DEMONS
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)​​
We live in an age of spiritual motivational speaking and self-help preaching. We don't hear church leadership dive into a topic like this much, let alone get into the specifics of who demons are, where they may have originated, their intentions, traits, and characteristics. And, if this topic is brought up, it's certainly not during a typical Sunday morning mass or church service. Too controversial. Doesn't draw the masses to fill seats.
Some have devoted years of research to this topic and a number of books have been published outlining research results, theory, and opinion. We will merely skim the surface from the perspective and context of who they may be and where they came from - topics about our biblical and spiritual history that are skirted around or flat out DENIED.
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If we are to believe biblical scripture, this includes realities that we often don't want to acknowledge, like demons. These topics make us feel uncomfortable. They're outside of the mainstream and challenge what we've been taught and led to believe over the years. To some, demons are fantasy or science fiction. However, the Bible reveals and sheds light on the reality of these entities, while providing historical context and guidance for us.
There is a spirit world going on all around us at all times.
This world is just as real as the natural world we're living in now!
WHO or WHAT are these
'Principalities', 'Powers' and 'Rulers of the darkness'?
Scripture doesn't come right out and say where demons originated, however, it does provide clues.
POSSIBLE THEORIES
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Disembodied spirits of the pre-Adamic race
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The Nephilim, the giant offspring of the sons of God (fallen angels) and human women, weren't meant to be. They weren't part of God's creation plan. So, where did their spirits go after they died?
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After much reading and research, we lean in the direction of disembodied Nephilim (giants) or some of the disembodied spirits of those who may have existed in the pre-Adamic earth.
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​As disembodied spirits, they seek embodiment since they cannot manifest in human form as angels can. Therefore, fallen angels can't be demons.
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According to numerous ancient rabbinic and early church texts, when the Nephilim died their spirits became disembodied, roamed the earth, and harassed mankind seeking embodiment. The Book of Enoch references this as well.
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In the Book of Jubilees, another ancient historical document widely recognized by ancient rabbis and early Church fathers, we find more confirmation that demons are disembodied spirits of the Nephilim (giants) in chapter 10, verses 1-5.
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If you've spent any time reading through the Old Testament, you'll notice that we never read of demons prior to the flood. They're not mentioned in any of the ancient historical texts either. So, it's clear that when the Nephilim (giants) were killed off during the flood, they became demons who then oppressed those on earth after the flood.
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The existence of cities and landscape with inhabitants prior to Adam are referenced in scripture (see the pre-Adamic page for more information), so if there was a pre-Adamic race that was destroyed, where did the spirits of these inhabitants go when they died?
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This idea is pretty out there for those who may not believe in any kind of pre-Adamic civilization. However, it may explain quite a bit throughout the Bible that is otherwise unexplainable with regards to civilizations, architecture, and archaeology prior to Adam.
​NAMES
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They have quite a few different names, but they're all references to demons: ​Familiar Spirits (an Old Testament reference), Seducing Spirits (a New Testament reference), Devils, Spirits, Evil Spirits, Impure or Unclean Spirits, Disembodied Spirits, Ghosts, Powers of Darkness, and Shedim (the Hebrew word for demon or spirit).
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In Greek, the word 'demon' means disembodied spirit. There are two Greek terms translated as demon in the New Testament - 'daimon' and 'daimonion'.
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Over the years we've seen paintings, sketches, and a variety of comics that reflect the different ideas of what some believe demons to look like.
