Back in the first century, the demons spoke of "the appointed time" for their being sent there to be "tormented/tortured/imprisoned" (Matt.8:29). From this we can at least conclude, that they were not there, yet.
But Jesus referred to the power of the demons being overcome and usurped by his newborn congregation, at Luke 10:17-19...
"17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name.” 18 So He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you."
Satan's freedom to deceive the totality of mankind, had now, finally been partially restricted. Remember that the entire book of Revelation is symbolic, as are it's allegorical descriptions. What we see at Luke 10:17-19, is a description of Satan's "abyssing"... restricted from using the power of his dark "abyss" of deception, over those being rescued and brought into the light (1Pet. 2:9; Col.1:13; 1Thess. 5:4-8).
But to demonstrate that he had the power to do this while he was on earth,
Jesus also provided a visible, physical demonstration of this accomplishment. Try to consider the spiritual and symbolic meaning of this account...
We find it, at Mark 5:7-13, as follows;
"7 He shouted at the top of his voice (the demon), “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”
9 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”
“My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” 10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.
11 A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12 The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” (Matt.7:6) 13 He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and were drowned."
Do you know that the "sea" is a symbol for the abyss? (earth-swallows-satans-river) (Leviathan)
To be "drown" in those "waters" of blind, dark confusion, is to be made powerless in deceptive strategy over those in the light (John 1:4-5). (Sheol-Hades)
If Jesus demonstrated that he had the power to "drown" demons, and cast them out of people, as well as cast them "out of the area" (Mark 5:10)... he then had the power, to abyss them.
But Jesus referred to the power of the demons being overcome and usurped by his newborn congregation, at Luke 10:17-19...
"17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name.” 18 So He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you."
Satan's freedom to deceive the totality of mankind, had now, finally been partially restricted. Remember that the entire book of Revelation is symbolic, as are it's allegorical descriptions. What we see at Luke 10:17-19, is a description of Satan's "abyssing"... restricted from using the power of his dark "abyss" of deception, over those being rescued and brought into the light (1Pet. 2:9; Col.1:13; 1Thess. 5:4-8).
But to demonstrate that he had the power to do this while he was on earth,
Jesus also provided a visible, physical demonstration of this accomplishment. Try to consider the spiritual and symbolic meaning of this account...
We find it, at Mark 5:7-13, as follows;
"7 He shouted at the top of his voice (the demon), “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”
9 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”
“My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” 10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.
11 A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12 The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” (Matt.7:6) 13 He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and were drowned."
Do you know that the "sea" is a symbol for the abyss? (earth-swallows-satans-river) (Leviathan)
To be "drown" in those "waters" of blind, dark confusion, is to be made powerless in deceptive strategy over those in the light (John 1:4-5). (Sheol-Hades)
If Jesus demonstrated that he had the power to "drown" demons, and cast them out of people, as well as cast them "out of the area" (Mark 5:10)... he then had the power, to abyss them.
Eph.4:9; Rev.20:1-2; Mark 3:23,27; 1John 3:8; Heb.2:14; John 6:51; Phil.2:7-8
The Abyss is occupied by those who are conscious, but considered spiritually dead (Eph.2:1,5; Col.2:13). Christ was in the Abyss, after his death (Rom.10:7) in order to preach to it's occupants (1Pet. 3:19-20; Jude 1:6) (Isa.49:9; 42:7).
It is therefore, scripturally evident, that after Jesus' death--
the demons were, abyssed.
Yet, it is important to recognize, that all those not under the covenant mother of light and life... are still under the mother covenant of darkness and death (Babylon the Great),
and still left without rescue from the dominion of darkness, Hades. (2Cor. 4:4)
All humankind are born under that covenant of spiritual "confusion" and death, due to Adam and Eve (Rom.5:12) and depend upon God's intervention (1Cor. 15:21-22; Isa.60:2; Col.1:13; 1Pet. 2:9; 2Cor. 4:6). All humankind (with the exception of God's "Temple" and those who worship there), ...are now, still in the abyss.
My point, is that Satan and the demons "abyssing", is only toward those set free from the abyss. Those of humankind, still ruled by the darkness, are not free of Satan's influence. He and the demons rule the abyss, and all those still spiritually dead, within it.
This is why we do not see Satan's influence, removed from mankind in general.
This is also why Satan's release from the abyss is only relevant in it's effect on God's people and Temple, and why we can reason that Revelation is about God's dwelling, people, and Temple ...and not the world at large (when speaking of Satan's release from the abyss, and it's catastrophic consequences).
After his release, he is able to cause his agents of the abyss, to trample God's Temple down into powerlessness (during the Great Tribulation) (LINK)
Satan must then be overcome again, by the remnant.
All humankind are born under that covenant of spiritual "confusion" and death, due to Adam and Eve (Rom.5:12) and depend upon God's intervention (1Cor. 15:21-22; Isa.60:2; Col.1:13; 1Pet. 2:9; 2Cor. 4:6). All humankind (with the exception of God's "Temple" and those who worship there), ...are now, still in the abyss.
My point, is that Satan and the demons "abyssing", is only toward those set free from the abyss. Those of humankind, still ruled by the darkness, are not free of Satan's influence. He and the demons rule the abyss, and all those still spiritually dead, within it.
This is why we do not see Satan's influence, removed from mankind in general.
This is also why Satan's release from the abyss is only relevant in it's effect on God's people and Temple, and why we can reason that Revelation is about God's dwelling, people, and Temple ...and not the world at large (when speaking of Satan's release from the abyss, and it's catastrophic consequences).
After his release, he is able to cause his agents of the abyss, to trample God's Temple down into powerlessness (during the Great Tribulation) (LINK)
Satan must then be overcome again, by the remnant.
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