.
Most New Testament Saints understood Satan's "Little Season" occurs immediately after his 1000 year "binding"
and, since the beginning, some Christian Churches have always taught this Biblically correct "amillennial" doctrine.
However some Churches never understood the nature or timing of Satan's 1000 year "binding" or his "Little Season".
The primary passage related to this period is Revelations 20:1-10, which identifies that Satan is only "loosened"
AFTER the 1000 years; ("and when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosened out of his prison", v7).
And, historically, most Churches have understood that Satan's "Little Season" occurs immediately after the "binding",
their confusion was always about WHEN the 1000 year period (the "Millennium") would occur in history. Basically,
there have been two (2) different doctrines about the "1000 year" binding preceding Satan's "Little Season".
Rev 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the Bottomless Pit and a great
chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold on the Dragon, that old Serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and
BOUND him a Thousand Years, 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 FIRST doctrine taught the "binding" of Satan represented a "Golden Age" on this sin-cursed earth.
Teachers of a "Golden Age" generally preached either the Pre-Millennial or Post-Millennial Return of Christ,
meaning the Lord Returns before the "binding" of Satan (called Pre-Millennialism), or the Lord Returns
after the "Golden Age" (called Post-Millennialism). Both ideas correctly understood that Jesus Christ RULES
(and His Saints rule with Him) during the "binding" of Satan. But, both positions incorrectly taught this period
occurs AFTER the Great Commission is finished - AFTER the NT Kingdom was completed.
Essentially, both the Pre-Millennial and Post-Millennial doctrines assumed Satan's "binding" was a "Golden Age"
which would not occur until AFTER the Great Commission of the NT Kingdom was finished.
While the "mysteries" of Daniel's prophecies were not "unsealed" for NT Saints, the context of Daniel's Beasts
proves both the Pre-Millennial and Post-Millennial doctrines un-Biblical. Within the context of Four Kingdoms,
with the 4th Beast representing (a) Great Tribulation, (b) 7-Headed Rev. Beast (c) Satan's "Little Season", the
binding of Satan MUST represent the "Church Age" since after the "binding" he is "loosened out of his prison"
and the "Little Season" begins... when Satan "overcomes" and "kills" the last NT Saints - as they "departed"
from the 3rd Kingdom and "went forth" (following the Little Horn) during Daniel's Fourth Kingdom. Again
we see understanding Daniel's Four Beasts AND fulfillment of the "Ten Virgins" prophecy are essential.
Within the context of THREE Kingdoms before Satan's "Little Season"... his "binding" MUST be the "Church Age".
Unfortunately for NT Saints, Daniel's "mysteries" were not "unsealed" during the (3rd) New Testament Kingdom.
Both Pre-Millennialism -and- Post-Millennialism correctly understood that Jesus Christ Rules during Satan's "binding".
However, both incorrectly taught that Satan's "binding" occurs AFTER the Great Commission of their Kingdom.
The SECOND doctrine taught, in Churches, about Satan's year "binding" was it represented the "Church Age".
This amillennial position correctly identifies that Satan's "binding" represents the entire NT Kingdom of Heaven,
from the Cross of Christ (when Satan was "bound") until when the "Testimony of the Two Witnesses is finished"
and the Great Commission is completed. Saints understand the Bible uses numbers to represent concepts and
the 1000 years represents completeness (or the totality) of the "Church Age". In other words, Saints understand
Satan was the "Strong Man" that must be "bound" so his "house" could be "spoiled" during the Great Commission.
The Saints understood the "binding" of Satan represented THEIR spiritual "dominion" during the Great Commission
when they were to "seek and to save" the lost sheep, as the Lord RULED the Kingdom - and we ruled with Him.
Mat 12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God is come unto you,
29 Or else how can one enter into a Strong Man's House and spoil his goods except He first BIND the Strong Man?
and then [after Satan is "bound"] He will spoil his House.
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:
and, lo, I am with you Always, even unto the End of the World [the End of the Age]. Amen
Many (but not all) early Christians understood this (Biblical) "amillennial" doctrine about the "binding" of Satan.
The concept of NT Saints possessing spiritual rule throughout the entire "Church Age" was always known by the Saints,
and was adopted as official doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church when espoused by Saint Augustine around 400 AD.
Most (but not all) early Reformers also understood this "amillennial" position, and this doctrine has been continuously
preached in many Reformed Protestant Churches. Therefore, history confirms that the Biblically correct Amillennial
understanding of Satan's "binding" was always understood by some Saints - since the beginning of the (3rd) Kingdom,
as New Testament Saints always understood we "live and reign with Christ" throughout the entire Christian Kingdom.
John 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you.
