However, Satan aspired with arrogant ambition to ascend to the Throne of Christ and rule the angels and Creation (Isa 14:13, 14; Ezek 28:15-18). This included ruling the Earth, which was filled with plants and animals. Satan's sin was rebellion against God, and he convinced one-third of the angels to follow him.
After their sin, God gave Satan and the fallen angels a choice of where they would spend Eternity. Salvation was not an issue because they already had Eternal Life. The only question was where they would spend Eternity, with God or in the Lake of Fire. After Satan and the fallen angels rejected God's offer, they were sentenced to the Lake of Fire (Matt 25:41). However, Satan appealed the decision, and God granted the appeal. God's Righteousness is absolute and not dependent nor altered by man's sin (Rom 3:4). Satan challenged that in the Appeal Trial.
Mankind was created to resolve the prehistoric Angelic Conflict. Adam and the woman, later called Eve, were created with body, soul, and spirit in the image of God. They also had a free will; so they could choose to obey God or Satan. Satan convinced Adam and the woman to sin. When they sinned, they died spiritually and were destined to die physically (Gen 2:17). Satan became the ruler of the world, and Adam and the woman were subject to him.
However, the Lord Jesus Christ offered them Salvation, which they accepted (Gen 3:21). They received Eternal Life and were free to choose to obey God or Satan. Their children would be born spiritually dead due to the imputation of the Original Sin, but they would be free to choose Salvation.
Satan's Influence
Satan rules the world (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; 2 Cor 4:4; Eph 2:2; 6:12; 1 John 5:19). He has direct access to people through sin, as symbolized by the Tree of Evil.3 Unbelievers are subject to him, but believers have a choice of whether to obey God or Satan. However, Satan is so slick and powerful and brilliant that he is seldom exposed. The most advanced believers are no match for Satan. Only by separation from the world and Spiritual growth do believers begin to have impact on Satan's operations. Believers in Spiritual Rapport are able to win in some conflicts with Satan through the Grace of God.Satan has power over national leaders, governments, courts, schools, and the people. He deceives the nations (Rev 18:23; 20:3, 8, 10). He sponsors religion, which is man by man's efforts trying to reach God (Acts 4:12; Eph 2:8-9), e.g. in the Pharisees (Jn 8:44). Satan controls most churches (1 Jn 4:1; Rev 2:20, 24). Satan and his demons tempt people to sin and entice them into human good and evil (Jas 1:14). They can overpower people (Jn 13:27; 2 Cor 4:4), put thoughts in their minds and hearts (Jn 13:2; Acts 5:3), and read their minds. They can answer the prayers of believers who are not filled with the Spirit. Satan spoke through Moses when Moses got angry (Nu 20:10). And he can speak through anyone else, including pastors and educators.
Satan is a liar and the father of lies, and those who believe him in the Cosmic System are full of lies (Jn 8:44) (Psa 62:9; 116:11; Jer 9:4-5; Rom 3:4). He is a murderer, who will use any means to achieve his ends. He inspired the first murder in history (Gen 4:8; 1 John 3:12–15; Jude 11). He is the author of sin (1 Jn 3:8). He is the tempter, murderer, deceiver, liar, and sorcerer (Jn 8:44; Gal 5:20; 1 Thess 3:5; Rev 12:9; 18:23; 21:8).
Satan's followers are called by names like evil, wicked, and reversionistic. They are full of lies, bitterness, deceit, and murder, like Satan (Rom 3:10-18). They walk in darkness even though they may appear as angels of light (2 Cor 11:14). They go from bad to worse on their way to death (2 Tim 3:13). Their paths are crooked (Psa 125:5). They are agitated like the tossing sea (Isa 57:20), and the way of peace they have not known (Isa 57:21; 59:8; Rom 3:17).
Ephesians 2:2 Satan's Power Over ManBefore Salvation the Ephesian Christians were spiritually dead. They were behaving (walking) according to the lifestyle of Satan's world, the Cosmic System. Satan is the "powerful ruler of the air." "Ruler" is the Greek, a[rcwn (archon). The "air" symbolizes the spiritual realm. Like the atmosphere around the Earth, Satan rules the world. He is "the spirit that is now operating in the sons of disobedience (unbelievers)." Satan and his demons (spirits) operate in unbelievers and influence carnal believers. The outside influence of Satan and the world meet the desires of the Old Sin Nature (OSN) in the soul of the believer (Rom 6:6; Eph 6:12). "Disobedience" is the Greek, ajpeivqeia, (apeitheia), meaning disobedience or disbelief (in the gospel) (Eph 5:6).
In which sphere (real spiritual death), you formerly walked according to the lifestyle of this world according to the powerful ruler of the air, the spirit that is now operating in the sons of disobedience.
Satan's Pattern of Deception
Satan's pattern of deception in dealing with mankind is illustrated by his attack on Adam and the woman in the Garden. He did not try to frighten them or bully them, but he craftily appealed to the woman, who was weaker in faith (Gen 3:1-6). Satan convinced her that eating the forbidden fruit would make her wise. So, she disobeyed God, listened to Satan, and ate the fruit. She immediately died spiritually. She gave the fruit to Adam, and he also ate and died spiritually (ref. The Fall).4The woman was completely deceived by Satan (2 Cor 11:3; 1 Tim 2:14).
1 Timothy 2:14 The Woman in the FallThe word, "deceive" is the Greek ajpatavw (apatao), and "completely deceived" is the Greek ejxapatavw, (exapatao) from ejx (out of) + apatavw (to deceive, seduce) = to completely deceive (2 Cor 11:3, Rom 16:18). This word carries the nuance of seduction (with flattery).
And Adam was not deceived, but the woman, having been completely deceived, fell into transgression.
Eve's Fall
Satan attacked the woman in the Garden (Gen 3:1-5). She was weaker than Adam, and spotted her vulnerability. He spoke to her alone through her favorite pet serpent. It didn't raise any alarm bells. He used flattery, seductive power, and duplicity to lure her into lawlessness outside the boundary of divine protection (Gen 3:1). Satan appealed to pride (arrogant-ambition) (Isa 14:14) and lured her into subjectivity (subjective arrogance) (Gen 3:5).
In her state of confusion, the woman rejected God's authority (Gen 3:6). Satan convinced her to eat the fruit. Satan lied about God (Gen 3:4-5). Under the power of the Cosmic System, the woman succumbed to Cosmic (Z-axis), Political (Y-axis), and Ecumenical Babylon (X-axis). She saw that the tree was:
Ecumenical Babylon (X-axis) – Good for food.The woman ate the forbidden fruit and became the Prostitute of Babylon under the power of Satan. She became the partner with Satan against her husband. She gave the fruit to Adam, and he ate. She rejected Adam's authority. Marriage was destroyed by her sin. Spiritual Rapport with God was lost. Harmonious rapport with Adam was lost. The woman became competitive, and Adam became bitter.
Political Babylon (Y-axis) – A delight to the eyes.
Cosmic Babaylon (Z-axis) – Desirable to make one wise.
Satan Attacks Believers
Satan still attacks believers just as he did in the Garden.
2 Corinthians 11:3 Satan's Attack of BelieversJust as Satan completely deceived Eve by his craftiness, he is waiting in the wings to confuse the thoughts of believers and lead them away from Christ. The thinking of Christians should be characterized by "noble simplicity and purity toward Christ." "Noble simplicity" is the Greek aJplovth" (haplotes), for the noble simplicity characteristic of heroes. "Purity" is the Greek aJgnovth" (hagnotes), for purity or the quality of being holy or pure. "Toward Christ" refers to strategic alignment with Christ.
