Demonology

Demons are individual beings that have a will and emotions. 

Some demons are incarcerated and some roam free to do the bidding of Satan. 

Many people are intrigued about the topic of demons. In theological circles, this topic is called demonology. 

 

Demons are individual beings that have a will and emotions. 

Some demons are incarcerated and some roam free to do the bidding of Satan. 

These beings use their abilities to influence people. 

The Bible uses several phrases to describe these beings

“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

Revelation 12:9 KJV

Demons are referred to as his angels or the devil's angels. 

• In Luke 7:21, the demons are called evil spirits.

• In Matthew 10:1, they are called unclean spirits.

• In Luke 11:26, they are called wicked.

• In 1 Timothy 4:1, they are called seducing spirits with their own doctrine. 

 Their origin is found in Isaiah 14:12-14, in this passage, they are the one-third cast to the earth with Satan. 

Today, they are very busy on the earth deceiving mankind, even though they were defeated at the cross as stated in Colossians 2:15. 

We can combat their activity by faith, the word of God, and prayer. (Ephesians 6:12)

Misconceptions of demons

When someone mentions demons there are all kinds of images and ideas that come into a person’s mind.

Some people think a demon represents some kind of force, or negative power that a person comes into contact with.

Similar to Karma… etc.

Some connect every sickness, whether physical or mental to demonic activity.

Some say every sin is to be blamed on demons.

While others flat-out deny their existence.

Demons are mentioned in the Bible 57 times in the Greek translation <<daimoia, daimon, or daimonion>>.

By their presence in the Scriptures we know they do exist.

2 Timothy 3:16  “all Scripture… …is profitable for Doctrine…”

there is a doctrine in the word that will help us learn about demons. as we compare the various scriptures about these beings, we will be able to stand firm on the truth.

Ephesians 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

One of the problems with the already mentioned views is that they do not recognize that demons are persons or individual beings.

Just as the angels were individuals.

 We will see demons are counterparts to angels.

They are grossly out numbered and guaranteed failure.

2 Kings 6: 16 So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

2/3 with 1/3 against

Acts 19:16

 13  Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, "We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches."

 14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.

 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?"

 16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

Demons are similar to angels and to satan

Demons they have the same origin as Angels.

They were both created by God

They were both created as individual beings

They were both created as ministering spirits

Demons and Fallen angels are the same we can tell this by what they do.

Demons and Fallen Angels are both spirit being. Ephesians 2:2, 6:12, and Romans 12:7-9

Satan is the ruler of Demons and Fallen Angels: show Fallen angels and demons are the same.

Matthew 12:24 Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, "This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons."

Matthew 25: 41 "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:

Revelation 12:7-9

7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought,

 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.

 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Finally, we see in the biblical text we find only fallen angels of demons but never both.

Demons were deceived by satan

 

Satan’s boast was he would establish his kingdom over god’s.

Isaiah 14:12-14

 12 "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations!

 13 For you have said in your heart:

I will ascend into heaven,

I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;

I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north;

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,

 I will be like the Most High.’

The demons believed his boast and followed him.

The results of the fall

The results we find by their choice are clearly seen by their perversion.

First they rejected their original state holiness

Second, we can see by the names given to them throughout the scripture that they became corrupt in nature and conduct.

Third, these angels became the demons of Satan.

• When we listen to deceptive ideas we become perverted these ideas.

 

Organization of demons

There are three passages that tell about their organization

They are over territories.

The Old Testament speaks of demons that function as rulers over nations, first the prince of the kingdom of Persia and second the prince of Greece. 

Daniel I 0: 13-20

 13 "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.

 14 "Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come."

 15 When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless.

 16 And suddenly, one having the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, "My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength.

 17 "For how can this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me."

 18 Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me.

 19 And he said, "O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!" So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, "Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me."

 20 Then he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come.

 

There are three passages that talk about their organization

Ephesians 6: 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

1 Corinthians 15:24-25

24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.

 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.

Colossians 2:15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

It seem the satan and his angels (demons) organize them selves like God angles.

Thus, helps us to understand how they work and how we should pray

Demons have various abilities

Firstly we know they can possess mankind.

Ac 16:16  Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling.

Secondly we see they can control them once they are indwelt.

 Mark 5:1-5

1  Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes.

 2 And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,

 3 who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains,

 4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him.

 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.

Thirdly demons can afflict them

Revelation 9:1-21 speaks of this happening

Fourthly, demons can perform miracles

 Revelation 16:14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

Fifthly they have the ability to appear in the form of a man or animal.

