End Of Times: Vision Of The World's End

Revelations can be a very intimidating book out of all 66 in the bible. Is very difficult to understand...all we can do is pray to God and ask him to reveal to us what he would like us to know.

Now let's discuss the book of Revelations and the end times in general.

This is a summary in the best format I can offer. Or rather bits and pieces so it's not so overwhelming or puts the brain on overload. From my point of view. I am certainly not stating this is it, no o other views are correct. This is just my humble opinion. The name of the book, Revelation, is a translation of the title in the original New Testament Greek, Apocalypsis the origin of the other name by which the book is now known, the Apocalypse. The Greek term denotes an unveiling or uncovering—thus, a revelation. A very interesting title with very interesting events to come as we are warned.

Many ask why was this book written? Well, as I mentioned above, the book's very name means to reveal —to unveil, to open to understanding what otherwise could not be comprehended. Yet most people believe that this final book of the Bible cannot be understood at all, that its language and symbols are too confusing to make sense. I can understand why. It's very intimidating.

The author of the Book of Revelation is John, who is an exile living on the island of Patmos. Many of the early church fathers believe that he was the same person as the apostle John. However, some believe the writing style of Revelation suggests that the two are not in fact the same, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, although it is possible that the author of Revelation was an apostle of John.

The Book of Revelation's apocalyptic and symbolic language has resulted in a vast array of interpretations. The events depicted are often considered to be an illustration of the early Christian persecutions, but the symbolism is also interpreted quite literally, suggesting that the Book is really about the end of the world, and that the events it describes will occur. Some Christians do not accept the Book of Revelation as canonical, and the decision to accept it in the final list of canonical books was highly controversial, according to the article "Meander Travel: Book of Revelation."

The Vision Of The World's End

Revelation is a book written to reveal the future, and Jesus Christ is the One who does the revealing: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place … Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because. of Him” (Revelation 1:1,7).
Here is the theme of Revelation—the time of the end of the age and the return of Jesus Christ to establish God’s Kingdom on earth.

John explains where he was when he received this vision of the end time: “I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet” (Revelation 1:9-10).

The Lord’s day (also known as “the day of the Lord” or “the day of Christ” throughout Scripture) is the time of God’s intervention in human affairs when He establishes His Kingdom. (Plainly in this context it does not refer to a particular day of the week for worshipping God. To better understand which day God has set aside for rest and worship, please download or request our free booklet Sunset to Sunset: God’s Sabbath Rest. )
The apostle Paul, referring to this same time, says: “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape” (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3).

In another epistle Paul calls it “the day of Christ” (2 Thessalonians 2:2). The reason is that Jesus Christ, the Lord, intervenes in a powerful way at this time to take over the world. This is why this end-time period is called the Lord’s day.

John’s vision of the Lord’s day begins in Revelation 4: “Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne” (verse 2). After describing the scene in heaven, John focuses on a scroll God holds that lists end-time events. “And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals” (Revelation 5:1).

Only Jesus Christ, called the Lamb, is worthy to open the seals and unleash these end-time events. When God the Father determines the time is ready, He authorizes Jesus to initiate the events written on the scroll. They include the terrifying end-time occurrences prophesied throughout the Scriptures to take place during the 3 1⁄2 year period.
The seven seals describe the events before and during Christ’s return to rule the earth. “Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels …saying with a loud voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!’” (Revelation 5:11-12). Here Jesus Christ is being authorized to unleash the final events and then establish His Kingdom.

The first seal (Revelation 6:1-2) represents widespread deception by a false Christianity that began in the days of the apostles (Matthew 24:4 – 5). The second seal (Revelation 6:3-4) refers to the increasing devastation caused by war as the end approaches (Matthew 24:6-7). The third seal (Revelation 6:5-6) represents increasing hunger and famines (Matthew 24:7). Other consequences of war and famine are represented by the fourth seal (Revelation 6:7-8)—such things as disease, plagues and civil unrest that kill many people (Matthew 24:7).

All of the events in the first four seals have been occurring, with varying frequency and intensity, from Christ’s time to our day. But they have greatly intensified over the last century and will grow even worse in the suffering mankind will have to endure nearer the end.

The fifth seal (Revelation 6:9-11) brings us directly to the time of the end. It acknowledges the past persecution and martyrdom of God’s servants and announces they will have to wait “a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed,” before God avenges their deaths.

