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Did that blog entry title catch your attention? It should. It isn't even hyperbole. It is not made-up. And it is not an exaggeration. Teenage demon slayers actually have graduated from an actual school for exorcists.
Here is an excerpt from the UK Daily Mail- just to show you that this is a real news article reporting on real events. Apparently, the demon world is winning, the Catholic priests are dying off of old age and no new exorcists have been trained to replace them, so the Catholic Church outsourced. I am not making this up.
‘We're not like normal teenagers': Meet the exorcist schoolgirls who spend their time casting out DEMONS around the world
--Brynne Larson, 16, is one of many newly-qualified teenage demon slayers
--Reverend Bob Larson of Spiritual Freedom Churches runs exorcist school
--No set protocol for exorcisms but girls carry a Bible, holy water and a cross
"The five teenage girls might look like they’re in a normal class, eagerly reading their textbooks and answering their teacher’s questions diligently. But the textbooks are Bibles and the girls all have crosses instead of protractors, as they train to become exorcists - real exorcists who fight demons, curses and evil spells. ‘People do look a bit surprised when I arrive,’ admits graduate exorcist Brynne Larson. ‘When people call for an exorcist, they don’t picture a 16-year-old high school girl.’ But Brynne, from Phoenix, Arizona, is one of a new breed of qualified teenage demon slayers, who answered a call when the Church made the admission of there being a worldwide exorcist shortage. But despite drastic efforts, supply has still not met demand for the controversial ceremony. The Vatican’s chief exorcist Father Gabriele Amorth, 85, has revealed that he alone has dealt with 70,000 cases of demonic possession. So if the forces of darkness start getting the upper hand, who should you call? Evangelist Reverend Bob Larson of Spiritual Freedom Churches International - and his remarkable school for exorcists. ‘Think of it more of an exorcist franchise,’ Rev Larson tells MailOnline exclusively. ‘The Church just can’t keep up with demand. But I have 100 teams of trained exorcists working all over the world, and outbreaks of demonic possession are getting out of control."
Much more at headline-link.
Ohhh, there are so many things wrong with this. Let me count the ways.
First, it is true that "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." (1 John 4:4). There is no question that Jesus is greater than anything, anyone, or any place. He IS the power over demons, and any Christian with the Holy Spirit indwelling them has access to the power of Jesus.
That said, demons are a very serious thing. Demons, remember, are fallen angels who are under the influence of satan. They reject Jesus' authority and are out only to lie, steal, and destroy. If demons are fallen angels, then take a moment to reflect on the power of the angels.
In Daniel 10:13 the Lord dispatched an angel to bring a message to Daniel the prophet. Another angel, the Prince of Persia, stopped the Lord's angel from delivering that message for 21 days. Finally Michael the archangel was sent to help the angel being hindered from delivering the message. So the verse shows us that one of satan's angels stopped an angel of the Lord from completing his duty for three weeks. That is power.
In Revelation, there are angels who execute the will of God during the judgments. In one instance, Revelation 19:17 shows us "...an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, "Come, gather together for the great supper of God,'"
An angel standing in the sun and speaking in a voice loud enough for the birds in our atmosphere to hear? That is power.
In Daniel 10:6, we read a description of another angel: "His body was like chrysolite, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude."
That is a powerful angel.
Even the Apostles were stumped by some demons, and only Jesus could cast them out. When the Apostles asked Jesus why they had failed, "And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting". (Mark 9:29-30).
Angels resisting the Lord's angels for three weeks, standing in the sun, unleashing judgment, defeating the Apostles, and looking like the one described above? POWERFUL. Though the fallen ones have rebelled against Jesus' authority they still retain their power and abilities. And who is going to challenge the powerful fallen angels? These newly minted exorcists:
So...really? Really?
OK, aside from the fact that demons are extremely powerful, the bible says we are to resist them. Not chase them. Not stalk them and cast them out. Resist. "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7). We are instructed to wear our spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:10-18) but nowhere does it say that we are to go forth and wield it, except to pray and to resist.
Jesus is our intercessor. (Romans 8:34). If we appeal to Him, He will banish the demon.
The bible gave a credential to the Apostles to "raise the dead, cast out demons." (Mt 10:5-8). In this sermon by John MacArthur, he explains "The only thing I think about when I hear that is power. I mean, the power to raise the dead and the power to invade the kingdom of darkness, the unseen world of the demons, and overcome that kingdom, that's power! Now I can't raise the dead or cast out demons, and neither can you. Today, no one has the power and authority our Lord and His apostles had over demons and death. You say, "Then how does this relate to us?" Because it shows us power. The mark of the apostles was power."