But I am afraid, lest as the serpent completely deceived Eve by his craftiness, your thoughts should be led astray from noble simplicity and purity toward Christ.
Satan is slicker than the imagination. Not only can he put thoughts in the mind and feelings in the heart, he influences the underlying assumptions and presumptions that produce the thoughts. He has established his Cosmic System to influence, tempt, deceive, and outwit people to control the world (Eph 2:2; 6:12; Jas 4:4; 1 Jn 2:15-17). As Beelzebub, he is like the unseen spider that catches flies in his web. People are the flies, and they don't stand a chance against Satan.
Satan as Beelzebub rules the demons (2 Ki 1:2; Matt 10:25; 12:24; Mk 3:22; Lk 11:15). He sends his demons to maintain his power and control over the world. And he sends demons to attack Christians (2 Cor 12:7). Satan rules nations and the military establishment through the Evil King (Josh 12:7-24; Rev 16:13-14). And he rules commerce and the civilian sector through the Prostitute of Babylon (Rev 18:2-3) and lures men with the love of money (Acts 5:3; 1 Tim 6:10).
Satan is a super creature. He moves faster than light, thinks at gigahertz rates, and is the most brilliant, sophisticated, and beautiful created being apart from the humanity of Christ. Satan can start a rebellion in the blink of an eye, and convince a person to murder in an instant. He runs all the governments of the world, the economy, educational institutions, entertainment and news media, and most churches.
Satan hides in plain sight. Only the masters of Bible Doctrine, the most advanced believers, will ever have a clue of his activities. The eyes do not behold him. He is the spiritual force behind the move. He is not the thing that is seen, but the thing that is not seen. No man or angel is a match for him, and only by the Grace of God are they protected from him.
To achieve his end, Satan promotes sin, human good, and evil. His policy is evil. He uses fear, rebellion, lies, murder, and deceit or any other convenient means to accomplish his end. He quickly sacrifices his helpers when he has finished using them.
Satan uses people, but people don't use him. He's far too smart. Those who pretend to be his priests or to know his deep things are liars and frauds. They are hopelessly confused and wouldn't recognize Satan if he spit in their face. They may be full of sin and lust and emotion, and they may be under the power of Satan, but they don't know him. Being deceived is not a qualification for knowing the truth.
Another fallacy is that Satan doesn't concern himself with the common person and that he deals only with the higher echelons. Satan deals with everyone. He has the time, the power, and the inclination to do so. He is the accuser of the brethren (Job 1:11; 2:5; Zech 3:1; Luke 22:31; 1 Pet 5:8; Rev 12:10). He also concerns himself with children and animals, since they are also in his domain. Satan is actively engaged in ruling his world to achieve his purpose. He rules the world through his Cosmic System with Cosmic, Political, and Ecumenical power (Jude 11; Rev 16:19). He commands armies of demons (Rev 12:3-4, 7-9). And his demon corps is managed from top to bottom to handle every facet of his kingdom.
Satan undoubtedly prides himself on being able to influence the lives of pastors and congregations to achieve his ends and further his lie. Religion is one of his most powerful counterfeits. He empowers the Antichrist (1 Jn 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 Jn 7) and false teachers (Matt 24:5, 24; 2 Cor 11:13; Jud 12-13).
Satan is the enemy of Marriage and is actively engaged in destroying it. He knows the power of Marriage in society and understands that it is a Divine Institution. He attacks Marriage and the Right Man - Right Woman relationship through the Prostitute of Babylon (1 Cor 6:15-18; Heb 13:4; Rev 18:2-3).
Satan is also actively engaged in medicine. He not only can cause most illnesses, but he can also heal them. Of course, this must be done with God's permission, since God punishes people with sickness. Satan is all too ready to offer medicinal remedies to those who are under Divine punishment. He rules health care and fosters the fears and misconceptions of doctors and patients who are spiritually inept.
Satan's History
Satan knows the Bible and God's plan of the ages. His counterattacks are designed to thwart God's plan and prove that his way (evil) is better. a. He attacked the man
and woman in the Garden to get them to sin, so they would die spiritually
and fall under his power in order for him to rule the world.
b. He attacked the divine
institution of Marriage before the Flood because that would be the means
for the Savior to come into the world (Gen 3:15; 1 Tim 2:15).
c. He attacked nationalism
through Nimrod and the Tower of Babel (Gen 10:9-10; 11:1-9).
d. He tried to kill the
baby Jesus (Matt 2:16).
e. He tempted Jesus Christ
and inspired Judas to betray Him, and he incited a mob to crucify Him (Matt
4:1-11; Luk 22:3-6; 23:21; Jn 13:2, 26-27).
f. After the Resurrection
and Ascension, he attacked the Apostles and had most of them executed.
g. He has attempted to
destroy the Jews periodically through the holocaust. This will happen
for the last time in the Tribulation when he will try to destroy Israel
in order to rule the world and usher in a false millennium without fulfilling
the unconditional covenants to Israel.
h. Satan attacks the Christian
and the Church (Eph 6:11; 1 Pet 5:8).
Idolatry
Satan seeks to be worshipped as God (Isa 14:14; Ezek 28:2). He does that through idolatry, which is his counterfeit for the worship of God through the ritual of the Tabernacle. Satan and his demons are worshiped through idolatry (Deut 32:17; Ps 106:37; 1 Cor 10:20; Gal 4:8; Rev 9:20). Satan is worshipped through the pantheon of gods in idolatry. Most pantheons follow the same pattern, namely:King – Father of the gods, the Most High god, Zeus, Jupiter
Sun god – Satan as the angel of light, Apollo (2 Cor 11:14)
God of War – Evil King, Mars, Molech, Baal (Jer 32:35; Dan 7:25; 8:25; 11:36; 2 Thess 2:3, 8; Rev 13:4-8, 15)
Moon god, Goddess of Love – Prostitute of Babylon, Baal (2 Ki 17:16), Ashtoreth (1 Ki 11:5, 33; 2 Ki 23:13; Rev 17:5; 19:2), Artemis (Acts 19:24-35), Jezebel (1 Kin 16:31; 21:25; 2 Kin 9:22; Rev 2:20)
Son – Mother and child, Nimrod, Cush (Gen 10:8-9; 1 Chron 1:10; Jn 8:44; 1 Jn 3:10), Morning Star, son of the dawn (Isa 14:12), Adonis, Tammuz (Ezek 8:14), Mercury (Hermes) (Acts 14:12)
Babylonian Astrology
Satan created a lie of mythology to redefine the meaning of the planets and heavenly bodies which God created. Satan replaced the true names of the planets in honor of the Lord Jesus Christ with the names of demon-gods that honor him. When Satan's definitions are applied to the positions of the planets in the heavens, the result is a lie which contradicts the truth of God's creation.Sorcery
1. A curse may be invoked by appealing to God or the devil.Appeal to Satan (Job 31:30)
2. Casting spells, witchcraft (Deut 18:10-11).
3. Sorcery, Greek farmakeiva (pharmakeia) = sorcery; drug addiction (Gal 5:1).
4. Satan and his demons control through sorcery and drug abuse (Gal 5:20; Rev 9:21; 21:8).
Diabolical Healer
1. Angels can give people pestilence and disease (2 Sam 24:16).2. Satan and his demons, like other angels, can both infect with disease and heal.
a. Angels infect people by shooting them with rays of spiritual light.
b. The frequency of the light determines the disease or infirmity.
