I wanted to revisit the topic of “chains” from a couple of blog posts ago. That blog post pondered the different things in life which hold us captive, as if in “chains.” And the blog post ended with the thought that Jesus can lift our “chains” of whatever is holding us captive … but also the thought that if we belong to Jesus, we are held [or “chained”] to grace.
The chains in the photo are mooring chains for large boats. The chains keep the boats from drifting. The chains hold the boats secure during fierce storms and pounding surf. The chains keep the large boats steady.
In the same way, when we are “chained” to grace, we are “moored” to the “safe harbor” [which is Jesus Christ]. Jesus has got us! Jesus won’t let us drift. Jesus holds us secure during the fierce storms of life and pounding surf! Jesus holds us steady.
Grace sustains us! Grace will keep us! Grace will carry us through! Grace won’t let us go. We are “chained” by grace.
As I’ve been pondering this topic, I’ve been fascinated with the thought of God’s chains. God has “chains” of grace for those who love and follow Jesus Christ. But in 2 Peter 2:4, 9 … and also Jude 1:6 we see God’s chains regarding the angels who rebelled in the great war in Heaven.
“If God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment; … if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment.” – 2 Peter 2:4, 9
“And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home – these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.” – Jude 1:6
Regarding the great war in Heaven:
“And there was war in Heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon [Satan], and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down – that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.” – Revelation 12:7-9
I can’t help but wonder: Why did God cast some of the rebellious angels (who obviously had high positions of authority and power) into “gloomy dungeons of darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day” … but he allowed Satan and the rest of the angels to be cast down to the earth??
I don’t know why … but the Bible does tell us that Satan himself will be bound with God’s chains.
“And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended.” – Revelation 20:1-3
Did you notice that it isn’t God himself who seized Satan and bound him in the great chain? It was an angel. This mighty angel is obviously more powerful than Satan himself if he was able to seize Satan and bind him with the great chain.
Whoa! That’s mind-blowing! I’ve always thought of Satan as having more power than all the other angels – a power so great it’s almost equal to God … not quite, but almost. But here we clearly see this mighty angel is even more powerful than Satan himself. This is mind-blowing!
Satan isn’t as “all-powerful” as he tries to make us think he is.
And … for whatever reason God chose not to bind Satan along with the rest of the angels of authority and cast him (along with the others) into “gloomy dungeons of darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day” … here God does this very thing. Satan is bound with God’s chains.
Satan is bound with God’s chains for 1,000 years.
“When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth … to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves.
“But fire came down from heaven and devoured them.
“And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur.” – Revelation 20:7-10
Did you notice … God doesn’t even bother to battle against those who try to war against him. God just torches them all with fire from heaven! Done. Over. Poof!
God’s chains are powerful! God has two different types of chains.
For those who love and follow Jesus Christ, God has “chains” of grace. “Chains” of grace to hold onto us and keep us from drifting away from the “safe harbor” of his love.
Just like these chains for holding large boats steady and secure in the harbor, so also God’s “chains” of grace hold us steady and secure during the pounding storms of life! God’s “chains” of grace keep us safe and won’t let us go.
But … God also has chains reserved for judgment. For those who choose to reject Jesus Christ and the free gift of salvation he offers … God has chains just like the chains for Satan and the fallen angels in gloomy dungeons of darkness.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23
“For the wages of sin [the penalty for sin] is death … ” – this would be the chains God has reserved for judgment.
“… but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – this would be the chains of grace, love, and mercy. (Romans 6:23)
If you would like to trade the chains of judgment for the chains of grace, all you have to do is believe in Jesus Christ, repent of your sin, and accept the free gift of salvation he offers.
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved.” – Romans 10:13
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son [Jesus Christ], that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
