Angels

Dealing With Demons (Part 1)

Ken

To Begin With

IN THE NAME OF JESUS, BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS, we would say to Satan, the Fallen Angels, and the demons, who attack us and seek to control us, I AM DEAD TO YOU, AND YOU ARE DEAD TO ME! I am a new creature in Christ, old things are passed away! I AM DEAD TO YOU, AND YOU ARE DEAD TO ME! “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20 KJV). “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2Corinthians 5:17). IN THE NAME OF JESUS, BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS, we must steadfastly address with confidence the attack of evil thoughts directed against us from the demonic spirits: I AM DEAD TO YOU, AND YOU ARE DEAD TO ME! “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).  No longer will we entertain the evil thoughts directed against us. Amen! Hallelujah! 

Demons are burgeoning and permeating everywhere, especially in the Western World, where the Gospel had previously driven them out; but, especially in the West, Secular Humanism has divorced the Supernatural Word of God from science, government, society, education, entertainment, business, and religion, leaving the door open for the demons and gods of this world to return with a vengeance. “When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first” (Luke 11:24-26). 

Understanding Demons

Demons are not Fallen Angels, but to the best of our understanding, demons are the disembodied spirits of the deceased Nephilim.  

Nephilim are the product of cohabitating Fallen Angels with human females. “1 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, 2 That the sons of God [Hebrew, bene ha Elohim, only used of angels in OT, Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7] saw the daughters of men [Genesis 3:15, a Seed War to produce a physical seed, i.e., the Antichrist, which would be the antithesis of Jesus Christ], that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. 3 And the LORD said, My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years [time left before the Flood came]. 4 There were giants [Hebrew, Nephilim, giants] in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown” (Genesis 6:1-4 KJV). 

If you were to counter, Nephilim are only giants of large, physical stature — and not a hybrid of Fallen Angel and human female — then, why would the Protoevangelium specify: “And I will put enmity between thee [the Serpent] and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed [Christ]; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” (Genesis 3:15)? If this divinely set forth the necessity of a physical offspring resulting in a physical Messiah by means of a supernatural union of God with humanity, then why should we resist the idea of Satan attempting the same thing in producing a hybrid Nephilim? 

To object that angels cannot reproduce physical children because of Christ’s statement, “For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven” (Matthew 22:30), it only tells us of the lack of necessity for sexual procreation in Heaven. Remember, Lucifer rebelled against the Almighty’s directive to keep angels and humanity distinct and separate “after their kind” (Genesis 1:21, 25; 6:20; 7:14). But, it was prophesied in Daniel, “And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay” (Daniel 2:43), pointing to an attempt to mix the seed of Fallen Angels with humans. 

Further, the Book of Jude described the evil of the Fallen Angels in their diabolical pursuit of procreation with human flesh, when forbidden by the Almighty. “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire” (Jude 1:6-7). Bible scholars agree this reference is taken from the non-canonical Book of Enoch, where the context is clearly Fallen Angels cohabitating with human females. Josephus (first century AD), Jewish rabbinic tradition, and Early Church Fathers all agreed on the concept that Genesis 6 was describing Fallen Angels breeding with human females. This only changed with Augustine (354-439 AD), who advanced the Sethite View, where it was only ungodly sons of Seth, who are the “sons of God” (Genesis 6:2) who married the “daughters of men” (6:2). But, this again, neglects that the “sons of God” in the OT refers only to angels (Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7). This became the more respectable, non-supernatural explanation taught and advanced in seminaries, of which I can firsthand testify. 

You’re conclusion on this discussion affects your world view, e.g., your viewpoint on the Flood of Noah (simply annihilation of evil humankind or elimination of Nephilim, as well), the Tower of Babel (disobedience to Yahweh only or attempt to create Nephilim, as well), and the overspreading of humanity over the Post-Flood Earth (ancient myths of gods and giants or actual Nephilim building civilizations inexplicable by science). The confrontation of modern science attempting an anthropological explanation of Earth’s past without the benefit of the supernatural is untenable. Science must honestly admit its complete lack of understanding of our Beginning. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7).

Promises for Our Children

Ken

Parents, raising your children is not a democracy. Not even the secular humanists will allow an infant to crawl into a dangerous place without restraining the child. Car seats are not designed to be optional for the child’s safety. God is our Great Father, and He commands us, “Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be My people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you” (Jeremiah 7:23 KJV). We are His children, and our children are His. Our children’s future is largely in our hands, as we are in our Father’s hands. 