3. Angels also have the power to heal and deliver the same way.
4. Satan and demons use these gifts to the detriment of others – e.g. faith healers. They cause physical maladies and empower false healers who can cast out the debilitating demons.
Satan's Defeat
Satan and his demons were defeated at the Cross and paraded in a triumphal procession afterward (Col 2:15; Eph. 1:20-21, 4:8). They will be removed from the Earth and locked up in Hell for a thousand years during the Millennium (Rev 20:1-3).Age of Grace
The purpose of the Church Age of Grace is far greater than demonstrating sensational Spiritual gifts, such as healing and casting out demons. The Church Age Believer (CAB) lives in the Dispensation of Grace. He is a Royal Priest, son of the Royal Family of God (RFG), a servant of God, an ambassador for Christ, a Spiritual Warrior. He serves God, and is opposed by Satan, his demons, the world, and his own flesh. He is a witness for God against Satan. He is promoted by Grace and cursed by his enemies. He has a Spiritual heritage with a double blessing from God and the Lord Jesus Christ that is beyond the imagination. He has Spiritual helpers and Spiritual children. And he has an impact on human history and the Angelic Conflict.Casting Out Demons
Casting out demons means to remove them by force. Since Satan is the most powerful angel, the only way to do this is with the power of God or Satan. Satan controls his kingdom, and people cannot mess with his demons. Jesus and his disciples cast out demons when He was on Earth and in the Precanon Period as a sign of the credentials of the coming of the Messiah (Mk 16:17-18). The power of Church Age Believers to cast out demons is no longer extant. It ceased during the early Church Age (2 Cor 12:7-9) just as the gift of healing. See Dealing with Demons in Grace5 for a full explanation.Binding Satan
Binding Satan is a metaphor for holding him captive and neutralizing (or restricting) his power (Matt 12:29; Mk 3:27; Luk 11:21-22; Rev 20:1-2). It also applies to Satan's demons. Satan must be bound before his demons can be cast out of people or ordered to go anywhere.Matthew 12:29Jesus used the analogy of a strong man who protects his house from thieves. However, if the strong man is bound (tied up), then the thief can plunder his house. The strong man is a metaphor for Satan, and the strong man's house is Satan's domain. Stealing his household furnishings is analogous to taking Satan's holdings or seizing his demons. Nobody messes with the demons in Satan's kingdom unless Satan is bound. Satan's holdings include people, who are enslaved through the power of sin (ref. Tree of Evil) (Rom 6:12-23; Eph 2:1-3; 1 Jn 3:8).
Or how can anyone enter into the house of the strong man, and steal his household furnishings, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will thoroughly plunder his house.
Binding the strong man requires the power of God, since Satan is the most powerful creature (Jn 12:31; 1 Jn 4:4; 5:4). Only if Satan is bound (neutralized), can someone plunder his house (kingdom). Satan must be bound by God before his demons can be driven out of his house. Jesus gave his disciples special power over Satan to cast out demons, but that power was removed by the completion of the canon of scripture for the Church. However, Satan can still be bound, or neutralized, through Grace.
Satan is bound at Salvation when a believer is taken away from Satan's domain and entered into union with Christ through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Satan can't get near the new believer without God's permission (Lk 22:32). And when a person is Filled with the Holy Spirit, Satan cannot overpower him (1 Jn 4:4). Thus, Rebound brings the Filling of the Holy Spirit, which protects the believer from Satan. In addition, the use of the other Problem Solving Devices protect the believer from Satan.
Believers are also protected from Satan when they are actively executing the Spiritual life (Gal 5:16; Heb 12:1, 4), living in the Tree of Life (Prov 3:18), and growing to Spiritual Maturity to become strong (Eph 6:10; 1 Jn 2:13). They are even protected when they are legitimately engaged in Spiritual Warfare (2 Cor 10:3; Eph 6:12).
God watches over believers and protects them from Satan (Gen 15:1; Psa 41:1-3; 91:11; 121:7; Rom 8:31-39; 2 Tim 4:18; Heb 13:5; Jas 4:6-8; 1 Jn 5:18; Jude 24). After Abraham defeated Chedorlaomer and was in danger of being counterattacked by terrorists, the Lord became a shield to him to protect him (Gen 15:1). The Lord protected David, even on his sickbed (Psa 91:1-3). He will even deploy angels to protect the believer (Psa 91:11). If God is for us, who can be against us (Rom 8:31). He rescues believers from Satan (Gal 1:4; 2 Thess 3:3; 1 John 2:13; 5:18). The Lord rescued Paul (2 Tim 4:18). The Lord will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb 13:5). Even in the face of direct Satanic attack, if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us and protect us (Jas 4:6-8).
Satan has access to us through sin. But the believer living in the Tree of Life is not sinning (1 Jn 3:9), and Satan cannot control him.
1 John 3:9 FHS Prevents SinHere John is differentiating between the New (born again) man and old self after Salvation. Rather than invent new terms, John calls the New man one "who is born out from the source of God." This one is filled with the Holy Spirit. He cannot sin because "His seed abides in him." "His seed" is the Holy Spirit. It is impossible to sin in the Filling of the Holy Spirit. This does not mean that Christians never sin. They do (1 Jn 1:8, 10), but in order to sin, the Holy Spirit must be rejected and the person must choose to sin.
Everyone who is born out from the source of God does not commit sin because His seed abides in him, and he is not able to sin, because He has been born out from the source of God.
Rebound is the solution to sin after Salvation. However, Satan is allowed to test, tempt, and cross examine human witnesses in the Appeal Trial with God's permission (Gen 3:1-6; Matt 4:1-11; 1 Cor 7:5; 1 Thess 3:5). Just as he attacked the woman in the Garden and tempted the Lord Jesus Christ, Satan still attacks the believer. The believer is then free to choose between God and Satan (Gen 2:17; Deut 30:19; Rom 6:13, 16, 19; 12:1).
When the believer is attacked directly by Satan or his demons, the problem must be handled in Grace, like any other problem (Jn 6:44; 2 Cor 9:8; 12:9; Heb 4:16; Rev 3:7-9). The attack may come from God's Sovereign Design or from Satan. When an attack occurs, the immediate problem is the conflict, which includes temporal and spiritual aspects. There are two sides. The temporal side, corresponding to the left side of the body, includes the things of this life which are visible, tangible, or physical. These things are recognizable to believers and unbelievers. The temporal side includes temporal authority, including the husband in Marriage and governing authorities. The spiritual side, corresponding to the right side, includes things that are unseen, intangible, or spiritual. These things may be from God or Satan. The spiritual side includes love and friendship.
Temporal Examples
Temporal examples include:
Enemy, terrorist, criminal attacks (Psa 56:1-2, 6; 69:1-4)Spiritual Examples
Sudden cataclysmic Judgment, crisis (Job 1:13-22)
Attacks from people, e.g. lies, accusation, vituperation, gossip, malice, bullying, rebellion (2 Sam 15:14; 16:5; Psa 56:5)
Equipment breakdown which precipitates necessities (2 Cor 11:25)
Medical suffering, emergency, and crisis (Psa 41:3; 56:8).
Spiritual examples include:
Personal sin and problems from OSN.Handling Temporal Attacks
Divine punishment and testing involving Satan and his demons (1 Pet 4:12-13).
Satanic and demonic attack (2 Tim 4:17; 1 Pet 5:8).
Cosmic System Counterattack (Mk 5:25-34).
Confusion, darkness, pressure, BOS, ERS, H/H (Eph 4:17-19).
Temporal attacks must be handled with objective thinking.
a.
They often require immediate action (Job 39:19-25; Jer 4:6).
b.
