Jesus Defeated Satan – A Preterist Perspective

1. Jesus declared Satan’s judgment during His earthly ministry. In John 12:31 Jesus said, “Now is the judgment of this world; now shall the ruler of this world be cast out.” Preterists believe Christ’s ministry and crucifixion began Satan’s defeat.
2. The cross and resurrection defeated Satan’s power of accusation. Satan is called “the accuser” in Revelation 12. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, believers were forgiven and Satan lost his standing to accuse God’s people.
3. Jesus bound the strong man. In Matthew 12:29 Jesus spoke of binding the “strong man” before plundering his house. Preterists often see this as Christ restraining Satan’s authority during the gospel age.
4. The gospel spreading to the nations showed Satan’s kingdom was falling. Before Christ, the nations largely lived in spiritual darkness. After Christ’s resurrection, the gospel rapidly spread through the Roman world, demonstrating Christ’s authority over the nations.
5. The destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 confirmed Christ’s reign. Preterists view the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple as the fulfillment of many end-times prophecies and proof that Jesus was reigning as King and Judge.
6. The “thousand years” is often viewed symbolically. Many preterists interpret Revelation 20 symbolically, seeing the binding of Satan as connected to Christ’s victory at the cross and the ongoing church age rather than a future earthly millennium.
7. Satan is ultimately thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:10 says the devil is thrown into the lake of fire after his final rebellion. Full preterists often understand this symbolically as the complete and irreversible defeat of Satan’s covenantal authority connected with the end of the old covenant age in the first century. Partial preterists usually believe this final casting into the lake of fire is still future.