Before His ‘Kangaroo Court’ Trial by the biased, judgmental and unfair Sanhedrin, Jesus had been invited to read the Scriptures in the Nazareth synagogue. He asked for the scroll of the prophet Isaiah and read from the 61^st. chapter, which specifically foretold His coming!

       “And there was delivered unto Him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written,

      “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4: 17-19).

              THE YEAR OF JUBILEE

       Jesus was referring to the ‘Year of Jubilee’ that was observed every 50 years in Israel, at which time slaves could be redeemed, prisoners freed and property returned to the original owners! The ‘Year of Jubilee’ began with the blowing of a trumpet, immediately following the ‘Day of Atonement’.

      Jesus fulfilled the ‘Day of Atonement’ when He died on the cross as God’s Pascal Lamb, as well as the ‘Year of Jubilee’ when He poured out the Gift of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, to inaugurate the ‘GOSPEL AGE’!

      The Holy Record states: “Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound though out all your land.

       “And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and PROCLAIM LIBERTY through out all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his own family. A jubilee shall that fiftieth year be unto you…” (Lev. 25: 8-11).

      The “acceptable year of the Lord” was a type of the Gospel Age that began on the ‘Day of Pentecost’ when the Church was born!

      Since we are still living in the ‘Year of Jubilee’, sinners can be forgiven, sick people can be healed and those who are captives of Satan can be liberated!

      Jesus said: “And ye shall know that truth, and the truth shall make you free. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8: 32, 36).

LUCIFER’S TREACHERY

& MONUMENTAL FALL!

      An enemy had invaded planet earth in a brilliant maneuver that caused the tragic fall of our first parents, Adam and Eve, and plunged the human race into a dizzying downward spiral that leads to perdition and hell!

       The high – ranking, rebellious archangel Lucifer had led a revolt against Almighty God – his creator - in an unprecedented and blasphemous revolt fuelled by pride, jealously and unholy ambition!

       Together with one-third of the holy angels whom he had cajoled into joining his rebellion, the ‘evil turncoat’ was soundly defeated and cast out of Heaven by the archangels Michael and Gabriel and other loyal angels of God! Isaiah details Lucifer’s treachery and fall thusly:

     “How art thou fallen from Heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!

 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into Heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit also upon the Mount of the Congregation, in the sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to Hell...” (Is.14: 12-17).

      The Prophet Ezekiel also chronicles Lucifer tragic fall in the 28^th chapter of his book!

      And JESUS confirmed Lucifer’s defeat, and delegated divine authority and power to His disciples over the Evil One: “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

  “And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightening fall from Heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10: 17-19). 

       The Bible says: “Be sober, be vigilant: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about seeking whom he may devour, whom resist in the faith….” (1 Peter 1: 8-9).

JESUS PROCLAIMS

LIBERTY TO CAPTIVES!

      The archangel Lucifer - guardian of God’s throne and worship leader in Heaven – sinned through his desire to be worshipped, and pride because of his beauty and wisdom! He was cast out of Heaven and became the enemy of God and man, and the world’s leading terrorist!

       Jesus said: “The thief (Satan)cometh not but for to steal, kill and destroy. I am come that ye might have life and more abundantly.” (John10: 10).

        The Bible says: “He that commits sin is of the devil; for the devil is the servant of sin and the devil sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, to destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3: 8).

      What are the WORKS OF THE DEVIL? By studying the life and ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, we get our answer:

       Jesus preached the gospel, forgave sinners, dispelled fear, brought peace, healed the sick, fed the hungry, cast out devils and raised the dead! He opposed sin, fear, disease, death, poverty and the devil!

       SIN – Jesus forgave sinners! He died for sinners! His blood was shed for our sins: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten (one & only) Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16).

     He also commanded His disciples: “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. He that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16: 15 ).

       The Bible says: “For when we were without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. But God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom.5: 6, 8)

      “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1: 7). 

      FEAR – Jesus dispelled fear! He brought peace to those who were troubled. He said: “Be of good cheer; It is I; be not afraid” (Matt.14: 27); “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14: 27).

       The Bible says: “God hath not given us the spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind. (2 Tim.1:7); “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear hath torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18).