You must take a stand (Ex 14:13; Deut 11:25-29; Eph 6:11-15; 1 Pet 5:12).
c.
They require Capacity for Life (Eph 6:10; Phil 4:13) and Capacity for Love
(1 Cor 13:13; 1 Pet 4:8).
d.
The Filling of the Holy Spirit is required to avoid falling into Lawlessness
or Legalism. Do not fear (Psa 56:4, 11); do not be bitter (Eph 4:31).
e.
God will assist (Psa 56:13). "The battle is the Lord's" (1 Sam 17:47).
"The Lord will fight for you" (Ex 14:14; Rom 12:19; Heb 10:30).
Handling Spiritual Attacks
Spiritual attacks must be handled with Spiritual thinking and deployment of the PSD's (Eph 4:26-27; 6:11).
a.
Direct Satanic attacks require resisting (Jas 4:7; 1 Pet 5:8-9).
Job had to survive the attack of Satan, and God watched over him.
b.
After surviving the attack, the next problem is to figure out what it meant
from Divine viewpoint (2 Cor 4:18), e. g. it may have national implications
in Spiritual Warfare. When the smoke clears, think doctrine.
c.
The Lord will deliver and drive the demons away in Grace (2 Cor 12:9).
Successfully overcoming Satanic attacks leads to promotion (Psa 40:2; 1 Jn 2:13-14), rest (Heb 4:9-11), and Eternal rewards (2 Cor 4:17; Rev 2:10-11, 24-26).
Satanic Attacks
Satanic Attacks
Satan and his demons attack the believer directly and through the world. Adversaries must be defeated through Grace (Psa 60:11-12).Temptation of Christ
The Lord Jesus Christ in His humanity was tempted by Satan before He began His Earthly ministry (Matt 4:1-11; Luk 4:2-13). Jesus handled these temptations in His humanity with the same Divine operating assets that Church Age Believers have. Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit and knew the scripture, which at that time consisted of the Old Testament. He did not use His Deity because Deity cannot be tempted. The temptations of Christ are far beyond anything a believer will face.Matthew 4:1Jesus was living under obedience to the Holy Spirit when He was led into the wilderness. So God set the stage to allow the devil to tempt Him.
Then Jesus was led up into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil.
Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, which left Him hungry and very weak (Matt 4:2). This indicates that Jesus was under God's authority for Logistical Grace provision of daily bread. He was fasting because God had not provided the daily bread. In this weakened state Satan seized the opportunity to attack.
Matthew 4:3 Ecumenical Babylon CounterattackThe devil knew that Jesus was starving; so he tempted Him to disobey God and perform a miracle to make stones into bread. This would be a sin, which would disqualify Jesus from being a sin bearer on the Cross. This attack came from Ecumenical Babylon. Jesus answered Satan by quoting scripture, "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God" (Deut 8:3).
And the tempter came and said to Him, "Since you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."
Matthew 4:5-6 Cosmic Babylon CounterattackThen Satan got the hang of quoting scripture, since he knows it backward and forward. He appealed to Jesus to jump off the wing of the Temple overlooking the Kidron Valley and trust the angels to protect Him (Psa 91:11-12). This was a Cosmic Babylon counterattack associated with falling through the air.
5 Then the devil took Him along with him to the Holy City and had Him stand on the wing of the Temple (overlooking the Kidron Valley) 6 And said to him, "Since you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for you see, it is written, 'He will give His angels direction concerning you, and upon their hands they will lift you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'"
Matthew 4:7Jesus answered that you should not put God to the test (Deut 6:16).
Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
Matthew 4:8-9 Political Babylon CounterattackNext, Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if He would worship him. Satan is the ruler of the world, and he could make such an offer. The offer of the kingdoms of the world was a Political Babylon counterattack. Jesus, however, resisted the temptation.
8 Again the devil took Him along with him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory 9 And he said to Him, "All these I will give to You if You will fall down and worship me.
Matthew 4:10Jesus answered Satan by quoting Deuteronomy 6:13 and 10:20 that you should worship the Lord God and serve only Him.
Then Jesus said to him, "Begone, Satan! You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve."
Attacks of People
(Gen 3:1-6; Nu 20:10; 1 Chron 21:1; Matt 13:19; 16:23; Lk 22:3, 31; Jn 6:70; 8:13, 31, 39-59; 13:2, 27; 2 Cor 4:4; 11:15; 12:7; Eph 2:2; 4:27; Acts 5:3; 13:8-9, 10; 1 Tim 4:1; 1 Jn 3:8, 10, 12; 5:19)Satan can attack people or people under Satan's power can attack other people. He began by attacking the woman in the Garden (Gen 3:1-6). When the woman sinned, she was under Satan's influence when she attacked Adam (Gen 3:6). David was a man after the Lord's own heart, but Satan tempted him to commit adultery with Bathsheba and to have her husband, Uriah the Hittite, murdered. Satan also influenced David to number Israel in violation of God's commandment (1 Chron 21:1). Paul himself was pestered by a demon (2 Cor 12:7).
Thought Implanter, Stealer
Just as Satan can put thoughts in the mind as he did with Peter (Matt 16:22-23), he can also steal thoughts out of the mind. This is easy for Satan to do, since he thinks gigahertz rates or higher, whereas the human brain is only capable of thinking at 16 hertz (times per second) and practically can't even see 12 hertz. Satan steals Bible Doctrine out of the mind before a person can metabolize it (Matt 13:19). Satan opposes the Gospel by blinding the mind of the unbeliever to it (2 Cor 4:4), and Satan's workers appear as servants of righteousness (2 Cor 11:15). Satan's demons deceive people and teach them false doctrine (1 Tim 4:1).
Satan and his demons can also cause dreams and visions (Job 20:8; Jer 23:25-27; 27:9; Lam 2:14; Ezek 13:3, 6-16, 23; 21:29; Mic 3:6; Zech 10:2; Col 2:18). The only way to know if they are behind the dreams is to know Bible Doctrine. Satan and his demons can also appear as apparitions (Isa 34:14; Mt 14:26; Mk 6:49; Lk 24:37).
When Jesus explained to his disciples that He must suffer and be executed and be raised on the third day (Matt 16:21), Peter took Him aside and rebuked Him saying that this would never happen to Him.
Matthew 16:22 Satan Speaks Through PeterPeter was speaking under the influence of Satan. Jesus recognized Satan's influence and called Peter, Satan. Peter, under the influence of Satan was opposing the strategic purpose for Jesus coming into the world, which was to go to the Cross and pay for the sins of the world.
And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "God have mercy, Lord! This must never happen!"
Matthew 16:23 Peter Called SatanJesus turned His back to Peter and said, "Go away! Get behind Me, Satan!" He was telling Peter to get out of His sight because he was Satan (Mk 8:33). Peter was in the Cosmic System under Satan's power. Under the potter and clay principle, created beings are not original thinkers. They belong to God (Rom 9:20-24; Isa 45:9; 64:8) and may be influenced by Satan (Jn 8:44; Eph 2:2; 4:27; 1 Jn 5:19). Peter was not thinking Divine viewpoint (Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 4:18; 5:7; Eph 1:18; Phil 2:5; Heb 11:1), but human viewpoint. It was God's strategic purpose was for Christ to go to the Cross. Peter was thinking "the things of men," the thinking of unregenerate men in the Cosmic System with human and Satanic viewpoint (Rom 8:6-7; Eph 2:2; 4:17, 22; 2 Tim 2:26).
