As we continue to look at our exousia and dunamis, we come across something that Jesus said to his disciples that connects to what Daniel did. We have been tricked into thinking as Christians that we are weak and powerless, but the opposite is true. Just as Daniel was recognized to have extra spirit, and to hear from the Living God, we too have extra spirit and hear from the Living God. Spiritually, what should we look like? We should look like a Judge standing among a room full off unruly criminals. We should look like a school teacher in front of a classroom full of children. We should look like a parent guiding our own children. In other words we should look like someone who has the supreme authority above all other humans who are not saved, above all animals, demons, and the elements. We should look like someone in charge on the earth, not in pride, but rather in confidence. This is the position we have been tricked out of. Today we stand before unruly courtrooms, schoolrooms, and households, as if we are helpless. Not so. We are to use the authority that we have been given to govern over the earth. What we say should be obeyed. Do children test the power of their parents and teachers? Do criminals test the power of the legal system? There should be no surprise that we will experience resistance, but with firm confidence and authoritative direction, we have authority to tie and untie, to bind and loose, to fetter and set free. There is a new sheriff in town, and things on earth are about to change.
Belshazzar’s mother told Belshazzar that Daniel had extra spirit in him and that he had intelligence, understanding, and the ability to untie things that are bound together. Jesus also told his disciples that he would give them the keys to the kingdom of heaven and that they could bind and loose on earth, and it would be so in heaven. What are we binding and loosing? Instead of asking “what” maybe we should ask “who”.
To get a running start on this section in Matthew, we see that Peter just declared Jesus to be the Messiah. Jesus answers Peter, telling him that he is correct and that this was revealed to him by the Father in heaven. Shortly after this, Jesus tells his disciples that he has to be offered up in Jerusalem, but Peter rebukes Jesus. Jesus then rebukes Peter. Peter simply did not want Jesus to die.
Matthew 16:13-18 (KJV)
13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Matthew 16:16 G611 And answering G1161 G* Simon G* Peter G2036 said, G1473 You G1510.2.2 are G3588 the G5547 Christ, G3588 the G5207 son G3588 of the G2316 [2God G3588 G2198 1living].
5547 Dodson:Χριστός anointed, the Messiah, the Christ anointed; the Messiah, the Christ.
Thayer:
1) Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God
2) anointed
Literal: Christ = "anointed"
Χριστός
Christos khris-tos' From G5548; anointed, that is, the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus KJV Usage: Christ.
2198 LSJ Gloss:ζάω to live
Dodson:ζάω I live I live, am alive.
Thayer:
1) to live, breathe, be among the living (not lifeless, not dead)
2) to enjoy real life
2a) to have true life and worthy of the name
2b) active, blessed, endless in the kingdom of God
3) to live i.e. pass life, in the manner of the living and acting
3a) of mortals or character
4) living water, having vital power in itself and exerting the same upon the soul
5) metaph. to be in full vigour
5a) to be fresh, strong, efficient,
5b) as adj. active, powerful, efficacious
ζάω
zaō dzah'-o A primary verb; to live (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: life (-time), (a-) live (-ly), quick.
Peter declares Jesus to be the anointed Messiah, who is the son of the Living God. This declaration is important as people were just learning who Jesus was. The people saw Jesus’ miracles and healings, but were unsure of him. They actually thought in a manner we might understand as reincarnation, supposing he is a past prophet. Peter set the record straight.
Matthew 16:17 G2532 And G611 responding G3588 G* Jesus G2036 said G1473 to him, G3107 Blessed G1510.2.2 are you G* Simon G* Bar G* Jonah; G3754 for G4561 flesh G2532 and G129 blood G3756 did not G601 reveal it G1473 to you, G235 but G3588 G3962 my father, G1473 G3588 the one G1722 in G3588 the G3772 heavens.
Jesus’ Father in the heavens apokaluptō, revealed, or took the cover off for Peter. Jesus points out that Simon is a son and then says that he, Jesus, is a son, and it is Jesus’ father that uncovered this to Simon.