In The book of Matthew 24:9 Jesus tells His followers this will be a time when “they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.” He also describes it as a time of “great tribulation

THE SIXTH SEAL

The next seal describes how “powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Matthew 24:29) after the end-time tribulation and martyrdom of the saints has begun but before God’s wrath is unleashed in “the day of the Lord” (Joel 2:31). These heavenly signs announce the beginning of the Day of the Lord.
Terrifying heavenly signs announce Jesus Christ’s direct intervention in world events to save mankind from itself. This shows that, while God has permitted the previous end-time disasters, Satan has been their driving force. Now God begins to demolish Satan’s kingdom, pouring out His wrath on a rebellious and insolent world.

“I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.

“And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?’” (Revelation 6:12-17).

Jesus described this sixth sign in His Olivet Prophecy: “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption [rescue] draws near” (Luke 21:25-28).

Consequently, in the latter part of the 3 1⁄2 years of Satan’s wrath, God will intervene, first with signs and wonders in the heavens, then by orchestrating His final punishments before Jesus Christ’s return.

Finally the seventh seal is opened (Revelation 8). It describes seven other aspects of end-time events, each announced with a trumpet blast. In the first four of these plagues God strikes the earth and mankind’s environmental support systems. The fifth trumpet’s plague inflicts great pain on those refusing to serve God. In the sixth trumpet plague, God permits an unimaginably destructive and all-out worldwide war to begin (Revelation 8-9).

With the sounding of the seventh trumpet, the Bible reveals that “the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets” (Revelation 10:7).

This mystery of the end time was briefly alluded to in the Garden of Eden and its meaning glimpsed by the patriarchs and prophets. John writes: “Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’” (Revelation 11:15).

God is in control. Every prophetic detail will be carried out according to His time frame.

As Christ concluded His Olivet Prophecy in Luke 21:34-36, He warned His disciples who would live during the end time: “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Please keep in mind you know how this ends. Jesus Christ prevails and satan loses so we should feel a lot of peace and cling to the Father and His Word. It is truth. Satan's time is limited and he knows this. Like I said in my last blog fear is not of God just keep rebuking Satan and his entire Kingdom. They have absolutely no authority over your mind, body, soul and spirit and repeat that daily with authority. Only Jesus Christ resides in you and what you stand for. Just keep Jesus number one in your life and you will be okay my friends. God bless.

Written By Jennifer L Auld

Ghosts...a Line in the Sand

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

There comes a time where, with tears, a Christian must draw a line in the sand, and say "No further." I write with a heavy heart because it seems that a growing number of Christians are falling prey to the spirit of the age  when in comes to ghosts.They toss out aberrant (they might call it creative thought) interpretations of scripture re the possibility of humans returning to earth...or their own experience, and don't realize the "little ones" they are causing to stumble or just general confusion/chaos in the minds of many who respect them.. Theological ignorance and hubris is awful and rampant. Using Purgatory as a means of explaining why some people get stuck here is so terribly off base theologically/biblically it makes me shake my head in disbelief.

Another way of putting it is that the notion of ghosts is a "watershed issue". A watershed is a dividing ridge (such as a mountain range) separating one drainage area from others.On one side the water runs west, and a few inches over the water flows east. That is a watershed. The debate over ghosts is a watershed issue today. There is no doubt in my mind that the notion of ghosts is Satan's most successful and effective deception in our current intellectual/spiritual landscape. Billions (yes "b") around the globe now embrace some form of necromancy and the numbers keep exploding in growth.The mere belief in ghosts is the first step..... And no aberrant belief has more destructive power to open the gates of darkness and demonic evil. There is a watershed....it has to do with the Lordship of Christ over the totality of life.Will we see Christ as Lord over life and death, or not? Does He own our souls, or not? Do we enter rest in heaven upon death, or not....all based on the finished work of Christ on the cross?

Many of my brothers and sisters in Christ (Roman Catholic and Protestant) don't seem to grasp how significant this watershed issue has become. From Genesis to Revelation, this issue is not only clear but exceedingly serious in God's eyes.

In every generation Christians are commanded by God to be cognizant of where Satan is attacking, but we remain (mostly) oblivious.

