The Doctrine of Idolatry – Part 78: Spiritual Adultery With Demons - Part 39
January 19, 2012
OUTLINE:
Conviction Stings!
The Gospel enrages the flesh because instead of making it feel stronger and more secure with its SoT, the Gospel exposes its utter weakness, hopelessness, and insufficiency to deliver.
Understanding Self
We are all born flawed and will struggle with our imperfections until the day we die (or are raptured). Our focus, therefore, shouldn’t be on our failures, but rather our attitude towards God’s grace in light of our failures.
*** click here for the Relative Demonic Activity graphic ***
Tribulation Evangelism
- The 144,000 Jews (Rev 7:4-8)
- Their converts (Rev 7:9-17)
- The two witnesses (Rev 11:3-14)
- The angel with the everlasting gospel (Rev 14:6-7)
“the everlasting gospel”
in context points to the fact that eternity is close at hand; final judgment is also in view (Rev 14:6)
“The gospel of Christ” [KJV]
means the gospel belongs to Christ; Christ IS the gospel (good news)! (Rom 1:16)
“my gospel”
means every believer “possesses” the gospel; just because a believer is a full owner the gospel doesn’t mean the gospel is any different (Rom 2:16)
“our gospel”
again focuses on “possession”; this time the context points to the responsibility of the possessor to communicate it (2Co 4:3-4)
“gospel of peace”
means the gospel is what produces peace between man and God; the doctrine of reconciliation is in view here (Eph 6:15)
“the gospel of the kingdom”
“The gospel of the kingdom” – emphasizes the 2nd Advent and the fulfillment of the unconditional covenants to Israel (Mat 24:14)
Nation, Tribes, Peoples, and Tongues
Refers to the removal of the following barriers to evangelism (Rev 7:9; 14:6):
- National (nation)
- Racial (tribes)
- Social (peoples)
- Linguistics (tongues)
Our God of Integrity
The whole world will be evangelized in a concentrated manner in order to uphold the divine integrity of God. The Baptism of Fire is at the end of the Tribulation, which assignment to is only fair if the Gospel is available first.
The Eternal Gospel
The eternal Gospel includes everything pertaining to the work of Christ on the Cross. The emphasis from the angel in Rev 14:6-7 is from the standpoint of divine judgment and upon the strength of the Creator, the same Person who died on the Cross.
“loud voice”
from megas phone – refers to the acoustics of the herald angel; his voice will be as loud as thunder; Satan is described in eternity past to have a voice like a pipe organ
Tribulation Evangelism
- The 144,000 Jews (Rev 7:4-8)
- Their converts (Rev 7:9-17)
- The two witnesses (Rev 11:3-14)
- The angel with the everlasting gospel (Rev 14:6-7)
The Doctrine of Idolatry
Spiritual Adultery With Demons
What Are Demons Like?
Demons have personalities that even we humans can relate to! This is useful in our understanding the devices of demons, including their seductive ways that lead to spiritual adultery with them.
Demons Are Intelligent Beings
- They recognized TLJC (Mark 1:24)
- They understand their own doom (Mat 8:29)
- They know the plan of salvation, though never accepted it (Jam 2:19)
- They develop and promote systems of doctrine (1 Tim. 4:1-3)
Demons Have Emotions
They exhibit emotion, particularly when faced with judgment (Luke 8:28; Jam 2:19)
Demons Have Wills
They express their wills (Luke 8:32)
Demons Have Personalities
They are described by personal pronouns (Luke 8:27-30)
Demons Are Spirit Beings
They are not flesh and blood like man, but rather spirit beings (ala Eph 6:12).
Demons Are Generally Invisible
Most of the time, demons are invisible to man, although the scriptures reveal their apparent presence through various means. (Acts 19:15; Rev. 9:1-12; 16:13)
Demons Are Immoral
- They are unclean, evil, wicked (Mat 10:1; Luk 4:33; 7:21; Eph 6:12)
- They oppose God’s morality and will (Dan 10:12-13)
Demons Have Limited Power
- They have superhuman strength (Mar 5:3; Act 19:16)
- They cannot tell the future (cite Act 16:16 - pretending)
- They are not omnipresent, they are localized (Job 2:2)
*** click here for the Relative Demonic Activity graphic ***
Historical Record of Demon Activity
- The Bible records increased demon activity during specific times in history:
- The 1st Advent of TLJC (Rev 12:1-5)
- The Tribulation Period (Mat 24:4-28; Rev 6-19)
- The End of the Millennium (Rev 20:7-10)
Rev 20:5 [reordered]
This is the first resurrection. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed.
*** click here for the Resurrections diagram ***
Gog and Magog Revolution
As soon as Satan is released from prison, he goes back to earth, this being called Satan’s 2nd Advent. His 1st Advent was in Gen 3:1-5 in the Garden of Eden.
Satan’s 1st & 2nd Advents
In both advents, Satan he finds perfect environment on earth and conspires to destroy it. In his 1st Advent, he was successful; in his 2nd Advent, he fails.