Matthew 16:18 G2504 And I G1161 G1473 say unto you, G3004 G3754 that G1473 you G1510.2.2 are G* Peter, G2532 and G1909 upon G3778 this, G3588 the G4073 rock,…
4074 Dodson:Πέτρος Peter Peter, a Greek name meaning "rock".
Thayer:
1) one of the twelve disciples of Jesus
Literal: Peter = "a rock or a stone"
Πέτρος
Petros pet'-ros Apparently a primary word; a (piece of) rock (larger than G3037); as a name, Petrus, an apostle KJV Usage: Peter, rock.
4073 LSJ Gloss:πέτρα a rock, a ledge
Dodson:πέτρα rock a rock, ledge, cliff, cave, stony ground.
Thayer:
1) a rock, cliff or ledge
1a) a projecting rock, crag, rocky ground
1b) a rock, a large stone
1c) metaph. a man like a rock, by reason of his firmness and strength of soul
πέτρα
petra pet'-ra Feminine of the same as G4074; a (mass of) rock (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: rock.
Peter is a rock; he is larger than a stone, probably similar to a boulder. Jesus compares a boulder to petra, think of the place in Jordan called Petra, cliffs and rocky canyons. What is “this” that Jesus is referring to? It is not Peter himself. “This” refers back to what Peter said. Jesus is the Messiah, the anointed one. “This” is what Jesus will build on. That is the huge stone structure that Jesus is comparing as the basis for building his church. It would be like saying, Peter you are a mighty boulder, but not upon you or your shoulders will I build a church, but upon the knowledge of who I AM, which is like a mighty cliff face, that is what I will construct my church on.
3618 LSJ Gloss:οἰκοδομέω to build a house
Dodson:οἰκοδομέω I build, build up, edify
I erect a building, build; fig. of the building up of character: I build up, edify, encourage.
Thayer:
1) to build a house, erect a building
1a) to build (up from the foundation)
1b) to restore by building, to rebuild, repair
2) metaph.
2a) to found, establish
2b) to promote growth in Christian wisdom, affection, grace, virtue, holiness, blessedness
2c) to grow in wisdom and piety
οἰκοδομέω
oikodomeō oy-kod-om-eh'-o From the same as G3619; to be a house builder, that is, construct or (figuratively) confirm KJV Usage: (be in) build (-er, -ing, up), edify, embolden.
1577 LSJ Gloss:
ἐκκλησία an assembly of the citizens regularly summoned, the legislative assembly
Dodson:ἐκκλησία an assembly, congregation, church an assembly, congregation, church; the Church, the whole body of Christian believers.
Thayer:
1) a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly
1a) an assembly of the people convened at the public place of the council for the purpose of deliberating
1b) the assembly of the Israelites
1c) any gathering or throng of men assembled by chance, tumultuously
1d) in a Christian sense
1d1) an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting
1d2) a company of Christian, or of those who, hoping for eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, observe their own religious rites, hold their own religious meetings, and manage their own affairs, according to regulations prescribed for the body for order's sake
1d3) those who anywhere, in a city, village, constitute such a company and are united into one body
1d4) the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth
1d5) the assembly of faithful Christians already dead and received into heaven
ἐκκλησία
ekklēsia ek-klay-see'-ah From a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2564; a calling out, that is, (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both) KJV Usage: assembly, church.
On top of the knowledge that Jesus is the anointed Messiah is what the ekklēsia is built upon. The church is not built upon a man’s opinion. The called out are not constructed upon Jesus’ miracles. No, the assembly is erected upon Jesus the Messiah, son of the Living God. Nothing can stand against that, not even the gates of hades.
Matthew 16:18...G2532 and G4439 the gates G86 of Hades G3756 shall not G2729 prevail against G1473 it.
4439 LSJ Gloss:πύλη one wing of a pair of double gates
Dodson:πύλη a door, gate a gate.
Thayer:
1) a gate
1a) of the larger sort
1a1) in the wall of either a city
1a2) a palace
1a3) a town
1a4) the temple
1a5) a prison
2) the gates of hell (likened to a vast prison)
3) metaph. the access or entrance into any state
πύλη
pulē poo'-lay Apparently a primary word; a gate, that is, the leaf or wing of a folding entrance (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: gate.
86 Dodson:Ἇ Hades Hades, the unseen world.
Thayer:
1) name Hades or Pluto, the god of the lower regions
2) Orcus, the nether world, the realm of the dead
3) later use of this word: the grave, death, hellIn Biblical Greek it is associated with Orcus, the infernal regions, a dark and dismal place in the very depths of the earth, the common receptacle of disembodied spirits. Usually Hades is just the abode of the wicked, Lu. 16:23, Rev. 20:13,14; a very uncomfortable place. TDNT.
