Quote:
Originally Posted by Jo S
Satan usurped dominion over the earth from Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden.
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I believe that is correct. Satan usurped by deceiving man, rather than "God transferred ownership because man sinned". I am not sure other interpretations are possible.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jo S
-The body of believers (the overcomers/Joel's army/warrior bride of Christ ect), are the tool God will use to take back dominion and crush the serpent.
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Romans 16:20 says
"And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly." , proving that Satan still has to be crushed ("will crush") and the church ("your feet") plays some part in that.
That is fundamental to the role of the church on the Earth as a tool God uses to bring about change on the Earth. It is related to Jesus's statement about us doing "greater things than these" (John 14:12), and "to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up" (Eph 4:12).
The building up of the church on the Earth is analogous to the defeat of Satan. If every person on the Earth was a Christian then Satan would be defeated completely. During the revivals of old, churches were full, crime ceased to exist, and police had nothing to do. This is a practical example of the church crushing Satan in a town or city. Who else but the church can do this?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jo S
-Until the church is restored or prepared in a certain fashion, Christ will not return.
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The Bible says certain things have to be done by the church before Christ will return, such as:
Mark 13:10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.