What Does God Require of Us Parents? 

A worldly sense of altruism may motivate us to give our children the opportunity to make up their own mind, as they invariably will, and decide to come to the Lord or reject Him. But, does the LORD have that same opinion? No, not remotely! For He commands us (with promise), “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). The Tempter seeks to convince our children of the unfairness of not being able to reject God, which of course they always can. If our First Parents did not originally sense Yahweh’s love, then they never would have consented to obey Him. “And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me, and keep My commandments” (Exodus 20:6). 

The LORD fairly warned us of the deadly consequences of disobedience (Genesis 2:16), but He also lavishes upon us all the benefits of obedience (2:17). We are to follow the LORD’s example. “And thou shalt teach them [God’s commandments] diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (Deuteronomy 6:7). This was the same pattern of teaching followed by Timothy’s grandmother Lois and mother Eunice (2Timothy 1:4). “And that from a child [Greek, brephos, infant, baby, young child] thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (3:15). Could we not raise Christian prodigies?

Parents Need Promises to Successfully Raise Their Children 

  1. Bedrock promise of success for our children. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). 
  2. Reclaiming our children after the LORD has reclaimed us, if we did not raise our kids with Proverbs 22:6. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:31). 
  3. Refusal to let go of God until He converts our obstinate children. “And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except Thou bless me” (Genesis 32:26). 
  4. Spirit-filled intercessions for our children will be answered, for it brings out righteous emotion. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27). 
  5. Avoid anger in raising your children, for it brings out unrighteous emotion. Wrath means you are not raising your children in the nurture and admonition of the LORD. “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).
  6. Discipline your children, just as God disciplines you, for that is how He shows, you are His children. “If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?” (Hebrews 12:7). 
  7. The least understood promise of our New Covenant Age, is how the Indwelling Holy Spirit’s purpose is to inspire us to obey God, in much the same way He inspired the Scriptures to be written. “And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). Father, inspire our children to obey You!

Children Need Promises to Successfully Follow the LORD 

  1. Children will find their greatest success following God, by first obeying their parents. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth” (Ephesians 6:1-3). 
  2. Jesus is actively seeking parents to let their little children come to Him because they are then most like those who live in Heaven. “But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14). 
  3. Submission to Jesus as the Lord of their life keeps the devil from overcoming them. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). 
  4. Faith that comes from God’s Word in their life causes them to overcome the devil and his demons. “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He [the Spirit of Jesus] that is in you, than he [the devil] that is in the world” (1John 4:4). 
  5. God’s angels are supernatural, invisible, but real because their job is to camp around your children and deliver them, when the angels know they are needed most. “The angel of the LORD [especially Jesus] encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them” (Psalm 34:7). 
  6. Your children do not need to be afraid of all the wicked things that they might not be able to see, because Jesus the Good Shepherd shed His blood and laid down His life for the sheep, which are your children. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). 
  7. When your children are old enough to understand, tell them they are no longer just a kid, but are serving with the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Captain of the LORD’s Host. “10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Father, You are God Over All. There is none greater. You have delivered all power to the Son. Blessed be Your Name. May we be empowered by Your Spirit to lay hold of these exceeding great and precious promises that we may be more like You and participate in all things to bring about Your Kingdom. Overcome that wicked usurper who seeks to destroy us and claim Your throne. Cause Your Son to overcome him through those who loved not their lives unto death. Rapture Your Church. Save Israel. Set up Your Kingdom on earth. Help us, Jesus, in our time of need! Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen.

Angelic Deliverance

Ken

“The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them” (Psalm 34:7 KJV). The OT Angel of the LORD is the Lord Jesus Christ, for Jesus said, “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58), and the Angel of the LORD ceased to appear in the NT. We are told, “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 18:10). Guardian angels are not a difficulty for the LORD, since He has appointed them “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation” (Hebrews 1:14). However the LORD chooses to deliver us is not the point; but, that He is willing to do so, is the issue. “Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob” (Psalm 44:4). Are we trusting God for whatever we will face, since we are certainly in conflict with the Devil and his demonic horde? Father, give us the faith to trust You as the flames draw closer to swallow us. May we be unwilling to bow to Bel, even if You chose not to deliver. But, may You be magnified, as we ask for grace to help in our time of need. Lord Jesus, return quickly and deliver us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Power Belongeth Unto God

Ken

A quote is attributed to a famous banker, “Permit me to issue and control the money of a nation, and I care not who makes its laws!” What saith the Scripture? “God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God” (Psalm 62:11 KJV). A story is told of the prophet Elisha that he was a man, who had power with God. Where are our Elishas? 