ᾅδης
hadēs hah'-dace From G1 (as a negative particle) and G1492; properly unseen, that is, “Hades” or the place (state) of departed souls KJV Usage: grave, hell.
2729 LSJ Gloss:κατισχύω to have power over, overpower, prevail against
Dodson:κατισχύω I prevail against, overpower, am able I prevail against, overpower, get the upper hand.
Thayer:
1) to be strong to another's detriment, to prevail against
2) to be superior in strength
3) to overcome
4) to prevail
κατισχύω
Jesus says that against the knowledge of Him being the Messiah, the gates of hades shall not overcome. Gates are a defensive structure. Generally one puts a wall around something to keep someone out, rather than to keep someone in. Now think this through. Jesus had not died yet, but when he did, the gates of hell could not hold him, he broke open the gates and took back the keys to death and hades. The gates of hades could not overpower Jesus Christ, the anointed Messiah.
Matthew 16:19 (KJV)
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Matthew 16:19 G2532 And G1325 I will give G1473 to you G3588 the G2807 keys G3588 of the G932 kingdom G3588 of the G3772 heavens;…
2807 LSJ Gloss: κλείς that which serves for closing
Dodson:κλεῖςb a key.
Thayer:
1) a key
1a) since the keeper of the keys has the power to open and to shut
1b) metaph. in the NT to denote power and authority of various kinds
κλείς
kleis klice From G2808; a key (as shutting a lock), literally or figuratively KJV Usage: key.
932
βασιλεία
basileia bas-il-i'-ah From G935; properly royalty, that is, (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: kingdom, + reign.
3772
οὐρανός
ouranos oo-ran-os' Perhaps from the same as G3735 (through the idea of elevation); the sky; by extension heaven (as the abode of God); by implication happiness, power, eternity; specifically the Gospel (Christianity) KJV Usage: air, heaven ([-ly]), sky.
Jesus says that the keys are for locking and unlocking the kingdom of heaven. What is in the kingdom of heaven? The kingdom of heaven is the place that we see in Revelation 4, a place full of beings who can stand before the Living God and the Son of the Living God. There are other levels or places in heaven that contain evil beings that cannot stand before the Living God, but the kingdom is the place where those who are redeemed will join the other sons of God at the harpazo.
3739 LSJ Gloss:ὅς this, that;
Dodson:ὅς who, which, what, that.
Thayer:
1) who, which, what, that
ὅς, ἥ, ὅ
hos hē ho hos, hay, ho Probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article G3588); the relative (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that KJV Usage: one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who (-m, -se), etc. See also G3757.
We are not binding a “what”, we are binding “who”. There are no demons in the kingdom of heaven. There are no evil spirits in the kingdom of heaven. If we go back to our study of Revelation, we find that only those who are redeemed are in the kingdom of heaven, along with the other sons of God, angels, cherubim, seraphim, beasts, elders, etc. Jesus is saying whoever you bind. We don’t deal with inanimate objects, we deal with things that have a spirit. We are not binding things, we are binding people.
Matthew 16:19 ...G1437 G1210 you should have bound G1909 upon G3588 the G1093 earth, G1510.8.3 it shall be G1210 have been bound G1722 in G3588 the G3772 heavens; G2532 and G3739 what G1437 ever G3089 you should have untied G1909 upon G3588 the G1093 earth, G1510.8.3 it shall G3089 have been untied G1722 in G3588 the G3772 heavens.
1210 LSJ Gloss:δέω to bind, tie, fetter to lack, miss, stand in need of
Dodson:δέω I bind I bind, tie, fasten; I impel, compel; I declare to be prohibited and unlawful.
Thayer:
1) to bind tie, fasten
1a) to bind, fasten with chains, to throw into chains
1b) metaph.
1b1) Satan is said to bind a woman bent together by means of a demon, as his messenger, taking possession of the woman and preventing her from standing upright
1b2) to bind, put under obligation, of the law, duty etc.
