Unclean spirits

[VictoryinJesus]

Woke this morning to Luke 11:24-26
“When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. [25] And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. [26] Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.” Another reference in (Matthew 12:43-45).

Within these passages there is something very baffling. Who walks through a dry place seeking rest? Is it the unclean spirit? Or the man? Finding no peace who returns with seven to find the house swept and garnished? The question is: WHY is the unclean spirit from Luke 11 and Matthew 12...seeking rest? Is that not the same as saying it seeks the Lord who is peace(rest)?

A few verses of reference...there are more but stopped posting because there were so many.

Zechariah 13:1-2
[1] In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. [2] And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land. (Zechariah 13:1-9)

Matthew 10:1
[1] And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

Mark 1:23-25
[23] And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, [24] Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. [25] And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.

Mark 1:25-27
[25] And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. [26] And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. [27] And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

Mark 3:28-30
[28] Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: [29] But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: [30] Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.

 

[Enoch111]

Woke this morning to Luke 11:24-26

This portion of Scripture is about the danger of outward religious profession without an inward transformation through the New Birth.

When a demon-possessed person is delivered from an evil unclean spirit, his only protection against further demonic attacks and demon possession is to genuinely repent and receive Christ as Lord and Savior. Thus he will receive the Holy Spirit, who is greater than Satan, and will be immune to demon possession. If he fails to be thoroughly converted, his soul will be a target for more demons, who will return is great force to take control of him. And his latter condition will be worse than his former condition.

This also tells us that those who have previously been involved with the occult and with witchcraft must destroy everything that was connected with evil spirits. In Scripture, those who had books on magic and the occult burned them, and that is a lesson for all who dabble in this.

To answer your question, it is the unclean spirit which vainly goes through desert places seeking rest. But there is no rest for demons. Neither is there spiritual rest for those who go to desert places for asceticism. The only rest is in Christ.

The other passages you have quoted are only indirectly related to this passage. They do however show two things: (1) while Christ was on earth there was a tremendous increase in demonic activity and demon possession and (2) casting out of demons was an important part of the ministry of Christ and the apostles. As to the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, that was instigated by Satan, who had taken control of the Jewish religious leaders of that day because they refused to repent and be converted.

 

[Helen]

This portion of Scripture is about the danger of outward religious profession without an inward transformation through the New Birth.

When a demon-possessed person is delivered from an evil unclean spirit, his only protection against further demonic attacks and demon possession is to genuinely repent and receive Christ as Lord and Savior. Thus he will receive the Holy Spirit, who is greater than Satan, and will be immune to demon possession. If he fails to be thoroughly converted, his soul will be a target for more demons, who will return is great force to take control of him. And his latter condition will be worse than his former condition.

This also tells us that those who have previously been involved with the occult and with witchcraft must destroy everything that was connected with evil spirits. In Scripture, those who had books on magic and the occult burned them, and that is a lesson for all who dabble in this.

To answer your question, it is the unclean spirit which vainly goes through desert places seeking rest. But there is no rest for demons. Neither is there spiritual rest for those who go to desert places for asceticism. The only rest is in Christ.

The other passages you have quoted are only indirectly related to this passage. They do however show two things: (1) while Christ was on earth there was a tremendous increase in demonic activity and demon possession and (2) casting out of demons was an important part of the ministry of Christ and the apostles. As to the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, that was instigated by Satan, who had taken control of the Jewish religious leaders of that day because they refused to repent and be converted.

Yep...what you said.

 

[VictoryinJesus]

This portion of Scripture is about the danger of outward religious profession without an inward transformation through the New Birth.

When a demon-possessed person is delivered from an evil unclean spirit, his only protection against further demonic attacks and demon possession is to genuinely repent and receive Christ as Lord and Savior. Thus he will receive the Holy Spirit, who is greater than Satan, and will be immune to demon possession. If he fails to be thoroughly converted, his soul will be a target for more demons, who will return is great force to take control of him. And his latter condition will be worse than his former condition.

