From the introduction:
The cock has crowed! Many are denying the Savior. What was once considered only an epidemic has rapidly spread throughout the church world. Now, we are threatened with a pandemic that resembles the days when judges ruled. We read in Judges 2:10 that "there arose another generation after them that did not know the Lord or the work he had done." It is heart breaking to read of their cycle of rebellion, crying out to God for deliverance, God sending a judge to save them, and then the people again doing evil and worshiping other gods. Are we any different? We too, not acknowledging the true King, do what is right in our own eyes. (Judges 17:6)
Jesus is being betrayed by the very men and woman who call themselves followers, disciples, evangelicals, and Christians. Those who at one time dared to say that they would die for Jesus are now bowing a knee to the Baals of our age, selling their birthright for stew, and prostituting themselves and others to the highest bidder (or for nothing at all). Under every tree lies spiritual adultery; on every mountain there are altars dedicated to the pantheon of gods that reign over the sellouts and Judases of our day.
Climb the mountain and see, you will recognize these false deities. They have names like Relevance, Politically Correct, Tolerance, Easy Believism, Patriotism, Convenience, Noncommittal, Self-help, Therapeutic, Health and Wealth, No-doctrine, No-grace, No-exposition, Comfort, and Amusement. May God have mercy. Without the mercy of God, these are followed by No-conversion, False Assurance, No-cost, Cheap Grace, No-power, Worldliness, No-glory, Legalism, Antinomianism, Entertainment, Emotionalism, and Confusion. This list (a tribute to and in the spirit of John Bunyan on whom shoulders I am not worthy to stand) is not meant to be funny; this is not an allegory. The gospel, the very power of God for salvation, is being eroded. The gospel has been redefined in order that it might not offend. It has been watered down in an effort to gain popularity. Is the gospel supposed to be popular? Is it supposed to be non-offensive?
From the introduction:
The thesis of this work is simple yet profound. It is not profound due to anything in me, but because of the stunning truths that are handled, the obvious teachings that are dealt with, the veracity of the themes, and the eternal nature of the subject matter to be explicated. My thesis is: anything that a demon knows, believes, or experiences that is found in or shared by a person, is not nor can it be necessarily equated to saving grace and conversion. This will be unpacked in the succeeding chapters.
The question may be asked, "do demons have faith?" Everybody has faith in something. Even an atheist has faith. They believe and trust in themselves or their ability to reason and think. They posses a faith- it is misdirected and worthless-but it is still faith. Truth, God’s truth is the only real truth. There is therefore only one truth. So, a person either believes God’s truth or a lie. If people don’t believe God’s revealed truth they then cling to an untruth. Any untruth is anti-God. To love truth is to love God. The flip-side is also true, to hate truth is to hate God. Demons have faith (un-saving faith) but they hate God and his truth. It must not go overlooked that they know the truth (it must be known if it is to be hated). They believe something and as we proceed this will become ever increasingly apparent.
A brief synopsis may prove helpful at this point. The book comprises six sections. The first section deals with the knowledge and experiences of demons. Chapters within this section prove the thesis to be true by showing that demons posses a great wealth of knowledge and experience, yet remain unconverted. Next is a section on self-examination. Chapters will deal with the need of examining ourselves, sin, counterfeit gospels, false converts, and false assurance. A section on the gospel according to Satan follows. Substitutes for God and his word, religion, tactics, and good intentions are discussed under this heading. The fourth division examines the biblical evidence of religious people. Chapters will analyze Old Testament and New Testament examples, teachings, and people that are religious in an effort to cement the thesis and prove that religion does not guarantee salvation.
After tearing down and obliterating the man-made structures that dot our landscape, a new foundation is laid- the magnificent gospel of Jesus Christ. Upon this foundation, comprising the last section, a beautiful structure is erected. A structure that solves and satisfies what the church should be seeking and what every believer should desire: biblical fidelity and God-honoring Christianity, true Christianity, not the false and erroneous counterfeits that are everywhere we look.
