Monday 30th December 2019 Prayer Devotion
Scripture Reading:- Revelation 12:1-15
Topic:- 10 Things You Should Know about Demons and Satan [1]
Text:- Revelation 20:2
1. Demons Are Fallen Angels:
Sometimes our theology textbooks state that sin first came into the world with the sin in the garden, but already there was a fall before the human fall. The serpent came into the garden from the outside and with evil intent. See Genesis 3:1-2.
The serpent questioned God’s goodness by insinuating that God was withholding something good from his human images. Later in Scripture, the devil is described as “that ancient serpent.” See Revelation 20:2.
How much more we would like to know about all this. However, Scripture is addressed to us and not to angels. What we do know is that Satan leads an army of rebellious angels who are now cast out of heaven. Demons are these fallen angels. Demons are not ministering spirits, but spoilers. See Revelation 12:7-8.
2. Demons Have A Leader:
Satan is their leader. Was he a cherub gone wrong or was he an archangel gone wrong? We do not know for sure. Michael and his angels defeat him and his angels in battle. So, he was defeated by an archangel. See Revelation 12:7.
There are number of titles in addition to “Satan” and “devil” that sum him up.
Several other terms are used of him less frequently:
a. Tempter. See Matthew 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:5.
b. Beelzebul. See Matthew 12:24, 27; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15, 19.
c. Enemy. See Matthew 13:39.
d. Evil one. See Matthew 13:19, 38; 1 John 2:13; 3:12; 5:18.
e. Belial. See 2 Corinthians 6:15.
f. Adversary. See 1 Peter 5:8.
g. Deceiver. See Revelation 12:9.
h. Great dragon. See Revelation 12:3.
i. Father of lies. See John 8:44.
j. Murderer. See John 8:44.
k. Sinner. See 1 John 3:8.
3. Satan And His Demonic Entourage Have Limitations:
Satan and demons are powerful spirits, but they are not omnipresent, omniscient, or omnipotent.
a. Regarding omnipresence, demons can leave a man and enter pigs. See Mark 5:13.
b. Regarding omniscience, angels, and we can safely surmise fallen angels also, do not know the day and hour of the return of the Son of Man. See Matthew 24:36.
c. Regarding omnipotence, no angel, ruler or power can separate the believer from the love of Christ. See Romans 8:38.
d. In some Christian circles, devilish power, knowledge, and presence are inflated.
4. The Diabolic Aim Is Worship:
It has been said that the world says to us, Conform to me!, the flesh says to us, Satisfy me!, and the devil says to us, Worship me!
There is biblical evidence to support each of these. Respecting the last idea of the three, the devil’s tempting of Jesus in the wilderness climaxes with this invitation. See Matthew 4:8-9.
This appears to be the devil’s ultimate motivation: the desire to be worshipped. But to do so is idolatry. It is worshipping the creature rather than the creator. See Romans 1:24-25.
5. There Are Two Important Diabolic Guises:
a. The devil is a deceiver.See Revelation 12:9.
b. As an angel of light. See 2 Corinthians 11:14.
c. As apostles of Christ. See 2 Corinthians 11:13.
d. These “deceitful workmen” are agents of the great deceiver. False teaching, false gospel, and false teachers still persist and trouble the Churches.
e. This may be particularly so in the West. I once heard a Pastor who had been imprisoned by the communist regime in the Soviet days say that the DD degree can stand for Doctor of Divinity or Doctor of Darkness.
f. However, there is another guise that is not subtle at all. It shows itself in persecution. Peter uses a startling metaphor in application to the devil. See 1 Peter 5.
g. Peter has persecution for the faith in mind. There are Christian brothers and sisters in non-western parts of the world are experiencing the roaring lion. See 1 Peter 5:7.
Prayer Point:- I command everywhere demons are gathered in my life, Holy Ghost fire, consume them now, in the name of Jesus Christ.
Have A Lovely Monday!
