Who are Fallen Angels? Why Does This Matter?

A Biblical Case for Demons and Fallen Angels being the Same Thing…and Why it Matters

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

I bow before our Lord and offer this blog in a spirit of tenderness and humility…and gratitude to the Lord Jesus who triumphed over all evil.

Let us begin this study with a clear affirmation of the victory of the Lord Jesus over all evil!! Amen!
Colossians 2:15 “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”

Many godly, sincere, and knowledgeable people are stating that there is a distinction in the bible between demons, unclean spirits, and fallen angels. Indeed, not a few respected folks state that fallen angels are particularly in doubt regarding their identity. However, I humbly offer this analysis in an attempt to show that all three are the same….focusing on the identity of Fallen Angels.

A year ago I posted an extensive blog which shows that unclean spirits and demons are the same thing in the bible.

Here is the link:
http://archive.aweber.com/paraworld/BFyYL          

Please see comments on Revelation below as well). Not a few people were saying demons and unclean spirits were different beings, and I felt the need to address the issue. Please keep in mind that my main goal in this blog is to analyze fallen angels…but, specifically, I want to show that they are the same as unclean spirits and demons. My intent is NOT to focus on the question of when fallen angels fell, but their identity. I personally think that the classical view is correct—Satan and 1/3 of the angels “fell’ sometime before the creation of man, and Genesis 6 is a further rebellion of some of the already fallen angels/demons.

In my theological tradition/denomination (Reformed/Presbyterian) the identity of fallen angels is not in dispute. The classical view is pretty much universally held amongst Reformed theologians. For example, I was reading Jonathan Edwards recently and my views line up with his. But the ultimate guide must be the bible, and not a theological tradition, the book of Enoch, or any other non-canonical book. In addition, we must avoid the temptation to believe the views of someone regarding fallen angels simply because we deeply admire their piety, ministry, etc. Sola scriptura!

Colossians 2:15 “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him”. Let us keep this truth center stage!

There are numerous words used in NT just to describe Satan: devil, evil one, Lucifer, Angel of Light, Accuser, etc. In His all-wise sovereignty, God chose to use different words to identify Satan. Surely one reason was to reveal to us the multi-faceted nature of his being and work, so that we might be all the more informed and prepared—and the more we understand the evilness and power of our enemy, then the cosmic victory Jesus won on the cross will shine with all the more luster!

And of course, think of the dozens of names and titles of our Lord Jesus in both the OT and NT, which accent different aspects of the multi-splendored nature of His Person and Work!

So, we have a precedent/s in which the same person (Satan) or Person (Jesus) is called many different names, in God’s all-wise revelation to us. Hence, should we not expect that the devil’s subordinates would have multiple names as well, yet be the same entity? I believe that what holds true of Satan, is also true of his subordinates--evil spirits, demons, unclean spirits, elemental spirits (Col. 2:9, 20), rulers, authorities, cosmic powers (Eph 6), the devil’s angels (Matthew 25, Revelation 12) are different names for the same entity. That is my premise. Each of these is designed to accent a certain aspect of their nature and activity. But once again, the darkness of evil is the backdrop against which the brilliance and refulgence of God’s glory in Christ shines more brightly!

It simplifies the biblical data without endlessly multiplying the entities populating the spirit realm…and we’ve seen the precedents for this practice of multiple names for the same Person or person.
What’s the big deal? Why waste time on this issue? And aren’t you fixating on evil instead of Jesus?

If the spirit realm is populated by more than one kind of evil spirit, then are we to deal with these different spirits in different ways?  Is one stronger than another? I have heard numerous times that fallen angels are the strongest, then demons, and unclean spirits the weakest…or some variation of this. There is no doubt that some demons are stronger than others—as Jesus said that “this kind can only come out by prayer”, as well as the NT words that indicate hierarchy in demonic realm. However, this hierarchy does not imply that these are different “kinds” of entities….just variation in rank and strength. Think of the military—a general and private have different authority, but they are both soldiers.

Once you add even one more spirit, then the slippery slope comes into view. What is to keep us from multiplying these evil spirits phenomenologically--by how they appear and act…which can be endless? But most importantly, we MUST exegete the bible accurately, in honor of God. God’s precious, holy Word is worthy of careful exegesis and analysis of all topics if we are to accurately expound the whole counsel of God, which would include the identity of spirits in the spirit realm. 24/7 we are in warfare with these beings, so it is an immensely practical issue.

Some may say that I am giving the devil too much emphasis, but surely there is a difference between having a clear understanding of our adversaries, and fixating on them. In fact, it is LACK of clarity that can lead to confusion, and thus, fixation. Don’t we naturally obsessively ponder things that are confusing to us? Once it is cleared up (hopefully accurately), then we can enjoy cognitive rest. As always, we must then make a bee-line for the cross.

