Recognizing Demons in Today's World

Most of the following is gleaned from a web site I came across while researching 'demons'. Much of it does make sense in light of Scriptures as we know demons are written of more than once throughout Scriptures. This study is to help us better understand our enemy so as not to be destroyed for lack of knowledge; nor shall we fall for the strong delusion coming our way. I provided Chapter and Verse references taken from my copy of the Tanakh and the Aramaic English New Testament. Please read from your own copy of Scriptures as you further your studies.

We learn from reading Ephesians 2 that before we knew right from wrong we were unaware of our sins and offenses.  We behaved according to the the worldliness of this world (religions, customs and materialism...) and lived according to the will of the prince and power of the air, that spirit which is active in those who are rebellious and disobedient (shunning the Creator).  We gave into temptations and desires of the flesh and our thoughts... we were just like the rest of the people we hung out with. 

Satan is "the prince of the power of the air". 

John 12:31 tells us when Judgment Day comes, the ruler of this world will be cast outside. It is reasonable to think that he and his demons have some control over the elements of nature such as wind, rain, hurricanes, and tornadoes. Remember that it was Satan who directed a "great wind" to collapse the home of Job's oldest son, resulting in the deaths of all Job's children:

Job 1:19  ... suddenly a mighty wind came from the wilderness. It struck the four corners of the house so that it collapsed upon the young people and they died..." 

Another thing I'd like to point out is the fact that governments of this world use weather as a weapon by means of control through the HAARP program, chemical spraying of the atmosphere, pinging and things we've yet to hear about which are all behaviors connected to demonic influence.

It is not logical to blame every illness on demonic activity nor is it biblical. Many of our illnesses are the result of poor lifestyle choices: too much fast food; lack of physical exercise; addictions to things such as alcohol, nicotine, drugs, TV, social media; hanging onto guilt and not forgiving others; holding onto a grudge and blaming ourselves for things not our fault. Though not all illnesses are caused by Satan and his demons, some of them are. Reading in Mark we see there is a difference between sicknesses that were caused by demons and those that were not.

Mark 1:32 ~ And in the evening at the setting of the sun, they brought to him all those who were severely diseased and possessed ....he healed many who were severely diseased with diverse weaknesses  ....he cast out many demons, and he did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew him.

It seems Mark is making a difference between people who are sick with some sort of disease and those who are possessed. Folks can become physically ill from a weakened immune system and maybe if one is spiritually weak they can become home to a demon.

Just like physical illness, some mental disorders are caused by other factors while some are demonically influenced.  Again I would like to suggest it relates to how spiritually weak a person is. I think it is a mistake to say that all mental illness is directly linked to demons. 

Our thoughts and emotions are directly traceable to a series of electrical and chemical impulses in the brain. When the brain does not function properly, drug therapy can help restore the natural balances. However, our thoughts and emotions are more than a series of electrical and chemical impulses. There's an immeasurable, though very real, spiritual component that influences our thoughts and emotions. Positively, this spiritual component can protect us from anxiety and its attendant consequences:

Philippians 4:4 ~ Rejoice in יהוה always, again I say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Master is near. Do not worry at all, but in every matter, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to Elohim; and the peace of Elohim, which surpasses all understanding, shall guard your hearts and minds through Messiah יהושע. For the rest, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is righteous, whatever is clean, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report, if there is any uprightness and if there is any praise – think on these.

If a positive spiritual exercise like prayer can influence our thought processes by removing anxiety, then it is reasonable to conclude there are also negative spiritual influences that can seize control of our minds and emotions. While not all mental disorders are caused by external spiritual forces such as demons, some of them are.

Consider the man in Luke 8 who was controlled by numerous demons. A refusal to put on clothes, withdrawal from others, strange voices emanating from his mouth, and deep depression were symptoms that today would immediately land him in a mental hospital. Yet as soon as the demons left him, notice the immediate and radical change in his mental state and behavior: "The people went out to see what had happened; and they came to Y'shua, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting down at the feet of Y'shua, clothed and in his right mind; and they became frightened. Those who had seen it reported to them how the man who was demon-possessed had been made well" (Luke 8:35-36).