Angels can appear, and demons also can appear

Revelation 9:7 The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of something like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men.

Description of a demon ethics 

1. They are called unclean
   • Mat. I 0: I; Mark. I :23, 27; 3:11; 5:2; 9:25; Luke. 4:36; Acts 8:7; Rev. 16:13
2. They are evil spirits, corrupt in their nature
   • Luke. 7:2 1.
3. They are fierce and vicious
   • Matthew 8:28.
4. They are also vile and malicious
   • Luke 9:39
5. They are characterized by viciousness
   • Mark. 9:20
6. Their immorality leads to further immorality
   • Luke 8:27
7. There are degrees of wickedness among demons
   • Matthew 12:43-45
8. They created a false doctrine that they use to deceive people.
   • 1 Timothy 4

 

They created a false doctrine they use to deceive people and it has effected in several ways.

I Timothy 4: 1-3

 1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,

 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,

 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

• Depart – is apostasy from the faith
• Giving in to seduction; lifestyles and practices
• Living a life of hypocrisy;
• Having a lying tongue;
• A seared conscience;
• In regards to marriage and eating.

What demons are doing… now and then

Satan seeks to Defeat God and fulfill his own plan.

Daniel I 0: I 0-19

Satan doe some horrible things that are documented from Daniels time unto the Last Days

Contents: Prophecy covering the period from Darius to anti-Christ, showing the conflicts of nations, and final heading up for destruction.

 Brooks, K. (2009).  (p. 191). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

 Brooks, K. (2009). Summarized Bible: Complete Summary of the Old Testament (p. 191). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

The Victory is Christ’s!

Colossians 2:13-15

13  And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,

 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

The War was won, but the loosers refuse to surrender.

We have seen that demons or “evil spirits” are spiritual being.

They are organized.

They have been corrupted.

The satanic mission seems to be their guiding focus for the demons.

Isaiah 14

13 For you have said in your heart:

I will ascend into heaven,

I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;

I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north;

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,

 I will be like the Most High.’

The Occult

In this next section i hope to examine what the scriptures says about the occult.

 What is the occult?

Occult defined as a noun, adjective, and a verb

NOUN: 1.mystical, supernatural, or magical powers, practices, or phenomena:"a secret society to study alchemy and the occult"

 

ADJECTIVE 1.involving or relating to mystical, supernatural, or magical powers, practices, or phenomena:“ an occult ceremony"

communicated only to the initiated; esoteric: "the typically occult language of the time“

Esoteric /ˌɛsəˈtɛrɪk/

adjective 1.intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest:

VERB 1.cut off from view by interposing something:“ a wooden screen designed to occult the competitors"

(of a celestial body) conceal (an apparently smaller body) from view by passing or being in front of it: "the Moon occults Mars during daylight on March 22"

Word Originlate 15th century (as a verb): from Latin occultare ‘secrete’, frequentative of occulere ‘conceal’, based on celare ‘to hide’; the adjective and noun from occult- ‘covered over’, from the verb occulere.

The occult is a secret society today.

What is the occult?

The Occult is a secret, but it is every where and many times you do not even know you are involved and you are in over your head.

Demons are very active today.

 This is a last ditch effort or a “take’em all with us” attitude.

Demons are more active as we enter into the culmination of the end times.

According to Daniel 10 and in what is revealed about the coming of the Anti-Christ, we see their effort is to maintain their rule and reign over man.

They thoroughly enjoy torturing people.

Matthew 9:32-33; 12:22, 17: 15- 18;

Mark. 9:17, 20, 25;

Luke  9:37-42, 13: I 0- 13

Etc.

Demons are very active today.

demons can cause insanity...

Mark 5: 1-5 “country of the Gadarenes, out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,”

Luke 8:26-27

They give great physical strength

Mark. 5:1-4;

Luke 8:29

They can cause suicide

Mark 9:20-22

They promote idolatry

Leviticus 17:7; Isaiah 65:11; Deuteronomy 32:17; Zechariah 13:2; Hoshea 4:12; Acts 17:22-23; I Corinthians. I 0:20

They can cause men to worship demons

Revelation 9:20-21

They prevent spiritual growth of believers

Ephesians 6: 12

They scatter the flock or isolate the sheep from the flock to devour them. (tactic of the wolves)

John 10:12

Demons are very active in the occult.

1. Deuteronomy 18:9-14

9  "When you come into the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations.