      SICKNESS, DISEASE, DEATH – Jesus healed the sick and diseased. And He raised the dead! These three are lumped together because sickness and disease is incipient death. It is death on the installment plan!

       Although there are some sicknesses that are brought on through accidents and personal neglect and abuse of oneself, yet all the cases recorded in the Bible that Jesus healed, were a direct or indirect result of Satanic intrigue and oppression!

       The Holy Spirit states: “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: Who went about doing good, and HEALING ALL THOSE WHO WERE OPPRESSED OF THE DEVIL, for God was with Him.” (Acts 10: 38 ).

       We must remember that there was no sickness, disease or death in the Garden of Eden, prior to the fall of our first parents, Adam and Eve!

       There is an exception, however, where a baby was born blind for the purpose of Jesus giving him sight, so that God could be glorified thereby! (John 9: 1-3)

        This falls into the category of ‘God’s Sovereignty’ in all things and similar to the “hardening Pharaoh’s heart” so that his rebellion could be used to bring glory to God through the deliverance of the Children of Israel!

       Similarly, Judas’ transgression and demon possession fulfilled prophecy, with predestination playing a part. We must keep in mind that God – knowing the end from the beginning – was well aware that these men were arrogant and rebellious and would go down that road regardless!

       JESUS PERFORMED SO MANY MIRACLES that St. John wrote: “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.” (John 21: 25, 26)

       Interestingly, the two largest categories in the US Library of Congress are respectively, the Civil War and Jesus of Nazareth!

       Blind Man Healed: Matt.9: 27-30; John 9: 17. Lepers Cleansed: Matt.8: 3, Luke 17:14; Paralytic Cured: Mark 2: 3-12. Hemorrhage Stopped: Matt.9: 20-22. Deaf and Dumb Cured: Mark 7: 32 -35. Dead Raised to Life: Matt.9: 18, 19, 23-25.

        POVERTY – Jesus was very concerned about the plight of the poor! He halted a funeral procession where a widow was about to bury her only son, and in a show of unprecedented power raised the young man from the dead!

      Why did Jesus do this? He cared for the poor, and seeing a poor widow about to bury her only son – left with no economic support - had compassion on her. By raising her son from the dead, He had solved her financial problem!

       “Now when He came nigh to the gates of the city (Nain) behold there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.

       “And when the Lord saw her, HE HAD COMPASSION ON HER, and said unto her, Weep not. And He came and touched the bier (coffin): and they that bare him stood still.

       “And He said, Young man, I say unto thee, arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And He delivered him to his mother.” (Luke 7: 12-15)

      On two occasions, He multiplied loves and fishes to feed the hungry multitudes. (Matt.14: 15-21; 15: 32 -33). And He gave us the key to economic success and financial prosperity:

       “Give and it shall be given unto you. Good measure, filled up, pressed down, shaken together and running over, shall men give unto their bosom.” (Luke 6: 38).

     DEMONS & SATAN – Jesus cast out demons from those who were tormented, sick, diseased and possessed! He liberated them from satanic tyranny, oppression and subjugation! (Mark 8: 28-32; 9: 32 -33; 15: 22 -28)

      Not only did He cast out demons, but through His vicarious death for us and glorious resurrection, JESUS DESTROYED SATAN by rendering him powerless and unable to harm those who trust in our blessed Lord Jesus!

      The Bible says: “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy Him that had the power of death, that is the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” (Heb.2: 12-15) 

        Satan has absolutely NO POWER over blood-washed, Spirit-filled believers who trust in Jesus Christ as Saviour, Lord and Deliverer! When Jesus shed His precious blood for our sins, He stripped the devil of all his authority over those who believe!

      The ‘Evil One’ cannot cross the BLOOD-LINE! Jesus Christ has defeated him totally and we are redeemed, justified, purged, saved, covered and protected by the shed blood of Jesus Christ our Lord!

       The Bible says: “God hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son, In Whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invincible God, the firstborn (No one is before Him. He is first in rank) of every creature:

JESUS CHRIST IS THE CREATOR!

      “For by Him (God the Son) were all things created (tell that to the evolutionists), that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: ALL THINGS WERE CREATED BY HIM, AND FOR HIM: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.