The restoration of this man's mental health did not require years of psychotherapy or drug treatment, because his root problem was not primarily physical or emotional, but spiritual. Please understand that I'm not condemning psychotherapy or chemical treatment. What I am suggesting is that sometimes there is also a spiritual component to mental disorders we should not ignore.

Demons can use other people to discourage, distract, and deceive us. In extreme instances, demons have the ability to use human agents to persecute and murder other Believers. John attributes the slaughter of Elohim's people during the coming Tribulation to demonic activity (see Revelation 18:2,24). We are aware of similar persecution throughout history and in many areas of the world today.

While no true Set Apart believer can be possessed by a demon, we can be influenced by demons - it is an ever present, although spiritual, war. Any area of our lives that is not controlled by the Ruach haKodesh is vulnerable to being controlled by Satan and his forces. You may remember from physics that nature abhors a vacuum. The same truth applies to the spiritual realm. Some spiritual force is going to fill or control your life. Any area of your existence — finances, marriage, work, and morality — that is not being directed by the His Spirit is vulnerable to being controlled by demonic influences.

The key to resisting demonic influences in our lives is to make sure that every area of our lives is filled or controlled by Yahweh Elohim.  Put Him first in all things.

(Adapted from The Divine Defense by Robert Jeffress, Waterbrook Press, 2006)

The Reality of Demons

Ephesians 4:26 ~

Be angry, but do not sin. Do not let the sun go down upon your wrath and give no place to the Accuser...

Anger is one example, but is it the only thing that could allow a demon entry? Anger (or wrath) is mentioned as a “work of the flesh”, and it seems likely that any work of the flesh, in which sin takes place, or is held on to over time, may also give room to a demon.

Galatians 5:19 ~ Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: Adultery, impurity and lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strife, jealousy, anger, stubbornness, treacheries, heresies, envy, murder, drunkenness, revelry, and all such things. Those who do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of Elohim.

If a person is sinning, whether in anger, or by adultery or idolatry or by holding onto and keeping emotional things inside like anger, bitterness, hatred etc... this is what opens a door up for demons to gain entry, get a room, and oppress someone.

A person under demonic oppression has the authority, in the name of Y'shua the Anointed One, by the power of Yah through the His Set Apart Spirit, to command a demon to get out and stay out, and refuse to let it influence them any longer. It is their choice to kick the demon out, and to repent of whatever sinful work of the flesh opened the door to let the demon get in their house in the first place. Always fill that space the demon left with the Word of Elohim, the Truth of His Spirit and the testimony of His Son so as not to allow reentry of any unclean spirit. And if at all possible, have 2 or 3 fellow believers with you as reinforcements and reassurance.

Our most prominent weapon is the Word of YHWH, which is the sword of the Spirit, and we learn to use it by reading Scriptures. Often the battle with demonic oppression is in the mind, and the best weapon to use against excuses and false reasoning which hold onto sin, is with the Word of Elohim. And we have the authority Y'shua gave believers in him to cast out demons, if we allow the Spirit to do it's job.

First John 4

Do not believe all spirits but discriminate among the spirits whether they are of Elohim; for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this the Spirit of Elohim is known: every spirit that confesses that Y'shua the Mashiyach has come in the flesh is of Elohim. Every spirit that does not confess that Y'shua the Mashiyach has come in the flesh is not of Elohim but he is of the false messiah of whom you have heard that he comes and now is already in the world. But you children are of Elohim and you have overcome them because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world.

If we are truly Set Apart believers we will be able to discern false prophets by their teachings, what they confess to be 'true', by taking it back to the Word of Elohim and allowing His Ruach haKodesh to reveal the truth. We allow His Spirit to reveal the intentions of those spirits. 

They who are of the world speak worldly things and the world hears them. We who are of Elohim and know Him recognize one another by His Spirit, the Spirit of Truth. By the Ruach haKodesh we recognize the spirit of error: false prophets.

First Timothy 4

But the Spirit says explicitly that, in the latter times, some will depart from the faith and will go after deceptive spirits and after the doctrine of demons. These will seduce by a false appearance and will speak a lie and will be seared in the conscience and will forbid to marry and will require abstinence from meats which Yah has created for use and for thankfulness by them who believe and known the truth. 

Second Corinthians 2:10 ~ And whom you forgive, I also forgive; for that which I forgave to anyone, for your sakes I forgave it in the presence of the Mashiyach; or else Satan should overtake us; for we know his devices.

