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What are demons?
Demons
are evil spirits that are opposed to God and God's people.
They appear to be fallen angels: 2 Pet. 2:4;
Jude 6 and are
primarily referenced in the New Testament.
- Matt. 4:24, "And the news about Him went
out into all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill,
taken with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics,
paralytics; and He healed them."
- Matt. 8:28, "And
when He had come to the other side into the country of the Gadarenes,
two men who were demon-possessed met Him as they were coming out of
the tombs; they were so exceedingly violent that no one could pass
by that road."
-
Mark 3:22,
"And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, 'He is
possessed by Beelzebul,” and “He casts out the demons by the ruler
of the demons.'”
- Luke 4:35, "And Jesus rebuked him,
saying, “Be quiet and come out of him!” And when the demon had
thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him without doing him
any harm."
- John 8:48-49, "The Jews answered and
said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and
have a demon?” 49 Jesus answered, “I do not
have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me"
Demons
seem to be able to cause illness, paralysis, blindness, and violence
combined with great strength in the one possessed. Demons
apparently strongly desire to reside within people (Matt. 8:28)
and even animals (Matt. 8:32).
In the future there will be a judgment of the demonic forces:
Matt. 8:29,
"And behold, they cried out, saying, “What do we have to do with You,
Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”
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