............................................................................
Different Types Of Demons
Their Identity And Their
Demise
By Brian Chilton
Hollywood often presents
demons as being entities that are nearly impossible to combat.
Recently, interesting figures
have been presented in music videos and films that finds parallels to some of
the demonic entities found in the Bible.
This article is all about
demons as we ask: who are demons; how do they operate; and what is their fate?
Are demons creatures to be
feared? How do we combat them? Hopefully, this article will provide some
answers.
Who are Demons?
Demons
were angelic beings. Therefore, they are spiritual creatures.
Demons are former angels who
have fallen for the lies of Satan.
While
the Scriptures do not provide a lot of information pertaining to their fall, they
are noted in Revelation 12 as being deceived by Satan, depicted as a great
red dragon (Revelation 12:3), who sweeps “down
a third of the stars of heaven [angels] and cast them to earth” (Revelation
12:4).
Sedim
One
category of demons are mentioned in Deuteronomy 32:17 and Psalm 106:37.
In
Deuteronomy, Moses notes that the people had “sacrificed to demons that were
no gods, to gods they had never known” (Deuteronomy
32:17) and that they were “unmindful of the Rock that bore you.”
(Deuteronomy 32:18)
The
psalmist notes that they “sacrificed their sons and their daughters
to the demons; they poured out innocent blood, the blood of their sons and
daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was
polluted with blood.” (Psalm
106:36-37)
These demons, in Hebrew, are
called the Sedim (Sed, singular).
Se’irim
The
Se’irim are goat-like demons.
Leviticus
17:7 states that “they shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices to goat demons, after
whom they whore. This shall be a statute forever for them throughout their
generations.”
The Se’irim are also
referenced in 2 Chronicles 11:15 as goat idols.
The Se’irim bear a striking
resemblance to the Church of Satan’s statue Mephisto, which has been erected in
several locations in the continental United States.
Lilith
Some
see the “night bird” (Hebrew “Lilith”) of Isaiah 34:14 as a
category of demon.
If so, Lilith is a female
demon associated with unclean animals and desolate places.
Azazel
Some
see another demon known as the Azazel noted in Leviticus 16:8, 10, 26.
A lot was cast by Aaron, one
for Yahweh and one for Azazel (a demon). The demon Azazel represented impurity
and uncleanness.
The lot that fell on the goat
for Yahweh was presented as a sacrifice for God.
The lot that fell on the goat
representing Azazel was cast into the wilderness in representation of the
separation of sin from the people.
In a sense, the demon was
cast into the goat and cast away from the people of God.
As noted in footnote 2, there
is a lot of speculation concerning this demonic entity.
Evil spirits
On
several occasions, evil spirits were sent to torment individuals (1 Samuel
16:15-16; 18:10).
This is especially true of
King Saul:
“AND SAUL’S SERVANTS SAID TO HIM, “BEHOLD NOW, A
HARMFUL SPIRIT FROM GOD IS TORMENTING YOU.'” – 1
SAMuel 16:15
Beelzebub
Beelzebub
is noted as a prince of demons, but lower than Satan.
He is often associated as the
lord of the flies.
Beelzebub is noted in 2 Kings
1:2-3 and 6.
Ahaziah inquired of Beelzebub
whether he should live instead of appealing to God.
Jesus is accused by His
opponents for casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub. (Mark
3:22)
How do Demons Operate?
Demons
are opposed to the working of God.
They manifest themselves in
various ways throughout the Scriptures.
They bring the
- inability
to speak (Matthew 9:32; 12:22);
- the
inability to hear (Mark 9:25);
- the
inability to see (Matthew 12:22; John
10:21);
- amazing,
nearly superhuman strength to the individual they possess (Mark
5:4); and
- destructive
habits and behaviors. (Matthew 17:15)
They can also bring diseases
to individuals.
While there are natural
occurrences of the previously noted attributes, demonic presences can add or
amplify those patterns.
What is the Fate of Demons?
As
fearsome as demons are, it must be remembered that they are powerless compared
to God.
Jesus cast out demons on
several occasions, even by simply issuing a command (e.g., Mark
1:25).
So, how does one combat
demonic presences?
Quite simple, demons are
defeated by faith in Christ Jesus.
If a person has the abiding
presence of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit-filled individual can be annoyed by
demons, but he cannot be possessed.
He may be afflicted, but not
overtaken.
It is also important for an
individual to equip himself with the spiritual armor of God. (Ephesians
6:10-20).
A person needs to remember
that the final outcome for demons is defeat.
God
will be victorious as “the devil who had deceived them was thrown
into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and false prophet were, and
they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation
20:10).
All of the demonic powers
will be destroyed.
Conclusion
Films
like Poltergeist capture the imagination and present demonic entities as
fearsome beings.
Rest assured, demons are
fearsome and they are powerful. But their power ceases before the awesome
presence of Christ.
More fearsome than the demons
is the One who has flames of fire, who will ride upon a white horse bringing
judgment to the world.
Who is this white horseman?
It is Christ Jesus Himself. Before Him, all the world will bow the knee and
confess with the tongue.
Christ - the King of Kings,
Lord of Lords, and the Prince of Peace - holds authority over all.
If you are afflicted by the
forces of the demonic realm, turn to Jesus.
Pastor
Brian Chilton is a graduate of Liberty University School of Divinity in 2015
with a Master of Divinity in Theological Studies. He is also a graduate of
Gardner-Webb University with a Bachelor of Science in Religious Studies and
Philosophy in 2011. Graduate of Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute in 1998 with
an Associate in Religion/Church Ministry. He has also earned from Biola
University the Certificate in Christian Apologetics in 2016. Beginning in early
2000, Pastor Brian left the ministry for 7 years and nearly became an agnostic
due to doubts pertaining to the reliability of the Bible and the hypocritical
behavior by some Christians that he knew. He came back to a strong, vibrant
faith after encountering Josh McDowell’s book The New Evidence that Demands a
Verdict and Lee Strobel’s book The Case for Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment