B. DEMONISM AND THE WAY OF DELIVERANCE
It must be obvious, to all who have even a cursory knowledge of Biblical demonology, that, since such beings as Satan and demons actually exist, since they have caused so much havoc and mischief in the world in the past, since they are still relentlessly pursuing their wicked depredations, and since they are to be allowed an augmented sphere of influence and activity in the future, the possibility of release and exemption from their destructive doings is a matter of personal and paramount concern to everyone. It would indeed be strange if the good and all wise Creator of the universe would not have made a fully efficacious provision for human safety and salvation where it is most desperately needed, especially, when it is clearly the divine method to provide for every possible emergency in the course of events. If all things on earth are made for man's comfort, help, and happiness-which is no less the testimony of science than of the Holy Scriptures (I Cor. 3:21-22) -certainly the all-gracious God would not fail man in this most momentous need of all: deliverance and safety from Satan and demons.
1. DEMONISM AND THE CURE FOR SPIRITUAL DISEASE
Cure comes before prevention, because man is already spiritually sick. "All have sinned" (Rom. 3:23). "Death has passed unto all men, for that all sinned" (Rom. 5:12). Rescue comes before preservation, because man has already been despoiled, and lies under the heel of the Devil, and the power of demons (Eph. 2:2; Col. 1:13). Realization of even the most elementary principles of Biblical demonology must at once strip man of all vain hopes of salvation by merely his own puny efforts, by his own merits, works, character, or self-improvement (Eph. 2:8-10). All men, both Jews and Gentiles, are "under sin" (Rom. 3:9), a prey to Satan and demons, totally unable to save themselves, and without God's grace, appropriated by faith (Rom. 3:25), must perish forever (Rom. 5:6, 18). Christ died, "the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God" (I Pet. 3:18), and we must ever remain away from God, under the thraldom and tyranny of Satan and demons, unless He, who is the only way to the Father (John 14:6), delivers us from the power of evil supernaturalism and brings us hither by His grace. The blood of Him "who His own self bare our sins in His body upon the tree" (I Pet. 2:24) is the only antidote against the poison of sin, the only cure for the deadly disease, which, unless healed, must result in eternal death in the lake of fire with Satan and his demons (Rev. 20:10, 15). By the law of correspondence between what is seen in the natural world, and what exists in the spiritual world (Rom. 1:20), the cure and prevention of spiritual disease may be vividly illustrated by the cure and prevention of natural sickness. As medical science, by the use of pathological antiseptics, can cure and provide comparative immunity from malignant bacteria, so by the use of spiritual antiseptics, religious science can provide deliverance and immunity from Satan and demons. The all-sufficient remedy for the venom of sin is "the blood of Jesus" which "cleanses us" (I John 1:7). Without the shedding of blood, there could be no remission of sin, no recovery from spiritual malady (Heb. 9:22). Moreover, as there are agencies provided in nature, which, under certain conditions, affect the renewing or regeneration of the human body when suffering from physical sickness, so there is an agency in the spiritual realm, the Holy Spirit of God, who, under the simple condition of faith in Christ, can give the human soul a new birth and eternal life. "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 you, Ye must be born anew" (John 3:7). "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
2. DEMONISM AND THE PREVENTION OF SPIRITUAL DISEASE
Cure for spiritual disease is offered to the unsaved. Prevention of spiritual disease is provided for the saved. Cure from sin, providing deliverance from its penalty and assuring the believer's safety and security for eternity, is important and indispensable, but it is not enough. Prevention of further sin, providing emancipation from its power, and guaranteeing the believer's victory and usefulness in time, is also necessary. Both are fully provided for in the finished work of Christ; so, although the cure of sin (regeneration) exposes the newborn believer to the special buffetings, temptations, and assaults of Satan and demons, yet the prevention of further sin enables him to triumph over all the power of these enemies, and to live a life of holiness, happiness, and usefulness. However, victory over all the power of the evil one is not by human works or self-effort but on the basis of the believer's faith in his position in Christ. It is the Christian's being baptized into vital union with the Lord Jesus Christ (I Cor. 12:13; Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:27; Col. 1:12), Satan's Vanquisher, that is the ground of all his positions and possessions as well as his victories over the evil one. The victory that "overcomes the world", Satan's evil world system (I John 5:4) as well as the "prince of the world," is "our