1b2a) to be bound to one, a wife, a husband
1b3) to forbid, prohibit, declare to be illicit
δέω
deō deh'-o A primary verb; to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: bind, be in bonds, knit, tie, wind. See also G1163, G1189.
1093
γῆ
gē ghay Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application) KJV Usage: country, earth (-ly), ground, land, world.
3089 LSJ Gloss:λύω to loose
Dodson:λύω I loose, untie, release, destroy (a) I loose, untie, release, (b) met: I break, destroy, set at naught, contravene; I break up a meeting, annul.
Thayer:
1) to loose any person (or thing) tied or fastened
1a) bandages of the feet, the shoes,
1b) of a husband and wife joined together by the bond of matrimony
1c) of a single man, whether he has already had a wife or has not yet married
2) to loose one bound, i.e. to unbind, release from bonds, set free
2a) of one bound up (swathed in bandages)
2b) bound with chains (a prisoner), discharge from prison, let go
3) to loosen, undo, dissolve, anything bound, tied, or compacted together
3a) an assembly, i.e. to dismiss, break up
3b) laws, as having a binding force, are likened to bonds
3c) to annul, subvert
3d) to do away with, to deprive of authority, whether by precept or act
3e) to declare unlawful
3f) to loose what is compacted or built together, to break up, demolish, destroy
3g) to dissolve something coherent into parts, to destroy
3h) metaph., to overthrow, to do away with
λύω
luō loo'-o A primary verb; to “loosen” (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: break (up), destroy, dissolve, (un-) loose, melt, put off.
Whoever we bind on earth will be bound in heaven. The humans we bind do not enter the kingdom, as this is what the keys are for. They may instead enter one of the other compartments or levels of heaven, as Enoch explained, where bound spirits and evil men are held. We fasten with chains humans who are harming or oppressing others on the earth. We also untie or release those humans who have been bound. People can be tied or untied. This means a person we have tied does not have entrance into the kingdom. The tied person will not be harpazo’d. That one would need to go through the white throne judgment to find out if his/her name is written in the book of life. Why would we tie someone?
Let’s remind ourselves of the two places for humans after death and before the harpazo, paradise and hades.
The Book of the Secrets of Enoch IX.
The showing to Enoch of the place of the righteous and compassionate.
THIS place, O Enoch, is prepared for the righteous, who endure all manner of offence from those that exasperate their souls, who avert their eyes from iniquity, and make righteous judgement, and give bread to the hungering, and cover the naked with clothing, and raise up the fallen, and help injured orphans, and who walk without fault before the face of the Lord, and serve him alone, and for them is prepared this place for eternal inheritance. https://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/fbe/fbe116.htm
X.
Here they showed Enoch the terrible place and various tortures.
AND those two men led me upon to the Northern side, and showed me there a very terrible place, and there were all manner of tortures in that place: cruel darkness and unillumined gloom, and there is no light there, but murky fire constantly flameth aloft, and there is a fiery river coming forth, and that whole place is everywhere fire, and everywhere there is frost and ice, thirst and shivering, while the bonds are very cruel, and the angels fearful and merciless, bearing angry weapons, merciless torture, and I said:
2 'Woe, woe, how very terrible is this place.'
3 And those men said to me: This place, O Enoch, is prepared for those who dishonour God, who on earth practise sin against nature, which is child-corruption after the sodomitic fashion, magic-making, enchantments and devilish witchcrafts, and who boast of their wicked deeds, stealing, lies, calumnies, envy, rancour, fornication, murder, and who, accursed, steal the souls of men, who, seeing the poor take away their goods and themselves wax rich, injuring them for other men's goods; who being able to satisfy the empty, made the hungering to die; being able to clothe, stripped the naked; and who knew not their creator, and bowed down to soulless (sc. lifeless) Gods, who cannot see nor hear, vain gods, who also built hewn images and bow down to unclean handiwork, for all these is prepared this place amongst these, for eternal inheritance. https://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/fbe/fbe117.htm
Compare this to Jesus’ description of hades in Luke 16. These two places, paradise and hades are the places where human spirits go upon death. At the time of the harpazo, those in paradise will enter the kingdom of heaven. Those in hades will remain in hades until the white throne judgment. Therefore binding is a judgment that we have the authority to make. As Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 6, one day we will govern the world and judge angels. We should be able to judge between right and wrong, good and evil, on the earth today.
