Great Commission

Inevitability of God

Ken

“From everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God” (Psalm 90:2 KJV). True religion starts and ends with God. That is the inevitability of God. There is none like Him. Any attempt to build the Kingdom of God on any other foundation will “frustrate the grace of God” (Galatians 2:21) and aid the enemy in the delay of the return of our True King to take His place on the Messianic Millennial Throne of David. Herein is the seeming paradox of Christianity. Is our goal to fulfill the Great Commission of evangelizing the world with the saving grace of Jesus and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20), which requires more time; or, is it to warn the Church to be ready for imminent departure at the Rapture or Harpazō (1Thessalonians 4:17)? 

Both are true, but it is only the Holy Spirit, who will blend both goals for their appointed time fulfillment. Remember, all of the events of Acts 2 and the subsequent Church Age were directed by the Spirit of Christ to engage in the Great Commission, though the disciples were correctly awaiting the establishment of the Davidic Throne. “When they therefore were come together, they asked of Him, saying, Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). The Holy Spirit managed the disciples by preparing them to direct their immediate attention on evangelism (1:8). But, our secret is we need not account for how the world will deal with all the world ending issues of human existence— though we are not oblivious nor insensitive to accomplishing the little we can — our emphasis must be upon keeping our hand on the Gospel Plow (Luke 9:62), strengthening the saints (Jude 1:20), and literally hastening our Lord’s return, i.e., “while waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God” (2Peter 3:12 NET). 

Apparent delay will only use the enemy’s wrath to praise God’s name (Psalm 76:10) in the salvation of those previously unreachable. Jesus Christ is Yeshua the Anointed One, who will return not as a lowly sacrifice for our sins but as the KING of Kings and LORD of Lords (Revelation 19:16) to reign over us in an earthly kingdom. “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28).

To end as we started, our LORD is the Inevitable God. He will win the battle. “The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, He shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: He shall cry, yea, roar; He shall prevail against His enemies” (Isaiah 42:13). Righteous energy belongs only to the Almighty. The saints of God participate in the LORD’s inevitability only so far as we walk righteously. “God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God” (Psalm 62:11). What inspires us to right action? God’s Spirit. “John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from Him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before His throne” (Revelation 1:4). 


Father, You are the “high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; [You] dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Isaiah 57:15). May Your Spirit direct us to keep our eyes upon Jesus that all will be done until it is the appointed time for our departure and Your Son’s return. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Your Name, we pray. Amen. 

Dealing With Demons (Part 2)

Ken

Demonized: Oppressed or Possessed by Demons

What is the difference between oppressed or possessed by demons? Both demon oppression and demon possession mean to be demonized. To further explain, Jesus was oppressed by the devil, while the demoniac of Gadara was possessed by a demon. Jesus was oppressed or “tempted of the devil” (Matthew 4:1 KJV), when He heard the distinct voice of the tempter. “If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread” (4:3). By comparison, the demoniac of Gadara was possessed “with an unclean spirit” (Mark 5:2). Both Jesus and the demoniac of Gadara were demonized, but the obvious difference is the demon possessed are “always, night and day” (5:5) possessed, while the oppressed, like Jesus, “the devil leaveth Him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto Him” (Matthew 4:11). If Jesus could be tempted by the devil, then any Spirit filled disciple can be demonized, but only for a season (Luke 4:13). 

If it is possible for even the godly to be demonized, how do we distinguish between being tempted (demonized) by demons and non-demonically tempted? Non-demonic temptation is described by James. “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust [Greek, epithumea, strong desire, which can be evil or good, as in the case of lusting the office of a bishop in 1Timothy 3:1], and enticed” (James 1:14). Non-demonic temptation occurs without the direct agency of the devil or demons, simply by the “lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1John 2:16), which even Adam and Eve had before they first sinned. Jesus illustrated both non-demonic temptation from His ordinary life, for He “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). And, He was demonized, being “forty days tempted of the devil” (Luke 4:2). So, not every temptation endured by the godly is a demonic temptation (being demonized). “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer [allow] you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1Corinthians 10:13). 

