You are diverting. I did not say the "strongman" could not apply to Satan. I said it was being applied to the exorcism of demons--not just Satan!
The point I was making is the prevailing over Satan in the NT era is not the same thing as complete victory over Satan. While God prevails with each success of the Gospel being preached, demons are bound, to some extent. But Satan is *imprisoned* at the 2nd Coming. The point is, there is a very big difference between being *imprisoned* and being "bound" for a particular activity.
Where are we told that "binding the strong man" is permanent in the case of exorcism? On the contrary, we are told that a demoniac can be exorcised and then have 7 more demons return. So there is no sense here of a permanent binding, such as we have with an "imprisonment!"
Jesus said in Luke 11:21-22, “When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.”
Repeated Scripture uses binding in a figurative sense. The wicked are depicted as being in chains and in a prison before salvation. We all know that that is not literal. Also, repeated scripture shows the binding of Satan and his minions since the earthly ministry of Christ. So, when we get into the most symbolic book in the Bible, it is not difficult to get your head around the spiritual binding of Satan in order to enlighten the Gentiles since the resurrection – the first resurrection.
The strongman was bound 2000 years ago according to Jesus. He invaded the devil’s house, chained him and took a spoil. We are part of that spoil. This is figurative language.
- Firstly, the binding of Satan is spiritual. Satan is not human and physical. He is a spirit. A spirit cannot be held by physical restraints. What is more, he is not in a physical prison or is he restrained by metal chains.
- Secondly, the binding does not suggest our enemy must be motionless or does it describe inactivity. Prisoners have movement in a prison albeit in a limited capacity, under strict rules and within controlled confines.
- Thirdly, Revelation 20 does not suggest that the devil is unable to inflict harm on anyone while bound. Everyone knows that a prisoner can perpetrate all types of crimes within the prison precincts.
I John 3:8 declares, “For this purpose the son of God was manifested, that he might destroy (or luo or undo) the works of the devil.”
As you study the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ you will see ultimate spiritual domination in operation.