From chapter 1: The Knowledge and Experience of Demons
Before proceeding further let us stop and ponder the magnitude of what has transpired. Angels witnessed God’s mighty act of creation. They heard his voice, saw world’s pop into existence, stars burst into the void of space, and nothing become something. They would have seen God stoop down and fashion man from the dust of the earth and breath life into the clay setting him apart from the rest of creation. Further still, the angelic hosts witnessed God putting Adam into a deep sleep, removing his rib, and then fashioning a woman to be his helpmate. Even more, they worshiped and enjoyed fellowship with this Creator. They knew him and he knew them; they had a relationship with the Almighty. These angels were sinless and not limited by bodies. We would also conjecture that the minds of these beings were well beyond ours; who could begin to imagine their thoughts and the praises that flowed from their sanctified lips (spiritually speaking of course). But, they fell. Let the enormity of these words sink in. They fell. These creatures who were created so high fell to depths that our mere human minds cannot comprehend. And if we are honest, why would we want to try to understand the profound collapse that took place?
From chapter 1: The Knowledge and Experience of Demons
The deity and humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ was known by the demonic realm. Remember, they at one time worshiped and bowed down before him at creation. He also cast them from his presence; hurling them into the darkness bound, condemned, and damned for eternity. He is the holy and perfect Judge. They know this. Jesus is divine. He stepped out of glory and robed himself with humanity. He was and forever is veiled in flesh. Why else, it is assumed that Satan was behind his actions, would Herod seek to destroy the male children born in Bethlehem (Matt. 2:16)? Satan knew then and he still knows now- Jesus is the God Man. He was an eyewitness and now he has the same scripture that is available to any who would search. It testifies that Jesus is the long awaited Messiah; God with us; Son of God; Son of Man; King of kings; Lord of lords. Demons know that Jesus is the Christ, but not their Christ; that he is righteous, but not their righteousness; they know him to be the perfect, substitutionary, penal atonement, but they gain nothing by his work.
From chapter 5: The Sinfulness of Sin
How sinful is sin? Well, man willingly chooses an eternity of torment for only a few fleeting moments of pleasure; we would rather accumulate silver and gold instead of riches in glory. There is an anchor for the soul and there is a weight that instead of keeping the soul firm and in place, pulls it down into the black depths. Sin is the natural man’s joy and purpose for living. It is an unsatiable hunger; a thirst that cannot be quenched. And it springs from delight, all things do. Either a delight in self and sin or a delight in God. Man desires to be happy. But the problem arises in where that happiness is found. The unregenerate seeks joy in sin and is driven by pride and self-love. The regenerate finds that joy in God and enjoys glorifying God by relishing God glorifying himself and making that glory known and understood (to a degree) by his creatures. Oh the contrariness of it all! Truly, we are speaking of and comparing light and darkness, life and death, heaven and hell, deliverance and damnation.
From chapter 6: Evil of Evils/Plague of Plagues
The falsifying and corruption, whether knowingly or unknowingly, of the gospel of God is the evil of evils because it perverts and distorts the good news. The false gospels discussed pollute the very river of life turning it to poison. They cheapen the words of God until they are worthless and unable to purchase what he has paid for. Mainly, they contort the true God into an idol. In an effort to appear more appealing to the lost (or worse, those who name the name of Christ), preachers and teachers of false gospels add, subtract, modify, ignore, or contradict the direct teachings of Scripture.
Paul said, "we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word" (2 Cor. 4:2). Regretfully, many do practice cunning and tamper with the very word of God. The result is always the same: a god that is more human than divine and men who are more divine than human. Furthermore, these gospels, since they have been modified, cannot save. God has ordained the manner in which he saves sinners. When his way is rejected, man-made endeavors will not be effectual.
What can be more serious? Why don’t people see and understand that false gospels are impotent and unable to deliver? Paul told the believers in Ephesus that it was when they "heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him" that they were saved and sealed by the Holy Spirit (1:13). Notice, they were saved by the "word of truth." This was the pure and unadulterated gospel of Christ and not the lifeless words of man. Paul also said this to the Christians in Colosae. He told them that they "heard before in the word of truth, the gospel" (1:5). What did they hear? They heard "of the hope laid up for you [them] in heaven" (1:5). It is the truth that saves; God’s truth revealed in the good news of the gospel of the glory of Christ Jesus!
Not only are false gospels powerless to save, but they undermine the Bible’s teaching on God. The attributes of God are misrepresented and profaned. God is sacrificed on the alter of consumerism by the cult of self. Ironically, in a world where most things are made in ______; false gospels are made with pride in America.
From chapter 13: What Is the Gospel?