But having turned around (with His back to Peter), He said to Peter, "Go away! Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling-block to Me, because you are not thinking the things of God (Divine viewpoint), but the things of men (human viewpoint)."
Later, Satan requested permission to sift Peter like wheat (Luk 22:31), but Jesus interceded for him and prevented it (Luk 22:32).
Pharisees and Religious Jews
The Pharisees, who were under the influence of Satan, attacked Jesus Christ many times. They called Him a liar (Jn 8:13-30). Satan also influenced Jewish believers and led them astray (Jn 8:31-33) and convinced them to kill Jesus (Jn 8:37, 39-40). Satan was their father (Jn 8:41, 44).
John 8:44They accused Jesus Christ of having a demon (Jn 8:48, 52). And Satan incited them to try to stone Jesus (Jn 8:59).
You are from your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks the lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies.
Judas Iscariot
Judas Iscariot was a classic case of Satan's attack on people. Satan was out to destroy Jesus Christ. Satan, like a smart politician, was sensitive to the threat of the truth from Jesus Christ. Satan decided to have Jesus murdered, and he picked Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus. Satan could have worked through anyone, but Judas was already a lover of money and a thief with a hardened heart, which made it easy for Satan to influence him.
Contrary to popular belief, Judas was a believer, or Jesus would never have chosen him as a disciple in the first place. Although Judas was full of human good, he did not respond to the Grace-oriented teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ. Judas became the treasurer of the group of disciples and pilfered money from the treasury (Jn 12:6). The love of money and sin in the heart of Judas opened the doors to Satan (Matt 6:24).
Before the Last Supper, Judas was under Satan's influence.
John 7:2Satan had already convinced Judas to turn in Jesus to the Jewish High Priest. He agreed to tell the Jews where Jesus was so they could arrest Him.
And during the supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Him.
Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him (Jn 6:70-71; 13:11), and He told the disciples of this at the Last Supper (Jn 13:21). They wanted to know which one of them it was. So, Jesus pointed out Judas Iscariot by dipping a morsel of bread and giving it to him. After Judas Iscariot took the morsel, Satan possessed him.
John 13:27 Judas Possessed by Satan"Satan then entered into him" (Judas Iscariot). Satan had already entered the heart of Judas. Here Satan entered the body of Judas, which is commonly called possession. "Entered into" is the Greek eijsevrcomai (eiserchomai), meaning enter into someone, especially of demons, which take possession of someone's body as their dwelling (Mk 9:25; Lk 8:30). It is used for demons entering into swine (Mk 5:12-13; Lk 8:32-33). It is used of Satan entering into Judas (Lk 22:3; Jn 13:27).
And after the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Then Jesus said to him, "What you are doing, do quickly."
"Into him" is the Greek eis (into) + ekeinos, meaning that person, or him. This prepositional phrase strengthens the meaning of Satan entering the body of Judas Iscariot. Satan entered the body of Judas to lead the Temple Guard to arrest Jesus and collect his reward. Judas was a believer under the Law. He was not indwelt or filled with the Holy Spirit. After betraying Jesus, Satan led Judas to his death (Matt 27:3-5; Jn 17:12).
The argument that believers cannot be demon possessed goes out the window here. The argument that is often presented is "Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world" (1 Jn 4:4). However, this refers to the Holy Spirit in the soul and not the indwelling, which is symbolic. The power against Satan and demons is in the Filling of the Holy Spirit, not the indwelling. Of course, Judas Iscariot was neither filled nor indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
Attack from Satan, the World Ruler
The unbeliever lives in sin under the power of Satan, the ruler of the world, as previously explained (Eph 2:2). After Salvation, the believer has a New Spiritual life with a New self. He must be diligent to live in the New self in the Tree of Life to avoid falling back under sin, which gives Satan the opportunity to control him (Eph 4:26-27). Sin must be handled with Rebound to prevent Satan from influencing the believer. The person who is not filled with the Holy Spirit has no power against Satan and his Cosmic System.
Ananias
Ananias was a believer in the early Church in Jerusalem who fell under the influence of Satan. The believers in the Church were selling their property and laying the proceeds at the Apostles' feet to be shared by all in the Church. Ananias and his wife, however, sold some property and brought only a portion of the proceeds as a gift to the Church. They pretended that they were giving the entire proceeds from the sale. The congregation in Jerusalem was large with around 1,000 members, and Ananias and his wife wanted approbation.
When Ananias brought only a portion of the money to the Church, Peter caught on immediately and confronted him.
Acts 5:3 Lying to the Holy SpiritPeter asked, "Why has Satan filled your heart?" Rather than being filled with the Holy Spirit, Ananias was filled with the spirit of Satan. This was not possession, or indwelling. It was Satanic, or demon, influence. Satan was attacking the Jerusalem Church through Ananias.
But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart so that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and kept for yourself some of the money from the land?"
Peter added, "so that you have lied to the Holy Spirit?" Ananias was tempted from approbation lust under the influence of Satan to sin. This was the arrogant ambition, sin of Satan. Ananias decided that he would lie about the price of the property. This was a sin and he lost the filling of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, he lied to the Holy Spirit. The spirit of Satan then filled his heart. Satan attacked Peter and the Jerusalem Church through Ananias.
Acts 5:4Peter pointed out that Ananias, as a believer, was responsible to God for what he had done. This was very serious because it was a Satanic counterattack.
Did not it (the land) belong to you while it remained unsold? And after it was sold, was it (the money) not at your disposal? Who made you contrive this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.
Acts 5:5 Dying Punishment of the BelieverWhen Ananias heard Peter's accusation, "he fell down and expired." "Expire" means to exhale one's last breath. He died from the sin leading to death because he had lied to the Holy Spirit.
When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and expired;
Then great fear came upon all who heard these things.
Elymas the Magician
On a missionary journey to Cyprus, Paul, Barnabus, and John Mark were evangelizing the people of the island. At Paphos they encountered a Jewish magician named Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus (Acts 13:6-7). The proconsul had asked to hear the word of God from Paul and Barnabus, and they were giving him the Gospel when Elymas kept interrupting.
Acts 13:8Elymas is another name for Bar-Jesus (Acts 13:6). How his name came to be translated Elymas is somewhat of a mystery. According to Josephus a Jewish magician who lived in Cyprus about this time helped the procurator Felix win Drusilla (Acts 24:24), the wife of king Aziz of Emesa (Antiquities, xx.vii.2). In the 11th Cent. manuscript, the magician is called Atomos (Greek A[tomo"), which appears to be one of the variations of the name Elymas.6 Drusilla was said to be the most beautiful woman in the world.
But Elymas the magician (for so his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn away the proconsul from faith (in Christ).
Realizing the interruptions from Elymas were a Satanic attack, Paul confronted him. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit stared him down (Acts 13:9). The proconsul was being given the Gospel, and Elymas was trying to distract him and prevent him from being saved.
Acts 13:10Elymas under Satanic influence was full of craftiness and fraud. He was a follower (son) of the devil. Satan was using him to oppose the Gospel. Those who use magic and the occult are frauds and liars. What they say cannot be trusted.
Paul said, "O full of all craftiness and all fraud, son of the devil, enemy of all righteousness, will you not stop perverting the straight ways of the Lord?"
Then Paul put a curse upon Elymas, and Elymas became temporarily blind and sought someone to lead him by the hand (Acts 13:11). The proconsul understood the significance of the power of God putting a curse on the great magician and believed in Jesus Christ and was saved (Acts 13:12).
Sin Connection to Satan
Sin opens the door for Satan's influence over a person.