One last word of introduction: I’m not writing this to score debate points, but with a spirit of brokenness and humility, to God’s glory and to edify the saints.

So, who are fallen angels, and are they demons, as the classical view states? Given that some ‘big names’ have stated publicly that the identity of fallen angels is unclear, we must reaffirm that we are bound by the bible, and not by people that we may deeply respect.

1. My first argument (as defined in formal logic) is admittedly not explicitly biblical. Ockham’s razor states that: the simplest answer that explains the phenomena is to be preferred. Affirming that that unclean spirits, demons, and fallen angels (as well as elementals, etc) are the same entity is clearly the simplest explanation, and can easily and adequately explain all the biblical and experiential phenomena. No, it is not a biblical argument (logical argument, not red-faced screaming), but my reasoning is cumulative. God is the Lord of language, and He knows that using different names can accent different aspects of the same entity. If demons and unclean spirits can be (are) the same thing, then why not fallen angels?

2. 1 Timothy 5:21 speaks of “elect angels”, which is an obvious reference to good angels. In the bible there are elect and non-elect humans (Romans 9), so we may properly infer that if there are elect angels, then there must be non-elect or (bad or fallen) angels. It is the same Greek word for ‘elect’. Regardless of your view of election/predestination, there is symmetry of elect and non-elect. If you don’t like inference argumentation, then hang on.
3. Matthew 25…
31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.
32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.
34 Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink,I was a stranger and you welcomed me,
36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.'
37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?
38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?
39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?'
40 And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'
41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.    (to diabolo kai tois angelos autou)
42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.'
44 Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?'
45 Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.'
46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." (emphasis added)
Matthew 25….The context is the Second Coming of Christ and the Final Judgment. Note in v. 31 good angels are mentioned, and in v. 41 ‘the devil and his angels” (elect and non-elect) Nobody claims that “fallen angels” is a phrase actually used in the bible, but the key is whether there are bad angels, who had to fall at some time because God didn’t make them bad. Regardless, this text shows ‘fallen angels’ at the public Last Judgment…which means they must have had a very significant role in the overall rebellion against God from the dawn of time. Neither demons nor unclean spirits are mentioned in this text, yet we read elsewhere in Matthew (and throughout bible) of their constant activity of rebelling against God and attacking humans. Clearly, these devil’s angels or ‘fallen angels’ had been the chief agents of spiritual destruction on earth under Satan’s leadership, or they wouldn’t have been singled out so severely by Jesus. Hence, we see a developing pattern of synonymous usage of demons, unclean spirits, and ‘fallen/bad’ angels.

When you read the gospel of Matthew, both demons and unclean spirits are mentioned numerous times, as the agents of diabolical destruction. But in this awful scene of the Last Judgment, Matthew refers to these same entities as the devils angels. I say this gently and humbly, but this one text should be conclusive.

The devil and his angels—that comes as close to what is meant by fallen angels as one can get. Theologians often use terms not mentioned in the bible (like The Trinity) to summarize biblical teaching. Surely, the devil’s angels (as opposed to God’s holy angels) are innumerable, utterly evil, and Satan’s only army since the dawn of history.

At the Last Judgment, the goats (damned humans), Satan, and his angels are consigned to eternity in hell. Demons are not mentioned. Unclean spirits are not mentioned. But ‘Satan’s angels’ are mentioned. Obviously these ‘fallen angels” have been the army of Satan fighting against God/man since the beginning….what we are warned against in Ephesians 6.

Matthew 25 is a summary of all of human and cosmic history, where the Son of Man damns both unbelieving humans, and their spiritual counterparts who have been His adversaries (and ours) since the dawn of time.  In light of this one text, how can we say that the identity of fallen angels is in doubt? If you prefer the term ‘devil’s angels,’ that is fine, but that is what theologians mean when they speak of fallen angels.

And most importantly for our purpose, “the devil’s angels” are clearly synonymous with demons and unclean spirits. If they aren’t the same, then why does Matthew show demons and unclean spirits as constantly attacking and possessing humans, but turns around and has God pronounce eternal judgment on the devils angels at the Last Judgment?  It makes no sense UNLESS, they are one and the same. There is linguistic and theological symmetry of angels, good and bad, in Matthews’s presentation of The Last Judgment. Other than in Revelation, the phrase ‘the devil/Satan and his angels’ is not used, but these are sufficient. The pronouncement of damnation against the fallen angels has to signify that they have been the same culprits mentioned throughout the NT, but called by different names.

To say that these are the angels mentioned in Genesis 6 is eisogesis because the context precludes that interpretation. Besides, the angels in Genesis 6 are said to be already in hell.