One of the credentials Jesus gave to the Apostles to cement their calling was an ability to raise the dead and cast out demons. I personally believe that because the credential was given as a sign, that when the Apostles died the sign died with them. Therefore I believe that no one is able to raise the dead nor cast out demons today. I believe that power now rests only with Jesus. 'But, but', you say, 'it seems that people are casting out demons all the time!'
In this same sermon by John MacArthur, he explains further,
"The Jewish exorcists, who were common in the time of Christ and went around casting out demons, charged people. When people were demon-possessed or had family members who were demon-possessed, they would go to the exorcists for deliverance. Ultimately those exorcists had no results because the people were demon-possessed because of sin, and the exorcists couldn't do anything about that. Nevertheless, people would pay great amounts of money to get exorcised."
It is the same today. Except instead of being elder Jewish men, they are teenage girls. Does it make sense to you that a youngster in the faith would be given the incredible charge to deal with demons? There are strict standards for the teachers, pastors, and elders on behavior, doctrine and comportment. (James 3:1; 1 Timothy 3:2-3; 1 Timothy 3:11; Titus 2:11-12; Titus 2:3-5). If indeed engaging with demons is the way to go (and I believe it is not) then why, WHY send teens in to the battle when it is clear that the battle belongs to the elders? How wrongheaded is that?
As for the exorcist school, I have an opinion on that one too. The bible is the exorcism school. Otherwise, when one examines demons, it is demons that are on your mind. You study them. You think about them. You ponder tactics to combat them. You gradually become saturated with demons, instead of what you should be saturated with, which are thoughts of Jesus. It is a good way to draw someone away from the thoughts of righteousness and plunge them into darkness.
Philippians 4:8 says "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." If you study demons you will not be thinking about the admirable things.
I mourn for the teens being sent in to deal with situations that may be beyond their ability to handle them. And as for the person who is being exorcised, "When an evilf spirit comes out of a man, 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 unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation."
This is because a person cannot be possessed by a demon if they are a believer. (Colossians 1:13,; 2 Corinthians 6:15–16; Romans 8:37; 1 Corinthians 15:57; 2 Corinthians 2:14; 1 John 2:13). If one is possessed, they need salvation, and the remedy for that is Jesus. He will cast out the demon and as a glorious gift, send the Spirit to indwell.
I hope that the Lord comes soon. Everyone will finally be safe. Safe from demons and safe from demon slayers. Safe in the arms of the Strong One who loves us!
ht on the demon slayer article from from EBenzblog
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Here is an excerpt from the UK Daily Mail- just to show you that this is a real news article reporting on real events. Apparently, the demon world is winning, the Catholic priests are dying off of old age and no new exorcists have been trained to replace them, so the Catholic Church outsourced. I am not making this up.
‘We're not like normal teenagers': Meet the exorcist schoolgirls who spend their time casting out DEMONS around the world
--Brynne Larson, 16, is one of many newly-qualified teenage demon slayers
--Reverend Bob Larson of Spiritual Freedom Churches runs exorcist school
--No set protocol for exorcisms but girls carry a Bible, holy water and a cross
"The five teenage girls might look like they’re in a normal class, eagerly reading their textbooks and answering their teacher’s questions diligently. But the textbooks are Bibles and the girls all have crosses instead of protractors, as they train to become exorcists - real exorcists who fight demons, curses and evil spells. ‘People do look a bit surprised when I arrive,’ admits graduate exorcist Brynne Larson. ‘When people call for an exorcist, they don’t picture a 16-year-old high school girl.’ But Brynne, from Phoenix, Arizona, is one of a new breed of qualified teenage demon slayers, who answered a call when the Church made the admission of there being a worldwide exorcist shortage. But despite drastic efforts, supply has still not met demand for the controversial ceremony. The Vatican’s chief exorcist Father Gabriele Amorth, 85, has revealed that he alone has dealt with 70,000 cases of demonic possession. So if the forces of darkness start getting the upper hand, who should you call? Evangelist Reverend Bob Larson of Spiritual Freedom Churches International - and his remarkable school for exorcists. ‘Think of it more of an exorcist franchise,’ Rev Larson tells MailOnline exclusively. ‘The Church just can’t keep up with demand. But I have 100 teams of trained exorcists working all over the world, and outbreaks of demonic possession are getting out of control."
