
To answer the last question concerning the binding of Satan, doubtless, this binding has respect to a certain field of his activity, it is not complete, but partial. This is plain (Revelation 20:3 & 8). Verse three speaks of his binding being, that he may deceive the nations no more. Then in verse eight as we are definitely informed that, when he shall be loosed for a little season, he shall go out to the deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them to battle, the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. The general idea of restraint put upon Satan is, therefore, clearly limited by the text itself in a threefold way. It has respect to his influence, not upon individual men, but upon nations, and that, too, not upon all nations, but upon certain nations that are called Gog and Magog, and that are described as living on the four corners of the earth, and as being very numerous. And thirdly, the particular deception from which he is restrained with respect to these nations consists in gathering them for battle against the camp of the saints and the beloved city.