Abortion is a watershed issue and so is the diabolical idea of ghosts. If you disagree, then--I say this gently but firmly--you are accommodating this end of days Satanic onslaught. That is what a watershed issue does...it draws a line in the sand and says, "No further." Can any Christian today say that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was wrong...or even if he was right, he should have not pressed the issue so persistently? Certainly not! Then please don't complain about making this issue such a passionate priority.

I do not care who your mentor was (e.g. Malachi Martin--whom I respect), no human is infallible in their interpretation of their supernatural experiences.Only the infallible bible is infallible re interpreting any/all of reality.

The Greatest Generation was/is great but they did very poorly re race (with few exceptions including my parents), and since then I have been almost paranoid about where WE may be blind. The notion of ghosts is the single most destructive belief which we are (with some exception) ignoring. To make matter worse, there are so many back or side doors through which Christians are allowing this belief of mass destruction to pass through. May God help our generation to wake up to our responsibility...or our kids will suffer terribly.The line is drawn in the sand.....a watershed....which side are you on?

"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.

Beijing Fumes As Obama Calls Visiting Dalai Lama A 'Good Friend'

By Monica Cantilero
10 FEBRUARY, 2015

U.S. President Barack Obama called the visiting Dalai Lama a "good friend" during their first public encounter in Washington last week, a move that infuriated Beijing which described the American president as "playing with fire."

At the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, Obama offered praise to the Dalai Lama, a fellow Nobel peace laureate who is considered by China as a separatist, The Guardian reported.

"I want to offer a special welcome to a good friend," the President said.

Obama said the Dalai Lama is "a powerful example of what it means to practice compassion."

The President nodded and smiled at the Dalai Lama, after doing a bow-like gesture towards the spiritual leader who was seated at a table in the front row across from the President.

Chinese state media criticized Washington's welcoming of the Dalai Lama, saying the move "is a political liability which backfires."

"Chumming with a secessionist is playing with fire, which severely harms the mutual trust between China and the United States, and downgrades Obama's credit as a national leader for breaking his commitments to China on the Tibet issue," the state media Xinhua said in a commentary just before the meeting. "What lies under their hypocritical relationship is nothing but political deals and cold calculations," Xinhua said.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Beijing is "against foreign countries interfering in China's domestic affairs under the pretext of Tibet-related issues."

"The Dalai Lama is seeking support from foreign countries to realize his political end, but he cannot succeed," Hong added, describing the spiritual leader as "a political exile who has long been engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the pretext of religion."

South Africa, one of the countries that depend on China for investment, has declined the Dalai Lama's request to visit the country thrice, including one to attend a summit of Nobel peace laureates.

Obama's accolade to the Dalai Lama was only a brief part of his 25-minute speech to his audience of 3,000, with the President talking mostly about the "perils of spiritual certainty."

Obama called on the world's church leaders to have more "humility and doubt" and not be "so full of yourself that you are right and God speaks only to you."

"We should assume humbly that we don't always know what we are doing," he said. "As people of faith we are summoned to push back at those who seek to distort religion for nihilistic ends."

The President received "polite, if somewhat muted applause" when he talked about how professions of faith were often used as a weapon and "twisted in the name of evil."

"From a school in Pakistan to the streets of Paris, we have seen violence from those who profess to stand up for faith and in the name of religion," said Obama.

He also emphasized the Islamic State's "horrific acts of barbarism in the name of religion" and the "rising tide of anti-Semitism and hate crimes in Europe, so often perpetrated in the name of faith."

He clarified, however, that the problem is "not unique to one group of religion."

"There is sinful tendency in [all of] us, that can distort our faith," he added. "Particularly in those of us who profess to believe."

"No God condones terror, no grievance justifies the taking of innocent lives or the oppression of those who are weaker or fewer in number," Obama said.

original link: http://www.christiantimes.com/article/beijing.fumes.as.u.s.president.obama.calls.visiting.dalai.lama.a.good.friend/50868.htm

Demons vs. You -- You Don't Stand a Chance, Part 4

Continued from: Demons vs. You -- You Don't Stand a Chance, Part 1
Demons vs. You -- You Don't Stand a Chance, Part 2
Demons vs. You -- You Don't Stand a Chance, Part 3

Continuation of this five part series blog I will cover and inform all of the readers on an important aspect in the realm of spiritual warfare.  In this fourth part I continue this discussion regarding why you don’t stand a chance against a demon.  This portion is geared now towards the person who thinks they are walking righteous with God but truly are still holding onto ways of this world.