4. Jude….2 Peter
6 And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day--
7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.
8 Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.
9 But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you."
10 But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively.
11 Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error and perished in Korah's rebellion.
14 It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones,
15 to execute judgment

My point about this text is that it is consistently and symmetrically angelic….both good and bad angels. Leaving aside the nature of their sin in v. 6, evil angels (whether they were evil before this event is not clear), clearly the angels are fallen angels now, and some are probably in hell (depending on how one interprets the sin in v.6)—but most are active on earth and being blasphemed by the false teachers. In v. 10 Jude is especially (like Peter in parallel text) concerned with the false teacher’s lack of respect for angelic beings, especially bad angels. Curiously enough, in v. 10 the remaining fallen angels are referred to as “glorious ones”…(Greek, doxas), probably to offset the false teachers flippant attitude toward demonic spirits/fallen angels. This is supported by the next verse in which the arch-angel Michael refused to speak flippantly against his arch-foe Satan (once a mighty, holy angel himself) regarding the body of Moses. And then in v.14 the Lord will come with countless ‘holy ones’—an obvious reference to holy angels. My point is that, if you don’t get bogged down in interpretive details of the sin in v. 6, then the consistency and symmetry of references to both good and fallen angels is clear—even Michael is an angel, though an archangel. The angels who fell into sin (v.6)…Satan a fallen mighty angel…Michael an (arch)angel….and the countless holy angels coming with the Lord. So, the context is ANGELS, and would suggest that the ‘glorious ones’ are fallen angels….and that fallen angels are the same as demons. It makes much more sense than bouncing back and forth between different kinds of evil spirits. This is a tight argument by Jude, in which angels (both good and bad) play a key role in the everyday affairs of mankind, especially amongst the false teachers.

 Arguments from Revelation—

There are many different interpretations of this book (only one is right), so I’m not going to go in as much detail as some may like. But there is a general consensus that the movement of the book is from the things that were then present to the future…climaxing with the destruction of God’s enemies and the coming of the new heaven and earth. But within this general temporal movement forward, the visions sometimes ‘double back’ to the present, complementary perspectives on the same event or phase of the conflict between Christ and Satan.

In this flow, back and forth, the Greek word for demon is used:9:20; 16:13-14 (where demons and unclean spirits are used interchangeably);18:2.

In 12:7,9 bad or fallen angels are mentioned…Satan and his angels.
My point is simple: in the midst of the wild imagery of apocalyptic prophecy, there is a natural flow and interchangeability between demons, unclean spirits, and the devil’s angels/fallen angels.

Satan Thrown Down to Earth
12:7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels (hoi angelo autou)fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels (hoi angelo autou)fought back,
8 but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.
9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world--he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.
11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
This chapter, as with most, is hotly debated as far as when these events occur. May be multi-layered.Some see this as referring to the cross, some to original ousting from heaven, and still others to increased demonic activity prior to the very end. Perhaps there is overlap. Regardless, the cross is center stage at whatever point in redemptive history. In our study of fallen angels, let us not lose sight of that vital fact!

Note in v. 7 that Michael and his angels are fighting against the dragon (Satan) and his angels. There is a linguistic symmetry (hoi angelo autou) as well as symmetry of oppositional parties. Satan’s counterpart is not God, but Michael—the archangel and prince guardian of the church--, and they lead their respective angels against each other in the cosmic battle of the ages—long term and at the end. Good angels vs bad/fallen angels have been in a battle royal for eons. .
Not once, but twice, Satan/serpent/devil/dragon and his angels (hoi angelo autou) are explicitly mentioned as being the infernal army thrown to earth to fight against the Messiah and His people. The timing of this ‘casting down’ is disputed, but certainly the context reveals that Satan and the fallen angels are simply following the same MO that they employed from the Garden—where lies and false teaching continue, as well as persecution and temptation. What are elsewhere in Revelation called demons, are here called “Satan’s angels”—just as in Matthew 25. And the fallen angels are THE spiritual agents of destruction (under Satan) throughout history, aimed at God’s Kingdom…again, as in Matthew 25. My purpose is not to exegete the text in Revelation and the details, but to show that the devil’s angels/evil/fallen angels are center stage in Revelation 12…in what is a classic, significant text in Revelation, no matter how one interprets it.
What is clear to me is that the context reveals that this event is not an isolated one, but signifies the battle in general and that we have the victory in Jesus. Satan has been defanged as far as his ability to accuse us. However, the devil has been thrown down in great wrath, because he knows his time is short. (V. 12) In addition, in v. 4 many interpreters see this as the original fall of Satan and 1/3 of the angels with him.

9:20 The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons (daimonia) and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk,
21 nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.
Again, I’ll not get bogged down in disputed details, but what is clear is that though unbelievers will be tortured by the very demons they worshipped, they don’t take heed from these final warnings. Large numbers of people are subjected to God’s wrath and demonic attack. Whereas in Ch. 12 the oppositional army consists of “Satan and his angels”, in ch.9 the same opposition are called “demons.”.Surely this is instructive.

