time! We know that Jesus will return at Trumpets,

But why, and how do we know that Satan will be bound at Atonement? Those who have accepted the premise that Satan will bear our sins associate Satan’s being bound with the Day of Atonement for that reason—but that is incorrect. We will look into the Scriptures and see WHEN and under what conditions Jesus dealt with Satan.

The Day of Atonement pictures two things Jesus does for us:

He paid the penalty of sin for us, and He removes the guilt of sin from us.

Only Jesus is able to bear our iniquity. As Isaiah shows us, the focus of Atonement is on our iniquity being born by Jesus Christ, and our salvation by His life (Romans 5:10).

Isaiah 53:6 …the LORD has laid on [Jesus] the iniquity of us all. (Leviticus 16:22)

John the Baptist also corroborates the fact that it is Jesus alone who bears our sins:

John 1:29 … Behold the Lamb of God, who [the Greek reads] bears away the sin of the world.

Jesus took on our sins—that is how we know that He loved us.

Romans 5:8  But God demonstrated His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

Not only us – but the entire world. Jesus’ blood washed away our sin—leaving us clean – just – justified.

Romans 5:9  Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 

We have been made right [Justified, made righteous] in God’s sight – and we won’t have to die for our own sins.

Romans 5:10  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 

We shall be saved… The Day of Atonement pictures two things Jesus does for us: He paid the price of sin for us; and He removes the guilt of sin from us.

Let’s momentarily look at two of the ramifications of sin—let’s say murder. If I committed first-degree murder – I might still get off on a technicality… I would not have to pay the price – going to the chair. Jesus paid the price by dying in our stead.

But the other consequence of sin is that I would still know that I was guilty of cold-blooded murder. My conscience has been seared as with a hot iron. (1Timothy 4:2) I would carry that guilt for the rest of my life!

1Peter 3:21  The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Yes, Jesus died to pay the price for our sins, but that alone did not purchase our eternal life.

That is why there were two goats. One died and the other lived – the two aspects of Jesus’ sacrifice. He was raised from death to life—alive—for our salvation. That is the second aspect of Christ’s sacrifice.

As we just saw in 1Peter 3:21  we are saved two ways – the answer of a good conscience toward God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

We are saved – not by His death—but by His life. … by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:11  And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. 

So we find that it is Jesus upon whom sin and iniquity are decisively placed. For way too long we were taught that our sins were placed on Satan’s head – and he carried them away. That was not correct. Paul explains it in this way:

Hebrews 9:28 Christ was once offered [in sacrifice] to bear the sins of many.

Leviticus 16:5 And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a [single] sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.]

It took both goats to complete the one sacrifice. The two goats comprise one sin offering. This is a two-part sacrifice. The goat for the Eternal is sacrificed as a sin offering, but the goat for Azazel is removed alive into the wilderness—a unique ritual, only done on the Day of Atonement.

One goat dies (as Jesus did) and the other goat is presented alive (as Jesus was resurrected by His Father). One goat is for the remission of sins, the other is not for remission of sins.

The Azazel goat is for the eternal life that is given to us.

Remember the example of the guilt murderer? Guilt, too, has been removed so that we do not go through eternity carrying guilt. Not only were our sins forgiven and paid for – our guilty slate – our conscience – has been wiped clean.

Christ bearing our sins is exactly what is being spoken of in Leviticus 16:21–22 where it says, “ the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of [Christ].

We were taught incorrectly that it is on Satan’s head that the ultimate responsibility for sin rests. That was passing the buck. The truth is that we sinners are ultimately responsible for our own sins. The Scriptures nowhere say that the responsibility for sin rests on Satan.

There is no Biblical witness or evidence at all that Satan bears our iniquity—because he does not – as much as we might want to blame him for our own sins! When I blame someone else for my sins—I’m still guilty!

I don’t want to go through eternity being guilty. Jesus Christ, our High Priest, has already paid the penalty of sin for mankind – all of it – the death penalty and the removal of guilt. Peter shows the two-fold function of Christ as our Atonement:

1Peter 2:24 [Jesus] Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness…

Hebrews 9:14  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your [guilty] conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Hebrews 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Hebrews 10:22  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. [two aspects]

So we find that the two goats have absolutely nothing to do with Satan being bound on Atonement.

However, Scripture provides the proper rationale for Satan being bound on the Day of Atonement. It has to do with the meaning of the Holy Days.

Knowing that Jesus’ life was the embodiment of the Plan of God, we find that Jesus overcame, conquered and was victorious over Satan and his temptations as the Day of Atonement began.

Shortly after His return to this earth at Trumpets, Jesus Christ will bind Satan in the bottomless pit for a thousand years. This will occur at the implementation and realization of the Day of Atonement when the entire world will finally be qualified and entitled to be reconciled to God the Father. We are fasting today – mainly because God has directed us to do so.

