There are a great many scriptures which are like those geodes. They look rough and perhaps ugly, but with a little polishing or cutting, inside they reveal all kinds of things. However, as when you cut through a thunder egg, you don’t know exactly what you will find. Sometimes the scripture that you are dissecting may not be among the most enjoyable.
We come back to this scripture again, because there is a valuable geode here amongst the other diamonds. It is valuable, but it isn’t particularly beautiful. Perhaps your eye skipped over it last week. “And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?”
It might be argued, but I don’t know how successfully – It might be argued that to become an expert in demonology is not really very beneficial. For example, Matthew and Luke describe this man as possessed by “devils,” but Mark says that they were “unclean spirits.” Now we know that devils are unclean spirits, but is that really important information? It might be argued that there are so many unanswered questions about devils and unclean spirits that in this life we’ll never really become experts anyway. While that may or may not be true, as I hope that you’ll see this morning, some knowledge about demons can be quite revealing and practical.
There are a lot of differences between you and a devil. But there are also some important similarities and parallels. For example, they were once created by God, and so was the first man. Perhaps your soul didn’t come directly from the hand of Jehovah, but that doesn’t change the fact that the Lord is your Creator. As spirit creatures, demons will never die, and neither will your soul. As far as the future is concerned, you are no less eternal than they are. Your body will probably quit working, but your soul will go on throughout eternity, just like the demons. There are other similarities, but one of the most critical is mentioned in Matthew 25:41 – “Then shall (the King) say also unto them on the left hand (the wicked), Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. And verse 46 adds – “These shall go way into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” The word translated “punishment” in that verse is elsewhere translated “torment.” So just like the devil and his angels, multitudes of people will be tormented in everlasting punishment. That, if there was nothing else, makes our consideration of these devils practically important. Let’s use four words to help us in our consideration of the relationship of Christ and these devils – aversion, recognition, adjudication and conclusion. The reason that I am bringing these up is because this is very practical and important information.
Despite realizing that I have addressed this before, we will still start with the word “RECOGNITION.”
“And behold, (the devils indwelling these men of Gadara) cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God?
As you know, Matthew 1 says, “The birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.” And the angel of the Lord spoke to Joseph, saying, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Nine months later when Jesus was born, “Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God.” I have no scriptural proof of this, but I wouldn’t be surprised that when the angel of the Lord spoke to Joseph and told him to give the child the name “Jesus” there were devils within listening distance. And also, when Christ was born just outside the city of David, as the angels of God shouted His praises, there were angels of Satan witnessing the event and probably muttering a few of curses. In other words, Satan knew that this Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ, the eternal Son of God.
Whether or not these unclean spirits were in Bethlehem on the night of Jesus’ birth, they had certainly been informed – and were fully aware – of Who was standing before them at this time. In Mark 1:24 there was a demoniac in one of the Galilean synagogues when Christ visited. Upon being surprised by the Saviour he cried out, “Thou Jesus of Nazareth…I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.” How much theology is contained in the words “Holy One of God?” Both Peter and Paul quote Psalm 16, saying that those words speak about Jesus Christ. “I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” And to further quote the angel who visited Joseph and Mary, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” That demon knew exactly who Jesus was – the Holy One – the Son of God – the Christ.
The Bible has a term which it uses to describe atheists. “The FOOL hath said in his heart there is no God.” Demons, devils, unclean spirits are not fools in that sense – they know full well that there is a God. Furthermore they know that the son of Mary – “Jesus” – could more accurately be called “the Son of God.” They know that the Son of God became flesh and “dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” They know that the eternal Son of God willingly became “the anointed one” – ie. “the Messiah, the Christ.” They know that God was “manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, and seen of angels.” They know that God the Son will be “preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up into glory.” Educated fools among humanity may deny such things, because they choose to be willingly ignorant. But the devils know better – they have been unwilling witnesses to the Person and true character of Jesus Christ.
Here is another area where you and these devils intersect. They know the truth about Christ, and you have been told the truth about Christ. They have refused to properly respond – to bow – before Him whom they know to be the Son of God. And millions of human beings willingly join them in their rejection of that Biblical testimony. Please do not join them, because as we shall see in a few minutes the results of rejection are disastrous.
Our next word is “AVERSION.”
