Episode 121: Freeing People from Demonic Darkness - A Key (THE Key?) in the Next Move of God

JOEL 2 GENERATION PODCAST

FREEING PEOPLE FROM DEMONIC DARKNESS…a Key (THE Key?) in the next move of God

Explosion of the Demonic (Days of Noah)

* History of the 20th Century – occult, UFO/aliens, drugs, sexual perversion, abortion (infanticide), trafficking, division, fear, transhumanism, globalism

* Today’s Entertainment (movies, TV, internet ­ gaming)

* Our Experiences – evangelism, night terrors, prophetic dream last night

* Programming, False Narratives, Hive Mind/Group Think

* Roe v. Wade overturned?

How was the Pagan Roman Empire Won?

Dr. MacMullen (Christianizing the Roman Empire) states unequivocally that the main way Rome was converted to Christianity were healing and, most especially, exorcism. (Francis MacNutt, pg. 87, Healing Reawakening)

Professor Ramsey MacMullen – Emeritus Professor of History, Yale University, "the greatest

historian of the Roman Empire alive today”

Ramsey MacMullen Interview – Yale Historian

MacMullen: When we consider how the early Christians brought people to Christ, we might think of Paul’s preaching. One might think that this “method” was what subsequent generations of Christians employed, but IT AIN’T SO. It didn’t happen that way.

My guess is that because of the persecution open preaching was simply too difficult most of the time. In contrast what worked best was “one on one talk about the proofs of the truth of Christianity and by proofs, I mean EXORCISM above all.

Christianity advertised its own particular powers through driving out demons that caused sickness and driving out all demonic influences in general. Miracle stories are the main reason people came to Christ.

As for preaching THERE IS HARDLY A WORD throughout all the centuries I look at – from the early 2nd century through the 10th. VERY, VERY little mention of Christians talking to the unpersuaded and trying to bring them over by reasoning. Instead, what is talked about is the operation of wonderful things by holy people. They wanted the benevolent power the Christians promised.

Pagan Rome vs. Pagan America

*AD30­AD400 ­ “the main way [Pagan] Rome was converted to Christianity were healing and, most especially, exorcism”

*AD2022 – “the main way Pagan America WILL BE converted to Christianity WILL BE healing and, most especially, exorcism”

What did Jesus do? (emphasis on exorcism)

* Acts 10:38 ­ how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

* Matt. 4:24-25 – and they brought Him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them

* Matt. 8:16 ­ That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick

* Matt. 12:22 ­ Then a demon­oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw.

* Matt 17:18 ­ And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly.

* Lk. 6:17-19 ­ And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people…18 who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And THOSE who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. 19 And ALL the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them ALL.

A Word about the Origin of Demons

* The angels transgressed this appointment and were captivated by love of women. And they begat children [the nephilim], who are those who are called demons. Justin Martyr (AD160)

* These angels, then, who have fallen from heaven, and haunt the air and the earth, and are no longer able to rise to heavenly things, and the souls of the giants [nephilim], who are the demons who wander about the world, perform similar actions. Athenagoras (AD175)

* Furthermore, we are instructed by our sacred books how from certain angels, who fell of their own free will, there sprang a more wicked demon brood…” Tertullian (AD197)

* Among angels, some are angels of God, and others are angels of the devil. But among demons, there is no such distinction. For they are all said to be wicked. Origen (AD 248)

* However, those who were born from [the relations of angels with women]—because they were neither angels nor men, but had a mixed nature—were not admitted into Hades [when they died]. Similarly, their fathers had not been admitted into heaven, either. Thus, there came to be two kinds of demons: one of heaven, the other of the earth. The latter are the wicked spirits, who are the authors of all the evils that are done. This same devil is their prince. ...However, grammarians say that the reason they are called demons...is because they are skilled and acquainted with matters. For the grammarians think they are gods. In truth, the demons are acquainted with some future events, but not with all. For He has not permitted them to know entirely the counsel of God. ...As I was saying, these contaminated and abandoned spirits wander over the whole earth. They console their own ruin by destroying others. Therefore, they fill every place with snares, deceits, frauds, and errors. For they cling to individuals and even occupy whole houses, from door to door…(Lactanius AD 304­312)

A Word about Sickness & the Demonic

* “…condemned of God along with the authors of their race. ...Their great business is

the ruin of mankind. So, from the start, spiritual wickedness sought our destruction.

