Symbolic Captivity – It is important to understand that there are two symbolic meanings of ‘captivity’. The first symbol of captivity regards the natural condition of every person. Captivity prior to the salvation of the spirit refers to be taken in captive to Satan and sin (2 Tim 2:24-26, Ro 6:6). However, there is a second symbolic meaning of the Babylonian Captivity involving the Christian church. The Babylonian Captivity is a type of the time period known as the Great Tribulation (Mat 24:15). Please view the video below or consider the study on this important topic below.

Spirit and Soul are different

The Human Condition Before Salvation

Unsaved are Captives of Satan

Unsaved are Slaves to Sin

The Spoiling of Satan’s Kingdom

Deliverance of the Captives

Liberty / Freedom is Salvation

Salvation of the Spirit

Bible Verses that Teach that a Christian is already Saved by Faith

Christians are Made Spiritually Alive – Born Again

Christians are Made Spiritually Alive – A New Spirit

Servants of Righteousness

Creation still groans for salvation

Salvation of the Soul – Last Day

Bible Verses that Teach that a Christian’s Soul is Saved at the Return of Jesus Christ

Captivity to Satan – Great Tribulation

Satan and the Antichrist in Isaiah 14

Captivity to Antichrist

Final Freedom / Deliverance from Captivity

Summary

Two Symbolic Meanings of Captivity

Captivity to Satan and sin prior to salvation
- Christians given a new spirit and are born again (first resurrection)
- Spirit saved, but await salvation of soul and a new spirit body
Captivity to Satan’s reign over worldly churches (Babylon) just prior to the 2^nd Coming of Jesus Christ (second resurrection)

The Symbolic Meaning of the Babylonian Captivity – It is important to understand that there are two symbolic meanings of ‘captivity’. The first symbol of captivity regards the natural condition of every person. Captivity prior to the salvation of the spirit refers to be taken in captive to Satan and sin (2 Tim 2:24-26, Ro 6:6). The Holy Spirit then witnesses with their born again spirit that they are children of God (Ro 8:16). When a person becomes saved, they are spiritually born again (John 3:3-8) and are given a new spirit (Ro 8:9, 2 Tim 1:14). However, their soul still awaits salvation (Heb 10:39) and the body awaits resurrection into a new glorified body (1 Cor 15) that will exist in eternity (new heavens and new earth).

However, there is a second symbolic meaning of the Babylonian captivity involving the Christian church. The Babylonian Captivity is a type of the time period known as the Great Tribulation (Mat 24:15). During the Great Tribulation the false Christian church is known as the Great Whore Babylon (Rev 17-18). Although Babylon has always existed, during the Great Tribulation, Satan is loosed from his prison (Rev 20:1-8) that he was held in for a symbolic 1000 years (the church age, see Mat 12:22-29 and Rev 20:1-8). Once released, this begins the short period of time known as the Great Tribulation (Rev 20:3-8, Mat 24:15, etc.). The Abomination of Desolation exists within the false Christian church (Babylon). The Abomination of Desolation is Satan and his kingdom (which includes the Antichrist, the False Prophet and Babylon). Satan and his kingdom manifests itself in the church as the worship of other gods and idols. The church condones this behavior during the Great Tribulation (lawlessness). At this time, the false church Babylon encompasses the true church of genuine Christians, who are just a small remnant of the entire false Christian church (Mat 7:21-23). This church is held in captivity with Satan and his ministers in change of the church.

The Babylonian captivity in the Old Testament is clearly referenced in the Olivet Discourse (Mat 24, Mk 13, Luke 21) which includes the Siege and Captivity of Jerusalem and the resultant desolations caused by the abominations of false gods and idols.

Spirit, Soul and Body

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1Th 5:23)
Word of God … dividing asunder the spirit and soul (Heb 4:12)

Spirit and Soul are different

Spirit is our connection to God
- God is spirit and they that worship Him, must worship Him in spirit and in truth – John 4:24
- But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. (Job 32:8)
Soul is the connection to the creation
- And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Gen 2:7, see also Jude 19, 1 Cor 2:14)

The Human Condition Before Salvation

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins (Eph 2:1)
… that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (2Ti 2:26)

Unsaved are Captives of Satan

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (2Ti 2:24-26)
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Eph 4:8)