This also tells us that those who have previously been involved with the occult and with witchcraft must destroy everything that was connected with evil spirits. In Scripture, those who had books on magic and the occult burned them, and that is a lesson for all who dabble in this.

To answer your question, it is the unclean spirit which vainly goes through desert places seeking rest. But there is no rest for demons. Neither is there spiritual rest for those who go to desert places for asceticism. The only rest is in Christ.

The other passages you have quoted are only indirectly related to this passage. They do however show two things: (1) while Christ was on earth there was a tremendous increase in demonic activity and demon possession and (2) casting out of demons was an important part of the ministry of Christ and the apostles. As to the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, that was instigated by Satan, who had taken control of the Jewish religious leaders of that day because they refused to repent and be converted.

Zechariah 13:1-2
[1] In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. [2] And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.

When shall there be a fountain opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and uncleanness?

“...in that day...” what day?

“...I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.” ...to pass out of the land to where?

 

[Enoch111]

“...in that day...” what day?

After the second coming of Christ. We need to keep things in context.

 

[VictoryinJesus]

After the second coming of Christ. We need to keep things in context.

Yes, I do struggle with time. Has a fountain been opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and uncleanness?

 

[Enoch111]

Yes, I do struggle with time. Has a fountain been opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and uncleanness?

Before the second coming of Christ, the Jews will go through "the time of Jacob's trouble" (the Tribulation) but a believing remnant will be preserved.

After the second coming of Christ, the Jews will be gathered to Israel from around the world so that they may see Christ in all His power and great glory. Then they will weep and mourn and lament, and come to repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (their true Messiah). Then "all Israel shall be saved".

And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion [Jerusalem] the Deliverer [Christ], and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob [Israel]: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. (Rom 11:26,27)

At this time a fountain will be opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

 

[VictoryinJesus]

Before the second coming of Christ, the Jews will go through "the time of Jacob's trouble" (the Tribulation) but a believing remnant will be preserved.

After the second coming of Christ, the Jews will be gathered to Israel from around the world so that they may see Christ in all His power and great glory. Then they will weep and mourn and lament, and come to repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (their true Messiah). Then "all Israel shall be saved".

And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion [Jerusalem] the Deliverer [Christ], and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob [Israel]: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. (Rom 11:26,27)

At this time a fountain will be opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Why does God then say: He will cause the prophets and the unclean spirits to pass from out of the land. I realize you are set in what you believe it says and maybe you are a hundred percent truth. Ask yourself though what are the unclean spirits that afflict a man? First we must consider what Jesus was telling them which was: one stronger than Satan has come in and spoiled Satan's house. A house divided falls.

Luke 11:17
[17] But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.​

And the house did fall, and great was its fall. Luke 13:34-35

[34] O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! [35] Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.​

A house made desolate. Whose house? Satan's house. This world where the seat of Satan resides. Made desolate and spoiled. Matthew 12:43-45 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. [44] Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. [45] Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

A house swept: Isaiah 14:22-23

[22] For I will rise up against them, saith the Lord of hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and son, and nephew, saith the Lord . [23] I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the Lord of hosts.
​

"The last state of that man is worse than the first." (the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.) 2 Peter 2:17-22
[17] These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. [18] For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. [19] While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. [20] For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. [21] For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it , to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. [22] But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

I get what you are saying about His return...but so much is happening already.

 

[VictoryinJesus]

consider :Isaiah 30:3-10
[3] Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion. [4] For his princes were at Zoan, and his ambassadors came to Hanes. [5] They were all ashamed of a people that could not profit them, nor be an help nor profit, but a shame, and also a reproach. [6] The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them . [7] For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still. [8] Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever: [9] That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord : [10] Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

"...speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits." … and the false prophets come in because a lie preferred over the truth.

Isaiah 30:1-3
[1] Woe to the rebellious children, saith the Lord , that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: [2] That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! [3] Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion. (And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie). as in now...

Consider carefully: Leviticus 18:23-25
[23] Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.—Babylon.

24] Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you: [25] And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants. --it is not sexual it is spiritual idolatry as "not lying with beasts" of this world.