16:12 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east.
13 And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits  (pneumata tria akatharta) like frogs.
14 For they are demonic spirits,(pneumata daimoniown) performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty.

In ch.16 the end has come…the final, decisive battle. Divine restraints are removed and Satan and his unclean spirits/demons assemble the world for the battle; climaxing millennia of opposition to God and His people. God will utterly squash this rebellion, based on the finished work of Christ on the cross. Please note that the army which was earlier called “Satan and his angels” is now called “the dragon/Satan and his unclean spirits/demons.” In the span of two verses, John naturally switches from unclean spirits to demons.
Is it not clear by now that demons, unclean spirits, and fallen angels are the same evil beings?

18:1 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory.
2 And he called out with a mighty voice, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast

Notice again, how in v.2 demons and unclean spirits are used interchangeably. Destruction has come on God’s enemies. Not focusing on interpretive details, we see that the oppositional army consists of demons or unclean spirits, which were earlier called “Satan and his angels.”

Does not the verbiage in Matthew 25 now make more sense? Putting aside all the apocalyptic imagery in the book of Revelation, we have a clear portrait of the Last Judgment in Matthew 25, which dispels any fog surrounding the sadistic spiritual culprits.

I trust by now that the cumulative effect of these “arguments” has had its desired effect. demons, unclean spirits, and fallen angels are different names for the same entity. I am not interested in winning an argument, but I want to honor God by trying to rightly divide the Word of Truth.

The more clearly we understand our enemy, the more lovely Jesus’’ triumph over this evil becomes. Yes, it is important to know our enemy, but it’s infinitely more important that we relish in the cosmic victory our blessed Savior accomplished.

Mark Hunnemann is the author of Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes: A Worldview Analysis of Earthbound Spirits. It's also available in eBook format.

The Irony of Sulfur & Other Satanic Imitations from Revelation

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

Recently I’ve been thinking about how central imitation is to Satan's MO or schemes....especially as revealed in Revelation. Below are a few as found in the last book of the bible.

God's reality--the real Trinity (Father, Son/Lamb, Holy Spirit...Rev.1:4-5....

Satanic imitation--false trinity....dragon, beast, and false prophet (16:13;20:10)
Lamb standing as if slain (Rev.5:6).......many-headed beast with mortal wound healed (13:3)
sealing of the saints 7:2-3)......mark of the beast (13:16-18)
Bride in white (19:7-8).....prostitute in purple and scarlet.(17:1-6)

In Revelation 13:2 the beast appears as a composite being….imitating the holy composite imagery in Old Testament and New Testament.

How many of you have seen pictures and other evidence of composite beings (combining of different creatures) that were truly bizarre and frightening? I have seen many pictures from clients who took still photos and the developed film showed freakish, demonic, composite beings.Some made my skin crawl. It would seem that Satan stole this idea from God and perverted it.

Not a few of the crypto-monsters as pursued on such TV shows as Destination Truth and Mountain Monsters are composite in appearance….and usually demonic if real. The Cherokee Devil is an example from my home state of NC…..Ashe County.

Perhaps the most common Satanic/demonic imitation is the false prophets, as opposed to God’s true prophets.

Is it any wonder, then, that we are warned that Satan and his minions can appear as an “angel of light”? (2 Corinthians 11:14)—imitating a holy angel or Christ Himself. The prince of darkness appearing as the antithesis of what he really is should resonate loudly amongst those who deal with these issues, especially Christians. Clearly, imitation or mimicry is a very common means Satan uses to deceive people.

 Hence, identifying paranormal entities based on a phenomenological methodology (how they appear, smell, feel, or sound) or the scientific method,is not only naïve and dangerous, it is contrary to God’s clear warnings! Yet, how many times have you heard/said that the gentle sound/message of a disembodied voice or EVP (or some similar phenomenon) must be a kind-hearted trapped soul?  Always remember the angel of light principle…demons can appear as anything…..ANYTHING! Have you ever identified a paranormal entity based on appearance? What do you think Paul (or more importantly, God)  would say about that?

I read an article quoting both Hans Holzer and Lloyd Auerbach, basically stating that most ghosts don’t hurt people, according to all the evidence. I humbly beg to differ. Though I don’t have the decades of experience that these men have, we have a radically different starting points or presuppositions. I presuppose the Bible is the authoritative Word of God, and it teaches the centrality of imitation or mimicry to Satan’s agenda….which is at the heart of the ghost debate.

Imitation or mimicry is not merely an occasional demonic ploy, it is very common due to its being deeply rooted in the very nature of unclean spirits and the image given in scripture, especially Revelation. Hence, folks who deal with paranormal phenomenon would be wise to remember Satanic imitation.

