I saw satan fall from heaven
By Ivan Ho 22 Sept 2023
“I bind you satan in Jesus’s name!” I’ve done that many times in the past, ie binding the devil. If you’ve been in churches for some time, I’m sure you’ve done that as well, or at least heard others do that, binding this and binding that!
When we bind the devil, what exactly does it do to him? Are his hands tied and he is rendered impotent? Everyday 24/7 Christians around the world are binding the devil in the name of Jesus. I’m sure if their prayers are effective, satan won’t be able to make any move at all. The poor thing would be totally bound by the prayers of the saints.
When Jesus said: “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven“, did he mean binding the devil? If he meant binding the devil, why would anyone in his right mind want to loose the devil in heaven? If binding and loosing isn’t about the devil, what does it mean?
Despite us constantly trying to bind the devil, he is still causing much havoc in our world and in many people’s lives today. Why is it so, that the devil still seems to have such influence? I believe the root cause is not due to demonic powers but because of the sin of man.
I saw satan fall from heaven
And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Luke 10:18-19 KJV
The devil has no power over us whatsoever, Jesus tells us. By that, He means people who are submitted to God. The devil has no power over people who are submitted to God.
Let me put it another way: the devil has some powers because he was created an archangel who was casted from his position in heaven to earth. Monkeys can also do things man cannot do but that doesn’t mean monkeys are created more powerful than man. The devil is not totally inept until he is bound when Jesus returns, and mind you, he was a creation, not god.
To overcome demonic powers, Jesus must first give us power. Jesus says to his disciples: “I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over ALL the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you”. (Luke 10:19)
The only power that the devil has are powers that people give to him. The only weapons the devil has on people today are DECEPTION and CONTROL. Nations are deceived and under demonic control because people are subject to his schemes. The people who are subject to the devil are the ones who advance demonic schemes in cities and nations. The devil cannot steal, kill and destroy without using man.
False doctrines come from the devil, that’s why it’s called doctrines of demons (1 Tim 4:1). False doctrines are doctrines of deception and distortion of God’s words that originate from demons.
One of the biggest deceptions is the doctrine surrounding Romans 13. We are called to submit to God and powers He deligates to man. God never gives powers to demons.
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Ephesians 6:11-12 KJV
The word “wiles” of the devil means “trickery, cunningness, deceitfulness” which is satan’s main weapon. In the garden of Eden, the devil disguised as a serpent to deceive Eve. Today, the devil employs men and women to advance his schemes.
We fight not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers of wickedness who have been advancing their schemes through man who have been deceived and serving the devil. The devil cannot harm us but he can use men and women who are deceived and controlled by him to cause destruction and confusion on earth.
Satanic powers come from man
Why does satan seem to have such power in the world despite being a creature who was stripped of his authority and position in heaven? Think about this: Why do certain leaders in the world have so much power and influence despite being normal human beings who aren’t more intelligent, superior, or possess supernatural powers? Because they have titles and sit on authoritative positions which give them powers and superiority. Once they step down from their authoritative positions, they would immediately loose their authority and powers. Think about your ex prime ministers or presidents.
Satan has been stripped of his authority and booted out of his position by almighty God, but he still tries to rule over mankind through his agents on earth. His power doesn’t come from God but from the people who give him the powers. The devil rules by deception and fear. Whatever / whoever we choose to worship will have power and control over our lives. If Jesus is not our Lord, by default, like it or not, satan is.
Rejoice not spirits are subject to you
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades. He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.”
Luke 10:13-16 NKJV
Capernaum was one of the towns where Jesus ministered and where he performed many miracles. In today’s definition, it would have been the centre of divine activities and revival. Yet Jesus said that Capernaum would be brought down to Hades (hell), because the people in it rejected Jesus.
Jesus went on to say that we have power over demons, but “rejoice not that demons are subject to you but rather rejoice that your names are written in heaven“. (Luke 10:20)
This story reminds us that just because God shows up and manifests in signs and wonders, it is no guarantee that people would repent and accept Jesus.
Revival is not just having many people gathering for “revival meetings” and seeing the sick being healed and demons being casted out. Real revival takes place in a city when the people in it repent and follow Jesus.
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Luke 10:19-20 KJV