39 - DEMONS
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. 1 Timothy 4:1
INTRODUCTION The existence of a personal devil and demons is less and less being considered a fairy tale or a superstition. Our society reminds us that demons are real and at work. Some people worship demons, while others engage regularly in other practices of the occult relating to demon activity. Popular music and songs have been increasingly addressed to occult themes. As a result, the existence of evil and the accompanying demonic beings is not generally rejected by the unsaved in today’s world.
Understanding demons is especially important for the Christian. The Bible makes it clear that we are engaged in a spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:12). As we seek to win the battle, it is to our best advantage to understand not only Satan but his messengers. But a word of caution is in order. It is good to know about demons but we should not be consumed with learning about them. The Bible is God’s revelation to aid us as we search for truth and our attempt to live for God (Deuteronomy 29:29; 2 Timothy 3:15-17). It is our only reliable authority on the subject of demons. Some Christians affect their thinking negatively by engaging in excessive study of occult literature. Not only does this fail to provide accurate and reliable information about the devil and demons, it is a direct violation of the command of God (Deuteronomy 18:9). The Bible contains all the "intelligent information" we need about demons to engage in battle with them and emerge successful. THE ORIGIN OF DEMONS
Two Greek words are translated similarly in the New Testament but their meanings are slightly different. The word diabolos is translated "devil" and refers to the devil himself Another word, diamon, is usually translated "devils" in the King James Version but might be better translated "demons." The Bible makes a very real distinction between a single devil and many demons. Whenever we read of "devils" in the Bible, we are reading about demons. It appears most likely that demons are fallen angels who rebelled. against God in heaven and were cast out of the presence of God. As such, what things are true about the nature of good angels are also true of demons. When it comes to identifying demons, the question that should be asked is "Where do demons come from?" At least four suggestions have been made to help explain the origin of demons.
Spirits of the dead. One contemporary idea relating to the origins of demons claims they are the spirits of the evil dead. This is the underlying assumption of much of the popular occult literature. It is not a new idea at all, for it was the explanation of some Greek philosophers years before Christ. The early age of this theory does not however make it any more believable. It stands in direct conflict with biblical teaching. The Bible teaches that the souls of the evil dead go to "hades" (Luke 16:23). They will remain there until the end of the millennial reign of Christ on this earth. Only then are they brought before God to be judged (Revelation 20:11). Then they are cast into eternal punishment: "And death and hell [hades] were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death" (Revelation 20:14).
Children of angels. Some have suggested that demons are the result of the union of angels and women as described: "There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bore children to them, the same became mighty men who were of old, men of renown" (Genesis 6:4). Some suggest that this verse describes sexual relations between angels and women, since the expression "sons of God" is used elsewhere in the Old Testament to identify angels. Even if this interpretation is correct, it is extremely unlikely that such a union produced demons. Some have suggested the "giants" could be an expression of the political or military might of these men. Others believe it could refer to the results of genetic tampering in a pre-Flood society. But there is no scriptural evidence to prove that the result of the union of humans and angels were demons.
Pre-Adamic spirits. One explanation, called the "gap theory," presupposes that the world is several million years old. According to this theory, God created a perfect world and society, as recorded in the first verse of the Bible but, for one reason or another, God had to destroy it before the situation as described in Genesis 1:2. This theory allowed for a society which existed for millions of years, thus harmonizing the contemporary views of the age of the world with the Bible account of creation. The spirits of those who lived before Adam, still inhabiting the earth are the demons, according to those who hold this view. But before we can conclude that demons are the disembodied spirits of a pre-Adamic race, we must first prove the existence of such a race. Once again, most biblical evidence is against such a theory, since Adam, for instance, was called the first man.
Fallen angels. Most conservative scholars believe that demons are fallen or evil angels. When Jesus described hell, he called it "everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41). John described the fall of Satan in a highly symbolic fashion, noting that the devil took a third of the angels in heaven with him. "And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was bor. (Revelation 12:4). This has led some to conclude that Satan was of three angels responsible, with Gabriel and Michael, to other angels. When Satan fell, a third of the angels which he had supervision may have followed him in rebellion against God. THE DESCRIPTION OF DEMONS
Demons are real beings, probably fallen angels. If this is true, whatever is known of the nature of angels is also true of demons. They are nonmaterial, because all angels are spirit beings. As good angels are the messengers of God to carry out his works, so demons are the emissaries of Satan to carry out his diabolical plans. Like angels, demons possess tremendous intellectual ability. Apparently they have personalities that inspire emotions and will. The 2,000 demons exercised desire when they inhabited the swine that were drowned in the sea. Demons have tremendous power at their disposal. Spirit nature. All angels are spirit beings. Describing the evening of a busy day in the life of Christ, Matthew wrote, "When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils, and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick" (Matthew 8:16). There are times when these spirits can. indwell a human. Demons can also take on other physical forms. John "saw three unclean spirits [demons] like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet" (Revelation 16:13). Revelation 9:1-21 describes the release of many demons from the bottomless pit during the Great Tribulation. John described their physical form and appearance as distinct yet similar to that of locusts and scorpions.