It is not enough to pray before interacting with paranormal phenomena (as important as that is)….and it is not enough to do it for God’s glory (again, very important)….we need to THINK according to biblical categories or we will end up being seriously deceived. NONE of us is above being deceived (I’m certainly not), but we must have our minds systematically transformed (Romans 12:1-2)….or we will be conformed to the prevailing mindset of our culture, which is becoming increasingly pagan.

Also, this morning I was reading in Revelation 20:10 about the false trinity being cast into the lake of fire and sulfur….hell. SULFUR. How many folks have been terrified by the smell of sulfur? It elicits terror because we have become hard wired to connect the smell of sulfur with demonic presence. However, the bible has a totally different take on the real significance of sulfur.

“…and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and SULFUR where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (EMPHASIS ADDED)

How ironic that Satan/demons would use the very smell that signifies their eternal torment, to instill fear in others...... Next time you (or client) smells sulfur, remember what it really signifies...Satan's certain defeat and eternal damnation.

Soli deo Gloria!!!

Mark Hunnemann is the author of Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes: A Worldview Analysis of Earthbound Spirits. It's also available in eBook format.

Demons and Unclean Spirits...Same Thing?

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

I do not usually include such long texts but it is needed to show a pattern...a very significant pattern.This is but a small sampling of what occurs throughout the gospels.

Please slowly read these texts. Are you willing to change your mind if the bible is clear and contradicts what you believe? Specifically, are unclean spirits different than demons, as some assert? Is there a distinction between unclean spirits and demons? A careful reading of below texts should answer this question...unequivocally. More later...

Mark 6
v.7 And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits (ton pneumaton  ton akatharton). 8 He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff-no bread, no bag, no money in their belts- 9 but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. 10 And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. 11 And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” 12 So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. 13 And they cast out many demons (daimonia) and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.

Is there a distinction? (note verses 7 and 13)

Mark 1...
And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit (pneumati akatharto). And he cried out, 24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are-the Holy One of God.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit (to pneuma to akatharton), convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits(pneumasi  tois akathartois), and they obey him.” 28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee. (please note below on Luke 4:31-37...parallel text)

29 And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons (daimonizomenous). 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons (daimonia). And he would not permit the demons (daimonia) to speak, because they knew him.

35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons (daimonia).

Is there a distinction?

Mark 5...(if you are rushed and can only read one text, please read this one)

1.They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. 2 And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit (pneumati akatharto). 3 vHe lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, 4 for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. 6 And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. 7 And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” 8 For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” (to pneuma to akatharton) 9 And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” 10 And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. 11 Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, 12 and they begged him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.” 13 So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits (ta pneumata ta akatharta)came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea.

14 The herdsmen fled and told it in the city and in the country. And people came to see what it was that had happened. 15 And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man (daimonizomenon), the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. 16 And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man (daimonizomino) and to the pigs. 17 And they began to beg Jesus4 to depart from their region. 18 As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons (ho daimonistheis)begged him that he might be with him. 19 And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.

Is there a distinction?  (notice the clear and natural transition of terms as the narrative evolves) This one text should resolve the issue once and for all..

The debate continues unabated concerning who/what populates the spirit realm. One argument that I have seen recently is that there is a distinction between unclean spirits and demons. Stated differently, unclean spirits and demons are alleged to not be the same thing--they are different kinds of beings. They may have some similarities, but the alleged dissimilarities are said to be proof of their distinct identities. Usually the bible is used to demonstrate this distinction.Also, one of these beings is said to be stronger than the other. In addition, it is perhaps significant that those who do distinguish between the two, tend to also believe in some forms of trapped human spirits...but that is another story.

So what...what is the big deal? As we have noted before, when dealing with God's Word, we are ordered by God Himself to be as accurate as possible in our interpretation of every text.To mis-interpret is sin...a failure to love God with all of our minds. Second, once you begin multiplying spirit beings confusion is bound to follow. "Is this house occupied by a demon/s or by unclean spirit/s?" Confusion from the outset.(some say that they deal with unclean spirits and demons in the same manner, but that is irrelevant as to our purpose--determining what populates the spirit realm?)

Third, once the multiplying of spirit beings is begun, it is easy to step on the slippery slope of introducing additional beings.(e.g. purgatorial dead, malevolent dead, elementals, etc) But, most importantly, we are simply to be consumed with accurate exegesis and interpretation...handling the precious oracles of God with immense care.

My purpose in this blog is not to analyze the specifics of these texts, but to ask: does the bible differentiate between unclean spirits and demons? Are they different or the same? That is the issue before us.

IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO, PLEASE READ SLOWLY THE ABOVE TEXTS FROM THE GOSPEL OF MARK. Btw, I chose these passages almost at random...what you read here is uniform throughout the New Testament, especially the gospels.Next week I think I will deal with what theologians call "progressive revelation", and the Old Testament view of demons and how it is consistent with the NT view, albeit not as clearly or as fully revealed.

Luke 4:31-37 is a parallel passage to Mark 1:21-28. In v 33 (and this is very significant) it states, "And in the synagogue there was a man with a spirit of an unclean demon (pneuma daimoniou akathartou)..." Under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Luke called this being an "unclean demon" which Mark had called an "unclean spirit". The implications are very significant for our purpose. Also, uncleaness and "demoness" are connected in this one verse..further supporting that unclean spirits and demons were seen by the gospel writers as one and the same being. Is it not common sense to view demons as the epitome of uncleaness? That is a reason why the terms are interchangable.Let me elaborate a bit.

In Mark 1:23,26,27 Jesus comes into conflict with "unclean spirits" (pneumati akatharto...pneuma to akarthton....pneumasi tois akathartois--these are the different forms of the same words in the Greek for an unclean spirit/s) in these verses.
(However, hard on its heels, in v 32, 34, Jesus's ministry is casting out "demons" (tous daimonizomous....daiomonia ...ta daimonia ))

The point being that unclean spirits and demons are one and the same. In this text, the beings react the same whether they are called unclean spirits or demons.

Again, in a parallel text in Luke 4, verse 33 speaks of "unclean demons"  35 they are called " to daimonion"  and in v 36 (akathrtos  pneumasin)....interchangable. It could not be clearer....unless one does not want to see.

In the classic text of Mark 5, you will have noticed that this poor man is possessed by a  being which is first called an unclean spirit/s, but as the story unfolds Mark begins to use "demon" terminology. To me, it could not be clearer--the Holy Spirit uses demons and unclean spirits as synonyms. The bible frequently uses multiple terms for the same being to accent different things. Jesus Himself, had many names/titles but they all refer to one and same Divine Person, accenting different facets of His person and work. Satan has multiple names as well, so why all the fuss about some alleged distinction between unclean spirits and demons? Every judicious commentator on these verses sees demons and unclean spirits as the same thing.

If you read the above passages carefully, then it should be obvious that the various gospel writers used "unclean spirits" and "demons" as synonyms..I have minimized my comments in order to let the focus be on the sacred text.

All of the Greek texts which refer to unclean spirits have some form of...pneumna (spirit) akatharton (unclean), and the texts which speak of demons have some form of (daimon). I try not to overdo the original languages because I don't want to undermine your confidence in the integrity of the English bible translations...in this case the ESV. I just wanted the reader to see in the original how these two terms are used interchangeably. Bottom line--unclean spirits are demons, and demons are unclean spirits.No distinction! It is clear as the noon-day sun.

"Seeing Ghosts through God's Eyes" (also in a Kindle edition)...please consider purchasing my book which uses science, logic, and the bible to analyze the true source of power behind paranormal activity.

Familiar Spirits and Evil Spirits

Hello my para beauties. I hope you had a wonderful weekend. I chose this topic because most people don't know much on it or knew nothing at all. The bible does warn us to beware of the familiar spirit. Many people are dealing with familiar spirits and they have no clue how to properly deal with them. It's very upsetting to all involved. There are simply not many legit demonologists anymore. Meanwhile the poor clients are convinced that it's a passed loved one due to the familiar spirit posing as that person and saying things no one would know.

The Bible is full of information about these medium spirits. This allows us to study their wiles in the Bible and find out how they work. They may appear under different names; but their works, manifestations, and their deceptive ways are found both in the Old and New Testaments. We must, therefore, be alert and be prepared because Scripture warns us that these deceiving spirits and false manifestations will be found among God’s people in the last days. Familiar spirits operate under their master, Satan. They influence people to create hate and hurt. Basically raise hell and torment us relentlessly. They spew lies and make a person believe such horrible things of others and ourselves. To knowingly open oneself to the work of demons is an evil act: "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery." To knowingly open yourself up to these demons and their tasks is considered a sin.

Familiar spirits operate under their master, Satan. They influence people to create hate and hurt. Basically raise hell and torment us relentlessly. They spew lies and make a person believe such horrible things of others and ourselves. To knowingly open oneself to the work of demons is an evil act: "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in a fire, who practices divination or sorcery." To knowingly open yourself up to these demons and their tasks is considered a sin. They are very evil spirits. They are very convincing to make you believe it's a passed loved one making contact. Test the spirit each time. Ask if he/it believes Jesus Christ is the son of man and does it worship Christ. You'll know real quick then if it's real and not eyes playing tricks on you or a person seeking attention.