Leviticus 16:29  This shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month [That is today], ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all.

Fasting helps us to draw near to God. It certainly shows us how dependent we are. Dependent on water, dependent on food…

I knew a man in God’s Church many years ago— Joseph Demchoke. He was a lot older than I was—in fact as a young man he worked for the CCC Civilian Conservation Corps—a work relief program that gave millions of young men employment, in the 1930s during the Great Depression. And Joe Demchoke helped to build the very first highway around Lake Tahoe in Nevada and California.

Joseph Demchoke is the only person that I personally knew who fasted a full 40 days. Joe Demchoke fasted 40 days – pride – cancer cured – warm bread caused him to “flounder and nearly die.”

Let’s follow the timeline in the Public Ministry of Jesus: It was just a short while before Jesus’ 30th birthday when He was baptized in late summer (Mark 1:9).

Mark 1:9  And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in the Jordan River. 

Jesus had not yet overcome Satan – and would have had to be exceedingly spiritually strong to do so. In preparation for His monumental challenge, Jesus was propelled into rigorous fasting and prayer in the wilderness in order to be intimately close to His Father.

Jesus was spiritually prepared to take-on Satan. Satan’s temptations were exceedingly powerful and horrendous. Following His baptism, in full faith of His Father’s protection, Jesus willingly faced an awful Adversary.

Mark 1:12 And, immediately the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness.

Mark 1:13 And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto Him.

Matthew 3:16 Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway [some urgency indicated there] out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him:

Matthew 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

Matthew 4:2  And having fasted forty days and forty nights, He was afterward hungry.

Matthew 4:3  And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 

Matthew 4:4  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 

Matthew 4:5  Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 

Matthew 4:6  And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 

Matthew 4:7  Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 

Matthew 4:8  Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 

Matthew 4:9  And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 

Matthew 4:10  Then said Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 

Matthew 4:11  Then the devil left him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. 

Let’s follow the timeline in Luke 4. The Temptation of Jesus

Luke 4:1  And Jesus being full of the Holy Spirit returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 

Luke 4:2  Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. 

Luke 4:3  And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. 

Luke 4:4  And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. 

Luke 4:5  And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 

Luke 4:6  And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. 

Luke 4:7  If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. 

Luke 4:8  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 

Luke 4:9  And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: 

Luke 4:10  For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: 

Luke 4:11  And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 

Luke 4:12  And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 

Luke 4:13  And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season. 

Jesus Begins His Public Ministry

Luke 4:14  And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region roundabout. 

Luke explains Jesus’ early Public Ministry.

Luke 4:15  And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. 

Luke 4:16  And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the [High] Sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 

Each and every Sabbatical year begins on the 10th day of the 7th month, which is the Day of Atonement.

Jesus began His public ministry on the Jubilee year (Leviticus 25:10).

Notice the insightful words of Jesus on that High Sabbath Day:

Luke 4:17  And there was delivered unto [Jesus] the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 

Luke 4:18  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 

Luke 4:19  To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 

Luke 4:20  And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 

Luke 4:21  And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. 

Jesus dealt with Satan at the completion of His forty days and nights of fasting—and defeated him as the Day of Atonement arrived (Luke 4:13-21). Jesus withstood Satan’s attacks (Matthew 4:10; Luke 4:12).

After the climactic battle, Jesus returned to Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. When John the Baptist saw Jesus returning after the Day of Atonement he announced, “Behold the Lamb of God, who bears away the sin of the world” (John 1:29, 35).

John the Baptist understood that Jesus was the Messiah by whom atonement would be made for the sins of mankind (Leviticus 16:22).

Satan will be bound for a thousand years on the Day of Atonement just prior to the start of the Millennium (Revelation 20:2).

Isaiah 58:1  Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. 

Isaiah 58:2  Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. 

Isaiah 58:3  Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labors. 

Isaiah 58:4  Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. 

Isaiah 58:5  Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? 

Isaiah 58:6  Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to, loose, the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? 

Isaiah 58:7  Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? 

Isaiah 58:8  Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. [protector, rearguard and rewarder]

Isaiah 58:9  Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; 

Isaiah 58:10  And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: 

Isaiah 58:11  And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. 

Isaiah 58:12  And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. 

Once Satan is bound, God’s Kingdom of peace will be formally established on earth. With Satan bound – deception ceases for 1,000 years.

Satan will be bound in preparation for the entire world to be reconciled to God the Father—beginning at the fulfillment of the Day of Atonement.

The Day of Atonement will see all mankind cleansed of iniquity and their ultimate reconciliation to the Father.

END: Satan Bound