THE POPULAR ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIBLE PROPHECY

DEMONS AND UNCLEAN SPIRITS

THE ACTIVITIES OF DEMONS: IN THE OLD TESTAMENTS

The Old Testament say Little about the activities Demons. They are the reality behind false religion and Idolatry ( Deuteronomy 32:17, Psalm 106:37). As such they play the role of Satan emissaries, carry out his schemes against the plan of God. They are not depicted as free agents, however. Ultimately Satan and his Demons are allowed to operate only under God Sovereign control( 1 King 22:19-23 ). God sometimes sent evil spirits to bring discipline and testing upon his people. After Gideon die, his son Abimelech  solidify  his power by murdering Gideon others sons. To punish him God sent and evil spirit  to create schism with the citizens of Shechem in order to end Abimelech rise to power. God also sent and evil spirit to torment Saul as a part of divine discipline for Saul’s disobedient ( 1 Samuel 16:14 -23; 18:10 – 11; 19:9-10). Later God us a deceptive spirit to lure Ahab in battle, where he met with millitary defeat, diaster,  and death as part of God discipline on the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The first two Chapters of Job depict an attack that Satan and his demons waged against the Plan of God. There Satan seek permission to test Job. In Daniel, God send An Angel to answer Daniel Pray, but a Prince of Persia” delays the Angel indicating both Organization and Demonic Opposition to God’s plan in Human History ( Daniel 10:13 ).

IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

The Biblical account describe more demonic activities during the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ than at any other time. Though Jesus cast out demons on numerous occasions, The Gospel describes only eight specific instances:

1. Mark 1:23 – 28 ( Luke 4:33 – 37 )
2. Matthew 8:28 – 34; Mark 5:1-20 ; Luke 8:26 – 40
3. Matthew 15:21 – 28 ( Mark 7:24 -30 ) 
4. Matthew 17:14 – 21 ( Luke 8:2 )
5. Mark 9:14 -29 ( Luke 9:37 – 43 )
6. Matthew 12:22  ( Luke 11:14 )
7. Luke 13:10-17
8.  Matthew 9:32 – 34

Two passages mention the disciples  and the demonic: Matthew 10:1-8 ( Mark 3: 13-19; Luke 9:1 ) and Mark 6:7;13. The Book of Acts mention Demons or Unclean Spirits in only three context.. The first mentioned that the Apostles heal people who were tormented by evil spirits ( Acts 5:16 ). The Second describe the ministry of Phillips in Samaria  and the fact that unclean Spirits “Came out” of many who were demon possessed ( Acts 8:7 ). And the third relates the failed attempts of unbelieving Jewish Exorcist to perform their ritual  in the name of Jesus ( Acts 19: 12 -16 ).  The Epistles say very little about demons. Paul recognizes they are the power behind Idols ( 1 Corinthians 10:20 -21 ) and the Ultimate Sources of False Doctrines ( 1 Timothy 4:1 ) . Paul also inform us that demons have a hierarchical Authority Structure ( Ephesian 1:21; 6:2) . James recognizes that demons  believe that God exist ( James 2:19 ), but their wisdom’s contradicts God’s( James 3:15 ). Peter and Jude both explain that God Imprison some Demons because of their dis obedience at the time of the Worldwide Noah flood ( 1 Peter 3:19 -20; 2 Peter 2:4 ; Jude 6). The Book of Revelation shows the activities of Demons in the Tribulation. During that time people will worship demons through Idolatry( Revelation 9:20 ), and Demons will be Instrumental in gathering the Armies of the world to battle against God at  Armageddon . Their numbers is Identified as One -Third of all the Angels ( Revelation 12:4 ).

THE AFFLICTIONS DEMONS CAUSES

The NewTestament described certain people as being indwelt by demons. The common term to describe this demon possession, a translation of the Greek  participle daimonizomai. The New Testament also speak of people having a Demon ( echo daimonion ). Some debate the propriety of the term possession because it conveys the mistaken notion of ownership. However, possession can also convey the idea of indwelling, taking up resident with out ownership, or eternal control. This is what we see in the contexts that use daimonizomai. Those who were demon possessed had demons cast out of them, demons were seen to enter into people or enter into the swine and they went out of people. This in – out Terminology shows that demon possession occurs when a person having a demon indwelling his or her body. The New Testament uses the Greek word ekballo to describe the removal of demons. This word describe Jesus actions  of evicting the demons from their temporary domicile. Never does the word Exorcist ( exorkizo ) apply to the actions of Jesus or his disciples.  Exorcism describes the Pagan rituals and incantations used to attempt demonic deliverance. The Power that indwelling demons exert over the human body  is vast. Demons can Impart incredible physical strength ( Luke 8:29 ), Cause blindness ( Matthew 12:22 ), and induced a loss of speech ( Matthew 12:22 ; Mark 9:7 ), They cause a boy to attempt suicide by throwing him into a fire and water ( Mark 9:22 ), gave a woman a crippling Illness for 18 years ( Luke 13:11 – 17 ), Caused epilepsy ( Matthew 17:15 – 18; Luke 9:37- 42 ), and induced various mental and physical disorder ( Matthew 9:32-33; Luke 8:26 -35 ) The Jews Of Jesus’ day were not simply relating  Demon possession to disease. Although Demons induced various physical  maladies and diseases Jesus heal some sickness and disease that was not associated with demonic activities ( Matthew 4:24; Mark 1:32 ; Acts 5:16 ). Debate continue over whether or not a Christian can be Demon possessed. Arguments in favor of this usually refer to Anecdotes from the mission field. However the strongest arguments against the possible demon possession of a Believer are these: Believers’ bodies become Temple of the Holy Spirit at Salvation ( 1 Corinthians 3:16 ) , they are in “Christ” and Christ is in them and the Epistles include no warnings about possible Demon possession and no instructions about casting out demons. Perhaps the most insidious activity of demons today is the promotion of fake doctrines and arrogant World views that opposes the teaching of Scriptures ( 1 Timothy 4:1; James 3:15 ). This demonic influence can deceive Christians