Much more at headline-link.
Ohhh, there are so many things wrong with this. Let me count the ways.
First, it is true that "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." (1 John 4:4). There is no question that Jesus is greater than anything, anyone, or any place. He IS the power over demons, and any Christian with the Holy Spirit indwelling them has access to the power of Jesus.
That said, demons are a very serious thing. Demons, remember, are fallen angels who are under the influence of satan. They reject Jesus' authority and are out only to lie, steal, and destroy. If demons are fallen angels, then take a moment to reflect on the power of the angels.
In Daniel 10:13 the Lord dispatched an angel to bring a message to Daniel the prophet. Another angel, the Prince of Persia, stopped the Lord's angel from delivering that message for 21 days. Finally Michael the archangel was sent to help the angel being hindered from delivering the message. So the verse shows us that one of satan's angels stopped an angel of the Lord from completing his duty for three weeks. That is power.
In Revelation, there are angels who execute the will of God during the judgments. In one instance, Revelation 19:17 shows us "...an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, "Come, gather together for the great supper of God,'"
An angel standing in the sun and speaking in a voice loud enough for the birds in our atmosphere to hear? That is power.
In Daniel 10:6, we read a description of another angel: "His body was like chrysolite, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude."
That is a powerful angel.
Even the Apostles were stumped by some demons, and only Jesus could cast them out. When the Apostles asked Jesus why they had failed, "And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting". (Mark 9:29-30).
Angels resisting the Lord's angels for three weeks, standing in the sun, unleashing judgment, defeating the Apostles, and looking like the one described above? POWERFUL. Though the fallen ones have rebelled against Jesus' authority they still retain their power and abilities. And who is going to challenge the powerful fallen angels? These newly minted exorcists:
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| source |
OK, aside from the fact that demons are extremely powerful, the bible says we are to resist them. Not chase them. Not stalk them and cast them out. Resist. "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7). We are instructed to wear our spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:10-18) but nowhere does it say that we are to go forth and wield it, except to pray and to resist.
Jesus is our intercessor. (Romans 8:34). If we appeal to Him, He will banish the demon.
The bible gave a credential to the Apostles to "raise the dead, cast out demons." (Mt 10:5-8). In this sermon by John MacArthur, he explains "The only thing I think about when I hear that is power. I mean, the power to raise the dead and the power to invade the kingdom of darkness, the unseen world of the demons, and overcome that kingdom, that's power! Now I can't raise the dead or cast out demons, and neither can you. Today, no one has the power and authority our Lord and His apostles had over demons and death. You say, "Then how does this relate to us?" Because it shows us power. The mark of the apostles was power."
One of the credentials Jesus gave to the Apostles to cement their calling was an ability to raise the dead and cast out demons. I personally believe that because the credential was given as a sign, that when the Apostles died the sign died with them. Therefore I believe that no one is able to raise the dead nor cast out demons today. I believe that power now rests only with Jesus. 'But, but', you say, 'it seems that people are casting out demons all the time!'
In this same sermon by John MacArthur, he explains further,
"The Jewish exorcists, who were common in the time of Christ and went around casting out demons, charged people. When people were demon-possessed or had family members who were demon-possessed, they would go to the exorcists for deliverance. Ultimately those exorcists had no results because the people were demon-possessed because of sin, and the exorcists couldn't do anything about that. Nevertheless, people would pay great amounts of money to get exorcised."
It is the same today. Except instead of being elder Jewish men, they are teenage girls. Does it make sense to you that a youngster in the faith would be given the incredible charge to deal with demons? There are strict standards for the teachers, pastors, and elders on behavior, doctrine and comportment. (James 3:1; 1 Timothy 3:2-3; 1 Timothy 3:11; Titus 2:11-12; Titus 2:3-5). If indeed engaging with demons is the way to go (and I believe it is not) then why, WHY send teens in to the battle when it is clear that the battle belongs to the elders? How wrongheaded is that?
As for the exorcist school, I have an opinion on that one too. The bible is the exorcism school. Otherwise, when one examines demons, it is demons that are on your mind. You study them. You think about them. You ponder tactics to combat them. You gradually become saturated with demons, instead of what you should be saturated with, which are thoughts of Jesus. It is a good way to draw someone away from the thoughts of righteousness and plunge them into darkness.
Philippians 4:8 says "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." If you study demons you will not be thinking about the admirable things.