Second Corinthians 4:4

There are those whose minds have been blinded by the god of this world in order that they will not believe, for if they did believe, the light of the flame of the glory of Y'shua who is in likeness of YHWH, should dawn upon them.

James 2:19 ~ You believe that there is one Elohim; you do well; the demons also believe and tremble.

Who is presently the 'god of this world'? 

Satan.

Ephesians 2

You who were dead in your sins and in your offenses in which you once walk, according to the worldliness of this world and according to the will of the prince and power of the air (Satan), that spirit which is active in the children of disobedience: in which deeds we formerly spoke of in the cravings of our flesh and we found pleasure of our flesh and mind, and we were altogether the children of wrath like the rest of them. But Elohim who is rich in His mercies because of the great love with which He loved us when we were dead in our sins, gave us life with the Mashiyach and rescued us by His grace; and revived us with him and seated us with him in heaven, in Y'shua the Anointed One; that He might show to the coming ages the magnitude of the riches of His grace and His goodness towards us in Y'shua. For it is by His grace we are rescued, through faith; and this is not by our own doings, but it is the gift of Elohim.

Worldliness is sin. Following the world's religions, customs and materialistic values is making void the Instructions from YHWH, making one dead in their sins.

"Be sober and watchful, because your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). So we should guard against temptation and opening doors that would give the devil legal access to influence our lives. For many of us, this means there are certain places we should not go. And obviously we should not participate in occult rituals. But greater is He who is in us than He who is in the world (1 John 4:4).  There is a difference between vigilance and paranoia. Vigilance in spiritual warfare is rooted in confidence in our Creator and His Word and the authority we have in Him. Paranoia is rooted in fear. Vigilance is offensive; paranoia is defensive." (end quote)

If you allow yourself to become paranoid about demons, you'll constantly be looking for them. Y'shua didn't worry about demons, and the disciples weren't living in that kind of fear. The apostle Paul allowed a demon-possessed girl to follow him around for several days before finally casting the demon out of her. And when he did cast it out, he took only an instant to do so.

Acts 16:16 ~ On one occasion, as we went to the place of prayer, a servant girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, shouting, 'These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.' She did this for many days. But becoming greatly troubled, Paul turned to the spirit and said, 'I command you in the name of Y'shua haMashiyach to come out of her.' And it came out at that moment.

After reading all of this, you may begin to wonder about the movies and shows you've watched, books you've read etc.... about demon possession and exorcism and how horrified and fearful they taught us to be. They taught us only a priest, if not only a Catholic priest, had the power to save us. As we have come to learn, Hollywood is not set apart to Elohim and their tools of persuasion have been used against us for many, many years. Fear is the biggest factor used to keep us unbalanced. Ignorance of what is written in Scriptures is a weapon used against us. Doubting the Word of YHWH gives Satan the same opportunity that he used against Adam and Eve who were kicked out of the Garden because of it, and keeps us unstable.

By no means are my intentions aimed to belittle demonic encounters for anyone. This is serious business. I myself have experienced the presence of an entity, in my younger years, long ago. Once you start playing around with new age mysticism and various occult practices you open a door for demonic activity in your life, which can affect those sharing your living space. I had been enchanted by new age mysticism in the 70's and 80's. I was able to have 'out of body' experiences; I could hold an object and tell you how it related to it's past; I could influence people with my strong concentration on the desired outcome. Thankfully one OOBE scared me so badly I never attempted them again. Unknowingly I was a plaything of Satan. I had no idea YHWH was fighting for me then, and I never fully realized it until many years later.

Folks who 'channel' are being duped by an unclean spirit, demonic in nature. These spirits are left overs from the Flood as we were told the Nephilim existed then and after the event. The Flood destroyed the flesh but the ungodly spirits survived. There have always been those who innocently enough experiment with this realm (channeling; automatic writing; remote viewing; esp;) and there are those who, after experiencing this 'power' intentionally enter the realm and will become deeper in debt to Satan. Most folks have been led to believe the one they channel is a spiritual leader, a higher up, an alien full of worldly knowledge coming back to save us from ourselves.  YHWH has already made provisions for our salvation through His Son, Y'shua.  If you don't believe that, then nothing else matters.