Unsaved are Slaves to Sin

Slavery to Sin ‑ Ro 6:6, 17‑18, Gal 4:3‑11, 21‑31, 5:1, Titus 3:1, 1 John 5:19, John 8:34, 44,
… knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be destroyed, that from now on we should not serve sin. (Rom 6:6)
But thanks be to our God that you were the slaves of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. Then being made free from sin, you became the slaves of righteousness. (Rom 6:17-18)
Even so we, when we were infants, were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, coming into being out of a woman, having come under Law, that He might redeem those under Law, so that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. So that you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, also an heir of God through Christ. But then, indeed, not knowing God, you served as slaves to those not by nature being gods. But now, knowing God, but rather are known by God, how do you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements to which you again desire to slave anew? You observe days and months and times and years. I fear for you, lest somehow I have labored among you in vain. (Gal 4:3-11, see also Gal 4:21-31, 5:1)
Jesus answered them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Whoever practices sin is the slave of sin. (Joh 8:34)

The Spoiling of Satan’s Kingdom

But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. (Mat 12:28-29)
No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house. (Mar 3:27)
When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace (Luk 11:21)
Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. (Isa 53:12)
But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children. And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob. (Isa 49:25-26)
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. (Act 26:18)

Deliverance of the Captives

Refers to salvation (spiritually born again, flesh not saved, soul will be saved at second coming of Jesus Christ)
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 (Luk 4:18)
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. (Isa 61:1-4)
I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. (Isa 42:6-7)
Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages; That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. (Isa 49:8-9)
We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2Co 6:1-2)
Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners: The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous: The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down. (Psa 146:7-9)
For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth; To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; (Psa 102:19-20)
But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. (Rom 7:23-25)

Liberty / Freedom is Salvation

And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee, And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul; That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee. If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee: And the LORD thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers. And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. (Deu 30:1-6)
Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad. (Psa 14:7)
Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad. (Psa 53:6)
… LORD, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob. (Psa 85:1)
Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. (Psa 126:4)
Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. (Mat 17:26)
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. (Joh 8:31-36)
What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom 6:15-23)
So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. (Rom 7:3)
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Rom 8:2)
Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. (Rom 8:21)
Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it (1Co 7:21)
For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant. (1Co 7:22)
The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. (1Co 7:39)
Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? (1Co 9:1)
For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. (1Co 9:19)
Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience? (1Co 10:29)
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1Co 12:13)
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is (2Co 3:17)
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage (Gal 2:4)
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (Gal 3:28)
For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. (Gal 4:22)
But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. (Gal 4:23)
But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. (Gal 4:26)
Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. (Gal 4:30)
So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free. (Gal 4:31)
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Gal 5:1)
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. (Gal 5:13)
Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. (Eph 6:8)
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. (Col 3:11)
But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. (Jas 1:25)
So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. (Jas 2:12)
As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. (1Pe 2:16)
While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. (2Pe 2:19)
And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains (Rev 6:15)
And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads (Rev 13:16)
That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. (Rev 19:18)

Salvation of the Spirit

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (Joh 3:5-7)
God puts a new spirit in a person – Eze 11:19, Eze 18:31, Eze 36:26
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind (Eph 4:23)

Bible Verses that Teach that a Christian is already Saved by Faith

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved) [Saved – perfect passive] (Eph 2:5)
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [Saved – perfect passive] (Eph 2:8)
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began [Saved – aorist active] (2Ti 1:9)
For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish [Saved – present passive] (2Co 2:15)
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. [Saved – present passive] (1Co 15:1-2)
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. [Saved – present passive] (1Co 1:18)
For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? [Saved – aorist passive] (Rom 8:24)

Christians are Made Spiritually Alive – Born Again

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind blows where it lists, and you hear the sound thereof, but cannot tell where it comes, and where it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. (Joh 3:5-8)

Christians are made Spiritually Alive (Born Again / Risen)
- Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…that which is born of the Spirit is spirit – John 3:3-8
- Being born again…of incorruptible seed, by the Word of God – 1 Pet 1:21-23

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…(1Pe 1:3)
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Tit 3:5)
Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (Jas 1:18)
If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. (1Jn 2:29)
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. (1Jn 3:9, see also 1 John 5:18)
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. (1Jn 4:7)
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. (1Jn 5:1)
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. (1Jn 5:4)

Christians are Made Spiritually Alive – A New Spirit

Renewed in the spirit of your mind – Eph 4:23
…Renew a right spirit within me – Ps 51:10
God puts a new spirit in a person – Eze 11:19, Eze 18:31, Eze 36:26
Serve in newness of spirit, not in the oldness of the letter – Ro 7:6
The Work of the Holy Spirit:
- Christians are in the Spirit – if any man has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His…the Spirit is life – Ro 8:9-10
- But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Rom 8:11)
- Holy Spirit leads His people…bears witness with our spirit – Ro 8:14-16