As a caution for the immature, the measure we use to judge others is the measure we are judged. We are not to be critical and constantly looking at others through the eyes of good and evil. We should not be nitpicking at everyone around us. Instead we allow others to live their lives without our critique. But when we are in a spiritual battle, we identify those who are sending out demons to bind and harm others. We identify those who are following the satan and are abusing and oppressing others, and we then use our authority to bind their behavior, and to bind them.
Notice in Enoch those who are practicing sins against nature, child corruption, magic, enchantments, witchcraft, stealing the souls of men, etc. As a side note, the phrase “after the sodomitic fashion” is not necessarily anal intercourse, but rape, as the Sodomites were famous for raping anyone who came into their town. Today, child corruption is rape, pedophilia, and human trafficking. We can see how broad and wide hades is as compared to how narrow the kingdom of heaven is.
Let’s go back to Matthew.
Matthew 16:19 and I give you the keys of the sovereigndom of the heavens: and whatever you bind on earth becomes bound in the heavens: and whatever you release on earth becomes released in the heavens. https://studybible.info/ECB/Matthew%2016
This is a very big responsibility. There are other things that we can bind, such as demons, spells, incantations, but none of those things would have entrance into the kingdom of heaven. There are places for evil spirits on various levels of heaven. Only humans have entrance into the kingdom of heaven; demons and evil people will be in another level of heaven awaiting judgment. For reference, study blogs on the Book of Revelation, starting with chapter 4.
Jesus uses this phrase again regarding binding and loosing.
Matthew 18:18 G281 Amen G3004 I say G1473 to you, G3745 as much as G1437 you should G1210 tie G1909 upon G3588 the G1093 earth, G1510.8.3 it will be G1210 tied G1722 in G3588 the G3772 heaven; G2532 and G3745 as much as G1437 you should G3089 untie G1909 upon G3588 the G1093 earth, G1510.8.3 it will be G3089 untied G1722 in G3588 the G3772 heaven.
3745 LSJ Gloss:ὅσος quantus
Dodson:ὅσος how much, how great, how many how much, how great, how many, as great as, as much.
Thayer:
1) as great as, as far as, how much, how many, whoever
ὅσος
hosos hos'-os By reduplication from G3739; as (much, great, long, etc.) as
KJV Usage: all (that), as (long, many, much) (as), how great (many, much), [in-] as much as, so many as, that (ever), the more, those things, what (great, -soever), wheresoever, wherewithsoever, which, X while, who (-soever).
Notice here the words translated “as much as” which could be translated as whoever or how many. Whoever you tie on earth will be tied in heaven. Whoever you untie on the earth will be untied in heaven. These are the keys to the kingdom. Let’s remind ourselves of Moses and Aaron. They did not call forth the plagues in Egypt out of their own anger or out of their own thoughts, they were submitted to Yahweh. We have the Holy Spirit within us (extra spirit) and we should be led by the Holy Spirit just as Daniel was. Daniel had the ability, just as we do, to untie things that are bound together. What does this mean? Things bonded together are sometimes translated sinews, as in tendons and ligaments.
Daniel 5:12 G3754 For G4151 [2spirit G4053 1extra] G1722 is in G1473 him, G2532 and G5428 intelligence, G2532 and G4907 understanding G4793 of interpreting G1798 dreams, G2532 and G312 reporting G2902 things held, G2532 and G3089 untying G4886 things bonded together -- G* it is Daniel, G2532 and G3588 the G935 king G2007 put G1473 to him G3686 the name -- G* Belteshazzar. G3568 Now G3767 then G2564 let him be called! G2532 and G3588 G4793.1 its interpretation G1473 G312 he will announce G1473 to you.
4886 LSJ Gloss:σύνδεσμος a bond of union, bond, fastening
Dodson:σύνδεσμος a band, bond that which binds together; a band, bond.
Thayer:
1) that which binds together, a band, bond
1a) of ligaments by which the members of the human body are united together
2) that which is bound together, a bundle
σύνδεσμος
sundesmos soon'-des-mos From G4862 and G1199; a joint tie, that is, ligament, (figuratively) uniting principle, control KJV Usage: band, bond.
4862
σύν
sun soon A primary preposition denoting union; with or together (but much closer than G3326 or G3844), that is, by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, addition, etc.