Demons are real. They are the left over unclean spirits from the soul-less Nephilim whose flesh was destroyed at the time of the Flood. They began to manifest again during the time of Nimrod. They appear in any form which influences the desired outcome. These forms can range from the likeness of people known to be dead (ghosts, familiar spirits), to the popular images of extraterrestrials (grays, reptilian, Annunaki, beings of light etc...)  In Revelation 16 three of them look like frogs. Demons can influence people. Their 'king' is Abaddon, the angel of the abyss.  We shall have nothing to do with these unclean spirits; we shall not speak to them so as not to invite them in ("What do you want from me!? -- don't ever say that). If by some other behavior they enter our personal space, get right on it and by the authority and power given by Y'shua the Anointed One, command said demon to leave, go back to where it came from and never return. Fill the place it just vacated with Scriptures and prayers to YHWH the Most High.  Give Him thanks and ask for Forgiveness and Protection. Ask Him to shine His Light brighter on the straight path that leads to the narrow gate so you may see all stumbling blocks, snares and rabbit trails Satan has cast in our way hoping to snag as many as possible. Stand strong in the Faith and fight the good fight!

Nephilim - Then and Now

In this study I use Scriptures, the books of Enoch and the historical accounts found in Jasher to research the topic of giants.  Many folks today refer to 'Fallen Angels' as relating to the 'alien deception' and other possible scenarios of the end times.  From what I have read so far it is the Nephilim who are a part of the signs of the end, so I figured a deeper look into these events was in order.

I'd like to note that I recommend one be fully grounded in the Word of God before using other writings such as Enoch and Jasher so that one can discern that which lines up with Scriptures.  I do not substitute anything for the Word of our Creator yet find these sources help describe scenarios which are only alluded to in Scriptures.  Yahweh is our final word on all things.

How the Nephilim Came to Be

Genesis 6 -- When men began to increase on the earth and daughters were born to them, the Divine Beings saw how beautiful they were and took wives from among those that pleased them.  It was then, and later too, that the Nephilim appeared on the earth (as a result of sexual relations between the Divine Beings and human women).  They were the heroes of old, men of renown.

From then on man's wickedness pervaded the earth and every plan devised by his mind was nothing but evil.  Yah was so saddened - He regretted that He made them. Then came the Flood.  

I understand the Nephilim being renown: the condition of being known or talked about by many people - but I never quite got how these genetic mutants could be referred to as 'heroes': someone who is admired for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities - were they cute little half-breed babies who grew up to hero status but when they didn't stop growing (upwards to 300 cubits = 450 feet!) is that when folks became intimidated by them?

The Flood swelled upon the earth and the mountains were covered, then the waters swelled another 15 cubits (another 22 and half feet above the tallest mountain). Makes sense that this much water would be needed to drown giants along with the rest of the unsaved souls.

This same event is recorded in the Books of Enoch with more detail of just how bad things had gotten.  Not only were these angels (divine beings) attracted to the human women, they desired to create progeny - descendants of mixed marriages - in other words they wanted to be like 'God'.  Satan deluded Eve with this same concept.

According to Enoch there were 200 of these angels who left their station in heaven to achieve their desires on earth.  They defiled themselves by having sexual relations with these women.  They also taught these women charms, pharmacies, root cutting and uses of plants - secret knowledge humans weren't suppose to know.  These women became pregnant and gave birth to what is called the Nephilim, who grew to 300 cubits in height. They ate every thing produced for them and when that ran out they turned against mankind and ate them.  The Nephilim sinned against birds, beasts, reptiles and fish (more genetic manipulations? crossbred mutants?) and began to eat each other's flesh and drink their blood (cannibals and vampires?).  They were lawless ones. They taught men metallurgy in the making of swords, shields, knives and breastplates as well as bracelets and ornaments.  They taught the use of antimony (A metalloid element having many forms, the most common of which is a hard, very brittle, shiny, blue-white crystal) and the use of paints and dyes, the use of make up to beautify eyes, the use of gemstones - then did all godlessness increase and everything was corrupt.