1 John 3:8 Sin Connects to the Devil"The one who is committing sin is out from the source of the devil." He is under the influence of the devil through the Cosmic System. The person who sins is the agent of ("out from") the devil. The devil committed the first sin. He has been sinning ever since, and those who sin are his followers. Because of sin, the Son of God was brought to Earth to pay for the sins of the world and destroy the works of the devil.
The one who is committing sin is out from the source of the devil, because from the beginning the devil has sinned. For this reason the Son of God has been manifested, in order that He might destroy the works of the devil.
1 John 3:9 The Filling of the Holy Spirit Prevents SinHere John is differentiating between the New (born again) man and old self after Salvation. The one who is "born out from God" refers to the New man, who is filled with the Holy Spirit. The New man "does not commit sin because His seed abides in him." "His seed" is the Holy Spirit. "His seed" abiding in him refers to the Filling of the Holy Spirit. A person cannot sin when he is under the control of the Holy Spirit. He must first reject the Holy Spirit and then choose to sin. If anyone does sin, then Rebound can be used to restore the Filling of the Holy Spirit.
Everyone who is born out from the source of God does not commit sin because His seed abides in him, and he is not able to sin, because He has been born out from the source of God.
1 John 3:10 Children of God and the DevilThe children of God are those who have been born again, and the children of the devil are unbelievers. Those who are "not performing Righteousness" are not from God. Righteousness is the Greek dikaiosuvn (dikaiosune), meaning the Righteousness which demands Justice. It refers to God's absolute Righteousness, which God imputes to the believer at Salvation. The unbeliever does not have this Righteousness. The believer can also love his brother, his fellow Christian. "Love," which is the Greek ajgapavw (agapao), refers to Divine Love. Only the believer can love his brother with Divine Love. The children of the devil do not have God's Righteousness or God's Love. Everyone is either a child of God or a child of the devil. The children of God are born from God, and the children of the devil reside under the influence and power of Satan.
By this the children of God and the children of the devil are evident. Everyone who is not performing Righteousness is not from the source of God, and the one who is not loving his brother.
Attacks of Children
(2 Ki 2:23-24; Jer 7:18; Gen 4:8; 21:9; 34:1-4; Mk 7:25; Luk 9:38-39; Gal 4:29-30)Demon Oppression
(Job 2:7; Matt 12:22; (Matt 17:15; Mk 9:20; Lk 9:42); Mk 5:2-3, 13-15; 7:29-30; Lk 4:33-36; 13:16; Acts 10:38; 2 Cor 12:7; Heb 2:14-15)Satan and his demons can oppress people with all manner of sickness, disease, and infirmities, with God's permission (Acts 10:38). They can cause blindness (Matt 12:22), deafness, dumbness (Mk 9:25), paralysis, lameness (Lk 13:11; Acts 8:7), and mental illness (Mk 5:15) as well as many other health problems, such as cancer, boils (Job 2:7), epilepsy (Matt 17:15; Lk 9:39, 42), strokes, anxiety, depression, and death (Heb 2:14-15). Note, these problems can also be caused by the Angels of God in Divine punishment.
Demon Possessed Man in Capernaum
When Jesus was teaching in a synagogue in Capernaum, He was interrupted by a demon possessed man (Luk 4:31).
Luke 4:33 Demon Possessed ManA man had gone to the synagogue like man others to hear Jesus teach. However, the man had a demon. The Greek echo means to have and to hold, to possess. It is the basis for the term, possession, even though the Greek means having a demon. The demon is living in a person's body. Since there are many kinds of demons, there are many symptoms of possession. The man in Capernaum had an impure demon spirit. Impure is the Greek ajkavqarto" (akathartos), which is an adjective meaning impure or unclean. Impure applies to spirits, and unclean does not because spirits cannot be dirty. Impure means the demon spirits are contaminated by sin. In case there were any around who believed white magic to be good and black magic to be bad, Luke made it clear that that this demon was impure.
And in the synagogue there was a man having an impure demon spirit, and he cried out with a loud voice.
While Jesus was teaching, the demon cried out with a loud voice. The demon could speak through the man without the man's permission (as with the demon Legion Mk 5:7, 9). Demons can speak through animals (Gen 3:1-5). Demons can also speak without being in a person at all. The demon yelled loudly, which indicates his highly agitated state. The demon had come face-to-face with the highest authority in all Creation, the Lord Jesus Christ, who sat on the Throne of God. The demon knew who Jesus was before He became a man, and he knew Jesus had the power of God.
The demon said,
Luke 4:34 The Demon Cries Out at JesusThe demon began with an interjection, which is the Greek e[a (ea), for "Ah!" or the sound of a scream of anxiety, or screech. Now, even though Luke wrote in Greek, the demon was speaking Aramaic to Jesus. However, an interjection that is simply the transliteration of a sound would come out the same in any language.
"Ah! What is there between us and you, Jesus the Nazarene? Did you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God!"
Next, the demon used an Aramaic idiom, "What is there between us and you?" This is language of a confrontation, which means the demon realizes the conflict between the Fallen Angels, who are in rebellion against Jesus Christ. This is like turning the corner and coming face-to-face with the enemy. The demon addressed Jesus as the Nazarene, meaning from Nazareth. Jesus is the name for the humanity of Christ.
Then the demon asked if Jesus came to destroy "us" (the demons). Jesus Christ as the Sovereign executor of God over all Creation has the authority and power to send the demon to the dungeon of Hell, Tartarus. So, the demon understands the gravity of the situation. The Lord will indeed, lock Satan and his demons up during the Millennium. So, the demon is asking if this is the end?
Then the demon says that he knows who Jesus is, i. e. "the Holy One of God." This means that Jesus is the Angel of Jehovah, who was Holy and sat on the Throne of God in Heaven in ages past before the demon was kicked out of Heaven.
After the demon spoke, Jesus immediately shut him up to prevent him from disrupting the worship service.
Luke 4:35 ExorcismJesus "rebuked" the demon. "Rebuked" is part of the terminology of exorcism. Jesus opposed the demon by rebuking him. He commanded the demon to "be silent" and "come out from him." "Come out" is the Greek ejxevrcomai (exerchomai), from (ex, out) + (erchomai, come), meaning to come out or go out. Jesus had the authority in His humanity to cast out demons. God the Father gave Him that authority, and the power of God will back up Jesus Christ. Jesus is not using the power of His Deity, which is omnipotent. He is using God-given power in His humanity.
And Jesus rebuked him saying, "Be silent and come out from him!" And after the demon had thrown him down in the midst of them, he came out from him without injuring him at all.
Left with no choice but to get out, the demon threw the man down violently, probably on a stone floor. Demon indwelling people can bash their heads against concrete or dash them to the floor without so much as causing a bruise. Then demon came out from the man without injuring him at all. The implication of the verse is that the man was not injured at all by the demon in the fall or after, and then the demon came out of him. Removal of the demon was violent and traumatic.
This was an exorcism conducted by Jesus Christ during the Dispensation of the Hypostatic Union as a demonstration of His authority as the King. God the Father gave Jesus the power in His humanity to cast out demons as credentials of the King (Matt 12:28; Mk 1:34; 16:17-18). Jesus had authority and power over Satan's demons.
Luke 4:36 The Crowd is AmazedThe people who saw all this were amazed. This is one of the many reference to people being amazed by demonstrations of the credentials of the Lord Jesus Christ as King (Mt 9:33; 12:22-23; Mk 1:27; 7:37; Lk 4:32; 10:17). The people began discussing what Jesus had done and asked, "What is this command (word)?" "Command" is the Greek logos, meaning word of command or commandment (Matt 8:16; Mk 1:27). They were wondering about the basis for the demonstration of the authority of Jesus over demons. They noted that Jesus had the authority and power to cast out demons and force them to come out.