Now if you’re a serious devoted Christian who is determined to please God with your life, you are a major thorn in the side of the demons and thus they detest you.  Let me be clear on this, demons only care about you because it is God who cares about you.  If God wasn’t emotionally invested in your life they wouldn’t be at all concerned with you.

This is a major aspect as to why demons do what they do.  Do not get caught up with your own silly pride voyages thinking that as humans we are intrinsically threatening to demons.   Truth be known as a species, they (demons) couldn’t care less about us.

For when we commit sin or whatever we do (our flesh) that displeases and makes God groan makes demons giggle with glee.  However, if you are a devoted Christian and walking righteously, you are one of the souls who is bringing God the most joy upon this earth.  Due to your choice to walk righteously which you made, this moves your name up to the top of Satan’s hit list and places a target upon your flesh.

Therefore if Satan can manage to turn you away from God, thus a major score for his kingdom.  Now you are starting to see a clear picture of a spiritual battle taking place.  The Holy Spirit is going to do everything possible to strengthen your devotion to our Heavenly Father and Holy Spirit will use Satan as his pawn to accomplish our Heavenly Father’s agenda.  As I state to all clients which I work with, the will of God is always done whether you approve of it or not!

For all the exaltation which Satan receives about the power Satan has in this world with titles like “the prince of the air”, “the great adversary”. “the lion who devours”, “the serpent” and a slew of other titles.  However, from the perspective viewed by God, Satan is just another pawn being used to edify God.  Therefore this is another reason we should not need to fear Satan when we are staying aligned with God as Satan can do nothing but help us.

The Holy Spirit is always upon our side.  Everything the Holy Spirit does to us is for our own spiritual best and growth.  When we really understand this, it changes how we as humans react to the Holy Spirit allowing demons to come upon or at us.  When we can see the Holy Spirit sliding open that door in front of us and we see our enemies (wolves) racing towards us, we ought to learn to think like in a manner as follows “Okay, this means I’m ready to go to the next level.”  The Holy Spirit is always teaching us and the more we trust this character upon our lives, the more we trust God's methods to teach and draw us closer in relationship with God.

Imagine learning a subject in which you’re very interested in acquiring knowledge.  Being so excited when the teacher starts a brand new chapter in the book the anticipation is nail biting to say the least.  Each time it’s the Holy Spirit who lowers this guard upon us so that we may learn the ways of the Lord.
It is as if the turning of another page in this spiritual teaching manual is occurring and we are to progress forward.  The lesson doesn’t matter even if it’s a lesson we’ve gone over before many times, as every time we review the lesson the principles sink in deeper within us.  The lessons may seem boring at times, but when they impact how we react to Satan’s forces we can rest knowing the Holy Spirit is providing the necessary lesson to be protected.

Whenever demons come at us, the demons know that they have a very limited window of opportunity.  The Holy Spirit will heave them away from us unless the hedge is to remain open from God requesting this.  When this occurs they are not going to waste a moment to come upon us.  The demons want to inflict as much damage as they possibly can, but in many cases, that would be far more than you can physically or mentally handle.  So the Holy Spirit places restrictions on them as instructed by God before the Holy Spirit lets them loose at us.  So to be clear none of us are ever dealing with demons straight on.

So if that was allowed we would be instantly demolished by the demons.  Our enemies, the demons are always working from a handicapped position.  This is not by choice of the demons, but because the Holy Spirit is keeping them on a limited leash.  Thus you might get exhausted hearing Satan constantly harping condemnation in your mind.  Nonetheless, we are to notice that Satan isn’t being allowed to appear in raw form directly in front of you.

Now consider all those creepy and eerie ghost stories we read about in which some person is driven mad by hearing voices and noises that no one else can hear.  Thus Demons can manipulate the physical realm in many strange ways.  Some of the examples of this manipulation are: they have the ability to throw physical objects, twist the laws of physics and create fantastic illusions.  Therefore if you were trapped in one of their “freak” shows you would quickly go insane from watching all of their frightening feats.  Hence one of their aspects they hope to acquire is to take a sane person and turn them insane.

However the Holy Spirit doesn’t let them toy with us to their hearts content so to speak for they have no heart.  Instead the Holy Spirit only allows them to do what works for just in the moment.  As an example if God wants you to practice trust, it is God who instructs to the Holy Spirit to let them come at us with an arsenal of doubt, as the Holy Spirit will block the demons from hitting us in some other area that God has not allowed.

