Leaves Of Gold

A Call To Return To Biblical Teaching

"...to contend earnestly for the faith..."

Year two, Number 2                               FEBRUARY                                                    2007

 

MASTER OUTLINE NUMBER THIRTEEN, The Christian Life Bible by Porter L. Barrington,  Thomas Nelson publishers

Demons

Demonology is clearly set forth in the Bible. Jesus spoke to demons and commanded them to come out of the possessed. Demons are disembodied spirits, fallen angels. They belong to Satan, who is the ruler of the demons. In the King James Version diabolos, daimon, and daimonion are translated "devil" or "devils:' Diabolos (devil), meaning "accuser" or "slanderer;' is always used in the singular in the New Testament. The words daimon and daimonion are used both in the singular and the plural and are not interchangeable with diabolos, since there is but one diabolos, the Devil, but many daimonion or daimon, demons. This distinction has been made in the New King James and other versions. To illustrate, the King James Version reads, "And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time:' Now the New King James reads, "And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time" (Luke 8:27, page 1023). The word diabolos is used thirty-five times in the New Testament, meaning "devil:' Daimonion and daimon are used sixty-one times, meaning "demon" or "demons:'

Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, "We are not ignorant of his [Satan's] devices" (2 Cor. 2:11, page 1166). Are you ignorant of Satan's devices? He would like to keep you in total ignorance of him­self, his powers, and his demons who serve him. If you believe in Jesus Christ, that He is the Son of God and God the Son, if you love Him and serve Him, you can be sure of one thing: Satan and his demons are going to buffet you. Take your "stand against the wiles of the devil!' He performs spiri­tual trickery, called "spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Eph. 6:10-12, page 1192). This spiritual wickedness is found in all religions that deny that Jesus is God. It is also found in witch­craft, fortune-telling, astrology, mediums, the occult, and so on. God calls on all believers to "come out from among them and be separate" (2 Cor. 6:17, page 1169). Satan's strategy is intended to be­guile, ensnare, or deceive all who are "ignorant of his devices" (2 Cor. 2:11, page 1166).

Therefore, our greatest defense is knowledge of God's Word. Jesus defeated Satan when He was tempted in the wilderness. After each temptation He said, "It is written"; then He quoted God's Word (Matt. 4:4, see also Point 12-E: "Satan: The Tempter;' page 934)

.

2.            

A. Demons: Their Identity (Jude 6)-Demons are fallen angels, "who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode" (v. 6). When created, they were perfect and were given the power of choice. Demons are angels who chose to disobey God and do the will of Satan.

There are two divisions of fallen angels:

First, those who sinned and are now imprisoned in "chains of darkness" (2 Pet. 2:4, page 1274) waiting for the judgment of angels (1 Cor. 6:3, page 1151).

Second, those who fell, and whom God has allowed to continue to serve Satan and his kingdom. The reason for this is one of God's secrets (Deu~. 29:29, page 208). Satan is not omnipresent, but he has a multitude of demons or disembodied spirits, who do his will so thoroughly that it seems as though he is present everywhere.

(1) Demons are unclean spirits. Some are more wicked than others. They can "possess" a person. They can also invite other demons to enter and dwell with them (Matt. 12:43-45, page 954).

(2) Demons are intelligent beings. They spoke to Jesus from a possessed man and said, "let us alone, What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are-the Holy One of God!" (Luke 4:31-37, page 1017). This demon 

(a) talked to Jesus;

(b) knew Jesus;

(c) knew that Jesus had the power to destroy him;

(d) knew that Jesus was the "Holy One of God."

(3) Demons have supernatural strength-. In the country of the Gadarenes, Jesus met a man with an unclean spirit, who was so strong that no chains or shackles could hold him (Mark 5:1-4, page 989).

In human strength we are no match for Satan or his demons. Our protection is "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:17, page 1192), and the indwelling Holy Spirit. Let the Holy Spirit possess every part of your being, and present your body to the lord as "a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God" (Rom. 12:1,2, page 1142).

Remember, "He who is in you is greater that he who is in the world", 1 John 4:4.  James tell us to:

(a) "Therefore submit to God"

(b) "Resist the devil (Satan), and he will flee from you"

(c) "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you", James 4:6-8.

3. 

B. Demons: Servants of Satan (Matthew 12:24)-Satan is "the ruler of the demons" (v. 24). He is their god and they are his servants, to do his will. The Scriptures tell us that "the god of this age has blinded [the minds of those] who do not believe" (2 Cor. 4:4, page 1167). How can Satan blind the minds of all unbelievers and keep them in spiritual darkness, since he is not omnipresent? His servants (the demons) assist him in this evil work. They can keep unbelievers in spiritual darkness until they are cast out by "the word of His power" (Heb. 1:3, page 1236). Jesus said to a man with a demon, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit" (Mark 5:8, page 990), and the demon came out of the man. The power of God's Word can help us resist Satan and his demonic servants.

