DEMON POSSESSION, DOES IT EXIST TODAY?

Newsletter 235 March 20, 2011

Luke 4:31-37 (King James Version)
Mark 1:21-28

JESUS OFTEN ENCOUNTERED IT

I grew up in the Bible Belt of America and in a Bible believing church fellowship. Demon possession was something that we never heard about. We all just considered it as something that happened in Jesus’ day. I don’t recall it being discussed, even in seminar classes, so it was a shock to me to hear Dr Bare speak of it as, in his opinion, what many of the patients suffered from in the Iowa State Hospital which he directed for the care of the insane.

My next contact with this, came when I learned that many missionaries have come to the same explanation of things they have encountered where they work. In our case, this was suggested in connection with problems, we found, but so far as I know, were not overcome until we purchased a pair of church buildings that had been used before by a congregation that emphasized emotions and feelings much more than the Bible. We sensed something was not right. I had a bad fall and could have been killed if I had fallen a little to the left of where I did. Later I started having had a sense of a cold chill at a spot only a few feet away from where I had fallen It was then that I commanded any evil spirit depart from there and never return, in Jesus name. I did not think to send him to any particular place, but later Phyllis had the same experience in another part of the building. She told me about it later and added that she had told him to go live under the bridge in the park nearby.

31 And (Jesus) came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days. (Matthew 4:13, Luke 4:23)

32 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power. (Matthew 7:28, Luke 4:36, John 7:46)

EVEN IN A PLACE OF WORSHIP

It does not come as a surprise that Jesus taught with power. (Matthew 28:18) We knew that he cast out demons on many occasions, but this was in a house of worship, a synagogue. These were believers, not necessarily in his divinity, but certainly believers in God his Father. To find such people to have demons is surprising.

33 And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice,

HE NEVER ACCEPTED THEIR PRAISE AND TESTIMONY

There was never a time when Jesus permitted a demon to testify on his behalf. The same is true of the Apostle Paul. We read of demons who believe, but never that it is a belief that results in repentance.

34 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God. (Matthew 8:29, Mark 1:24)

35 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not. (Matthew 8:26, Mark 4:39, Luke 4:39, Luke 4:41, Luke 8:24)

JESUS HAD ALL POWER

36 And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out. (Luke 4:32)

37 And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about. (Luke 4:14)

Just as we are admonished to entertain strangers, for we never know but that we may be entertaining angels, we are told also be discerning that we are not hosting demons. It may only a coincidence, but that bridge in the park, happens to be exactly where I tripped and fell months later resulting in my left elbow being shattered, and ultimately to our retirement after only 47 years in Africa. Our God has prepared a place for Satan and his demons, a place which terrifies them as the time draws near when they must go there.

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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
MARCH

20th. Sunday – Numbers 8, 9, 10, Luke 3:1-17, Psalm 35:19-28
21st. Monday – Numbers 11, 12, 13, Luke 3:18-38, Proverbs 7:21-27
22nd. Tuesday – Numbers 14. 15, Luke 4:1-22, Psalm 36
23rd. Wednesday - Numbers 16, 17, Luke 4:23-44, Psalm 37:1-9
24th. Thursday - Numbers 18, 19, 20, Luke 5:1-17, Psalm 37:10-20
25th. Friday – Numbers 21, 22, Luke 5:18-39, Proverbs 8:1-11
26th. Saturday - Numbers 23, 24, 25, Luke 6:1-26, Psalm 37:21-31

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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“It is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
Luke 4:4”


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PRAISE THE LORD, I’M BACK

It seems that my problems are the result of a bad disk and pinched nerves in my neck and not my right hand, I am on therapy for a while and the hand is slowiy coming right with my own routines. I still can’t write script, feed myself well enough to eat in company, or really type on the computer with more than two fingers.

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