The good news is truly good. But, it is even better after following such bad news; when seen in the light that scripture shines onto sinful humanity. Oh, this is good news. This is great news. The gospel is so stellar because, as we have considered, mankind is depraved and has zero chance at saving himself. He is lost, doomed, damned, condemned, hopeless, ruined, wretched, guilty, and on the broad way which leads to destruction.
But God. God intervened and began to do a mighty work among sinners. This is so sweet after something so bitter. The gospel is a lush oasis in a dry wasteland. It lifts us up from depths so deep and dark. Believers are enraptured and captured by the omnipotent, efficacious, splendiferous, ineffable, loving grace and mercy of our amiable God. He did not leave mankind to its demise. No! He rescues the lost; adopts the discarded; cleanses the filthy; makes whole the incomplete; pardons the guilty; justifies the unrighteous; redeems the enslaved; reconciles the estranged; brings near those who are distant; gives new life to the dead; and glorifies himself by bringing piteous rebels to glory! That is good news.
From chapter 13: What Is the Gospel?
Christ is our all. He is our Rock upon which we build, Shield that defends, Strength that empowers, Peace that frees, Hope that encourages, Shepherd that leads, King who rules, Priest who atones, Prophet that teaches. He is the Lamb that died, Passover that spares, Bread that nourishes, Life that quickens, Way that delivers, Light that illumines, Resurrection that awakens, Gate that separates. Jesus is the Bridegroom, Sin-bearer, Branch, Door, Cornerstone, Vine, Truth, Mediator, Advocate, Messiah, Son of Man. Jesus is God, the Lord, Almighty, Alpha and Omega, the Author and Finisher of our faith, the Fountain, Gift, the End of the Law, River of Water. Jesus is our all. With him we have everything. Without him we have nothing.
We pray to him and through him. He is the Creator and Sustainer. All things were made by him and for him. Christ’s supremacy is all-encompassing; his splendor grandiose. He is beyond words. He is beyond comparison. To what could we compare him? What fool would dare to liken him to his creation? Christ is ineffable, resplendent, magnificent, glorious, sovereign, beautiful. Christ is our all in all. With him we need nothing. Without him nothing is everything.
Check back periodically for more
excerpts from The Faith of Demons!
The cock has crowed! Many are denying the Savior. What was once considered only an epidemic has rapidly spread throughout the church world. Now, we are threatened with a pandemic that resembles the days when judges ruled. We read in Judges 2:10 that "there arose another generation after them that did not know the Lord or the work he had done." It is heart breaking to read of their cycle of rebellion, crying out to God for deliverance, God sending a judge to save them, and then the people again doing evil and worshiping other gods. Are we any different? We too, not acknowledging the true King, do what is right in our own eyes. (Judges 17:6)
Jesus is being betrayed by the very men and woman who call themselves followers, disciples, evangelicals, and Christians. Those who at one time dared to say that they would die for Jesus are now bowing a knee to the Baals of our age, selling their birthright for stew, and prostituting themselves and others to the highest bidder (or for nothing at all). Under every tree lies spiritual adultery; on every mountain there are altars dedicated to the pantheon of gods that reign over the sellouts and Judases of our day.
Climb the mountain and see, you will recognize these false deities. They have names like Relevance, Politically Correct, Tolerance, Easy Believism, Patriotism, Convenience, Noncommittal, Self-help, Therapeutic, Health and Wealth, No-doctrine, No-grace, No-exposition, Comfort, and Amusement. May God have mercy. Without the mercy of God, these are followed by No-conversion, False Assurance, No-cost, Cheap Grace, No-power, Worldliness, No-glory, Legalism, Antinomianism, Entertainment, Emotionalism, and Confusion. This list (a tribute to and in the spirit of John Bunyan on whom shoulders I am not worthy to stand) is not meant to be funny; this is not an allegory. The gospel, the very power of God for salvation, is being eroded. The gospel has been redefined in order that it might not offend. It has been watered down in an effort to gain popularity. Is the gospel supposed to be popular? Is it supposed to be non-offensive?
From the introduction:
The thesis of this work is simple yet profound. It is not profound due to anything in me, but because of the stunning truths that are handled, the obvious teachings that are dealt with, the veracity of the themes, and the eternal nature of the subject matter to be explicated. My thesis is: anything that a demon knows, believes, or experiences that is found in or shared by a person, is not nor can it be necessarily equated to saving grace and conversion. This will be unpacked in the succeeding chapters.