And amazement came upon all, and they were discussing it with one another saying, "What is this command? For by authority and power He commands the impure spirits and they come out."
Jesus' Method of Casting Out Demons
1. Jesus rebuked the unclean
spirits (Mk 9:25).
2. Jesus commanded the demons
to come out (Mk 9:25).
a.
This is the exercise of specific authority over the demons.
b.
He found out the name of the demons and called them by name (Mk 5:9).
3. He commanded the demons
not to return (Mk 9:25).
4. He had the authority to
send demons to Tartarus (the Abyss) (Lk 8:31).
5. He removed demons from
children at the request of parents (Lk 9:42) without even seeing the children
(Mk 7:29).
Hunchbacked Woman
When Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues in Galilee on the Sabbath, he noticed a woman who was bent over because of a demon. (Luk 13:10-11).
Luke 13:11 Hunchback WomanThe woman had a demon that caused a physical infirmity. She was bent double. The Greek sugkuvptw (sugkupto), from (sun, together with) + (kupto, bend (oneself) down) = be bent over; to be bowed down, bent double. The infirmity is called Kyphosis (from Greek kufov" (kuphos), hunchbacked). The person's spine may be bent forward near the shoulders or further down. The woman had the problem for 18 years, where 18 is for a pillar, which symbolizes historical impact.
And behold, there was a woman having a spirit that caused an infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and was unable to raise herself up at all.
The woman was bent over and could not raise herself up at all. This is common of the infirmity, which displaces the vertebrae such that the spine cannot be straightened. So, the demon caused the problem, but the woman's spine was hopelessly displaced.
Luke 13:12After Jesus saw the woman in the synagogue, He had mercy and released her from her infirmity. Here the Greek ajpoluvw (apoluo) is from (apo, from) + (luo, to free) = to be freed. It is in the perfect tense, which means freed, or released, permanently. She was cured and the infirmity would not return.
But after seeing her, Jesus called her and said to her, "Woman, you are released permanently from your infirmity.
However, to straighten her spine back out required a miracle because her back was permanently deformed.
Luke 13:13Jesus laid His hands on her and she was immediately restored to erect posture. This was a miracle of healing. The Spirit of God straightened her back and left her without pain. She responded by glorifying, or praising, God.
And He laid His hands upon her and immediately she was restored to erect posture. And she glorified God.
This was not the end of the story, however. The legalist in charge of the synagogue took issue with healing on the Sabbath.
Luke 13:14The "official" was the leader or president of the synagogue, whose duty was to take care of the physical arrangements for the worship services. He became indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath. He even made up a rule, since nothing in the Mosaic Law prohibited healing on the Sabbath.
But the synagogue official answering, being indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the crowd, "There are six days in which one must work. In them therefore you should come and be healed, and not on the Sabbath Day.
Jesus, however, retaliated against the legalists who raised the complaint.
Luke 13:15Jesus called them a bunch of hypocrites because they would do more work watering their animals on the Sabbath than He did healing.
But the Lord answered him and said, "You hypocrites, does not each one of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it away to water?
Luke 13:16Jesus pointed out that the woman was a descendant of Abraham, a Jew, whom Satan had bound for 18 long years. This was Satan's cursing of the Jews in violation of Genesis 12:3. Satan gave the orders to the demon to bind her. He did so because he hates the Jews and is in a rebellion against God. He is in a war, where it is kill or be killed. He wants to eliminate the Jews to prevent the fulfillment of the unconditional promises to Israel at the Second Advent. Satan is full of hate and animosity toward his enemies. He engages in torture and murder under the principle that the end justifies the means.
But this one, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan bound eighteen long years, was it not necessary that she should be released from this bond on the Sabbath?"
Jesus encountered the woman on the Sabbath and concluded that something needed to be done to alleviate her suffering. He saw no reason to wait until a weekday to perform the healing. So, He released her from her bond on the Sabbath. His explanation humiliated the legalists and caused the crowd of spectators to be very Happy.
The Epileptic Boy
After coming down from the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus saw that a crowd gathered around his disciples were engaged in a heated discussion (Mk 9:14). When Jesus asked what was going on, a man came from the crowd and fell at Jesus' feet and begged Him to help his son (Mk 9:16; Matt 17:14). The parallel passages are Mark 9:14-28 and Luke 9:37-42.
Matthew 17:15 Demon Possessed LunaticThe man said, "Lord, have mercy on my son." He said his son was a "lunatic," which is the Greek selhniavzomai, (seleniazomai), from (selhvnh, moon) + (a{zomai, awe-struck) = moon-struck, lunatic, epileptic (see Matt 4:24). "The term "seleniazetai" was also often used to describe people with epilepsy because they were thought to be affected by the moon's phases or by the moon god (Selene), and hence the notion of "moonstruck" or "lunatic" (the Latinized version) arose. Hippocrates, however, believed that epilepsy was not sacred, but a disorder of the brain."7
and saying, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic and is severely tormented; for you see, many times he falls into the fire and often into the water.
The boy had epilepsy, which was caused by a demon (Mk 9:17; Lk 9:39).
Luke 9:39 Epileptic Demon AttackThe man explained that Jesus' disciples were unable to cast out the demon.
"And behold, a spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams, and it throws him into convulsion with foaming at the mouth; and it scarcely withdraws out from him, leaving him exhausted."Mark 9:18 Epileptic Demon Attack
"And whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground, and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth, and he becomes stiff. I told Your disciples to cast it out, and they did not have the power to do so."
Matthew 17:17 Unbelieving GenerationRealizing that the disciples lacked the Spiritual strength to deal with this kind of demon, Jesus expressed his exasperation. He called this an "unbelieving and reversionistic generation." "Unbelieving" means not having faith, not believing the Word, Bible Doctrine. "Reversionistic" is the Greek diastrevfw (diastrepho), meaning perverted, turned away, or reversionistic. It refers to those people who are not in fellowship with God. Today it refers to those who do not have the Filling of the Holy Spirit because they do not Rebound.
But Jesus answered and said, "O unbelieving and reversionistic generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me."
Mark 9:20 The Demon Attack of EpilepsyJesus asked the man how long this had been happening, and the man said since childhood (Mk 9:21). The demon had tried to kill the boy by throwing into the fire and into the water (Mk 9:22).
They brought him (the boy) to Him (Jesus), and having seen Him, the spirit immediately threw him into convulsion, and having fallen on the ground, he was rolling and foaming at the mouth.
The father added, "But if you can do anything, help us and have pity on us" (Mk 9:22).
Mark 9:23 All Things Possible By FaithJesus seized upon the man's lack of faith and reminded him that all things are possible by faith.
But Jesus said to him, "If you can? All things are possible to the one who believes.
Mark 9:24 Cry for HelpThe father pleaded with Jesus to help his weak faith.
Immediately crying out, the boy's father said, "I do believe! Help my unbelief!"
Mark 9:25 Jesus Casts Out the DemonJesus opposed the demon, and with the authority and the power of God, He commanded the "dumb and deaf spirit" to come out of the boy. He called the demon of epilepsy a "dumb and deaf spirit." Jesus added that the demon must no longer enter the boy again. That is because the demon was in the habit of coming back and attacking the boy with epilepsy. The boy, who was probably not yet a believer, did not have the strength to resist the demon. Parents must protect children from demons.