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A few facts we know to be true about them:
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There are many of them; legion (Mark 5:9)
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The serve Satan (Matthew 12:26-29)
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They know those who have power over them (Acts 19:13-17)
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They fear God (James 2:19)
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They know Jesus is the Son of God (Matthew 8:29)
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CHARACTERISTICS
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They are invisible. They don't have bodies, confirming that they are not fallen angels since angels have bodies (Revelations 16:13-16; Acts 23:8-9)
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They are disembodied spirits unable to function in the material world unless they possess/embody humans or animals (Mark 5:1-18)
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They are individuals (which begs the question - individuals from where?) (Mark 16:9)
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They can speak (Mark 5:12; Mark 1:34; Acts 8:7)​
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They have personalities (Luke 8:26-33)
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They have emotions (Acts 8:7)
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They are very intelligent (1 Kings 22:22-24; Acts 16:16)
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They aren't human and don't have physical bodies since they can possess and also be cast out (Matthew 10:8; Mark 16:17)
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They imitate those who have died (friends, family) (1 Samuel 28:3-9; I Chronicles 10:13; Isaiah 8:19; Deuteronomy 18:11)
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They have knowledge (Matthew 8:29; Luke 4:41; Acts 19:15)
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They have feelings (Matthew 8:29; Mark 5:7)
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They teach and deceive (1 Timothy 4:1)
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They possess supernatural powers (Revelations 16:13-16)
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They are powerful and have supernatural strength (Mark 5:1-18)
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They steal (Matthew 13:19; Luke 8:12)
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They can be violent (Matthew 8:28)
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They tell fortunes (Acts 16:16)
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They travel (1 Kings 22:21-24; Mark 5:7 & 12)
WHERE ARE THEY?
During this age, demons come and go freely throughout the earth. However, their home base, so to speak, is the bottomless pit, the abyss, where they are centralized, yet can leave and return to. (Luke 8:31; Revelation 9:1-11)
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The fact that they come and go freely, confirms that they are disembodied spirits. They can go out and come back into people unless cast out. (Matthew 12:43-45)
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Clarence Larkin's book, The Spirit World, goes into great detail about demons. A must read!
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WHAT IS THEIR PURPOSE?
Demons serve Satan (Matthew 12:26-29). Under Satan's control and guidance they do anything they can to divert people from the truth of Christ.
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If they are disembodied spirits of the Nephilim (giants) or the pre-Adamic civilization, their purpose is to enter human bodies and/or animals in an effort to re-embody themselves again.
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WHAT CAN THEY DO?
In the process of inhabiting people, as well as animals, demons can cause those they inhabit to have supernatural strength and inflict physical defects, sickness, and a variety deformities: dumbness, deafness, blindness, seizures, insanity, and suicidal tendencies, to name a few. Below are some examples from scripture.
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MUTISM - BLINDNESS - DEAFNESS - INSANITY - SUPERNATURAL STRENGTH - CONVULSIONS
While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” (Matthew 9:32-33 NIV)
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Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. (Matthew 12:22 NIV)
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They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places. (Luke 8:26-29 NIV)
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Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. ( Luke 8:30-33 NIV)
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“What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. (Mark 9:16-18 NIV)
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When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. (Mark 9:20-22 NIV)
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And a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God. (Luke 13:11-13 NIV)
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When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.” (Luke 11:24-26 NIV)
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Below are a few more examples. More can be found throughout the Bible.
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Matthew 15:22 - woman possessed
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Matthew 4:23-24 - lunacy, madness, seizures
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Matthew 17:14-21 - lunacy, possession, violence
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Mark 5:1-18 - madness, self mutilation, supernatural strength
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Matthew 17:15 - suicidal, lunacy
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Acts 10:38 - possession, oppression
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1 Chronicles 33:6 - witchcraft, human sacrifice
THEIR FATE
Demons know that eventually they will be confined to a place of torment. Their final, permanent residence will be the lake of fire where they will spend eternity. (Matthew 8:20 and 25:41)
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There are several names and terms used throughout scripture that reference their final resting place: Bottomless pit, final hell, lake of fire
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In Greek, the word is 'Gehenna' - in the New Testament
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In Hebrew, the word is 'Tophet' - in the Old Testament
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Currently, the lake of fire is unoccupied. Eventually, demons will reside there along with Satan, his angels, and the original group of fallen angels (Revelations 20:10), those who came down from the heavens to Mount Hermon, and had relations with human women, which you can read more about on the Fallen Angels page.
SOLUTION
JESUS CHRIST!
In every example noted above the solution was Jesus and still is today.​
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But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer. (Mark 9:16-29 NIV)
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Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. (1 John 4:1-6 NIV)
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For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV)
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THE ARMOR OF GOD
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Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
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Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV)
RESOURCES, RESEARCH & REFERENCES
Check out the Demons section of our Resources, Research & References page for books, documentaries, DVD’s, articles, biblical and extra-biblical information on this topic