I mourn for the teens being sent in to deal with situations that may be beyond their ability to handle them. And as for the person who is being exorcised, "When an evilf spirit comes out of a man, 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 unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation."
This is because a person cannot be possessed by a demon if they are a believer. (Colossians 1:13,; 2 Corinthians 6:15–16; Romans 8:37; 1 Corinthians 15:57; 2 Corinthians 2:14; 1 John 2:13). If one is possessed, they need salvation, and the remedy for that is Jesus. He will cast out the demon and as a glorious gift, send the Spirit to indwell.
I hope that the Lord comes soon. Everyone will finally be safe. Safe from demons and safe from demon slayers. Safe in the arms of the Strong One who loves us!
ht on the demon slayer article from from EBenzblog
Tweet
Good words, Elizabeth. I started to write an entire article about this as well, but I'm glad I procrastinated long enough to let you do it! :) When I saw this headline, all I could think of was, is this an attempt to remake "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"? How sad that these young girls are being so deceived and dragged into such danger! I think, too, of Michael contending with the devil over Moses' body (as recalled in Jude 9). Even the archangel Michael turned to the Lord to rebuke Satan! And yet we are to believe that a 15 year old girl with a big cross and some "holy" tap water is going to fight the powers of darkness? This is such an affront to the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is THE power of God unto salvation!
ReplyDelete*sigh*
I pray Jesus returns soon, too. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
Thanks EBenz. If only people truly understood how powerful demons are...
ReplyDeleteFrom one of your previous posts: check out this article on the 'volcano' near Santa Barbara. There really is something going on, but it's been going on for a very long time: http://www.independent.com/news/2011/aug/16/sb-volcano/ It's interesting and the next time I'm in the area, I hope I can check it out!
ReplyDeleteAs for Bob Larson - he's been around for a very long time. What he's doing in nothing new, just a continuation of what he's always done, since the 1960's at least. He was a household word when I was a young teen (I became a Christian at age 8 in 1962) and he was finding the backmasking in the Beatles' and other groups' albums ("Paul is dead", and much worse stuff - but was it ever real??), plus letting all the parents know what the horrible lyrics were in all the modern songs. I must be careful because this is a very serious charge, but he's always struck me as someone who is like Simon the Magician in Acts 8 - seeking power and fame and financial gain from Christianity. There are dozens of "Christian ministries" who do this and their end is sure. God will not be mocked. I John 4: 1 "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. 2 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, 3 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.
4 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. 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6 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."
When Jesus was here on earth Satan fell from heaven and he does not have the power he once had. Luke 10:17,18 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven." Satan was completely defeated at the cross and will be cast into the bottomless pit forever when Christ returns. We, the Church, must be busy with Christ commanded us - to spread the Gospel throughout the world. Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:7-11
Our focus should be on the cross of Christ. We do not fully understand exactly what happened there, we do not fully understand our own human sinfulness, we do not fully understand Christ as Son of God and Son of Man, fully God and fully human all at once in one person. When we focus on these things (like demons), our eyes are off the cross and on other things. I urge your readers - focus instead on the Jesus Christ and the cross!
I agree, Anonymous. As I mentioned int he fifth to last paragraph, when we focus on demons, it is demons that is on our minds, and not Jesus. If we focus on Jess, stay in the Word, and pray, then we have all the tools necessary to withstand oppression, and the devil will flee from us. As for the lost they are completely open to oppression, farassment and possession by demons, but again, Jesus is the remedy for that!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Elizabeth. When I read the post title, I thought, "Is this a fluke? Is someone trying to make a real live 'Buffy?'"
ReplyDeleteThis also brought to mind my former "ghost-hunting" days from when I was still lost. One of the first conclusions I came to after coming to Christ was that I had been duped: there were no ghosts, only the demonic masquerading as such. And it is correct, they are powerful, and devious, and so many are being fooled.
That is so dangerous. Demon possessed people sometimes possess super-human strength. Even Walter Martin, who believed that you could fast and pray for demon possessed people, offer them Christ's salvation, and deliverance through obedience and repentance said that a woman is not safe in this environment.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter and I just read the story of the Gadarene man this morning. She asked me to read it to her twice. She was marveling at how the demons submitted to the power and authority of Jesus, how they begged Him not to torment them.
I was wondering what you think of our role in ministering to demon possessed people. I agree that the sin in their live that they hold onto leaves them open to demonic oppression/control. And that true salvation brings healing.