     “And He is the head of the body, the CHURCH: Who is the beginning (He is the alpha), the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the pre-eminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell.” (Col.1:13-19).

      What does “the firstborn from the dead” really mean?

      The Bible says:  “…Who (Christ Jesus) being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God (He was God the Son): But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

      “And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

      “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil.2: 5-11)

     The Bible says: “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened (made alive) together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

       “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” ( Col 2: 13-15)

     The analogy employed here is of a GREAT KING returning to his Capital City , after defeating his enemies.  Loyal subjects line the streets to cheer on their victorious Majesty!

      With the enemy king and his leading officers in chains running behind his chariot, he leads a triumphant procession of his mighty men of war. In his chariot is the ultimate ‘spoils of war’ – the armour and crown of his prisoner!

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

      Jesus is the conquering King. He defeated His adversary, the devil, and made a show of him openly. He made a spectacle of Satan when He defeated him totally through His vicarious death to atone for the sins of the entire world! And He did it publicly!

      An audience in three worlds beheld His victorious death and resurrection and Satan’s total defeat. The angels saw it and shouted for joy. The demons witnessed it and screamed in terror! And the people saw it and glorified Almighty God! 

       The Bible states that Jesus spoiled demonic principalities and powers, making a show of them publicly, TRIUMPHING OVER THEM, in it. Three worlds witnessed Satan’s utter defeat at the hands of our Lord Jesus Christ: Heaven, Hell and Earth!

     In Matthew’s Gospel there are three divine laws that Jesus gave to believers to be used in the battle between good and evil, right and wrong and God versus Satan! These spiritual laws, when used in faith and sincerity, guarantee a divine hearing and an answer to prayer!

1. THE LAW OF BINDING & LOOSING!

      Jesus stated: "Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matt. 18:18). I call this the 'Law of Binding & Loosing'.

      Christ has given us the LEGAL RIGHT to use His Name with authority and power ‘over and against’ evil spirits of sin, fear, sickness, disease and Satan himself.

When we “bind” him and his agents in Jesus’ name, the power of Heaven comes into operation and renders him powerless in the lives of those to whom we are ministering salvation, healing and deliverance!

      When we "loose" people from their evil habits, diseases, fears and oppressions in Jesus' Name, the power of God in Heaven comes into operation and looses the people from their bondages!

      It’s like the principle of remote control. Alberta Hydro has one or two central power stations that cover the entire province.  When the lever is pulled or the button pushed to cut off the power in a certain area or the entire province, it is done so by remote control! 

 Every building has a master switch that can either activate or de-activate all power to that building, by flicking it on or off.

      That's how it works in God's Kingdom as well.  We use the Name of Jesus to bind Satan and his evil works and to liberate the people from his power! At that moment the power of Almighty God begins operating on our behalf, through the workings of the Holy Spirit!

       God's power is universal, so therefore, the use of Jesus' Name in “binding and loosing” can affect people world-wide, through our faith and prayers!

   Here is the question: “What would God desire us to bind, and secondly, who or what would God want us to loose or liberate”?  An in-depth look at His earthly ministry give us the answer!

      When He walked here among us, He was opposed to these things: sin, fear, sickness, disease, death, poverty and demons!  And He loosed people from those evil, negative powers and situations!  

   Since He has not changed, He continues doing these things!  And that is exactly what He desires us to do as well!

              A DESPERATE NEED IN THE CHURCH!

      What is desperately needed, however, is powerful ‘Intercessory Prayer’.  Revival does not come by rebuking the devil, however, but by seeking God’s face in prayer and intercession!

       Intercessory prayer will cause the Holy Spirit to strive with people who are in the need of salvation and deliverance! Our intercession for the lost will impact their lives as we touch God on their behalf, and the devil will be compelled to loosen his grip on them!     

      The Bible says, “If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; Then will I hear from heaven, and will heal their land”. (2 Chron.7: 14).

     This text does not include “binding the devil” as a pre-requisite for Revival! But, seeking God does!

      Again, rebuking the devil does not bring revival but seeking God in earnest prayer with fasting moves the hand of God on our behalf! 

      Spiritual warfare is more than words spoken into the air, directed towards unseen demons in some city of the world!