Pastor Ron’s “Short Sermon” 

Demonic Activity

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:4

“For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into Hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgement.”

Demons…these unseen wicked forces are common subjects of popular movies, fantasy, games and literature. While those depictions are largely the stuff of imagination, one cannot accept the Word of God as authentic without acknowledging the existence of a spiritual dimension populated with malicious adversaries. Scripture is not abundantly clear on demonic origins, but it does suggest they were once servants of the Most High God but who engaged in a doomed rebellion and were cast from His presence.

In the book of Revelation, John used bold imagery and symbolic language to describe Stan’s ill-fated revolt, and he attested to the outcome of the “war” that “arose in Heaven” (Rev 12:7): “The great dragon…called the devil and Satan…was thrown down to the earth, and his angels…with him.” (Rev 12:9). At present, it appears that not all of these fallen angels have free reign upon the earth. The New Testament refers to some of these beings as kept in darkness and bound with everlasting chains until their final judgment (2Peter 2:4; Jude 6). But whatever their current state, Jesus assured his followers that these evil entities are destined for unending torment of “eternal Fire” in a “lake of fire and sulfur” (Mt 25:41; Rev 20:10). However, until their judgment is meted out, the devil and his cohorts continue to lead a calculated effort to thwart God, deceive humanity, and lead the whole world astray (Rev 12:9). Their tactics include temptation to sin (Gen 3:1-6; Mt 4:1-4; Lk 4:1-2; Eph 2:1-2), physical ailments (Job 2:7; Mt 12:22; Mk 9:25; Lk 13:11; Acts 10:37-38; 2 Cor 12:7), deceitful miraculous signs (Rev 16:14), manipulation of the environment (Job 1:16-19), mental/emotional distress (Mt 8:28; Eph 4:26-27), spiritual possession/oppression (Mt 12:22-28; 17:18; Lk 4:33 - 35), confusion and false teaching (lk 22:31; 1 Ti 4:1; 1 Jn 4:1 – 3), and issues of self-control and moral compromise (1 Co 7:4 – 5; Rev 2:20).

Although the Devil is called “the prince of the power of the air” (Eph 2:2) and, along with his legions, seems to have much influence, believers have no reason to fear. Demonic activity is sovereignly limited by God’s power. Colossians 2:15 points to the certain victory over these spiritual enemies already achieve  by Christ: “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”

Be blessed,

Pastor Dr Ron Short