Satan and his servants are great counterfeiters. For example, as believers, we worship the Lord when we partake of His Supper. Paul rebuked members of the Corinthian church for allowing the servants of Satan to corrupt the Lord's Table. He had instructed the church in the proper observance of the Lord's Supper. This instruction was itself a revelation from the risen Christ. Paul said, "I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you" (1 Cor. 11 :17-34, page 1156). They, however, had allowed Satan and his demons to pollute the Lord's Supper. Demons can influence believers and use them to destroy a whole congregation. Paul's warning to the church was fourfold (1 Cor. 10:20, 21, page 1155):

(1) Do not sacrifice to demons.

(2) Have no fellowship with demons.

(3) "You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons."

(4) "You cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons." Satan and his demons are anti ­Christian and often make a show of "religion" (James 2:19, page 1257)!

The apostle Paul warned Timothy that in the latter days some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits (demons); and will believe and teach "doctrines of demons." All of the doctrines of demons are lies. In the last days, lying will become a way of life; it is almost that way today.

(1) "Speaking lies in hypocrisy." Many people will live a lie, pretending to be what they are not.

(2) "Having their own conscience seared with a hot iron" there will be no conviction of sin.

(3) "Forbidding to marry." This may mean enforced celibacy, but also may mean that in the last days the holy bonds of marriage will be widely abolished.

(4) "Commanding to abstain from foods which God created" for mankind (1 Tim. 4:1-5, page 1220).

Satan, his demons, and all unbelievers who accept their doctrines, "shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death" (Rev. 21:8, page 1315).

 

C, Demons: Their Work (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)-"A thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger [angel] of Satan to buffet me" (v. 7). This is a startling statement. Paul is saying that God allowed Satan to assign one of his fallen angels to buffet this great apostle. Satan is the ruler of the demons, i.e., fallen angels (Matt. 12:24, page 953). They do the will of their master. Just as God assigns good angels to minister to "those who will inherit salvation" (Heb. 1:14, page 1237), so also Satan assigns demons to buffet born-again believers.

These evil spirits cannot enter a believer and possess his or her body; but they can influence the believer and make it difficult to do the will of God. God allows this for the believer's good and for the accomplishment of His purposes in our lives. Paul prayed three times that God would deliver him from this fallen angel, who was a "thorn in the flesh" (v. 7). God did not remove the demon, but said to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" (v. 9).

 

4. 

                In this experience, Paul learned a valuable lesson, the most difficult lesson for any believer to learn. He said, "I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (vv. 9, 10).

                Paul's thorn in the flesh, Satan's angel, was used by God as a help to Paul's ministry, not a hindrance.

                God knows how to take what Satan sends and turn it to good. Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. But the Lord raised him to the highest office in Egypt. Pharaoh said, "Only in regard to the throne will be greater than you" (Gen. 41 :39,40, page 47). In the time of famine Joseph's brothers came to Egypt for food. There they had to face him who had all authority over Egypt's wealth. When Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, they feared for their lives. Then Joseph said to them, "You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good" (Gen. 50:20, page 56). Satan means evil against every saint, but God allows it for good (Phil. 1:12, page 1195).

                Satan's evil angels not only buffet believers, they also:

(1) Afflict God's people. "There was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up." Jesus loosed her from her infirmity, and the rulers of the synagogue were indignant because He healed on the Sabbath. Jesus asked, "Ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound-think of it-for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?" (Luke 13:10-17, page 1031).

(2) Resist the servants of the Lord (Eph. 6:10-12, page 1192). (3) Perform miracles (Rev. 16:13, 14, page 1309).

(4) Possess the bodies of humans and animals (Luke 8:26-39, page 1023).

If you love and serve the Lord, you can be sure that Satan will attempt to buffet you in every possible way.

 

D. Demons: Their Power (Mark:1-20)- This demon-possessed man (v. 2) had the physical strength of many men. When Jesus asked the demon his name, he replied, "My name is Legion; for we are many" (v. 9). A Roman legion consisted of three thousand to six thousand troops, and this man had the strength of a legion of demons. Demons are not only strong, but they can also work miracles. John wrote, "And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs .... they are spirits of demons, performing signs" (Rev. 16:13, 14, page 1309). Yes, Satan and his demons can perform miracles and deceive those who are not rooted and grounded in God's Word. In the last days signs and wonders by occult groups may prepare the world for the coming of the Antichrist (2 Thess. 2:9, page 1215).

