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THEOLOGY > Sin > Reality of Satan > Demons > Theology of Demons


THEOLOGY OF DEMONS

Six separate passages provide insight into the theology of demons. From these accounts, it is revealed that the demons have less difficulties accepting the things of God than do some thinkers and writers today—the demon are more orthodox than many in the Church. Brief consideration will be given to each of the six incidents:

Incident in the synagogue at Capernaum – Statement of the demons: “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!” (Mk. 1:24); and “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” (Lu. 4:34).

On the Sabbath day Jesus was in the synagogue at Capernaum teaching, and a man with “an unclean spirit” was there and started crying out uttering the above statements. In response to the statements Jesus rebuked the demon and commanded the demon to come out of the man.

In the statements the demon revealed something of his beliefs and knowledge: one, he knew of Jesus; two, he knew He was from Nazareth—there was no question of the historicity of Christ; three, he knew that the demons would ultimately be destroyed and that it would be accomplished by Christ; four, he knew that Jesus was “the Holy One of God,” meaning that he understood that Christ was Deity; and five, he knew something of the work of Christ as Messiah.

Incident in the city of Capernaum – Statement of the demons: “You are the Christ, the Son of God” (Lu. 4:41).

As the sun was setting on the Sabbath in Capernaum, many who were sick and some who were demon possessed came to Christ. The demons who were cast out made the above statement.

They ascribed two designations to Jesus: He was "the Christ," and He was "the Son of God." Associated with being "the Christ" were the passages from the Old Testament that predicted One would come who would be anointed by God with power and authority in order that He might deliver Israel; associated with the designation “Son of God” were the concepts of Deity and Trinity, coupled with the meaning that the purpose of the Son of God was to reveal God.

Incident in the land of the Gadarenes – Statement of the demons: “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” (Matt. 8:29); “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me” (Mk. 5:7); and “What have I to do with you, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me” (Lu. 8:28)

The above statement was made by the demons who possessed the man of Gadara. Eventually they begged Jesus to allowed them to enter a herd of swine, and He gave permission after He had commanded them to come out of the man.

Similar to the demons discussed above, these also knew the person of Jesus, they knew that there is a God, that God is Most High (implying His Sovereignty; see: Gen. 14:19-20, 22 and also see:   God is Sovereign), that Jesus is the Son of God, and that Jesus has the ability to torment them, that is, Christ has authority over them. In addition, they understand that they were not free and must “implore” or “beg” Him for any favor that might be forthcoming.

Incident at Ephesus – Statement of the demons: “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” (Acts 19:15).

After Paul worked miracles in Ephesus some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists sought to imitate Paul by using the name of Jesus as Paul had done. To these Jewish exorcists the demons they sought to cast out made the above statement.

The demons expressed knowledge of Jesus and knowledge of Paul, meaning that they knew those two and the authority over the demons that both of them possessed. In other words, the demons confirm the historicity of both. But they had no knowledge of the exorcists, meaning that they knew that the exorcists had no authority over them. From this episode it seems proper to conclude that demons know those individuals who have authority over them and those who do not have authority, that is, they know those who are believers and those who are not.

Testimony of James – Statement about the demons: “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” (Jas. 2:19).

A statement made by James in his epistle reveals two characteristics of demons: one, they believe that there is one God—they are monotheists; and two, they “tremble” (NKJV) or “shudder” (ESV) in light of their belief in God.

Testimony of John – Statement about the devil: “The devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time” (Rev. 12:12).

While on the island of Patmos, John the Apostle records the above statement which informs us that the devil has knowledge, and at the end time he will know that his time is short. In other words, he knows that judgment is ahead and that it cannot be changed; knowledge of his irreversible fate fills him with rage. Surely the same is true of the demons that follow him and do his bidding.

Summary – The following points are at least some of the beliefs of demons:

The demons believe that the one true God exists;

The demons believe that He is holy;

The demons believe that He is the Most High;

The demons believe that Jesus is from Nazareth;

The demons believe that Jesus is the Son of God;

The demons believe that Jesus is the Holy One of God;

The demons believe that Jesus is the Christ;

The demons believe that Jesus has the authority and power to torment them;

The demons believe that Jesus has the authority and power to destroy them;

The demons believe in a judgment at the end time;

The demons believe there will be suffering and torment as a result of that judgment.

In contrast to their knowledge of the Truth concerning God and His Son the demons propagate lies and false wisdom that is contrary to God and His Word (Acts. 16:16-17; I Cor. 10:20-21; I Tim. 4:1; Jas. 2:19; 3:15; Rev. 9:20). So, in spite of their knowledge of what is true, they actively and deceptively, foster that which is contrary to the Truth.


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