Christians of Moddb
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This group is exactly what the name implies. A group for people who are Christians. If you're a Christian then please join us. We're a place on ModDB for Christians to gather and talk. It's as simple as that.
Mark 5:9
Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" "My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many."
Of all things in the Bible, one of the most disturbing things to know of the forces of Darkness is Demonic Possession. Many people have been afflicted by it in the past, and even now to this day.
As to what Demons really are, no one knows for certain. It's theorized they were a past creation that threw in their lot with Satan when he rebelled against God. And as a result lost their physical bodies, then ever since having desired a new one to inhabit and manipulate. Being the unclean entities they are, they often make the individual do some of the most obscene things imaginable.
Christ and his Disciples came across many such individuals during their travels. One such was the Maniac of Gadara who was possessed by a horde of Demons, who called themselves "Legion". Night and Day the man cried out and would cut himself with stones. Many had tried to tame and restrain him, all attempts ending in failure. He was a lost, seemingly forgotten soul. Paints a good picture of man without God doesn't it?
Then one day Christ came. God had heard the cries of this man long enough, it was time for him to know Freedom. When approached, the unclean spirits immediately recognized with who it was they were now in the presence of. Righteous fear stuck them like a bolt from the heavens. So much so they begged for the Christ to allow them to enter a nearby herd of swine instead. It was allowed. And so the man was freed. As for the herd of swine, now possessed, went on a violent run straight off a cliff into the water below, drowning in turn.
The point of this is simple, demonic possession does exist. And more specifically, it afflicts nonbelievers.
Picture made by "iconihidehere: Paintsketch #08 -- Fortune" from Deviant Art.
I swear sometimes I could write a book.
Anyways, best counter for the possessed is to have the unclean spirits cast out in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Prayer and fasting also helps in this effort. The victory Christ won at Calvary was beyond our comprehension, he went down even into the bowls of hell and took captivity captive and set the captives free. He effectively disarmed the forces of Darkness of much of their power. So I assure you, every Demon in hell and beyond knows that name, and fears it.
As for exorcism, despite what people would have you believe, there really is no need for religious ceremonies, holy water, and all that nonsense. You just need to know Christ. Having the Baptism of the Holy Spirit as described in Acts Chapter 2 will also help greatly in such efforts.
I believe it necessary to note that Believers are not susceptible to Demonic possession either. Once one accepts Christ they are no longer susceptible to possession. It's like the Book of Job. God's put a hedge around you, and the enemy is not permitted entrance. The only one who is with you now, is God's Spirit.
When you accept Christ, he begins a process of spiritual regeneration. As described in Ezekiel 36:26. In the end making you keep his judgements, and do them. He also brings peace, something a possessed soul never knew, or anyone who doesn't know the Lord for that matter.
A Christian is not to fear a Demon. Or anything else for that matter, save righteous fear of God. As any soldier would have of their commanding officer. Or any child of their parents authority.
Splendid message, as always.
There's just one point at which I'd like to interject, if I may. You make an interesting statement concerning a theory on the origin of demons. I may not be as well-read as many others here, but as far as I can make out, Revelation 12:4 seems to hint at a third of the angels having joined Satan. Rev 12:9 goes on to refer to Satan's accomplices as 'angels', so I don't have much trouble associating the concept of demons with an early angelic rebellion against God.
Any thoughts?
Yes, fallen Angels certainly played their role in Lucifer's rebellion and still do to this day. But they actually have their own bodies and do not desire to posses others. Their forms have become warped as a result of the fall however. Reading from scriptures in Revelation and what will occur in the 7 year tribulation, they must have been deformed beyond belief for what is said to be true.
Demons on the other hand desire to posses in order to be whole again. They seek a body to control. Now, God designed man as body, soul, and spirit. Three parts to make a complete human being. As to what the Demons were before the rebellion, we are uncertain. But it's a theory that they were a previous creation Lucifer oversaw before the rebellion. A creation that evidently threw in their lot with him. So as a result, God judged them, resulting in a event so terrible they were forever cursed to wander without their bodies.
It really is an interesting theory, but I still can't quite see where it comes from. I'm pretty sure the Bible doesn't say anything to that effect (and if it does, please let me know and I'll stand corrected). I am also aware that the Bible doesn't tell us when God created the angels either, so the fact that the Bible doesn't mention the creation of these pre-demonic beings doesn't necessarily mean that they never existed.
However, it still doesn't make any sense when put into context. If true, then God inexplicably created ANOTHER sentient, conscious race alongside angels and men that somehow already had the Knowledge of Good and Evil. That would mean that they couldn't be earth-bound beings, because the source of such knowledge on earth was the Tree of the K. of G. and E. Also, it doesn't make sense when 'God saw that it was good' if they were already bad. If they indeed existed, most of them must have joined Satan, because I don't believe many cases of benign demonic possession have since been observed. (I will admit though, I can think of one instance of Godly possession in the case of Balaam's donkey.) Would God have created an entire race* of angelic beings (that weren't angels) just so they could join Satan when he rebelled and be able to do things even God's angels couldn't do?
You also stated that fallen angels "have their own bodies and do not desire to possess others." It may be worth noting, one of the very first acts of fallen Lucifer was to POSSESS a snake. Angels, as described in the Bible, appear to have various jobs, for example Gabriel - messenger, Michael - warrior. Fallen angels needn't be any different, with some responsible for possession, others perhaps for deceit or... I don't know. I'm thankfully not the expert in diabolical strategy. :D But at least for me, I'm quite content interpreting demons simply to be fallen angels.
The serpent that spoke to Eve in the Garden of Eden was intelligent, even enough for eloquent speech. Perhaps it also threw in its lot with Satan and cooperated in his plan? It is quite possible God created other beings like us, while of lesser intellect, were still quite capable of a limited form of sentience and choice.
There are many things we still don't know about this world and before we were on it. I take the Biblical account as fact for now, but we can't deny there was definitely more going on than is recorded.
Perhaps those spirits spoken of were the Nephilim? The Giants that were a result of the union of women and fallen Angels. As to other instances, who could know.
Fallenangels-ckquarterman.com
Angels all have their rolls. And they most certainly can influence and empower people, but not posses, even if they could I don't believe God would allow it. Angels are already overpowered as it is, even fallen ones. If they could posses people imagine the chaos that would ensue.
Ah, I see. The Book of Enoch. (Explains why I couldn't find anything in the Bible. ;D) I haven't read much of the Apocrypha, so I can't really comment. Personally, I tend to take anything the Apocrypha says with a pinch of salt, but then I may just be paranoid.
What you said is perfectly true and I concur wholeheartedly; there are many things we still don't know about this world. That is the mystery of God. He could have told us everything when He wrote the Bible, but He chose not to. Awesome!
Proverbs 25:2
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
Agreed. :-)