 10 "There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft [fortunetelling], or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer,

 11 "or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.

 12 "For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you.

 13 "You shall be blameless before the LORD your God.

 14 "For these nations which you will dispossess listened to soothsayers and diviners; but as for you, the LORD your God has not appointed such for you.

Several things to note about these verses

Telling something by magic is the same as fortune telling.

Magicians use magic to put people under demonic control.

Astrology and psychics are used in the occult.

What does the occult look like?

How can you tell is something is occultic?

It somehow connects to the demonic activity

It usually reveals some hidden truth, past, present, or future

It will also have a promise of some supernatural ability, mind control, etc.

It usually begins with meditation, hypnosis, or drug use.

Daniel 1,2, 4, 5…

Deuteronomy 17:2-7

2 Kings 23:5

Isaiah 47:12-13

Jeremiah 10:2

Acts 7:41-43

Demons are very active today.

2. Acts 8:9 mentions sorcery.

3. Acts 16:16

 16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling.

It is interesting that the Greek word translated as divination literally reads: "the spirit of a python." The python is a snake, and the snake is connected with Satan in Scripture (Gen. 3: 1- 15; Rev. 12:9; 20:2).

So Satan is the original source of all occultism.

Is this one of His doctrines?

Someone practicing the occult is given over to satan.

Exodus 22:18  "You shall not permit a sorceress to live.

Leviticus 19:26  'You shall not eat anything with the blood, nor shall you practice divination or soothsaying.

31 'Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.

20:6 'And the person who turns to mediums and familiar spirits, to prostitute himself with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people.

  27 'A man or a woman who is a medium, or who has familiar spirits, shall surely be put to death; they shall stone them with stones. Their blood shall be upon them.'"

Occult is satan's trick  

Deuteronomy 18: 9  "When you come into the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations.

 10 "There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer,

 11 "or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.

 12 "For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you.

 13 "You shall be blameless before the LORD your God.

 14 "For these nations which you will dispossess listened to soothsayers and diviners; but as for you, the LORD your God has not appointed such for you.

It starts small but will become overpowering:

1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king.“

Isaiah 8: 19 And when they say to you, "Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter," should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living?

Satan ensnares people and traps them

Someone in occultism will pass on the demonic control to their children.

Some real concerns

Pornography

Games

Movies

TV shows

Occultism leads to possessions

Possession is being indwelt by one or more evil spirits.

This happens as one opens the door to these things.

There is a difference between influence, oppression, harassment and possession.

Matthew 16:21-23

  21  From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.

 22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!"

 23 But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."

1 Thessalonians 2: 18 Therefore we wanted to come to you--even I, Paul, time and again--but Satan hindered us.

Indications of Possessions

There are indicators mentioned in the word that points to a demonic presence

In Matthew 9:32-33 we see a demon caused physical disease

 32 As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed.

 33 And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, "It was never seen like this in Israel!"

In Matthew 17:15 Mental derangement (the guys at the cave, Nebuchadnezzar as he was like an animal 7 years.)

Depression, suicide, indifference to issues, Bitterness, drug abuse, demonic ability, animalistic desires, not able to endure scripture reading, multi personality,

How does it happen?

1 Corinthians 10:14-22

 14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

 15 I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say.

 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

 17 For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.

 18 Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

 19 What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything?

 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.

 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons.

 22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?

1 Corinthians 10:14-22

Meddiling, playng with sinful things

Passed on

Could even be from not resisting the devil

 James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

2 Corinthians 2: 10 Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,

 11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Maybe you are asking can a believer be possessed

Joh 10:28 "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

2 Corinthians 6:14 what communion does light have with darkness

Ephesians 4: 27 nor give place to the devil.

Let me give you a way to test them...

1 John 4:2-3 ask did the Christ come in the flesh?

 1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,

1 Corinthain 12:3 Is Christ Jesus LORD?

 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.

1 John 5:6-7 The of Christ Jesus

 6  This is He who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.

 7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.

Exorcism- casting out demons

Who casts our demons?

Mark 1, 3, 5 ,7 Jesus was casting our demons

The apostles Matthew 10:1 mark 3:14-15

The disciples cast our demons luke 10:17

How?

In the name of Jesus Luke 10:17

By the Power of the Spirit Matthew 12:28

With a command Matthew 8:16

By faith Matthew 17:18-20

Prayer and fasting Matthew 17:21

The end for the demons is Hell fire.