22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
23 Whoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whoever sins ye retain, they are retained.
Rev 11:3 And I will give POWER unto My Two Witnesses [the New Testament Saints], and they will prophesy
a thousand two hundred and threescore days [Great Commission of the New Testament Kingdom], clothed
in sackcloth. 4 These are the Two Olive Trees, and the Two Candlesticks [again, the New Testament Saints] standing before the God of the earth. 5 And if any man will hurt them, [spiritual] fire [i.e., judgment] proceedeth
out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
6 These have POWER to shut [the Kingdom of] heaven, that it rain not [no Gospel] in the days of their prophecy:
and have POWER over waters [over gospels] to turn them into blood [into judgment], and to smite the earth
[to judge the people] with all plagues, as often as they will.
Saints have always understood Satan remains "bound" throughout the entire Christian Age in that he could not prevent
the New Testament Saints from accomplishing God's Plan to "seek and to save" all lost sheep during the NT Kingdom.
The POWER of the Saints was the indwelling Holy Spirit and presence of the Lord Jesus - as He Ruled the Kingdom.
The Resurrected Jesus had all POWER and He promised to stay with us "even unto the End of the Age" [Mat 28:18-20].
The spiritual "dominion" of Saints (as Satan is "bound") was demonstrated by their ability to "remit" or "retain" sins
with preaching [John 20:19-23], and in their power to "kill" men with fire, or smite the earth with plagues [Rev 11:2-6].
However, the spiritual POWER of these Saints did not extend into Satan's "Little Season" (Daniel's 4th Beast).
Rev 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, [when the Great Commission is finished] the Beast that ascendeth out of the Bottomless Pit shall make war against them,
and shall overcome them, and kill them. [during Satan's "Little Season"]
The historical fact is, Saints have also always understood that, during the NT Kingdom the Lord Jesus Christ Rules
and the Saints rule with Him... however, during Satan's "Little Season", the last Saints would be "overcome" and "killed"
when Satan is "loosened" from his "binding" in the Bottomless Pit. It's also historical fact that New Testament Saints
could never completely harmonize these two conflicting experiences occurring at the same time. In fact, the direct result
of trying to harmonize these conflicting events (conflating events in two separate Kingdoms) was the development
of incorrect Eschatological doctrines - like the doctrines of pre-millennialism and post-millennialism.
.
.
Most New Testament Saints understood Satan's "Little Season" occurs immediately after his 1000 year "binding"
and, since the beginning, some Christian Churches have always taught this Biblically correct "amillennial" doctrine.
However some Churches never understood the nature or timing of Satan's 1000 year "binding" or his "Little Season".
The primary passage related to this period is Revelations 20:1-10, which identifies that Satan is only "loosened"
AFTER the 1000 years; ("and when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosened out of his prison", v7).
And, historically, most Churches have understood that Satan's "Little Season" occurs immediately after the "binding",
their confusion was always about WHEN the 1000 year period (the "Millennium") would occur in history. Basically,
there have been two (2) different doctrines about the "1000 year" binding preceding Satan's "Little Season".
Rev 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the Bottomless Pit and a great
chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold on the Dragon, that old Serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and
BOUND him a Thousand Years, 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 FIRST doctrine taught the "binding" of Satan represented a "Golden Age" on this sin-cursed earth.
Teachers of a "Golden Age" generally preached either the Pre-Millennial or Post-Millennial Return of Christ,
meaning the Lord Returns before the "binding" of Satan (called Pre-Millennialism), or the Lord Returns
after the "Golden Age" (called Post-Millennialism). Both ideas correctly understood that Jesus Christ RULES
(and His Saints rule with Him) during the "binding" of Satan. But, both positions incorrectly taught this period
occurs AFTER the Great Commission is finished - AFTER the NT Kingdom was completed.
Essentially, both the Pre-Millennial and Post-Millennial doctrines assumed Satan's "binding" was a "Golden Age"
which would not occur until AFTER the Great Commission of the NT Kingdom was finished.
While the "mysteries" of Daniel's prophecies were not "unsealed" for NT Saints, the context of Daniel's Beasts
proves both the Pre-Millennial and Post-Millennial doctrines un-Biblical. Within the context of Four Kingdoms,
with the 4th Beast representing (a) Great Tribulation, (b) 7-Headed Rev. Beast (c) Satan's "Little Season", the
binding of Satan MUST represent the "Church Age" since after the "binding" he is "loosened out of his prison"
and the "Little Season" begins... when Satan "overcomes" and "kills" the last NT Saints - as they "departed"
from the 3rd Kingdom and "went forth" (following the Little Horn) during Daniel's Fourth Kingdom. Again
we see understanding Daniel's Four Beasts AND fulfillment of the "Ten Virgins" prophecy are essential.
