Did Jesus pay a ransom to Satan to free us from his domain?
Question:
Did Jesus pay a ransom to Satan to free us from his domain?
Answer:
"No man can by any means redeem his brother or give to God a ransom for him-- for the redemption of his soul is costly, and he should cease trying forever-- ... But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, for He will receive me" (Psalms 49:7-8, 12).
Because of our sins, we all face the wrath of God. "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness" (Romans 1:18). However, Jesus rescued us from God's wrath. We cannot rescue ourselves because the price exceeds what we can pay, so Jesus stepped in. "For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly" (Romans 5:6). "Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him" (Romans 5:9). Thus, the redemption price was paid to God. God, the Son, redeemed us from the wrath of God, the Father, which is what Psalms 49 hinted at.
The Bible doesn't even hint at any negotiations with Satan. Instead, Jesus talked about raiding Satan's kingdom. "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it" (Matthew 16:18). Jesus bound the strong man (Satan). "Or how can anyone enter the strong man's house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house" (Matthew 12:29). Jesus' death on the cross was "When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him" (Colossians 2:15). "For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:13-14).
Question:
"For ye are bought with a price therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (I Corinthians 6:20).
According to this verse, is Jesus buying us with his blood from Satan or someone else? Who received that price?
"And they sang a new song, saying: 'You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals,
because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God" (Revelation 5:9).
According to this verse, Jesus purchased us for God, from where or from whom?
Please make it clear to me.
Answer:
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
When we sin, we earn our death. We are left to face the wrath of God. It is a debt that none of us can pay (Matthew 18:24-25). We have dishonored God. We, who should reflect the glory of God, have become tarnished.
This theme has been talked about before with Israel. "For the day of vengeance was in My heart, and My year of redemption has come. I looked, and there was no one to help, and I was astonished and there was no one to uphold; so My own arm brought salvation to Me, and My wrath upheld Me" (Isaiah 63:4-5). God was furious with His people because of their sins. He took vengeance on them, but at the same time, He was surprised that no one could help the situation. Even in His anger, God loved His people. Therefore, He decided He must do something Himself. "My own arm brought salvation to Me."
"I shall make mention of the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD has granted us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which He has granted them according to His compassion and according to the abundance of His lovingkindness. For He said, "Surely, they are My people, Sons who will not deal falsely." So He became their Savior. In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them; In His love and in His mercy He redeemed them, and He lifted them and carried them all the days of old" (Isaiah 63:7-9).
God saved His people from His anger because they could not do it themselves, and God loved them. Sadly, Israel just slipped back into their sins despite God's efforts.
Because of Jesus' sacrifice, we are released from our debt and the doom we have faced when we do as God directs. Those who refuse continue to face God's wrath. "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him" (John 3:36).
The Book of Romans deals with this theme: How can a just and righteous God release men from their debts while remaining just? He did so by paying man's debt to Him. "If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ" (I Peter 1:17-19).
"But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus" (Romans 3:21-26).
You seem to be stuck thinking we are redeemed from Satan, but that is never stated in the Bible. We owe God because of our sins, and God has bought us back from the destruction that we faced at God's hands. You could say that God paid Himself to release men from their debt justly.