“And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God?” I consulted about a dozen different sources trying to understand the meaning of that statement. It could be that they were lying, but I am doubtful that any one can lie in the presence of absolute holiness and omniscience. If they were telling the truth, then the meaning can not be – “Our work here doesn’t have anything to do with you, thou Son of God.” What they were doing most definitely had an impact on the Person of the Creator. What they were doing was to foment rebellion against the King of the Kingdom of God. Blinding the minds of foolish men, “lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ should shine unto them” was treason against the King of Kings. It was not that they had nothing to do with Christ; they certainly did. And it was even less true that Christ had nothing to do with them. But that doesn’t seem to be what they meant at all.
I can’t remember exactly who it was, but one commentator suggested that their meaning was: “Mind your own business, thou Son of God.” If this was their true meaning, then here is another area where the hearts of many men intersect with the hearts of wicked angels. “And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.” This sort of thing has taken place a million times, and several are recorded in the Word of the Lord. For example, after the miraculous earthquake in Acts 16, the people of Philippi begged Paul to leave. In Job 21 where the man of God was debating with his friendly accusers, he said with tears in his voice, “Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power? Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes. Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them. Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf. They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance. They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ. They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?”
Ironically, some people have no room for God because their lives are so full of His blessings. They have lots of children, safe houses, full barns and wealth to throw away. “Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?” They are like the wicked in the days of Noah, just before the fountains of the deep opened up – eating and drinking and giving in marriage, without any thought of God or their sins. On the other hand, there are those who are so aware of their wickedness and transgressions against God that they can’t afford to let the Lord into their minds.
And then somewhere in between are the millions of people whom Paul describes in Romans 1 – “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
What was it that these demons meant to say to Christ? Was it the arrogant statement – “Mind your own business”? The fact of the matter is that Christ was in the very midst of His business. He came “to seek and to save that which was lost.” And He was preparing Himself for our next couple of words.
Our third and fourth words for this morning are “ADJUDICATION” and “DETERMINATION.”
And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?” This statement takes us into a huge and somewhat complicated subject. But it is too important to ignore, even if we can’t study it in its entirety.
One of the things which these devils knew was that the Son of God, will one day judge Heaven and earth. “The Father JUDGETH no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.” To honour the Son was not something which those demons were willing to do, nor are most of the billions of people on earth today. But Christ is the King of Kings, and from His throne He will judge saints and sinners, humans and demons. There will be several different judgments at different times, depending on the accused, but they will all involve that person’s, that nation’s, that demon’s relationship to Christ Jesus. “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” To where will those departing people go? Will it be to the same place and the unclean spirits go? Matthew 25 – “Then shall he say also unto (the unrepentant people) on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.”
These devils screamed at Christ, “Art thou come thither to torment us before the time?” The word “torment” is “basanizo” (bas-an-id’-zo). Strong’s Concordance defines the word this way – “to question by applying torture; to torture; to vex with grievous pains (of body or mind), to harass, distress.”
The Book of the Revelation gives us a brief outline of conclusion of all things. There is a lot of mystery and intrigue in that book, but there is also a lot which is obviously obvious. Please turn to Revelation 19 beginning with verse 11 – “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war (This is Christ Jesus). His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.” This may not mention demons, devils or unclean spirits, but their end will be the same as these.
Now look at Revelation 20:7 – “And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” Remember that the devils of Gadara defied Christ with the words, “Art thou come thither to torment us before the time?”
What has all this got to do with you and me? The remaining verses of Revelation 20 answer that question in exquisite detail – “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” The lake of fire, as we read earlier, is a place of fire, brimstone and eternal torment. Once again, the lives of millions of human beings first run parallel – and then intersect – the future of the demons in Matthew.
That leaves me with one more word as a part of my outline – “CONCLUSION.”
The demons which possessed the man of Gadara challenged Christ with the words – “What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?” Among the many things which devils know better than most people is that the Lord has a meticulous time table all worked out. For example, the Lord is not delaying is coming – His second advent – it is right on schedule. And it was in “the fulness of time” that God sent His Son into the world in the first advent. The Lord Jesus was not surprised by anything which took place during His life, including the cross. These demons apparently knew that they had been destined for the lake of fire. But they if they couldn’t defeat the plan of God, then it should have come much later – not during Christ’s earthly ministry. What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?”
You may not like the thought, but if you are not a worshiper of Christ – if you are not living in repentance before God – if your trust for deliverance from sin is not in what Jesus did on the cross, then eternal torment is as much in your future as it was in the future of these devils. A study of these wicked creatures is beneficial to us in a number of ways. And one is to point our your need of repentance before God and faith in Christ. As an unbeliever, the beginning of your torment could begin as early as this afternoon, dying without the Lord’s salvation. Please, please, please – as the Holy Spirit leads and convicts you, repent of your sins before God and believe on – trust in – the Lord Jesus Christ.