Within the context of THREE Kingdoms before Satan's "Little Season"... his "binding" MUST be the "Church Age".
Unfortunately for NT Saints, Daniel's "mysteries" were not "unsealed" during the (3rd) New Testament Kingdom.
Both Pre-Millennialism -and- Post-Millennialism correctly understood that Jesus Christ Rules during Satan's "binding".
However, both incorrectly taught that Satan's "binding" occurs AFTER the Great Commission of their Kingdom.
The SECOND doctrine taught, in Churches, about Satan's year "binding" was it represented the "Church Age".
This amillennial position correctly identifies that Satan's "binding" represents the entire NT Kingdom of Heaven,
from the Cross of Christ (when Satan was "bound") until when the "Testimony of the Two Witnesses is finished"
and the Great Commission is completed. Saints understand the Bible uses numbers to represent concepts and
the 1000 years represents completeness (or the totality) of the "Church Age". In other words, Saints understand
Satan was the "Strong Man" that must be "bound" so his "house" could be "spoiled" during the Great Commission.
The Saints understood the "binding" of Satan represented THEIR spiritual "dominion" during the Great Commission
when they were to "seek and to save" the lost sheep, as the Lord RULED the Kingdom - and we ruled with Him.
Mat 12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God is come unto you,
29 Or else how can one enter into a Strong Man's House and spoil his goods except He first BIND the Strong Man?
and then [after Satan is "bound"] He will spoil his House.
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:
and, lo, I am with you Always, even unto the End of the World [the End of the Age]. Amen
Many (but not all) early Christians understood this (Biblical) "amillennial" doctrine about the "binding" of Satan.
The concept of NT Saints possessing spiritual rule throughout the entire "Church Age" was always known by the Saints,
and was adopted as official doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church when espoused by Saint Augustine around 400 AD.
Most (but not all) early Reformers also understood this "amillennial" position, and this doctrine has been continuously
preached in many Reformed Protestant Churches. Therefore, history confirms that the Biblically correct Amillennial
understanding of Satan's "binding" was always understood by some Saints - since the beginning of the (3rd) Kingdom,
as New Testament Saints always understood we "live and reign with Christ" throughout the entire Christian Kingdom.
John 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you.
22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
23 Whoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whoever sins ye retain, they are retained.
Rev 11:3 And I will give POWER unto My Two Witnesses [the New Testament Saints], and they will prophesy
a thousand two hundred and threescore days [Great Commission of the New Testament Kingdom], clothed
in sackcloth. 4 These are the Two Olive Trees, and the Two Candlesticks [again, the New Testament Saints] standing before the God of the earth. 5 And if any man will hurt them, [spiritual] fire [i.e., judgment] proceedeth
out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
6 These have POWER to shut [the Kingdom of] heaven, that it rain not [no Gospel] in the days of their prophecy:
and have POWER over waters [over gospels] to turn them into blood [into judgment], and to smite the earth
[to judge the people] with all plagues, as often as they will.
Saints have always understood Satan remains "bound" throughout the entire Christian Age in that he could not prevent
the New Testament Saints from accomplishing God's Plan to "seek and to save" all lost sheep during the NT Kingdom.
The POWER of the Saints was the indwelling Holy Spirit and presence of the Lord Jesus - as He Ruled the Kingdom.
The Resurrected Jesus had all POWER and He promised to stay with us "even unto the End of the Age" [Mat 28:18-20].
The spiritual "dominion" of Saints (as Satan is "bound") was demonstrated by their ability to "remit" or "retain" sins
with preaching [John 20:19-23], and in their power to "kill" men with fire, or smite the earth with plagues [Rev 11:2-6].
However, the spiritual POWER of these Saints did not extend into Satan's "Little Season" (Daniel's 4th Beast).
Rev 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, [when the Great Commission is finished] the Beast that ascendeth out of the Bottomless Pit shall make war against them,
and shall overcome them, and kill them. [during Satan's "Little Season"]
The historical fact is, Saints have also always understood that, during the NT Kingdom the Lord Jesus Christ Rules
and the Saints rule with Him... however, during Satan's "Little Season", the last Saints would be "overcome" and "killed"
when Satan is "loosened" from his "binding" in the Bottomless Pit. It's also historical fact that New Testament Saints
could never completely harmonize these two conflicting experiences occurring at the same time. In fact, the direct result
of trying to harmonize these conflicting events (conflating events in two separate Kingdoms) was the development
of incorrect Eschatological doctrines - like the doctrines of pre-millennialism and post-millennialism.
.
.