And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. (Rom 8:23, see also Rom 16:5, 1 Cor 16:15)
- These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. (Rev 14:4)

Servants of Righteousness

Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness … But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (Rom 6:18, 22)
Wherefore he says, When he ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Eph 4:8)
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1Jn 1:8)
… bringing me into captivity to the law of sin (Ro 7:23)

Creation still groans for salvation

… For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope … (Rom 8:18-24)

Salvation of the Soul – Last Day

But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. (Heb 10:39)
… and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Heb 9:27-28)
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ (1Th 5:9)

Bible Verses that Teach that a Christian’s Soul is Saved at the Return of Jesus Christ

Future Tense:
- Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. (Jas 5:20)
For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives [souls], but to save them. And they went to another village. (Luk 9:56, Note: the Greek work for ‘lives’ is the same Greek word for ‘soul’)
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Mat 10:28)
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Mat 11:28-30)
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (1Pe 1:5-9)
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Heb 9:27-28)
But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. (Heb 10:39)
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ (1Th 5:9)
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1Th 5:23)
My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long? Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies’ sake. For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks? (Psa 6:3-5)
To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, A Psalm of David. Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. (Psa 69:1)
A Prayer of David. Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy. Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. (Psa 86:1-5)
I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude. For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul. (Psa 109:30-31)
Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. (Eze 18:27-28)
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Rom 10:9-13)
Aorist Tense:
- Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. (Jas 1:21)

Captivity to Satan – Great Tribulation

Great Tribulation:

… for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. (Luk 21:23b-24)
‘Led away captive’ literally means (go to another house, Babylon)

Symbolic Meaning:

True Christians are captured in churches controlled by Satan, his demons and the Antichrist

A careful review of the above harmony indicates that the event that causes the need for those in Judea to flee (Mat 24:16, Mk 13:14 and Lk 21:21) is recorded as the Abomination of Desolation in Mat 24:15 and Mk 13:14, but as the siege of Jerusalem in Lk 21:20. Similarly, later in the passage we find that the definition of Great Tribulation in Mat 24:21 and Mk 13:19 is the great ‘distress’ noted in Lk 21:23. However, more detail is given concerning the great distress (tribulation):

And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. (Luk 21:24)

In Lk 21:24, the Greek word for ‘captivity’ occurs a total of 9 times (G161, G162, G163, G164, Greek: aichmalōtizō) in the New Testament. The other notable occurrences for our study are:

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 (Luk 4:18)
But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (Rom 7:23)
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Eph 4:8, quoted from Ps 68:18, Jud 5:12)
For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts (2Ti 3:6)
He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. (Rev 13:10)
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2Co 10:5)

Other words used for being taken captive in the New Testament besides G161-G164 are G2221 and G4812):

Those that are not Christians (G2221):
- Taken captive by Satan – 2 Tim 2:26
Those that are Christians:
- Sharing the Gospel and converting people is as ‘catching’ fish – Lk 5:10 (G2221)
- In the flesh, still in captivity to the law of sin – Ro 7:25
- Led away captives into the nations as Jerusalem is trodden down of the Gentiles – Lk 21:24
False teaching:
- Led away by philosophy of men – Col 2:8

Satan and the Antichrist in Isaiah 14

Satan:

… take up this proverb against the king of Babylon … He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger … O Lucifer, son of the morning! (Is 14:4-5,12)

Antichrist:

… 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 … Is this the man that made the earth to tremble … (Isa 14:13-14,16)
… that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (2Th 2:4, see also Dan 8:23-25, 11:36-37)

Captivity to Antichrist

And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard … and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast … and there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies … and it was given unto him to make war with the saints … (Rev 13:2-7)

He that leads into captivity shall go into captivity: he that kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. (Rev 13:10)

Final Freedom / Deliverance from Captivity

For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat … for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more. (Joel 3:1-2, 12-17)

Summary

Captivity to Satan and sin prior to salvation
- First Resurrection – Christians raised / given a new spirit and are born again Spirit saved, but await salvation of soul / glorified body
Great Tribulation (captivity of soul / flesh – Satan’s worldly church Babylon)
- Second Resurrection – Return of Christ (soul saved / glorified body)
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; (Tit 2:13)