The many accounts of evil spirits in Scripture affirm the reality of powerful spiritual forces of wickedness. Evil spirits(also known as demons or devils) are depraved spirits which are familiar with human weaknesses and desires. Some are more vile than others. Spirits speak to all of us to inject ungodly beliefs into us. These are thoughts that steer us away from our identity in Jesus Christ. For some people these supernatural voices are far more destructive and can cause harm to the individual hearing them. For some individuals, hearing these thoughts can be just utter tor,ent trying to convince them to commit suicide or harm others.

Long before the ancient Dead Sea Scrolls people were aware that spirits existed.  They knew spirits could affect people, their health, their success or failure, their family and friends and how they perceived the world around them. Long before the ancient Dead Sea Scrolls people were aware that spirits existed.  They knew spirits could affect people, their health, their success or failure, their family and friends and how they perceived the world around them.

Evil spirits are normally viewed as "influences," and their effectiveness in the lives of people is undetected because they are not seen as real personalities that are totally and unreservedly evil. People discuss the issue of whether or not a Christian can be "possessed" by an evil or unclean spirit; all the while, these ambassadors of Satan are busy doing the thing they do best - deceiving men and women, both unsaved and believer alike.

These vile things are always waiting for a door to open so they may enter your life. Always keep Jesus Christ close to your heart. He loves you so very much and will protect you. Just keep that faith no matter what. Satans time is growing near I feel.

Written By Jennifer Auld

We Have The Power Through The Lord To Defeat The Demonic

There is so much power in The Lord and The Holy Spirit. The wrath of a Angel acting under God's authority is absolutely hands down no match for a demon or devil and if you don't believe in them that is okay you're entitled to your opinion. As I've said many times this is just my humble opinion and I'm blogging about what I feel the Holy Spirit has led me to. I do pray before I decide what I blog about and I also white about what people have asked me to that they are curious about. I believe the statement acting under Gods authority may possibly mean they have the same amount of power as God for lack of betters words. Just until they complete their task however, as I've said before in my blogs regarding angels they are extremely powerful and you really don't want to piss one off. It stipulates in the Bible when Christ resurrected and presented himself before a certain amount of people he told them "do not fret for I leave you with the power of the Holy Spirit to cast out demons in thy name". This is powerful stuff my para beauties. No power is of our own, all power is God’s and comes from Him. With his authority in Jesus name believers can cast out demons, get answers to prayers, speak in tongues, and much more. We have his favor in life. God doesn't always answer prayers right when we ask. But he will answer in his own time. He's a very busy God. He loves each and everyone of us so very much. His son died so that we are forgiven of our sins and have ever lasting life in heaven with The Father.

Satan, his demons, and all of their supernatural powers have already been defeated by Jesus when He died on the cross for all of us. Christ defeated death! Amen? Below are verses I provided that helps support the fact that we do have the power through Christ to handle res from Hell.

For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20

“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues” Mark 16:17

This is one of my favorite scriptures.....“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from me,” Isaiah 54:17

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. 1 John 4:1-3

When satan rebelled against God, the rebellion was not just Satan alone. Possibly a third of all the Angels like satan, they had free will and chose to leave God and follow Satan.

These rebellious 'fallen' angels are known as demons, evil spirits or unclean spirits.

They serve and worship Satan and, like him, are evil and hate God and all people. They enjoy causing misery and suffering to people and in the Bible there are examples where they are the cause of physical and mental illnesses. The Bible makes it very clear not every illness that is mental or physical for that matter is caused by demons.

I believe that demons can still possess and oppress people today and want to cause harm and damage in any way they can. I also believe that through the power of God, and in the name of Jesus people, can be healed and that the demons can be driven out as Jesus had total power over demons. In the Bible, demons knew who Jesus was. They still do and, as then, they are terrified of Jesus and what he can do to them.

Written by Jennifer Lori Auld

Why Do We Choose to Live with a Paranormal Presence?

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

There was an unusual amount of feedback re last weeks blog--The Creeping Darkness--and it was profoundly moving. I want to pursue in more detail this question: why do we choose to live with paranormal activity? This may not apply directly to you personally, but chances are it does apply to someone you know...and even if it doesn't, I think we should try to be aware of our changing spiritual landscape. In the last three weeks 10 different families have contacted me, wanting to know how to get rid of a long-lived evil presence in their homes. Every situation is heartbreaking, and I desperately want to help.So, let me list some reasons, and then make a comment or two.