KJV Usage: beside, with. In compounds it has similar applications, including completeness .
1199
δεσμόν, δεσμός
desmon desmos des-mon', des-mos' Neuter and masculine respectively from G1210; a band, that is, ligament (of the body) or shackle (of a prisoner); figuratively an impediment or disability KJV Usage: band, bond, chain, string.
Daniel could untie physical bondage. Daniel could untie spiritual bondage. Daniel could also untie conspiracies. Sundesmos is comprised of two words, sun meaning “union”, and desmon meaning “band”. But interestingly sundesmos has been translated at times “conspiracy”. When men join together to do evil, Daniel could untie their unlawful schemes. We have the same Spirit within us and we can do the same things that Daniel could. If we look back at Enoch, we see the word calumnies, which means “defamation or slander”. Daniel dealt with this most of his time in Babylon. There was a conspiracy against him praying, and he was thrown in the lions den. His three friends were cast into the fire, another conspiracy. Then if we read the portions of the book the Masorete’s took out such as Bel and the Dragon, Suzanna, and The Prayer of Azariah, we see continual conspiracies and slander in Babylon. Daniel untied conspiracies. We can untie conspiracies.
Jesus untied a man who was desmon, bound.
Mark 7:32-35 (KJV)
32 And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him.
33 And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;
34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.
35 And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.
Mark 7:35 G2532 And G2112 immediately G1272 were opened wide G1473 his G3588 G189 hearing faculties, G2532 and G3089 [4was untied G3588 1the G1199 2bond G3588 G1100 3of his tongue], G1473 G2532 and G2980 he spoke G3723 rightly.
Jesus untied this man’s tongue. This was a physical healing and the man will have an untied tongue in heaven. Jesus also coached the disciples to tie up the strong man.
The Pharisees were claiming that Jesus was casting out demons from people using the ruler of the demons, Beelzebul. This is something that other people may do, but it is not something that Jesus was doing. Jesus then explains that a kingdom that fights against itself is made desolate. Jesus says if he is casting out demons by Beelzebul, then how are their sons casting out demons? It is a good question. These people did not believe on Jesus, and the Holy Spirit had not been poured out as on the day of Pentecost. They were not holy men. Yet all men have authority over demons. So Jesus says that their sons will be the judges of the Pharisees. The Pharisees condemned Jesus for casting out demons, and did not condemn their own sons. Jesus then says if he is doing this by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon them.
Matthew 12:28 G1487 But if G1161 G1473 I G1722 by G4151 spirit G2316 of God G1544 cast out G3588 the G1140 demons, G686 surely then G5348 came G1909 upon G1473 you G3588 the G932 kingdom G3588 G2316 of God.
Therefore if we cast out demons by the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, then the kingdom of God has come upon them. What does this mean? The power of the kingdom of God sets people free from demonic oppression via the Holy Spirit. Jesus then gives his disciples a tip. Tie up the strong man.
Matthew 12:29 G2228 Or G4459 how G1410 is anyone able G5100 G1525 to enter G1519 into G3588 the G3614 house G3588 G2478 of a strong man G2532 and G3588 G4632 [2his equipment G1473 G1283 1plunder], G1437 if G3361 not G4412 first G1210 he ties up G3588 the G2478 strong man? G2532 And G5119 then G3588 G3614 [2his house G1473 G1283 1he shall plunder]?
In order to free a person who is under demonic control, tie up the strong man. Jesus is using the illustration of robbing a person’s house, by tying up the strongest home owner first. If you want to free or untie a bound individual you must bind the demon in control first. Jesus did this with a women who had an ailment for eighteen years.
Luke 13:16 G3778 And this one, G1161 G2364 [2a daughter G* 3of Abraham G1510.6 1being], G3739 whom G1210 [2bound G3588 G4567 1Satan], G2400 behold, G1176 ten G2532 and G3638 eight G2094 years, G3756 must she not G1163 G3089 be untied G575 from G3588 G1199 this bond G3778 G3588 on the G2250 day G3588 of the G4521 Sabbath?
What is wrong with setting people free on the sabbath? Nothing. People let their animals out of the barn on the sabbath. They also brought their animals to water on the sabbath. Why were people so religious about healing on the sabbath? Because Jesus was doing the healing. No one else was healing people anywhere or at anytime. But because it was Jesus, the religious leaders thought they could condemn him. Instead Jesus exposed the hardness of their own hearts.