faith." It is our believing that we are what we are "in Christ" that alone routs the devil. Moreover, the reason for this is not difficult to see; for all of our resources against the enemy spring not from ourselves or our unregenerate position "in Adam" (Rom. 5:12-21), but from our regenerate position "in Christ" (Rom. 6:3-4). Victory is possible because we are united to the Victor. Victory is appropriable as we realize and reckon upon our position. But what is our position in Christ, which is the basis of our victory over sin and Satan? In briefest statement it is that of "death" (Rom. 6:2). "How can we who died to sin live in it?" (R.S.V.). The believer died to sin and, since life and death are two mutually exclusive principles, it is impossible that he should live any longer in it. In more detailed statement (Rom. 6:3-10) the Apostle explains his summary statement that the believer's position is that of "death" by showing that the Christian has been baptized by the Holy Spirit into vital union with Jesus Christ, (Rom. 6:3-5), hence into His death (v. 3), His burial, (v. 4) and His resurrection (v. 5). Accordingly he has been judicially set free from sin (Rom. 6:6-7) and is now the recipient of resurrection life (Rom. 6:8-10). All this is the believer's position "in Christ" and is to be converted into experiential victory over Satan and sin by faith. "Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 6:11, R.V.). The believer is "dead unto sin" and "alive unto God" (Rom. 6:2-10) whether he reckons (counts it true) or not. The difference is that when he does believe it is true, the indwelling Holy Spirit is set free to make it experientially real. Then, and only then, is he conqueror in the conflict with Satan and sin, and then solely because Christ conquered Satan and the powers of evil at the Cross (Col. 1:14-15), and the believer united with Christ shares the victory. "Now thanks be unto God who always causeth us to triumph in Christ" (II Cor. 2:14).
The phenomena observed in the natural world concerning the prevention of physical disease offer instructive and suggestive parallels to the prevention of ills in the spiritual realm. As those who are robust in body may be infested with millions of bacilli, and yet enjoy immunity from their mischief, so those whose spiritual health is guarded and kept hale and vigorous will escape any spiritual liability that the Devil and all the demons may attempt. This does not signify, however, that spiritual robustness exempts its possessor from Satanic and demonic assault and temptation. Rather the opposite is true. Genuine spirituality is ever the target of incessant demonic attack in this world, and it is maintained only through continuous contact with Christ.In a magnificent passage which fittingly closes the Ephesian letter, containing lofty truth addressed to the spiritual man, the Apostle Paul describes the warfare of the spirit-filled believer against the powers of darkness (Eph. 6:10-20). He mentions first what is of primary importance-the believer's strength for the conflict. "Be strong in the Lord" (v. 10). He does not say "from the Lord," but "in vital union with the Lord." " "Strong in the position which is ours in Him, just as the hand or the foot has its strength in the body to which it belongs."3 As S. D. F. Salmond says, the strengthening is such "as can take effect only in union with Christ."4
Realizing we are what we are "in Christ" (Rom. 6:1-10) and reckoning upon our wondrous position of union (Rom. 6:11) is the ground and the source of our power over the devil and his hosts. Just as the reckoning in Romans 6:11 is a present tense and must be continuous, so the strengthening in Ephesians 6:10 is a present tense and is to be continuous. H. C. G. Moule thus renders the passage: "Strengthen yourselves always in the Lord"; and he adds "your one possible Sphere and Magazine of inexhaustible resource, to be drawn upon by obedient trust "5 It is important to note the term "Lord" is employed-His family deity name. He is now our Master (John 13:13) and is coming as Lord over all (Rev. 19:16). Here, then, we are bidden to be strong in our victorious Lord, in him who gained the victory for us and is coming to complete it in ultimate triumph. In the interim we are to triumph in Him s The Apostle, after describing the believer's strength for the conflict, indicates his equipment against the foe-full armor provided by God (Ehp 6:11-17). The necessity for the armor is emphasized by a description of the spiritual nature of the warfare and the power and subtlety of the foe (6:12). "Wherefore, take unto you the whole armor of God"
(Ephesians 6:13
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
"so that when the day of evil comes"
How much longer till it reaches its zenith?
Best guess?
Using the logical rational brain God gave ya.
Cant tell Truth from Fiction any more.
Cant tell man from woman anymore.
Cant tell machine from human anymore.
So how much longer till:
"when the day of evil comes?")
"Take" not "make" is the divine direction. Pitiable indeed is man's perennial attempt to make his own armor. For the nature of the enemy proves how foolhardy this is.
(Amen!)
