That’s an interesting question. If binding has to do with the spread of the gospel among the ethnos, and the effect of this unfettered spread is that the elect will come to faith in Christ, then certainly the binding can be viewed on a case by case basis, as far as individuals are concerned.
However, I think what Jesus was getting at was that there is something that gets the ball rolling, so to speak, and that is outlined in Matthew 12. I believe it has to do with the very real personal confrontation between Jesus and the forces of darkness.
One interesting fact seems to be that the sort of intense demonic activity we read about in the NT has all but vanished from the world. (There may still be pockets here and there.) As the gospel goes out, the forces of darkness flee from its influence.
It seems that “binding” in Matthew 12 has more to do with the faith (growing/maturing) of the saint than the actual binding of Satan since he is already under authority and the word of God will accomplish whatever He desires. God wants the saints to wield it offensively with confidence, born of exercise and obedience, not diffidently.
The promise:
Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it.
2Ti 2:9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, [even] unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
The Exercise and Discipline:
Hbr 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
Hbr 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
The Warfare:
2Th 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have [free] course, and be glorified, even as [it is] with you:
Mar 9:29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
Jam 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
1Pe 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
I guess Replacementarians must live their whole lives in their dark, tiny, pretend tidy, little boxes.
Ask any minister routinely ministering in deliverance ministry . . . Things have worsened. Some say they have worsened seriously since we went into iraq—something about hoards of stuff being loosed from the pit at that time from that region.
I certainly know from my own life and observations in foreign lands as well as in the usa that the demonized individuals have !not! Become fewer nor mildly demonized.
It is still incredulous to me that even secular folks watching the news the last 10 years alone would think that demonization had decreased! Shocking. My keys really are currently stuck on all caps. And i don’t have time to use replace case on every paragraph.
No, the more overt forms of demonic activity are very much evident in the primitive religious areas of the world, such as India and Africa.
In the areas with more civilization, it is more subtle.