Satan and his demons often appear "religious." Do not be deceived by occult groups, false religions, or even merely professing Christians. They all have one thing in common: they deny the deity of Jesus Christ. The apostle John warns the believer, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit [some are evil spirits], but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1-6, page 1280). How can we test the spirits? John said, "Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ [the Messiah] has come in the flesh [that Jesus is the God-Man] is of God." All other religions are satanically inspired and demonically controlled. Their adherents may even pray in the name of Jesus and call Him "Lord, Lord." Some of these false prophets will stand before Christ at the Great White Throne judgment and say, "Have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?" And Jesus will say, "I never knew you; depart from Me" (Matt. 7:21-23, page 946). You can know false teachers: all you need to do is ask them if they believe that Jesus is God (John 1:1, 14, page 1049). If they answer, "No," they are false prophets. They may be leaders of large congregations and even thought to be outstanding Christian leaders, but if they deny the deity of Jesus they are Satan's prophets.

God warned Israel, as they entered the Promised Land, to beware of spiritist mediums, saying, "You shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations" (Deut. 18:9-14, page 198). They were not to worship Molech, who required human sacrifice of young children; the Lord called this demon religion an "abomination," and no wonder. Yet the Israelites briefly worshiped Molech and offered their sons and daughters to this demon god. Even Solomon in all his wisdom sinned in erecting an altar to Molech (1 Kin. 11:7, page 339). Don't underestimate the power of Satan and his demons (Ezek. 16:20-23, page 791).

                Furthermore, do not let the Devil lead you into some so-called innocent cult. Our Lord calls all believers

to "come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean" (2 Cor. 6:14-18, page 1169). God says we are not to touch the following:

(1) Divination-those who claim to have secret knowledge of the future (fortune-tellers). This practice is demon-controlled (Ezek. 13:6-8, page 788).

(2) Witchcraft. Witches will be on the increase in the last days. During Saul's reign one even had the ability-and permission-to bring up the dead (1 Sam. 28:7-20, page 294).

(3) Mediums-those who claim to have familiar spirits (demons). "For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD" (Deut. 18:12, page 198).

 

E. Demons: Their Judgment (1 Corinthians 6:3)-"Do you not know that we [the saved] shall judge angels?" (v. 3). Just think! God's Word says, "we shall judge angels." Truly, Satan and his angels have already been judged, and sentence has been passed. Some fallen angels are chained in darkness, awaiting execution of the judgment (Jude 6/ page 1289). Others, including Satan, have been allowed to continue their evil work of accusing the brethren, buffeting the saints, and opposing the will of God (Job 1:6-11, page 479). Satan, also called Beelzebub, as the god of this world system, is master of the fallen angels; they do his will (Matt. 12:24, page 953). The Lord's final act, which will close the books on Satan and his demons, will be shared with His bride, the church. We will have a part in executing the sentence that has already been passed on the Devil and his angels (Matt. 25:41, page 976).

(1) When will we judge the fallen angels? Jude 6 (page 1289) tells us that the execution of the sentence will judicially be carried out at "the judgment of the great day." The "great day" is the day of the Lord (Is. 2:12-22, page 644).

 (a) It will be a day of instituting peace and righteousness. "Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world'" (Matt. 25:31-40, page 976).

 

(b) It will also be a Day of Judgment. "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels'" (Matt. 25:41-46, page 976). This is the beginning of "the judgment of the great day." The end will not come until the world has enjoyed righteous government for a thousand years. Simon Peter tells us "that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day" (2 Pet. 3:8, page 1275).

(c) For a thousand years Satan will be bound and cast into the bottomless pit. When the thousand years are finished, he will be released and will go out to deceive countless thousands who were born during the millennial (thousand-year) reign of Jesus Christ, but who were never born again (Rev. 20:1-3, 7-9, page 1313).

(2) The judgment of fallen angels will precede the Great White Throne judgment of the wicked dead, after the thousand years (Rev. 20:10/ page 1313). Therefore, it is in harmony with the Scriptures to conclude that Satan and all evil angels will be judged by Christ and believers at the end, of the thousand-year kingdom age, just before the Great White Throne judgment. Remember, Jesus said that hell was "prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matt. 25:41, page 976).

