Do Demons Possess People Today As In Bible Times?

Do Demons Possess People Today As In Bible Times?

Dear Bro. Waddey:
Do you believe angels and demons still operate here on earth? I am reading the book, Seeing the Unseen and the author seems to think they are still operating among us.
-Debbie

Dear Debbie:
On the basis of Heb. 1:14 , I do believe God's angels are his providential agents to bless and protect his children today. They "are ministering spirits sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation." That is us. Most brethren hold this view.

I do not believe that the demons, the evil spirits mentioned in the New Testament, are among us today. My reading leads me to conclude that demons were allow to operate on earth during the ministries of Christ and the apostles. They were the visible evidence of Satanic evil and control in the lives of people. God gave Christ and the apostles power over them to prove they were sent by God. Jesus said, "but if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you" (Matt. 12:28). The apostles were empowered to cast out demons and do other miracles for the same reason (Mark 16:17-20). Now the work and message of Christ and the apostles has been completed and recorded in our New Testament. Christ is in heaven and the apostles rest with Abraham. Miracles have ceased (I Cor. 13:8-10). Satan no longer is allowed that kind of power on earth.

Many progressive teachers find their inspiration from the Evangelical and Charismatic denominational teachers many of whom believe that miracles can yet be done, and that demons yet roam the earth. If the author you mention believes that demons are yet among us, he very likely believes that he or someone has the power to cast them out. Charismatics believe that. If he says demons still are with us, but we cannot cast them out, then the victims of possession are helpless.

That said, We do not deny Satan's malevolent power on earth. The whole world lies in the evil one (I John 5:19). Satan definitely still has great power and uses it to create strife, suffering and problems for mankind. He is like a roaring lion, a dangerous predator (I Pet. 5:8). That however is something different from demon possession. Demon possession is not to be equated with mental illness. Remember the pitiful case of poor Legion who was possessed (Mark 5:1-15). We see no such cases today and none could cure them if we did.

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