1. As bad as things are, I am afraid that any attempts to "fix it" will only anger the entities and make our lives even more miserable. How can I be sure?
2. "I have Native American in me and we tend to see the spirit realm as a natural part of life...my mom was a medium, wiccan (fill in the blank), and I have seen sprites, shadows, animal spirits since I was a child.
3. I can sense that this presence is positive and benevolent, and it has never hurt anybody...maybe startled us a few times..
4. The little girl said she needed me
5. This "presence" has been here for generations, and I do not like change...even if it might be good change.
6. I have tried to get help but was afraid folks would think I was crazy and take my kids away.
7. Umm....I have tried but 8 pastors have made me feel like dirt, in their own distinctive ways.
8. I have given up hope and I want to die..so, what difference does it make?
9. I am emotionally attached to the entity that makes love to me
10. The paranormal investigative team had all the latest and greatest in technology--if they determined that entities are innocuous, who am I to disagree?
11. Being part of a paranormal investigative team, I expect to have some spirits follow me home
12. I find the children spirits entertaining...keep me from feeling lonely.
13. They threatened to kill me or a loved one if we tried to get help.
14. My husband does not see/hear the activity and refuses to allow anybody to  come over and help.
15. I am fascinated with the spirit realm, and since my church is dead, I love having direct contact with the supernatural.in my home!

Let me comment on the last one first. It seems to me that our culture has become so fascinated with the paranormal that it has become the new normal. In the span of about twenty years, the spiritual landscape of America has changed dramatically.There is a saying, "The very best things, when twisted, become the very worst things." Our longing for personal contact and communion with the supernatural (God), is a huge, salient aspect of being human. However, because we have all sinned (Rom.3:23), we cannot--indeed MUST NOT--seek direct, immediate contact with spiritual reality. The essence of the gospel is that we approach God mediately (not immediately) through the Person and work of Jesus. He is the only mediator between God and man."For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (1 Tim.2:5) This verse tells us that there is salvation in only Jesus, but it also shows us how horribly twisted it is to approach spiritual reality in our own strength. We can have spiritual reality and direct access to God--through Jesus Christ. This text is also at odds with the notion of spirit guides...or saints praying for us.

1. I can sympathize because often intervention does make things worse. A typical investigation with collecting EVP's will make it worse. So will a preacher/priest who only blesses the house without first expelling demons--like throwing water on hornets nest--it angers the demons.We cannot fully discuss this now, but right person WILL get rid of demonic presence.
2. We are to ..."bring all of our thoughts captive to obey Christ".(2 Cor. 10:5) As biblical Christians we are to have our minds transformed...A biblical worldview sees these spirit manifestations as abnormal--as demonic intrusions.
3. The Word of God is to have primacy over our very fallible affective perceptions of spirit entities. Demons can project an aura of light, peace, and even "holiness" (angel of Light)
4. It ain't a little girl, and it wants to kill you.
5. It is well known that many folks detest change, even if they know it will benefit them. Is Jesus your Lord, or not? Then CHANGE!
6 & 7. Please contact me and I will help or get somebody confidential/competent who can.help you.
8. PLEASE do not give up hope because there is HOPE in Jesus!
9. As demonic sexual activity increases, as horrid as it may sound, a growing number of men and women are experiencing this sexually based addiction.  I would like to help anyone is experiencing this.
10. As wonderful as science is, it is UNABLE to determine the identity of preternatural entities.
11. I will say it again...assume that all paranormal activity is demonic.
12. What kind of God would leave young children here? Pure evil spirits who will entertain you to death.
13 All the more reason to see the urgency of ousting these unclean spirits
14. Actually, the skeptical husband is likely under the spell of demonic influence--causing or amplifying denial. Find a time when he won't be there...must obey God rather then man.

In all these scenarios, demonic influence is likely at work. Infesting demons have the ability to project whole patterns of thoughts or emotions which are designed to dissuade you from getting assistance. Usually it is projected in such a way that affected person hears it in his own mind-voice...but slowly turns one away from truth and reality. Since they desire to destroy family unity as well, there is often "targeting" that occurs--one spouse may not see/hear anything, but even this is diabolically  amplified and a hyper-cynicism begins in skeptical spouse...causing further friction. This unresolved friction can itself give the demons even more of a foothold in your home. "Do not let the sun go down on your anger, lest you give the devil a foothold."(Eph. 4:26-27) Then it turns into a vicious cycle..

Also, if a person in an infested house even mentions getting help out loud (since demons cannot read minds), then the demon-pack will do all in its power to ensure that that does not happen...but we are  more than conquerors in Christ Jesus!.

Okay, enough about demons. "So, whether you eat or drink,or whatever you do,  do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor. 10:31)  Every aspect of our lives has the potential to honor God. As Christians, we yearn to bring honor and glory to our most excellent King and Redeemer! This text I quoted can and should be applied to EVERY thing we do...everything--let us ask God to teach us how to live existentially (moment by moment) for His glory. Certainly...most certainly,  how we view and interact with the spirit realm must  be done to the glory of  God. Are your beliefs and practice toward the paranormal being done to the glory of God? If you desire deep spiritual reality, then apply this verse to everything you think, do, and say. Then you will glorify God and enjoy Him immensely.