 

 

II. THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY. Second part

 

Jesus said to the Jews-"I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not; if ANOTHER shall come in his own name, him ye will receive." John 5: 43. Who is this "OTHER" who is to come? In both the Old and New Testament we are told of a "Mysterious and Ter­rible Personage" who shall be revealed in the "Last Times." He is described under different name5 and aliases. In the Old Testament he is called the "ASSY­RIAN" (Isa. 10: 5, 12,24; 30: 27-33) ; "LUCIFER" (Isa. 14: 12); the "LITTLE HORN" (Dan. 7: 8; 8: 9); a "King of FIERCE COUNTENANCE" (Dan. 8: 23) ; the "PRINCE THAT SHALL COME" (Dan. 9: 26); the "WILFUL KING." Dan. 11: 36. In the New Testa­ment he is called the "MAN OF SIN," the "SON OF PERDITION," the "MYSTERY OF INIQUITY," "THA T WICKED" (2 Thess. 2: 3-8); the "ANTI­CHRIST" (1 John 2: 18) ; the "BEAST." Rev. 13: 1-8.*

 

The difference between Christ and Antichrist is clearly brought out in the following contrasts.

 

1.                       Christ came from Above. John 6: 38.

Antichrist ascends from The Pit. Rev. 11: 7.

2.                       Christ came in His Father's name. John 5: 43.

Antichrist comes in his Own name. John 5: 43.

3.                       Christ Humbled Himself. Phil. 2: 8.

Antichrist Exalts himself. 2 Thess. 2: 4 ..

4.                       Christ Despised. Isa. 53: 3 ; Luke 23: 18.

Antichrist Admired. Rev. 13: 3, 4.

5.                       Christ Exalted. Phil. 2: 9.

Antichrist Cast Down to Hell. Isa. 14: 14, 15; Rev. 19:20.

6.                       Christ to do His Father's will. John 6: 38.

Antichrist to do his Own will. Dan. 11: 36.

7.                       Christ came to Save. Luke 19: 10.

Antichrist comes to Destroy. Dan. 8: 24.

8.                       Christ is the Good Shepherd. John 10: 14-15.

Antichrist is the Idol (evil) Shepherd. Zech. 11: 16, 17.

9.                       Christ is the "True Vine." John 15: 1.

Antichrist is the "Vine of the Earth." Rev. 14: 18. .....

10.                    Christ is the "Truth." John 14: 6.

Antichrist is the "Lie." 2 Thess. 2: 11.

11.                    Christ is the "Holy One." Mark 1: 24.

Antichrist is the "Lawless One." 2 Thess. 2: 8, (R. V.).

12.                    Christ is the "Man of Sorrows." Isa. 53: 3.

Antichrist is the "Man of Sin." 2 Thess. 2: 3.

13.                    Christ is the "Son of God." Luke 1: 35.

Antichrist is the "Son of Perdition." 2 Thess. 2: 3.

14.             Christ, "The Mystery of Godliness," is God mani­fest in the flesh. 1 Tim. 3: 16.

   Antichrist, "The Mystery of Iniquity," will be Satan manifest in the flesh. 2 Thess. 2: 7.

Let us examine Paul's description of the Antichrist.

 

"Let no man deceive you by any means; for 'that Day' (the Day of the Lord) shall not come, except there come a 'falling away first,' and that  'MAN OF SIN' be revealed, the 'SON OF PERDITION;' who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the 'Temple of God' (the re­built Temple at Jerusalem), showing himself that he is God .... For the  'MYSTERY OF INIQUITY' doth already work (in Paul's day): only He (the Holy Spirit) who now letteth (restraineth R. V.) will let (restrain), until He be taken out of the way. And then shall 'THAT WICKED' be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit (breath) of His mouth, and shall de­stroy with the brightness (manifestation R. V.) of His Coming: even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth (Christ), that they might be saved." 2 Thess. 2: 3-10.