The question may be asked, "do demons have faith?" Everybody has faith in something. Even an atheist has faith. They believe and trust in themselves or their ability to reason and think. They posses a faith- it is misdirected and worthless-but it is still faith. Truth, God’s truth is the only real truth. There is therefore only one truth. So, a person either believes God’s truth or a lie. If people don’t believe God’s revealed truth they then cling to an untruth. Any untruth is anti-God. To love truth is to love God. The flip-side is also true, to hate truth is to hate God. Demons have faith (un-saving faith) but they hate God and his truth. It must not go overlooked that they know the truth (it must be known if it is to be hated). They believe something and as we proceed this will become ever increasingly apparent.
A brief synopsis may prove helpful at this point. The book comprises six sections. The first section deals with the knowledge and experiences of demons. Chapters within this section prove the thesis to be true by showing that demons posses a great wealth of knowledge and experience, yet remain unconverted. Next is a section on self-examination. Chapters will deal with the need of examining ourselves, sin, counterfeit gospels, false converts, and false assurance. A section on the gospel according to Satan follows. Substitutes for God and his word, religion, tactics, and good intentions are discussed under this heading. The fourth division examines the biblical evidence of religious people. Chapters will analyze Old Testament and New Testament examples, teachings, and people that are religious in an effort to cement the thesis and prove that religion does not guarantee salvation.
After tearing down and obliterating the man-made structures that dot our landscape, a new foundation is laid- the magnificent gospel of Jesus Christ. Upon this foundation, comprising the last section, a beautiful structure is erected. A structure that solves and satisfies what the church should be seeking and what every believer should desire: biblical fidelity and God-honoring Christianity, true Christianity, not the false and erroneous counterfeits that are everywhere we look.
From chapter 1: The Knowledge and Experience of Demons
Before proceeding further let us stop and ponder the magnitude of what has transpired. Angels witnessed God’s mighty act of creation. They heard his voice, saw world’s pop into existence, stars burst into the void of space, and nothing become something. They would have seen God stoop down and fashion man from the dust of the earth and breath life into the clay setting him apart from the rest of creation. Further still, the angelic hosts witnessed God putting Adam into a deep sleep, removing his rib, and then fashioning a woman to be his helpmate. Even more, they worshiped and enjoyed fellowship with this Creator. They knew him and he knew them; they had a relationship with the Almighty. These angels were sinless and not limited by bodies. We would also conjecture that the minds of these beings were well beyond ours; who could begin to imagine their thoughts and the praises that flowed from their sanctified lips (spiritually speaking of course). But, they fell. Let the enormity of these words sink in. They fell. These creatures who were created so high fell to depths that our mere human minds cannot comprehend. And if we are honest, why would we want to try to understand the profound collapse that took place?
From chapter 1: The Knowledge and Experience of Demons
The deity and humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ was known by the demonic realm. Remember, they at one time worshiped and bowed down before him at creation. He also cast them from his presence; hurling them into the darkness bound, condemned, and damned for eternity. He is the holy and perfect Judge. They know this. Jesus is divine. He stepped out of glory and robed himself with humanity. He was and forever is veiled in flesh. Why else, it is assumed that Satan was behind his actions, would Herod seek to destroy the male children born in Bethlehem (Matt. 2:16)? Satan knew then and he still knows now- Jesus is the God Man. He was an eyewitness and now he has the same scripture that is available to any who would search. It testifies that Jesus is the long awaited Messiah; God with us; Son of God; Son of Man; King of kings; Lord of lords. Demons know that Jesus is the Christ, but not their Christ; that he is righteous, but not their righteousness; they know him to be the perfect, substitutionary, penal atonement, but they gain nothing by his work.
From chapter 5: The Sinfulness of Sin
How sinful is sin? Well, man willingly chooses an eternity of torment for only a few fleeting moments of pleasure; we would rather accumulate silver and gold instead of riches in glory. There is an anchor for the soul and there is a weight that instead of keeping the soul firm and in place, pulls it down into the black depths. Sin is the natural man’s joy and purpose for living. It is an unsatiable hunger; a thirst that cannot be quenched. And it springs from delight, all things do. Either a delight in self and sin or a delight in God. Man desires to be happy. But the problem arises in where that happiness is found. The unregenerate seeks joy in sin and is driven by pride and self-love. The regenerate finds that joy in God and enjoys glorifying God by relishing God glorifying himself and making that glory known and understood (to a degree) by his creatures. Oh the contrariness of it all! Truly, we are speaking of and comparing light and darkness, life and death, heaven and hell, deliverance and damnation.