God has made the panoply, a perfect product of His redemptive grace. We have only to put it on to "be able to stand successfully against our foe and having done all to stand." "Stand, therefore!" That is what God asks of the believer. Stand as the victors we are stand in the victory of Calvary. It is the grand note sounded throughout the Ephesian letter. We are "in Christ." We stand victors in Him. Our armor is significantly defensive rather than offensive. God has provided the panoply primarily to protect what is nearest His heart on earth, as. His Son is nearest His heart in heaven-the Church, "which is his (Christ's) body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all" (Eph. 1:23).
The Apostle, having set forth the Christian warrior's strength and equipment against the enemy, lastly describes the full use of these resources-constant prayer in the Spirit (Eph 6:18-20). "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints" (6:18). The provision of prayer is not to be regarded as a part of the warrior's resources, equipment, or another weapon. It is the actual use of his resources of strength "in Christ" and his equipment in the "full armor of God." Only through prayer which is "all sorts," "at all seasons," "for all saints," "with all perseverance and supplication" and "in the Spirit" can the believer utilize the strength which is his "in the Lord." Only through prayer can he put on and use the whole armor, and "therefore, stand." Prayer in Ephesians 6 is the actual conflict in which the foe is vanquished and the victory won, not only for ourselves, but also by intercession for others (6:19-20). It is quite obvious from such a conflict resulting in such a victory that benefit will accrue to the believer. But the question is frequently asked, What possible good purpose may evil powers. have? The facts of pathological medicine may be used to illustrate the frequent use that powers of darkness may serve. As serums and inoculations, that would be harmful and perhaps fatal to sick men, may be of incalculable value when introduced into the systems of those in hearty health, so Satan and demons may not only not harm, but be a positive blessing in disguise and an inestimable service to those having spiritual stamina. They assault and tempt the Spirit-filled, but the resistance evoked calls forth the noblest faith and effort and issues in the development of the highest types of sterling character. Except for the rough and unpleasant things in life, the fierce battles, and the resulting call to achievement, the human race would never have advanced beyond its spiritual infancy and immaturity. In this fact there doubtless lies, at least a partial answer, to the mysterious problem of the divine permission of evil in the universe.
Again, as fresh air, pure water, sunlight, nourishing food, proper exercise, and general cleanliness are prime and basic factors in preserving the normal functions of the human body, in maintaining physical fitness, and rendering one exempt from the depredations of millions of malicious disease-causing germs, so an invigorating atmosphere of prayer (Eph. 6:18), living in the heights, where Scripture urges people to dwell (Col. 3:1-3), appropriating the Word of God, which is substantial food (John 6:32-58), being continually filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18), who satisfies the spiritually thirsty (John 7:37-39), walking in Christ, the light of the world (John 8:12; I John 1:7), engaging in true spiritual service (Rom. 12:11), and diligently remaining in separation from the world and complicity with evil (II Cor. 6:17) -these are the simple, never failing rules of good spiritual health, and automatically work immunity for the human soul against demonic danger. As violation of the laws of health exposes the transgressor, sooner or later, to the fatal attacks of disease-producing bacteria, so every sinful act or neglect is a direct invitation to Satan and demons to gain a foothold, and work harm to the human soul.
3. DEMONISM AND THE BANISHMENT OF SPIRITUAL DISEASE
The dark cloud of evil which hangs today like a pall over the moral universe is not without a silver lining; for Christ has conquered the unseen realms of evil, and Christians conquer in Him. Already foregleams of the coming glory may be discerned through the present darkness. And so secure are Christians in our all-conquering Redeemer, that we look forward with assurance to walking the streets of gold and treading the spotless corridors of the heavenly mansions. Every shadow will then pass away, and the cloud of evil, now so ominous, will dwindle and pale into insignificance in the clear blue of God's cloudless and sinless tomorrow, when "he shall wipe away every tear . . . and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more; the first things are passed away" (Rev. 21:4).
But where in that sinless and tranquil universe will Satan and the demons be? Will they ever again have permission to roam at large? No; when evil has accomplished its divine purpose, it will be rigidly isolated and eternally imprisoned.