Here is where we find out those we call the 'fallen angels' are the 'Watchers' because they were made to watch the destruction of their loved one, those genetic mutants, the Nephilim.  YHWH tells Gabriel to:

"Go to the bastards and to the reprobates and to the children of fornication, and destroy them, the seed of the Watchers, from among the sons of men and send them one against one another so that they will perish by killing each other... And when they (the Watchers) have seen the destruction of their loved ones, bind them for 70 generations in the valleys of the earth until the day of their judgment and of their end..." He goes on to say, "Destroy all the lustful spirits and the seed of the Watchers for they have wronged mankind. Let all oppressors perish from the face of the earth and let every evil work be destroyed..."

Then came the Flood to cleanse the earth from all unrighteousness, from all sin, from all godlessness and from all the uncleanness which is committed on it.

Reading from Jasher we find a similar account. In the latter days of Methusalah, men were turning from God in rebellion, and corrupted the earth, robbed each other and transgressed and corrupted themselves, up to the point Yahweh thought to destroy and annihilate them.  The earth was filled with violence. The difference in Jasher is there is no mention of 'divine beings' but 'judges and rulers' who took wives by force from their husbands and that the 'sons of men' (Nephilim?) in those days took cattle, beasts and fowls and taught the mixture of animals of one species with another in order to provoke YHWH.  This could relate to what is written in Enoch about the Nephilim sinning against birds, beasts, reptiles and fish. Sin is living according to one's own imaginings, turning against the teachings of YHWH our God.  

Yah saw all flesh was corrupt, all men and all animals... and Noah found grace in His sight.

I made mention earlier that Scriptures - the Word of God - is the final authority.  I now refer to what we can read in The Forgotten Books of Eden, the story of Adam and Eve. I must say that if you can read this account with Scriptures running in the background, a lot of it makes sense.  I will only touch on what seemingly relates to the Nephilim who came on the scene during the time of Jared. Satan was the culprit in instigating snares and traps via the descendants of Cain using ravishing music, strong drink, and colorful clothing to entice the descendants of Seth to come off the mountain, away from God and into the sinful corrupt life below. This always makes me think of the 60's when 'sex, drugs and rock-n-roll' were the temptations.

In this version it is Satan who teaches Genun, the son of Lamech, to bring strong drink out of corn by which Genun multiplied sin exceedingly. He was prideful and taught others to commit all manner of the grossest wickedness that had never known before. Satan was very pleased with all this and taught Genun how to make weapons of war from iron. Sin continued to increase: a man married his own sister or daughter - there was no more a distinction of relationship... the earth became defiled with sin.  They angered God the Judge who had created them.  Satan entered into Genun and taught him to make dyes for garments of diverse patterns... Only three righteous men are left in the world.  The evil continues up until the Flood.

If the purpose of the Flood was to cleanse the earth of all wickedness, how do the Nephilim become part of the post-flood time line?

In the writings of Enoch we read: 

Yah said to Gabriel, "Go to the bastards and to the reprobates and to the children of fornication and destroy them, the seed of the Watchers... Bind the Watchers for seventy generations until the day of their judgment (when they will be taken away to the abyss of fire and torment and shut in prison forever and ever more).  

They chose to leave the high and set apart heaven and defile themselves with the blood of women, acting like men instead of Divine Beings and they begat Nephilim as their seed.  God did not appoint wives for His Spiritual Beings because they were immortal - no need to procreate. Because they were Spiritual Beings, heaven was their intended dwelling place.

The Nephilim were produced from the spirit and flesh and on earth were called 'evil spirits' and they would dwell on earth, there was no place in heaven for them.  Evil spirits proceeded from their bodies, spirits of the wicked.  The spirits of the Nephilim oppress, afflict, destroy, do battle and make destruction upon the earth. When the Nephilim were destroyed their spirits went forth from their bodies.

The angels who were defiled with women stand at the end of heaven and earth but their spirits will assume many different forms and will defile mankind and lead them astray into sacrificing to demons as gods.

Evil, wicked, unclean, demonic spirits do exist in this world and are passing themselves off as extraterrestrial lifeforms channeling enlightenment to anyone who will tune in. These are the 'Nephilim' of today.  Not necessarily the physical giants of old testament days but definitely beings of renown who many consider 'heroes', expecting ET to save us from ourselves.  Nephilim were genetically modified beings and as it was in the days of Noah we can see it in today's world.

To the best of my own investigation these photographs of skeletons are legit.  The Nephilim were buried in the ground during The Flood that covered the entire earth, even the highest mountain tops, and that was about 4,000 years ago.