From chapter 6: Evil of Evils/Plague of Plagues
The falsifying and corruption, whether knowingly or unknowingly, of the gospel of God is the evil of evils because it perverts and distorts the good news. The false gospels discussed pollute the very river of life turning it to poison. They cheapen the words of God until they are worthless and unable to purchase what he has paid for. Mainly, they contort the true God into an idol. In an effort to appear more appealing to the lost (or worse, those who name the name of Christ), preachers and teachers of false gospels add, subtract, modify, ignore, or contradict the direct teachings of Scripture.
Paul said, "we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word" (2 Cor. 4:2). Regretfully, many do practice cunning and tamper with the very word of God. The result is always the same: a god that is more human than divine and men who are more divine than human. Furthermore, these gospels, since they have been modified, cannot save. God has ordained the manner in which he saves sinners. When his way is rejected, man-made endeavors will not be effectual.
What can be more serious? Why don’t people see and understand that false gospels are impotent and unable to deliver? Paul told the believers in Ephesus that it was when they "heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him" that they were saved and sealed by the Holy Spirit (1:13). Notice, they were saved by the "word of truth." This was the pure and unadulterated gospel of Christ and not the lifeless words of man. Paul also said this to the Christians in Colosae. He told them that they "heard before in the word of truth, the gospel" (1:5). What did they hear? They heard "of the hope laid up for you [them] in heaven" (1:5). It is the truth that saves; God’s truth revealed in the good news of the gospel of the glory of Christ Jesus!
Not only are false gospels powerless to save, but they undermine the Bible’s teaching on God. The attributes of God are misrepresented and profaned. God is sacrificed on the alter of consumerism by the cult of self. Ironically, in a world where most things are made in ______; false gospels are made with pride in America.
From chapter 13: What Is the Gospel?
The good news is truly good. But, it is even better after following such bad news; when seen in the light that scripture shines onto sinful humanity. Oh, this is good news. This is great news. The gospel is so stellar because, as we have considered, mankind is depraved and has zero chance at saving himself. He is lost, doomed, damned, condemned, hopeless, ruined, wretched, guilty, and on the broad way which leads to destruction.
But God. God intervened and began to do a mighty work among sinners. This is so sweet after something so bitter. The gospel is a lush oasis in a dry wasteland. It lifts us up from depths so deep and dark. Believers are enraptured and captured by the omnipotent, efficacious, splendiferous, ineffable, loving grace and mercy of our amiable God. He did not leave mankind to its demise. No! He rescues the lost; adopts the discarded; cleanses the filthy; makes whole the incomplete; pardons the guilty; justifies the unrighteous; redeems the enslaved; reconciles the estranged; brings near those who are distant; gives new life to the dead; and glorifies himself by bringing piteous rebels to glory! That is good news.
From chapter 13: What Is the Gospel?
Christ is our all. He is our Rock upon which we build, Shield that defends, Strength that empowers, Peace that frees, Hope that encourages, Shepherd that leads, King who rules, Priest who atones, Prophet that teaches. He is the Lamb that died, Passover that spares, Bread that nourishes, Life that quickens, Way that delivers, Light that illumines, Resurrection that awakens, Gate that separates. Jesus is the Bridegroom, Sin-bearer, Branch, Door, Cornerstone, Vine, Truth, Mediator, Advocate, Messiah, Son of Man. Jesus is God, the Lord, Almighty, Alpha and Omega, the Author and Finisher of our faith, the Fountain, Gift, the End of the Law, River of Water. Jesus is our all. With him we have everything. Without him we have nothing.
We pray to him and through him. He is the Creator and Sustainer. All things were made by him and for him. Christ’s supremacy is all-encompassing; his splendor grandiose. He is beyond words. He is beyond comparison. To what could we compare him? What fool would dare to liken him to his creation? Christ is ineffable, resplendent, magnificent, glorious, sovereign, beautiful. Christ is our all in all. With him we need nothing. Without him nothing is everything.
Check back periodically for more
excerpts from The Faith of Demons!