Characteristics to Differentiate Between Demon Oppression and Demon Possession 

  1. Demon possession is always present (Mark 5:5), whereas, demon oppression comes and goes (Luke 4:13). 
  2. Demon oppression causes the entertaining of an unthinkable, evil decision (John 13:2), while demon possession makes that decision (13:27).  
  3. Demon oppression may cause thoughts of self-harm, but demon possession can result in acts of self-harm (Mark 5:5) and ultimate suicide (Matthew 27:5). 
  4. Demon oppression may be overcome by individually trusting divine promises, i.e., “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7), while demon possession requires the intervention of others to cast out the demon (Acts 16:16-18). 
  5. Demon possession may be reversed or halted by disciples, who obey the Great Commission. “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues” (Mark 16:17). Demon oppression will be accomplished by disciples over their adversary the devil, i.e., “Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” (1Peter 5:9).  

The Great Commission and Spiritual Warfare Appoint Disciples to Cast Out Demons

  • “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues” (Mark 16:17).
  • “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” (Ephesians 6:12). 

Preparation for Casting Out Demons

  • Total submission to God (James 4:7). 
  •  Honest understanding of a humble heart, “greater is He [Yahweh] that is in you, than he [the devil] that is in the world” (1John 4:4).
  • Prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:21; Mark 9:29).

Casting Out Demons

  1. Commanding the demon to come out, only by the authority given to us by Christ based on the blood of Jesus. “She continued to do this for many days. But Paul became greatly annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her! And it came out of her at once” (Acts 16:18 NET).
  2. Physical proximity to the demon possessed one is assumed; however, Jesus gave special commendation to the Roman centurion for believing Jesus would command healing for a servant without being present (Matthew 8:8-9, 13).
  3. Failure to succeed at casting out demons would be further addressed “by [more] prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:21; Mark 9:29). 
  4. Failure to cast out a demon resulting in bodily harm to the exorcists was due to their lack of authority because of their lack of submission to Christ (James 4:7), i.e., “Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded” (Acts 19:13-16). 
  5. Christ promised, “He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father” (John 14:12), reminding us not to glory in our ability to command demons out of the possessed. “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20).

Called Versus Driven People

Ken

I was reading a very interesting article by Jennie Allen, What Would You Do If You Knew Jesus Was Coming Back in Ten Years? from Bible Gateway (February 26, 2025). I agree we cannot know the day or the hour of Christ’s return (Mark 13:32), but I also agree it can be anytime soon (Revelation 22:12, 20). What especially caught my attention was Jennie Allen’s distinction between Called and Driven People. Does the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19, 20 make you a Called Person or a Driven Person?

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:19-20 KJV).

(Just an aside, I, too, have had the same feeling of ten years come across my mind. Interesting that others have had such thoughts and dreams, as well.) 

She listed this distinction:

Driven people…

  • Need affirmation before they feel good about something.
  • Spend more time online than with Jesus.
  • Compare their results to others’.
  • Constantly look to arrive at an achievement.
  • Live frustrated at their lack of opportunities.
  • Get anxious when they aren’t performing.
  • Check numbers all the time.
  • Think of how others can elevate them.
  • Share their weakness publicly before they confess it privately.

But called people…

  • Have nothing to lose and nothing to prove.
  • Celebrate others’ successes easily.
  • Enjoy the work that God has for them no matter the results.
  • Are comfortable confessing weakness and sin.
  • Seek out and recognize others.
  • Enjoy Jesus.
  • Prioritize real life relationships over online significance.
  • Think about how they can elevate others.

I noticed the emphasis upon self accomplishment characterizes the Driven People, and Christ’s accomplishment distinguishes the Called People. If we want to distinguish ourselves from other disciples, then we are more driven to excel them. On the other hand, if we are called to make disciples and build Christ’s Kingdom, then we do not really care if my church does better than someone else’s church. The important thing is Christ’s Kingdom is advanced, when disciples are made. This is not a call to ecumenicity, where we may not really care, if the church believes in the divinity of Christ, the authority of the Bible, etc. Rather, it emphasizes the fruit belongs to the Lord. 

Father, make us Called People, who only care that Your Kingdom is built. Guard us against bigness at the sake of truth, but may Your Kingdom grow an honest crop of disciples before You return. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.