I will continue this series blog regarding demons vs. you as you don’t stand a chance!

Rev. Bradley Luoma

Accused By The Father Of All Lies

I really wanted to touch on the subject for the people who easily tend to forget (like myself) when we come down too hard on ourselves, if we are depressed or think we're not good enough, not important or if we just feel that nagging feeling about ourselves we forget that Satan is the father of all lies. He would love nothing more than for us to feel that think it's the Holy Spirit or somehow God scolding us for being a horrible individual. I'm certainly not saying that that's an excuse that people can use for doing things out why I'm just speaking in general. I personally believe we are living in the end times therefore Satan is getting more desperate. He is sending out all his armies of demons to drag as many souls to hell as he can. He knows how it ends, everybody knows how The Bible and and Satan knows it better than any of us. He knows his demise is coming, at some point the enemy and his legions of demonic creatures and demons or whatever you want to call them, are finished.

Satan is the original liar. He is the “father” of lies. Satan told the first lie in recorded history to Eve, in the Garden of Eden. After planting seeds of doubt in Eve’s mind with a question (Genesis 3:1)he directly contradicts God’s Word by telling her, “You will not certainly die” (Genesis 3:4). With that lie, Satan led Eve to her death; Adam followed, and so have we all.

Lying is Satan main weapon against God’s children. He uses the tactic of deceit to separate people from their heavenly Father. The most common lie is "there is no God,” “God doesn’t care about you,” “the Bible cannot be trusted,” But we must remember the apostle Paul tells us that Satan “masquerades as an angel of light” so that what he says and does sounds good and seems reasonable. Another example would be "familiar spirits" demons masquerading as your past love one in order to get a foothold into your life. Of course they would know exactly what to say that only your grandmother would know and they could appear to look like you're lost and dearly departed. The Bible warns us to "be aware of the familiar spirit"

Satan has told more lies to more people (and even angels) than any being ever created. His success depends on people believing his lies. He has used everything from “little white lies” to huge, pants-on-fire whoppers to deceive folks. Adolph Hitler, a man who learned how to lie effectively, once said, “If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed." Whether a lie is small or large is not really the issue. Lies are of the devil. If you’ve lied even once, then, unless you repent, you will not enter heaven. The Bible teaches that allliars “will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death” (Reveleation 21:8)
Satan also known as the devil, is mentioned quite often in the Bible.  There are many popular ideas about this evil spirit being.  Some think that Satan is not real, but is rather a personification of the wickedness that abides in the world.  Others admit that the devil exists, but assume that he is now confined in the bottomless pit. Still others believe that Satan is free and actively promoting sinfulness in our world today.  What is the truth?  What does the Bible tell us about this evil being? God's Word clearly teaches the reality of Satan as a personal and very real entity.  He is presented as an evil  being who affects humanity by his actions. Many details about the devil are available in the Bible, but the facts have to be searched out.

Satan surrounds man with strongholds so as to prevents us from obeying the calling that God may have for us in this life. Not everybody has a calling but many have callings and Satan would like to prevent as many as possible from prospering and coming to pass. Satan likes to go after the mind. That is the biggest playground for him and demons. They could affect you in many ways they can cause oppression which is a lot like depression. When one becomes so bombarded with speculations or imaginations which are adverse to the obedience of Christ. Paul says "the weapons of our warfare against these are not of the flesh." These imaginations must first be destroyed before we can bring our thoughts into captivity.

Many of God’s children do not recognize many of our thoughts and thought process as the work of Satan. A person may consider such a thought as his own and take it as true, thinking that the brother really is wrong. And yet, this is not true. It is Satan who has put the thought into his mind. How is he to resist the devil? He must say, "I do not want this thought. I return it to you, Satan." Should he accept it, it will become his own thought. It is Satan’s at the start, but it will become his if he keeps it. That's just one of many examples of how you conduct spiritual warfare when those thoughts come to pass.