Intellectual nature. Many Christians live with the deluded idea that demons are ignorant servants of the devil. This is totally contrary to every biblical indication of their intellectual capabilities. Even if they had been created ignorant, today they would possess a great deal of knowledge because they have been observing and retaining knowledge since their creation. They were able to clearly identify the Person and deity of Christ during his earthly ministry (Mark 1:24; Mark 5:6). Also, they possess a limited understanding of some aspects of their future (Matthew 8:29). While they possess enough facts to believe intellectually in God, their moral state prohibits their possessing saving faith (James 2:19). The apostle Paul credited demons with enough intellectual ability to design and propagate the various false doctrines of different religious sects (1 Timothy 4:1-3).
Moral nature. The chief difference between angels of God and demons lies in their moral nature. Demons are reprobates and evil. Apparently they have no opportunity of repentance or salvation. They are perpetually immoral because of their rebellion against God. The sin was serious enough in the mind of God so that hell and everlasting fire were created for Satan and demons (Matthew 25:41). Their nature is described by the adjective "unclean" (Matthew 10:1; Mark 1:27; Acts 8:7). Peter described demons as "the angels that sinned" (2 Peter 2:4). A major part of the work of demons today is to propagate evil, teach false doctrine, and recruit others to rebel against God.
Power. It would be a serious mistake to underestimate the power of demons. Because angels in general are called "mighty" (Revelation 10:1), we may assume demons are also mighty. The final book of the Bible describes demons performing many unusual feats during the Tribulation. Even a person possessed by demons in the New Testament was described as having tremendous strength (Mark 5:3-4). Actually it was the power of the demons working through him. The Christian that believes he can "wrestle" with demons without "taking on the whole armour of God" is seriously deluded (Ephesians 6:10-18).
DESTINY OF DEMONS When Jesus encountered a demon-possessed man during his earthly ministry, the demons asked, "Art thou come hither to torment us before the time?" (Matthew 8:29). Demons understand something of their eternal destiny, The phrase , time" could mean that they feared premature expulsion f r-, the man, but it probably means premature judgment hell. The destiny of demons can be summarized in three phases of confinement.
Present confinement. Some demons are currently confines: John described the release of some of these demons in Revelation 9:1-21 during the Great Tribulation, when they will corn: from the bottomless pit to afflict the people. Jude identified another group of demons whom God "hath reserved in ever lasting chains under darkness into the judgment of the great day" (Jude 1:6). Apparently the crime of these angels was so horrendous that they will never again experience any degree of liberty (2 Peter 2:4).
Millennial confinement. During the Great Tribulation, there "are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty" (Revelation 16:14). As demons are in part responsible for the battle of Armageddon, it is reasonable to expect they would be prevented from making war during the millennial reign of Christ. While their millennial destiny is not specifically identified in the Bible, most commentators would agree that they would be confined with Satan their leader in the bottomless pit (Revelation 20:3). They certainly are not active during Christ’s reign on the earth.
Eternal confinement. One of the key thoughts to keep in mind when attempting to understand hell is to remember it was never the will of God that anyone should go there (1 Peter 3:9). When confronted with that truth, the obvious question is, "Why did God create hell in the first place?" The answer to that question is found in Matthew 25:41. Hell was "prepared for the devil and his angels." A man will only go to hell by choice, his choice as expressed by his rejection of Christ. Demons are apparently aware that someday they will be eternally confined to the lake of fire (Matthew 8:29).
CONCLUSION
Demons are a part of today’s world. These fallen angels have rebelled against God. Even though they have a similar nature to good angels, their evil nature is permanent and irrevocable. just as good angels assist the Christian today, demons will strive to hinder the Christian. "We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore, take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Ephesians 6:12-13).
DAILY READINGS Monday: Matthew 8:1-17 Tuesday: Matthew 8:18-34 Wednesday: Matthew 10:1-15 Thursday: Matthew 17:1-21 Friday: Matthew 25:31-46 Saturday: Matthew 12:14-30
Sunday: Jude