In this passage of Scripture Paul gives the Antichrist four different names, the "Man of Sin," the "Son of Per­dition," the "Mystery of Iniquity," and "That Wicked." The name that the Apostle Paul gives the Antichrist-the "SON OF PERDITION," is not without significance. The Apostle also calls the Antichrist in this passage the "MYSTERY OF INIQUITY." What does that mean? In 1 Tim. 3: 16, Christ is spoken of as the "MYSTERY OF GODLINESS." That is, that He was GOD MANI­FEST IN THE FLESH. How did He become "manifest in the flesh?" By being born of the Virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit. Thus it was that Jesus became the "SON OF GOD." Luke 1:35. Now as iniquity is the opposite of Godliness, then the "MYSTERY OF INIQUITY" must be the opposite of the "MYSTERY OF GODLI­NESS." That is, if Christ is the "MYSTERY OF GOD­LINESS," Antichrist must be the "MYSTERY OF INIQUITY," and as Christ was the "SON OF GOD," then Antichrist must be the "SON OF PERDITION," that is of SAT AN. And as Christ was born of a virgin by the Holy Spirit, so Antichrist will be born of a WOMAN (not necessarily a virgin) by Satan. This is no new view for it has been held by many of God's spirit­ually minded children since the days of the Apostle John, and there is warrant for it in the Scriptures. In Gen. 3: 15, God said to the Serpent (Satan), "I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between 'THY SEED' and 'HER SEED.''' Now the Woman's SEED was CHRIST, then the Serpent's SEED must be ANTI­CHRIST. In John 8: 44 Jesus said to the Jews-"Ye are  of your father THE DEVIL ... When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of IT." In the Greek there is the definite article before "lie," and it should read "THE LIE," so when the Devil speaks of "THE LIE," he is speaking of his own (child), for he is a liar, and the FATHER OF "IT"­"THE LIE." And it is worthy of note that in the verse (vs. 11) that follows the passage we are considering that the Apostle says:---"And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lie." Here again the definite article is found in the Greek, and it should read "The LIE," the "SON OF PERDITION," the ANTICHRIST.

The character of the "Mystery of iniquity"-THE ANTICHRIST, was revealed to Daniel. Daniel saw a "LITTLE HORN" (the Antichrist) come up among the "Ten Horns" on the head of the "Fourth Wild Beast," that had "eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speak­ing great things." Dan. 7 :,7-8. Daniel was told that this "Little Horn" was a king that should arise and that he would be a "person" of remarkable intelligence and great oratorical powers, having a "mouth. speaking great thin~" That he would be audacious, arrogant;" imper­ious, and persecuting, and change "times and laws," and that the "Saints of the Most High" (Daniel's own people, the Jews) would be given into his hands for a "Time," and "Times," and the "Dividing of Time," or 3 1/2 years, after which his dominion would be taken away from him. Dan. 7: 23-26. In the "next chapter Daniel has another vision of this "Little Horn," as it appeared on one of the "four horns" of the "He Goat." This "Little Horn" waxed exceedingly great, and Daniel was told that in the. "latter time" of the "Fourth WorId Kingdom" (the re­vived Roman Empire, yet future), that a "King of Fierce Countenance," and understanding dark sentences shall stand up, but not in his own power (he shall be indwelt by Satan): and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the Holy People (the Jews), and through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand (no one shall be able to buy without the "Mark of the Beast," Rev. 13: 17) ; and he shall magnify himself in his heart (2 Thess. 2: 3~4), a.nd by peace shall destroy many; he shall also stand up against the "Prince of Princes" (Christ), "but he shall be broken without hand." Dan. 8: 23-25.

The "Mystery of Iniquity" will be Satan's "SUPER­MAN." As to ability he will be a "composite man," em­bracing the powers of Nebuchadnezzar, Xerxes, Alexander the Great, and Caesar Augustus. He will have the marvelous gift of attracting unregenerate men, and the irresistible fascination of his personality, his versatile attainments, superhuman wisdom, great administrative and executive ability, along with his powers as a con­summate flatterer, a brilliant diplomatist, a superb strate­gist, will make him the most conspicuous and prominent of men. All these gifts will be conferred on him by Satan, whose tool he will be. He will pose as a great humani­tarian, the friend of men, and the especial friend of the Jewish race, whom he will persuade that he has come to usher in the "Golden Age"-as pictured by the prophets, and who will receive him as their Messiah. He will in­toxicate men with a strong delusion and his never-vary­ing success. And when he shall be slain and rise again from the dead (Rev. 13: 3), in imitation of the resurrec­tion of Christ, he will have lost none of these powers, but will be in addition the embodiment of all kinds of wicked­ness and blasphemy.

There has never as yet appeared on this earth a person who answers the description given above. Such a char­acter is almost inconceivable. No writer would have in­vented such a character. He shall reign for seven years, at the end of which time the Lord Jesus Christ shall return to the earth and destroy the allied armies of Anti­christ, and he shall be cast with the False Prophet alive into the Lake of Fire. Rev. 19: 19-20.

Thus will end the "Mystery of iniquity"-THE ANTICHRIST.

 

(These studies will continue)

 

The editor of this publication is James A. Nelson, long time pastor and missionary.  jan@twinvalley.net    He and his wife Janet are members of the Messiah Baptist Church, Wichita, Kansas.  The Webmaster is Martin Gutzmer, mrgutzer@gmail.com   The sponsor of this page is David R. Pickett    dr pickett@hotmail.com     We invite your comments.