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Tuesday, September 13, 2011

The Problem of Evil - The Invisible realm Part 2

As we continue in this series on the problem of evil and suffering, we will again explore how this issue is understood as it pertains to the existence of the demonic realm.  The scripture gives us clear answers as to why God permits such beings to exist.  Thankfully, we have a good and all powerful God who is Sovereign. 

The demonic realm, despite being that 1/3 number who followed Lucifer in the Satanic rebellion, are still by nature angelic - albeit "fallen angels".  In Colossians 1:16-18 and Ephesians 6:1-11 we read of Satan and powers and principalities and rulers.  In the book of Daniel we see a glimpse of prince demons assigned over pagan nations such as Persia.  Deuteronomy 32 tells us that Israel is the only nation in the world that has God directly excercising rule over its affairs, assigning Michael the good angel as its angelic representative.  Jude 6 tells us that there were some demons that were reserved in chains in the blackest parts, reserved for judgment.  Obviously there are other demonic spirits who were allowed to roam our visible world, since Christ and the apostles had to deal with them. 

The power of the demonic realm was broken at the cross, however the persuasive devices of the demonic realm is left for the church to defeatColossians 2:14-15 states - "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;  15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it."  The cross is the objective event in time and eternity that God ordained to break the power fo the demonic realm.  When God the Son came from eternity into time to become a man, He did something that had never occured: He excorcised and subjected demons to His control.  At the cross, he asserted His supremacy over them.

With the Sovereignty of Christ established at the cross and demonstrated by His resurrection, the Church of Jesus Christ has the responsibility to spread the gospel.  By the word of God Christians are to take ground for the Kingdom.  The demonic realm still assaults the church.  However the Christian does not have to be bound by these beings.  We as Christians must remember the following things about the demonic realm:

1. There are more good angels than fallen angels. 

2. Christian are positionally seated with Christ.  Thus we have delegated authority
3. The scriptures, prayer and the preaching of the word are the God appointed means by which the church asserts its victory won by Christ at the cross
4. God permits demons and the kingdom of darkness to exist for the church to experience victory that was already won at the event of the cross
5. Greater is the Lord who is in the Christian than the enemy and his minions who are in the world (1 John 4:4)