1 Peter 5:7 and Preterism

sastark · #1 (**permalink**) 07-06-2005, 06:53 PM

A question for the preterists on the board:

If you believe that the millenial reign of Christ and His saints began at the resurrection of Christ, or at His ascension to the righthand of God the Father, how do you deal with 1 Peter 5:7? I ask because, if Satan was bound and thrown into the bottomless pit (Rev. 20) at the time of the resurrection/ascension, then how is it possible for Peter to say that devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour?

I don't really mean for this thread to turn into another debate (though I reserve the right to ask follow-up questions

), I'm just curious how you would answer this.

Thanks!

Ivanhoe · #2 (**permalink**) 07-06-2005, 07:03 PM

Have you ever chained up a dog? It can still bite. Anyway, your critique was more of a critique of amillennialism adn the postmill version which sees the millennium as inclusive of the kingdom. I wouldn't read more literalism into symbolic statements.

rgrove · #3 (**permalink**) 07-06-2005, 07:15 PM

Greg Bahnsen wrote a really good article on Satan. Here's a link:

"The Person, Work, and Present Status of Satan"

Perhaps it can answer some of your questions (of course he writes from a partial preterist postmillennial point of view if you aren't familiar with him).

Yours In Christ,
Ron

sastark · #4 (**permalink**) 07-06-2005, 07:20 PM

Jacob- I've had chained up dogs that still wander around on their teather, but I've never thrown a dog down a pit and then seen it wandering around (I've never thrown a dog into a pit at all). So which statement is symbolic? Satan roaming the world or Satan being thrown into the pit? (that was an honest question, no sarcasm.) Also, are you saying that partial preterism does not see the millenium and the Kingdom being one and the same? (again, an honest question, no sarcasm.)

Ron- Thanks for the link. I will read what Bahnsen has to say.

Ivanhoe · #5 (**permalink**) 07-06-2005, 07:37 PM

I am saying that SOME adherents of partial preterism MIGHT not see it. You started a thread on partial preterism and then asked a question about the millennium. Sorry, it threw me off track.

You wrote:

Quote:

If you believe that the millenial reign of Christ and His saints began at the resurrection of Christ, or at His ascension to the righthand of God the Father, how do you deal with 1 Peter 5:7?

I guess I saw this as an immediate critique of amill/and some varieties of postmill.

Anyway, I see the symbolism of satan being chained in that he will not hinder the spread of the gospel. I see the "symbolism" of satan roaming around like a roaring lion (a highly metaphorial term--that should caution all exegetes right there) meaning that he can still tempt individuals to sin. I don't see a contradiction at all.

rgrove · #6 (**permalink**) 07-06-2005, 07:43 PM

I would say that's a fairly standard amill or postmill way of looking at Satan in this age. I don't think it really matters whether the amill or postmill is preterist or futurist. But perhaps I'm missing something in the question?

Rich Barcellos · #7 (**permalink**) 07-06-2005, 08:42 PM

Acc. to Rev. 20:3, Satan was bound "...so that he should deceive the nations no more..." We are in the age of global, gospel prosperity due to this binding. The gospel is slowly but surely coming to the nations of the earth. This is symbolic for Satanic restraint in a very specific sense.

Ivanhoe · #8 (**permalink**) 07-06-2005, 08:59 PM

I agree. Christ bound Satan in a judicial way, one that does not equate in the total inactivity of Satan. John then qualifies this binding saying, "That he should decieve the nations no more."

New wine skin · #9 (**permalink**) 07-07-2005, 09:36 AM

This may be an over simplification, but if we assume Satan is bound, could we not consider that momentum exists from the work of Satan since the time of Adam? Could we also attribute influence from all the cohorts (demons/fallen angels) that may provide certain levels of temptation toward man? In other words, can we say if Satan is bound, this does not mean his influence is bound or restrained entirely?

BobVigneault · #10 (**permalink**) 07-07-2005, 09:39 AM

I agree with Jacob. Satan is seriously hobbled but still active and primarily as an agent of God's wrath.

biblelighthouse · #11 (**permalink**) 07-07-2005, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Draught Horse
I agree. Christ bound Satan in a judicial way, one that does not equate in the total inactivity of Satan. John then qualifies this binding saying, "That he should decieve the nations no more."

sastark · #12 (**permalink**) 07-07-2005, 01:23 PM

Thanks for all the replies, Gents! I appreciate it!