“8 Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp. 9 And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down. 10 And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice. 11 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel? 12 And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber. 13 And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan. 14 Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about. 15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? 16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. 18 And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. 19 And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria. 20 And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. 21 And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them? 22 And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master. 23 And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel” (2Kings 6:8-23).

Punished for Our Great Grandparents’ Sin?

Ken

Great grandparents can live long enough to see the results of their sin upon their great grandchildren. “Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them [idols], nor serve them [false elohim]: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me” (Exodus 20:5 KJV). Though a just God punishes us for our own sins and not our parents’ sins — “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father” (Ezekiel 18:20) — the evil example of the parents most likely will continue to the children. Generational curses like generational blessings are not easily lifted, for they are enforced by an Unseen Realm of demons and angels. Understanding of the Almighty must be elevated for the Rahabs and Ruths to be raised to the congregation of the righteous. “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29). LORD, be merciful to us in learning about You. Teach us Your ways, and let not any evil way be named among us. Return quickly and deliver us. In Jesus’ name, amen and amen. 

Angels: Third Person Syndrome

Ken

“Are they [angels] not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14 KJV). God’s unseen realm touches us for good so much more than the minions of the wicked one for evil, if we are numbered among those who are “saved by hope” (Romans 8:24). It is embarrassing that the world notices this help, when the godly more insistently cling to their failed narratives of unanswered prayer. I ran across this account. “[#9] I was taking a shortcut across a frozen reservoir on the way to a friend’s house. Suddenly, the ice cracked, and I started to fall through. I felt two hands slam into my back, and I skidded across the ice. I was soaking wet when I arrived at my friend’s house, cold and shivering. I told him the story as I changed into some of his clothes so we could throw mine into the dryer. My friend turned white, and his eyes were bugging out of his head. He guided me to the bathroom so I could look in the mirror, and I saw what disturbed him. There were two hand-shaped bruises forming on my back. 40+ years later, I still get chills thinking about it.”

How God Talks to Ordinary People

Ken

In 2006, Bruce Van Natta was saved by two angels (23:21) from being cut in half by a logging truck, which fell off its temporary supporting jack. Surviving surgery and the loss of the majority of his intestines — only to be restored by prayer — Bruce believes in miracles (Kindle book). More significantly, Bruce believes God talks to ordinary people like you and me, but we don’t realize it because we are not listening. His book particularly discusses how God talks to us — and, not just through Scripture. “God, who at sundry times and in divers [many] manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds” (Hebrews 1:1-2 KJV).

What About Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh?

Ken

When it comes to healing, what about Paul’s thorn in the flesh? “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure” (2Corinthians 12:7 KJV). First, God gave Paul a thorn in the flesh to prevent him from becoming conceited about all his divine “revelations” (12:7). Second, “messenger” (12:7) is aggellos in the Greek for angel, which Paul described as the “messenger of Satan to buffet me” (12:7). This was not poetry or metaphor, but the evil presence of a Fallen Angel. Are all physical maladies necessarily demonic or a demonstration that we sinned? No. “Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him” (John 9:3 KJV). But, in this instance, Paul’s suffering was necessary in God’s Cosmic War. Remember, at other times, Paul prayed and secured healing for others (Acts 28:8) and encourages us “in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6 KJV). This should not prevent us from seeking in prayer for the Lord to heal us; instead, it only justifies us for the grace, peace, and demonstration of the “power of Christ” (2Corinthians 12:9 KJV) to sustain us, when suffering is necessary. Our godly suffering then encourages the godly and frustrates the Enemy. Remember, our King wins this battle, and whenever we must suffer, it contributes to the Final Victory. Hallelujah!

Women’s Role in the Church – Part 5

Ken

Head Coverings – 1Corinthians 11:1-16 

Introduction 

I wrote this to exercise my own thinking on 1Corinthians 11:1-16, and you have my admiration, if you attempt to read this. 

Regardless of the position one takes on Gender Roles and the Women’s Role in the Church, 1Corinthians 11:1-16 is a difficult passage to understand or agree upon. Charitably, we should respect the position of anyone attempting to explain the passage, who loves the Church of Jesus Christ, and desires to explain and interpret the passage, with the desired goal “that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2Timothy 3:17 NIV). 

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