I wish everybody knew what Satanic temptation is. Satanic temptation enters mainly, if not exclusively, in the form of thought. When Satan tempts people, he does not come out and say " I am the devil tempting you". If people were able to better recognize it was of Satan they would resist it however, he is so very sneaky and plays dirty! All his temptations are formulated so as not to easily arouse us. He does not want them to suspect him; he would rather have us sleep on. So he injects a lot of thoughts into the minds of as many people as possible in order to seek out the ones that may be weaker at that time due to life normal ups and downs whether it be a death in the family or divorce etc...if we accept it, it has become a foothold for him. We must resist the enemy at all times. Always remember to pray over yourself daily and command that Satan and his entire kingdom have no authority over your mind, body, soul or spirit. Remember in Jesus's name we have authority over the enemy and his kingdom! Do not allow yourself to be bullied by him or his demons. Remember fear is not of God.


Written By Jennifer Lori Auld

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.

Dalai Lama's Teaching on Nagarjuna’s ‘A Commentary on the Awakening Mind’ in Basel, Switzerland

Basel, Switzerland, 7 February 2015 - This is only the second time His Holiness the Dalai Lama has visited Basel, the ancient European city on the Rhine that lies where the borders of France, Germany and Switzerland converge. The historic hotel in which he is staying, Les Trois Rois, has previously hosted such famous but diverse guests as Napoleon Bonaparte, Pablo Picasso, and Theodor Herzl. There, before leaving for the venue where he would teach, he met with members of the media. He told them:

“I am one of the 7 billion human beings alive today. We are social creatures and today everything is interdependent. Therefore, we have to consider the welfare of the whole of humanity and the health of the planet. You media people have an important role to play in keeping people informed of the importance of ecology. Promoting awareness of the need to protect the environment is one of my own commitments.

“Secondly, I’m a Buddhist and I’m committed to fostering inter-religious harmony. This is not just wishful thinking, it is a realistic possibility. Look at India where all the world’s religious traditions, those that are indigenous and those from abroad, live together in peace. India is today a living example of diversity and pluralism.

“Thirdly, I’m a Tibetan and dedicated to the preservation of Tibetan culture.”

The first question from the floor was a simple “How are you?” and His Holiness replied that yesterday, when he arrived, he was tired. However, after going to bed at 5.30pm and getting up again at 2.30am he felt refreshed. Asked what needs to change in education today he remarked that the existing education system is focused on materialistic goals with insufficient attention to inner values. What is needed, he said, is a curriculum that incorporates such human values in a way that is universally acceptable. He mentioned meeting with members of the Mind & Life Institute a few days ago to hear about progress on just such a program called ‘Call to Care’.

In the context of religious freedom he was asked what he had to say to the pro-Shugden protestors on the street outside. He replied that the issue has nothing to do with religious freedom because it’s about spirit worship. The Buddha counselled his followers only to take refuge in and seek guidance from the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. He said we should not seek refuge in spirits. The history of the controversy goes back to the time of the 5th Dalai Lama in 17th century. And the 5th Dalai Lama pronounced Dolgyal or Shugden an evil spirit. Many prominent Gelugpa masters concurred. His Holiness continued:

“In 1951, at Yatung, due to a variety of circumstances I took up the practice. However, my Senior Tutor remained sceptical about it. In 1970, because I already harboured doubts about it I investigated further and discovered what the 5th Dalai Lama had written about this practice. Realizing it was a mistake, I stopped and eventually word got out.”

He explained that these protestors have tried to create  mistaken impression, particularly in Tibet, that the Dalai Lama opposes this practice because he’s pandering to the Nyingmapas. He said this is nonsense. They accuse him of lying, but he asserts that he is not, while they just don’t know the reality of the situation. His advice, he said, is to investigate the matter more thoroughly. His Holiness concluded that the protestors are clearly able to exercise their freedom of expression, which is good. Nevertheless, it remains his duty also to share what he knows. That’s all he’s done.

Under bright winter sunshine, His Holiness drove to St. Jakobshalle where he was to teach. Tibetans singing and dancing in colourful costumes at the door gave him a traditional welcome. Inside the hall, as he came onto the stage, with its backdrop of large thangkas depicting the Buddha, Nagarjuna and Manjushri, a capacity crowd of 7500 also welcomed him with warm applause.

He began by stressing the importance of knowledge,

“Today, we should be 21st century Buddhists, who know what the Nalanda tradition is. When we recited the verse taking refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, we need to understand what and who the Buddha is. If we understand the causes and conditions that result in a Buddha, we’ll understand what the word ‘Buddha’ signifies. Likewise, the Dharma indicates the path to liberation and the Sangha those who embody it.”