(Thats why it is running rampant now, cause evil knows that day is fast approaching
Satan, demons, and incorrigibly wicked men are to move onward and downward into a place all to themselves, there to remain forever (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10; 21:8). Nor will that dread habitation mar the harmony and tranquility of God's illimitable empire. Just as the public health and the welfare of society demand that certain persons afflicted with contagious diseases be quarantined, and that criminals afflicted with moral and spiritual distempers be imprisoned, so the safety and general good of the universe require the final segregation and imprisonment of those whose case is hopeless, and whose freedom would jeopardize the peace and security of the moral universe. This prison abode of the wicked will be the one dismal region of disobedient and miserable inhabitants, and the only one, in the infinite spheres. No sun will rise upon its endless night. No peace will give relaxation to its endless confusion. These evil creatures will never be permitted to cross over the divinely set confines nor to burst out of the divinely sealed prison-house. Nor will the wretched inhabitants ever be permitted to perpetrate further mischief, nor to mar the perfections of a blissful and sinless eternity. Yet, like everything else in the divine economy, this doleful region of the depraved exists to accomplish its purpose, a twofold purpose-one from the standpoint of the creature, the other from the standpoint of the Creator. From the standpoint of the creature, this "lake of fire" will serve as a witness to the destructiveness and folly of sin. It will be like a danger signal, advertising to the universe of created beings, both angels and men, the utter futility of resisting God's will; and it will act as a sufficiently potent deterrent, even for all the eons of eternity, to keep created intelligences from the folly of Satan, demons, and incorrigibly wicked men. The picture of Satan, the once-glorious "anointed Cherub," 'full of wisdom," "perfect in beauty," whose covering was "every precious stone," who "was upon the holy mountain of God," who once majestically "walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire," who was "perfect" in his way from the day he was created "till iniquity was found" in him (Ezek. 28:12-15), then reduced so abysmally to the depths of shame this picture will be a stem warning against apostasy that even eternity will not erase. Satan will not have a throne there; he will no longer reign. But having "the unenviable title of chief of all sinners ... the original sinner," the one who "has wrought the most injury," who "has practiced sin longer than any other," who "sinned against the greatest light,"8 it is fitting that he should "sink to a lower depth of shame and suffering than any other creature,"9 and thus, at least in so far as the creature is concerned, justify his creation and apostate existence, in being a grim reminder of the irretrievable ruin of sin.
From the standpoint of the Creator, this doleful region serves another purpose. It will glorify the Creator. It will be a continual witness to the infinite perfection of God's character. All else in a sinless universe of holy angels and redeemed men will speak of the majesty, the holiness, and the love of God. This will show his justness, his righteousness. This, too, is a part of the divine glory. Had sin never risen to defy God's authority, an important question would have ever remained unanswered: How would God react if His will were opposed and evil introduced? Would He be overcome by it, or would He use His power alone and annihilate it, or would His essential nature of love offer a way of rescue from it? Sin came. And time and eternity will proclaim, to the glory of the all-glorious Creator, His manner of dealing with it-in infinite love and holiness: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." In unapproachable wisdom, yet not compromising His infinite holiness, but rather magnifying His grace, He furnished a way to maintain His creation, though sin-defiled, drawing His beloved race of men back to Himself with more tender ties, giving them a "new song" of redemption (Rev. 5:9)-even more exquisite music than was heard in the primeval creation, "that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:7). These re-born, happy creatures are free moral agents, drawn but not driven.
But what if some of His creation should reject the way of salvation and pass into eternity as moral lepers still? What can be done to justify their existence, that in the ages to come they may show the infinite holiness of God, as the redeemed show forth "the exceeding riches of his grace"? Their incarceration in that dreadful abode will be, as stated by F.C. Jennings, an eternal witness to the power, the holiness, and the severity (the justice) of God-with even Satan's knee bowing, "even his tongue joining in the universal confession that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."10 Meanwhile, as the child of God journeys on his pilgrimage through this world, still exposed to the attacks of these demon creatures, he can well marvel at the complete provision the rich grace of God has made for his protection and immunity. Although the Bible contains clear revelation concerning the reality and wickedness of these agents of evil, it also gives explicit directions on how to secure and maintain immunity from their crafty assaults. The Christian, possessing all the benefits of a finished redemption in Christ, having the Holy Spirit within to guide and to preserve and the Word of God without to point the way to victory and blessing, finds himself so supplied with resources of every kind, so panoplied with the full armor of God, that with these divine aids he can hold aloft the highest standards of Christian living, as he appropriates the full power of God for effective serving and witnessing. Reckoning faithfully upon his position in Christ (Rom. 6:11), the believer's joyful testimony becomes: " . . . thanks be unto God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ" (II Cor. 2:14). Facing the foe, "strong in the Lord and in the power of His might" (Eph. 6:10), the Christian warrior finds that soon every foe is vanquished from the field of battle, as his glad shout ascends: " . . . thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (I Cor. 15:57).
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