DEMONS #2. By Robert C. Archer

Transcription

1 DEMONS #2 By Robert C. Archer

2 What were demons?

3 What were demons? Demons were unclean, evil spirits controlled by "the prince of demons," i.e., Beelzebub or Satan (Mt. 12:24) They brought misery Caused a man to be mute (Mt. 9:32-33) Caused blindness (Mt. 12:22) Caused convulsions (Mk. 9:14-29) They inhabited men, women and children

4 They were intelligent Demons believed in one God (James 2:19) Demons knew that Jesus was the son of God (Mk. 1:23-24) Demons accepted the authority of Christ (Luke 8:31) Demons believed in the existence of hell (Mt. 8:29)

5 One thing to remember Demon possession did not cause moral lapses

6 Where did they come from?

7 Where did they come from? They were the spirits of the offspring of angels and women (Gen. 6:1-4) No, angels are sexless Matthew 22:30 (NKJV) For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.

8 Where did they come from? They were a pre-adamic race (Gen. 1:2) No evidence of a gap between God creating the earth and then at a later date creating man

9 Where did they come from? They are the spirits of those who perished in the flood Again, Proof?

10 Where did they come from? They are fallen angels who joined Satan in his rebellion against God 2 Peter 2:4 (NKJV) For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; Angels are never said to enter into or possess anyone

11 Where did they come from? They are the departed spirits of wicked men which escaped Tartarus Jude says, Jude 1:6 (NKJV) And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day;

12 Where did they come from? They are simply myths or superstitions, and Jesus used such language to accommodate their myths. Disproved by the fact that of some eighty references to demons in the New Testament, eleven instances clearly distinguish demon possession from physical diseases.

13 Why did God allow Demon Possession?

14 Why did God allow Demon Possession? To prove the deity of Jesus John 20:30-31 (NKJV) And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

15 Jesus showed His power over Diseases and physical ailments (Mt. 9:20-22; Jn. 4:46-54; 9:1-41). Material objects (Jn. 2:1-11; 21:1-14). The elements of nature (Mt. 8:23-27). The force of gravity when he walked upon the waters of the Sea of Galilee (Mt. 14:22-23). Death (Jn. 11:1-45).

16 Jesus showed His power over The devil in casting out demons Cast out under the authority of Jesus When the seventy disciples returned from an evangelistic trip (Lk. 10:1), they joyfully proclaimed to Christ: "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in thy name. "Jesus responded: "I beheld Satan fallen as lightning from heaven" (vv ). The disciples' power over demons, under the authority of Christ's name previewed the ultimate and complete fall of the devil.

17 Jesus showed His power over The devil in casting out demons Cast out by the authority of Jesus But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you. Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house (Mt. 12:28-29; Lk. 11:29-22). The Savior's argument is: "I have cast out demons, the servants of Satan. I could not have done so if I were not stronger than he is. My power thus is superior to his."

18 Why? These passages help us to understand that the purpose of demon possession in the first century was to show the comprehensive and supreme authority of the Son of God.

19 Demon Possession Today?

20 Demon Possession Today? Some say, yes Charles Ryrie contended that certain "fallen angels" are "still free to roam the earth as demons carrying out Satan's designs"(1959, 296). Merrill Unger, a respected scholar, subtitled his book, Biblical Demonology, "A Study of the Spiritual Forces Behind the Present World Unrest."

21 I don t believe that they do. Why? The modern examples of demon habitation bears no resemblance to the genuine examples of spirit possession described in the New Testament. The contrast is dramatic.

22 Why not? Demon possession was for a specific reason that doesn t exist today John 20:30-31 (NKJV) And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

23 Why not? Zechariah prophesies of the time when they would end Zechariah 13:2 (NKJV) "It shall be in that day," says the LORD of hosts, "that I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they shall no longer be remembered. I will also cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to depart from the land.

24 Why not? There would be no way to control them without miraculous powers 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 (NKJV) Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.