His Holiness remarked that the dull-witted simply have faith. The sharp witted, however, research and investigate the teachings. He cited what he had written in the colophon to the praise ‘Illuminating the Threefold Faith’ that invokes the qualities of the 17 Nalanda Masters:

“At the present time, when in the ordinary world there is great advancement in the fields of science and technology, we are distracted by the hustle and bustle of our busy lives, it is extremely important that those of us who follow the Buddha should have faith based on knowledge of his teaching. Therefore, we should examine the reasons for it with an unbiased and inquisitive mind, analyzing it closely.

... the foremost sages of the Holy Land of India have composed numerous excellent, meaningful texts that can open the eyes of those possessing fine discriminative awareness. During this time more than two thousand five hundred years have passed, but still those teachings (dealing with) hearing, contemplation and meditation survive undiminished.”

He further quoted the first two verses of that praise:

By understanding the meaning of the two truths, the way things exist,
We ascertain through the four truths how we arrive in and how we leave the cycle of existence.
Engendered by valid cognition our faith in the three refuges will be firm.
May I be blessed to establish the root of the path to liberation.

May I be blessed to perfect an uncontrived awakening mind of bodhichitta
Which is rooted in renunciation - the aspiration for liberation and
The total purification of suffering and its source -
And that boundless compassion that wishes to protect wandering beings.

His Holiness was invited to lunch with the members of the local City-Canton Government by its President, Dr Guy Morin. The President welcomed him to Basel and, during the course of the meal, told him there are currently about 600 Tibetan residents in the city. He said Basel’s connection with Tibetans is so long that he can remember having a Tibetan classmate at school 40 years ago.

Opening Nagarjuna’s ‘Commentary to the Awakening Mind’ after lunch His Holiness told his listeners that the text explains developing the awakening mind of bodhichitta in both its conventional and ultimate aspects. The explanation accords with that found in the sutras although the text itself is derived from the Guhyasamaja Tantra, which speaks of two kinds of bodhichitta: bliss and emptiness and the indivisibility of the two truths. He read the first verse, which expresses homage:      

1 Bowing to the glorious Vajra Holder
Who embodies the awakening mind.
I shall explain here the meditative practice
Of awakening mind that destroys cyclic existence.

The next two verses describe what the text sets out to teach:

2 The Buddhas maintain the awakening mind
To be unobscured by such conceptions
As consciousness of “self,” “aggregates” and so on;
It is always characterized by emptiness.

3 It is with a mind moistened by compassion
That you must cultivate [awakening mind] with effort.
The Buddhas who embody great compassion
Constantly develop this awakening mind.

Verses 4-9 present and challenge the views of the non-Buddhist schools of thought that flourished in ancient India. The text then moves on to deal with the views of the lower schools of Buddhist thought, culminating in an assessment of the Mind Only school, which the reader is advised is not to be taken literally:

27 ‘All of this is but one’s mind,’
That which was stated by the Able One
Is to alleviate the fear of the childish;
It is not [a statement] of [final] truth.

His Holiness concluded the session with verses that summarize the two kinds of bodhichitta:

72 Those who do not understand emptiness
Are not receptive vehicles for liberation;
Such ignorant beings will revolve
In the prison of existence of the six classes of beings.

73 When this emptiness [as explained]
Is thus meditated upon by yogis,
No doubt there will arise in them
A feeling attached to the welfare of others.

74 ‘Towards those beings that have
Bestowed benefits upon me in the past,
Such as through being my parents or friends,
I shall strive to repay their kindness.’

His Holiness announced that he would conduct the ceremony for generating the awakening mind tomorrow in conjunction with an Avalokiteshvara empowerment. The empowerment comes from the collection of secret visions of the 5th Dalai Lama.

As he was leaving the building, His Holiness held a short meeting with about 200 elderly and frail Tibetans. He told them that since they had spent their lives trying not to harm others and trying to develop the awakening mind of bodhichitta, as he himself does every day, they should relax and feel at ease. In the light of the empowerment he will give tomorrow, he commented that Tibetans have a special connection with Avalokiteshvara. He added that although Tibetans tended to squabble among themselves when Tibet was free, now the difficulties they have faced has brought about a firm unity.

original article link with photos http://www.dalailama.com/news/post/1235-teaching-nagarjunas-a-commentary-on-the-awakening-mind-in-basel