And Jesus, having seen that a crowd was rapidly gathering together, rebuked the impure spirit, saying to it, "Dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out from him and no longer enter into him!
Mark 9:26 The Demon DepartsThe demon cried out and threw the boy into severe convulsions when it left. The exorcism was so traumatic that after the demon left the boy appeared like a corpse and people thought he was dead.
And after crying out and throwing him into severe convulsions, it came out, and he became like a corpse so that many were saying that he had died.
Mark 9:27 Jesus Raises the Boy UpAfter the boy was healed, the crowd was amazed at the majesty of God.
But Jesus, having taken him by the hand, began raising him up; and he stood up.Luke 9:43a
And they were all amazed at the majesty of God.
Mark 9:28When the disciples got alone with Jesus, they asked Him why they couldn't cast out the demon.
And having entered into a house, His disciples began asking Him privately, "Why were we not able to cast it out?"
Matthew 17:20 Lack of FaithJesus explained to His disciples that they could not cast the demon out because of the weakness of their faith. If they had the faith of a mustard seed (a very small seed), they could move mountains.
But He said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for you see, truly, I tell you, 'If you have faith as a mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, 'Move from this place to there,' and it shall move. Furthermore, nothing shall be impossible to you."
Mark 9:29 Prayer for Demon RemovalJesus explained that prayer is required to cast out this type of demon. The words, "and fasting," that appear in some manuscripts are not in the best manuscripts. The disciples could use prayer to exorcise some demons. Notice, Jesus didn't use prayer.
And He said to them, "This type cannot come out in any way except by means of prayer."
Reasons for using prayer: (1) Authority of God issue, such as sickness, (2) personal weakness. In the first case, God may have meant for the demon to punish the individual or cause sickness. In the second case, the boy and the disciples were too weak to resist the demon. The disciples needed to pray to God to remove the demon. They needed God's help, since they were too weak to deal with it. They should have used Faith-Rest. However, their faith was too weak, and they failed even to ask in prayer.
Prayer was the means of removing the demon during the Dispensation of the Hypostatic Union (Gospel period) and precanon Church Age; however, later in the Church Age even prayer was taken away (2 Cor 12:7-9).
In the Church Age, the New Testament epistles teach only the use of faith to resist the devil (Jam 4:7; 1 Pet 5:9) and the power of the Salvation (Rom 8:31; 1 Jn 4:4).
Sin unto death
(1 Cor 5:5; 1 Tim 1:20)Temptation, Snares
(1 Cor 7:5; 1 Tim 3:6-7; 6:9; 2 Tim 2:26)Governing powers
(Rev 2:10)Deceiver
(2 Cor 11:3; Eph 4:14; 1 Tim 2:14; 5:15; 2 Tim 3:13; Rev 12:9; 13:14; 18:23; 19:20; 20:3, 8, 10)Evil One, Enemy
(Matt 13:25, 28, 39; Mk 4:15; Lk 10:19; Jn 17:15; 2 Cor 2:11; Gal 1:4; 1 Thess 2:18; 1 Tim 5:14; 1 Pet 5:8)Accuser
(Zech 3:1; Matt 12:10; 27:12; Mk 3:2; 15:3; Lk 6:7; 23:2, 10; Jn 8:6; 18:29-30; Acts 23:28-30; 26:2, 7; 3 Jn 10; Rev 12:10)Antichrist, False Teachers
(Matt 24:24; Rom 16:18; 2 Cor 11:14; 2 Th 2:3, 9-11; Rev 2:9, 13-15, 20-24; 3:9)World Ruler
(Jn 12:31; Eph 2:2; 1 Jn 5:19)Idolatry
(Matt 6:24; 2 Cor 6:16; 1 Jn 5:21; Rev 9:20)Prostitute of Babylon
(Prov 6:26; 7:5; 1 Cor 6:15-18; 2 Cor 12:21; Eph 5:3; Col 3:5; Heb 13:4; Rev 2:20)Evil King
(Matt 2:1; Acts 4:27; 12:21; 24:27; 25:13)Solutions to Sin Problems
1. Sanctification = to be set apart to Goda. Positional (1 Cor 12:13; Heb 10:10)
b. Experiential (Rom 6:22) - executing the Spiritual life through Grace in the FHS (Eph 5:18; 2 Pet 3:18); Spiritual growth (Col 1:10).
2. Reversionism – rejection of God and His Plan of Salvation (2 Pet 2:20-22).
a. Unbeliever – rejection of the Gospel and living in sin (Heb 10:26-27).
b. Believer – refusal to Rebound.
3. Experiential Sanctification and Sin
a. Sin exists in the human body (Rom 6:6; 7:23).
b. The believer chooses to live in the FHS or to sin (Rom 6:12-13, 16).
c. Personal sins handled through Rebound to restore FHS.
d. God forgives the sins named and purifies from all unrighteousness (1 Jn 1:9).
e. Forgiveness is based upon acknowledging the sins that were judged on the Cross (Rom 6:6, 10).
f. God does not punish the believer for sins but for disobedience to His Plan of Salvation (Heb 12:6-7).
g. Sin is loss of Experiential Sanctification, Spiritual death, and rejection of fellowship with God (Rom 8:6-7).
4. Experiential Sanctification through Spiritual Growth
a. Stages of Experiential Sanctification begin with the Spiritual babe and continue to Spiritual Maturity and beyond (1 Pet 2:2; Eph 5:13).
b. Bible Doctrine is the food that sanctifies (Jn 17:17; Rom 12:2; 1 Pet 1:14).
c. FHS sanctifies from slavery to sin (OSN) (Rom 8:2; Gal 5:16).
d. Separation from world sanctifies from the world (Rom 16:17; 2 Thess 3:6, 14; Titus 3:10; 2 Jn 10).
e. Resisting the devil sanctifies from the Cosmic System (Jas 4:7; 1 Pet 5:9).
5. Man's problem is sin, and God's solution is Sanctification (Positional, Experiential, and Ultimate) (Heb 12:4).
6. Sin leads to many problems with Reversionism, carnality, & demons
a. Problems include BOS, ERS, H/H, and demon influence.
b. Psychology attempts to define the problems of ERS.
c. Psychiatry attempts to treat problems of H/H, Rev., and RPR.
7. The HS is the counselor to solve the sin problem (1 Jn 2:27).
Symbols
Satan Scorpion (Luk
10:19; Rev 9:3-10)
Snake, serpent,
dragon (Gen 3:1; Rev 12:9; 20:2)
Evil King, God of War
Baal
Elephant, Rhinoceros
Beelzebub, Lord
of the flies
Martin
Spider
Hawk
Lion
Rooster
1. yw!k=c#,
(sekevi) = cock as a seer/prophet (Job 38:36)
2. lg^r=n@
(neregal) = Nergal (2 Ki 17:30) = cock - represents god
of war (Evil King)
Prostitute of Babylon
Baal
Alligator, crocodile, turtle, hippopotamus
Ostrich
References
2. Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1985). The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Mt 10:24–33). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
3. Larry Wood. "Trees of Life and Evil in the Soul," Oct. 1, 2012.
4. Larry Wood. Babylon the Great, "The Fall," Aug. 26, 2012.
5. Larry Wood. "Dealing with Demons in Grace," Oct. 3, 2012.
6. Metzger, B. M., & United Bible Societies. (1994). A textual commentary on the Greek New Testament, second edition a companion volume to the United Bible Societies' Greek New Testament (4th rev. ed.) (p. 355). London; New York: United Bible Societies.
7. "Epilepsy: An Historical Overview," WHO, Geneva, Fact Sheet N. 168, Feb. 2001.