Jesus healed a man at the pool of Bethesda and the Jews sought to kill him because he healed people on the sabbath. John says Jesus untied the sabbath. Jesus freed the sabbath for doing good.
John 5:18 G1223 On account of G3778 this G3767 then G3123 more G2212 [3sought G1473 5him G3588 1the G* 2Jews G615 4to kill], G3754 for G3756 not G3440 only G3089 he untied G3588 the G4521 Sabbath, G235 but G2532 also G3962 [4father G2398 3his own G3004 1called G3588 G2316 2God], G2470 [3equal G1438 2himself G4160 1making] G3588 to G2316 God
Jesus did not tell people to not observe the sabbath, he simple set people free from their physical and spiritual bondage on the sabbath. Jesus also loosed or untied the law and commandments by his death and made one new man.
Ephesians 2:14 G1473 For he G1063 G1510.2.3 is G3588 G1515 our peace, G1473 G3588 the one G4160 having made G3588 G297 both G1520 one, G2532 and G3588 [2the G3320 3partition G3588 4of the G5418 5barrier G3089 1having loosed];
15 G3588 the G2189 enmity G1722 [7by G3588 G4561 8his flesh G1473 G3588 1 of the G3551 2law G3588 G1785 3of commandments G1722 4in G1378 5decrees G2673 6he cleared away], G2443 that G3588 the G1417 two G2936 he should create G1722 in G1438 himself G1519 into G1520 one G2537 new G444 man, G4160 making G1515 peace;
Jesus untied the fencing partition, the hostility or alienation of the law, by his own flesh. Now all people can be one new man in Jesus. Jesus reconciled us in one body, the body of Christ, to the Father, via the cross.
Just for another perspective, Peter tells us about the day of the Lord, the day Jesus comes back to earth with his saints, who are revealed as the sons of God. On that day the elements shall be loosed.
2 Peter 3:10 G2240 But shall come G1161 G3588 the G2250 day G2962 of the Lord G5613 as G2812 a thief G1722 in G3571 the night, G1722 in G3588 which G3588 the G3772 heavens G4500 by a loud noise G3928 shall pass away, G4747 and the elements G1161 G2741 being destroyed by fire G3089 shall be loosed; G2532 and G1093 the earth G2532 and G3588 the G1722 [2in G1473 3it G2041 1works] G2618 shall be incinerated.
11 G3778 These things G3767 then G3956 all G3089 being loosed, G4217 what kind of persons G1163 must G5224 you be G1473 G1722 in G39 holy G391 behavior G2532 and G2150 piety
12 G4328 expecting G2532 and G4692 hastening G3588 the G3952 arrival G3588 of the G3588 G2316 day of God, G2250 G1223 by G3739 which G3772 the heavens G4448 being set on fire G3089 shall be loosed, G2532 and G4747 the elements G2741 being destroyed by fire G5080 shall melt away?
Peter says that if the elements shall be untied, what kind of people should we be? The elements are bound to corruption and decay. The elements are in pain, groaning and travailing until the day the sons of God are revealed. On this day, the Day of the Lord, the elements will be untied. There will be a new heaven and new earth, and the old heavens will be untied as well as the elements.
John explains that Jesus came to loosen or untie the works of the devil.
1 Joh 3:8 G3588 The one G4160 committing G3588 G266 sin G1537 [2of G3588 3the G1228 4devil G1510.2.3 1is], G3754 for G575 from G746 the beginning G3588 the G1228 devil G264 sins. G1519 For G3778 this G5319 [4was made manifest G3588 1the G5207 2son G3588 G2316 3of God], G2443 that G3089 he should loosen G3588 the G2041 works G3588 of the G1228 devil.
This is what we are to do as sons and daughters of the Living God, we are to continue to untie the works of the devil. This is our mission. We stand above humans who utilize the power of the satan. We stand above humans who are unsaved. We stand above animals and the elements and demons. We are the ones who should be binding and subduing evil. We are the ones who should be loosing those who are bound. We are the ones who have the authority to do these things, but we have been tricked into thinking we are weak and small. Stand tall, shoulders back, head high, and declare the words of the Lord.