Accordingly, they [demons] inflict upon our bodies diseases and other grievous

calamities. And by violent assaults, they hurry the soul into sudden and extraordinary

excesses. ...By an influence equally obscure, demons and angels breathe into the

soul, and rouse up its corruptions with furious passions and vile excesses.” Tertullian (AD197)

* “...And since spirits are without physical substance and cannot be held, they slink

into the bodies of men. Secretly working in their inward parts, they corrupt the health

of these persons, bring on diseases, terrify their souls with dreams, and harass their

minds with frenzies. They do this so that by these evils, they may cause men to come

to them for aid.” Lactantius (AD304­313)

To Summarize

* Demons are NOT Fallen Angels

* Demons are the disembodied spirits of the dead Nephilim (their parents are Fallen Angels)

* Demons can and do cause sickness, but not all sickness is caused by demons

* Freeing people from demons is also called/considered HEALING in the Gospels

* Demons are the paranormal entities that we have been given authority over

* Fallen Angels & Demons cannot be saved

Hebrews 2:16 – “For surely it is NOT angels that He (Christ) helps but Abraham’s descendants.”

Although there is also assigned to angels perdition in “the fire prepared for the devil and his angels,” yet a restoration is never promised to them. No directive about the salvation of angels did Christ ever receive from the Father. Tertullian (AD 210)

What did the 12 Disciples do?

* Luke 9:1-2 ­ And He [Jesus] called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of

God and to heal…

NOTE: WHO/WHAT we have been given authority over

What did the 72 do?

* Lk. 10:1,8-9, 17-20 ­ After this the Lord appointed seventy­two others and sent them

on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was

about to go… 8 Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set

before you. 9 Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come

near to you.’ 17 The seventy­two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons

are subject to us in your name!” 18 And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like

lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents

and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt

you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but

rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

NOTE: 1. WHO/WHAT was subject to them? Principalities? Fallen Cherub? DEMONS

2. Healing/Exorcism – WHERE/WHEN? (v. 8) / WHO? (v. 9)

What did the Apostles & the Apostle Paul do?

* Acts 5:16 – [to the Apostles] …bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

* Acts 16:18 - And she was doing this for many days. And Paul, having been greatly-annoyed, and having turned to the spirit, said, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to depart from her!” And it went out at the very hour.

* Acts 19:11-12 - And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them, and the evil spirits came out of them.

* Acts 28:8-9 - It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. 9 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.

1 Cor. 4:16 - “…I urge you to imitate me”

1 Cor. 11:1 - “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ”

What did Philip the Deacon do?

*Acts 8:4-7 - Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed, or lame were healed.

But didn’t the supernatural gifts cease?

*Cessationism (and “Practical Cessationism”)

*It’s a matter of history

What did Christians in the 2nd & 3rd Century do?

* Irenaeus (late 2nd century, spiritual grandson of the Apostle John) – to followers of false teachers/heretics - “You are unable to heal the blind, the crippled, the deaf, the paralyzed…or to free the demonized…moreover as I have said, the dead even have been raised up, and remained among us for many years”

* Tertullian (early 3rd century) – “For what could be more delightful…than to find yourself trampling underfoot the gods of false religions, casting out demons, healing the sick, seeking prophetic revelation and living for God? These are our pleasures, These are our pleasures, the signs, and wonders of Christians holy, eternal and free…count these as your entertainment" (On the Spectacles, Ch. 29)

Irenaeus 2.0

* Irenaeus (late 2nd century) - “Those who are in truth His disciples, receiving grace from Him, do in His name perform miracles, so as to promote the welfare of others, according to the gift which each one has received from Him. For some do certainly and truly drive out devils, so that those who have thus been cleansed from evil spirits frequently both believe [in Christ] and join the Church. Others have foreknowledge of things to come: they see visions and speak the prophecies they have received. Others still, heal the sick by laying their hands upon them, and they are healed. Moreover, as I have said, even the dead have been raised and remained among us for many years. And what more can I even say? It is not even possible to number all of the gifts which the Church, throughout the whole world, has received from God, in the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and which Christians demonstrate daily for the benefit of the unbelievers, neither deceiving them nor taking any financial reward from them [on account of such miraculous ministry]. For as Christians have received freely from God, freely also do they minister [to others]**. (Against Heresies, book 2, chapter 32, section 4)

What were Future Disciples expected to do?

* Matt. 28:20 – “…teaching them to observe everything I have commanded YOU….until the end of the age”

NOTE: Do WHAT? Until WHEN?

* Mk. 16:18 – “…they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover”

HOW SHALL WE THEN LIVE??

If “the main way Pagan America WILL BE converted to Christianity WILL BE healing and, most especially, exorcism”

* KNOW the demonic is only going to increase (“as in the days of Noah”)

* Share the Gospel with the supernatural/demonic in mind – be transparent!

* WWJD in 2022? What He did in AD30. What disciples did in AD200.

* Normal works? “and he cast out the spirits with a word" / Greater works?

* Fasting? “this kind [of demon] only come out by prayer AND fasting” (Mk. 9:29)

* Holiness in 2022 - “Do not give the devil a place [topos]” (Eph. 4:27)

* Get around those who are moving in the power you long for

* “If you can live without something, you will! (Mike Bickle)

* “I will never change the channel again!” (Bill Johnson)