I have a friend who I honestly believe is demon possessed. I have fasted and prayed for her. I have prayed over her. She is not healed, but she has not repented. I blamed myself at first, that I did not fast long enough or pray hard enough. But I have come to realize that SHE has to come to Jesus herself.
I have also seen other people who are demon possessed, I have prayed for them (in my heart) hoping to help them. But it didn't work (yet). I got discouraged that I wasn't able to help them, but what you said helped me alot. I don't have that ability to help them. They need Jesus. So instead of just praying, I should share the gospel and see if they come to Him. Then He will clean house.
I have also been taught that you shouldn't try to cast demons out of your house or different territories or whatever. I agree. I don't feel like I need to do a prayer walk around my city to cast demons out. That should not be my focus. And it isn't. But there have been times when I have been at home and I get a deep fear inside my body, like someone is watching me. There have been a few times when we have heard sounds of scraping on the walls, or things moving. Typical "harassment" type things. But we have prayed and it has immediately stopped. I don't know what you think about that, as opposed to praying for demon possessed people.
I guess because we are saved and walking with God that the enemy has no power over us, and we can pray and the Lord will answer.
But maybe because the other person has opened themselves up to the enemy, and refuses to come into the sheepfold, under the safety and protection of the Shepherd, that they are not safe from the "wolf."
Overall, the attacks of the enemy that really affect us as believers are not as much the creepy noises in the house that occasionally or rarely happen, but the discouragement and fiery darts that we need to resist and counter with the Power of the Word of God.
What are your thoughts on this?
In reality the demons just laugh at these pretenders. Sort of like in Acts when the demon said, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?"
ReplyDeleteThese girls have watched too many "Harry Potter" type movies!
Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteYour thought process is firing on all cylinders! I agree with what you wrote. Sharing the Gospel with one and all, demon possessed or not, is the way to go. But then after sharing, prayer is the next tactic in our spiritual war. We share the seed, but the Holy Spirit grows it! We do not have the power or ability to cause salvation, nor to cast our demons, but planting the seed and then praying is extremely effective Because the Holy Spirit has all power.
Your last paragraph is especially powerful. Demons scaring us only works for a moment. But neutralizing us by causing us to fear, or to become lukewarm through sending his fiery darts, is a much more devastating win for the side of darkness. But we are not unaware of satan's schemes in order that he might not outwit us. (2 Cor 2:11)
"Demon possessed people sometimes possess super-human strength."
ReplyDeleteYES! I had a friend that I invited to a revival at my church. She went forward for prayer and they had to take her outside because she started manifesting demons. We were both in High School at this time. It took 3 grown (and brave) men to hold her down, she became SO strong. It was scary to watch, they even addressed me at one point and told me they hate me. All we could do was pray for her and anoint her.
Demons are real and they are powerful. I imagine some are extremely, extremely powerful in relation to humans like I imagine the Prince of Persia is.
Where I grew up, it was very normal for people to rebuke demons in the name of Jesus...mainly those that bully or try to torment Christians. I mentioned before that where I am from, people openly practice witchcraft/voodoo like it's nothing. So spiritual warfare is not under wraps but is very, very real and serious to Christians and non Christians. I do think it does takes more than just rebuking but most importantly consistent, fervent prayer and speaking and meditating on the word of God. I was literally bullied by the spirit of doubt for months after I became a christian. I prayed and prayed about it and there were scriptures that the holy spirit gave to me that I quoted so many times everyday. I also remember when Jesus said in Matthew 17:21 that "this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."
I prayed for these girls in particular today because they have absolutely no clue what they have opened themselves up to. Spiritual warfare is real and unimaginable and these girls are going in completely powerless. I pray that their lives will become a testimony to Christ!
God has also given me such a burden for my generation (people age 18-30) and the generation below us. I think anyone in my generation that is saved has it. They just have to. I guess you just see and have experienced firsthand the war that satan and his kingdom is raging for the minds and hearts of young people today. I pray about it everyday and I really hope that everyone that reads something like this does too!!!
aww my comments always get ignored...i'll take a hint *sniff sniff*
ReplyDeleteDebbie, thank you for your comment. I am just getting to comment response and emails now. A lot of times I hold off on commenting right away because I don't want to dominate the conversation but allow other points of view. I do read them all and I really appreciate them all, including your s which are so heartfelt, concise, and interesting.
ReplyDeleteI have seen the demonic world first hand also and I know beyond a doubt that it is folly to casually delve into it. Reliance on Jesus for everything, including deliverance, is the only way to go, in my opinion.