Signs and Wonders/Apostasy
Current Spiritual Warfare Paradigm and the Final Apostasy
Robert E. Best
VBDRS, Virginia
Introduction
It is a matter of divine revelation that demons can attack and oppress or influence and affect Christians during this dispensation. Contemporary deliverance workers teach that demonic entities can possess Christians. This teaching, in essence, is "fostering an attitude of fear among Christians that demons can possess Christians."1 This "doctrine" is borne out of experience, not by a rigorous systematic study of Scripture. Notably absent in the New Testament are accounts of either Jesus or his disciples casting out demons from believers and where deliverance was used as therapy for the same.
Learned men such as Dr. Ed Murphy and Dr. Merrill Unger adopted this position late in their careers.2 This shift in thinking takes one from a biblical defensive posture, as taught in the Epistles, to that of an offensive one. This unbiblical approach to spiritual warfare, taken by modern-day deliverance ministers, closely fits the description of the final apostasy. Apart from Scripture’s final authority, secular logic details the fallacy of knowledge acquired solely by subjective means.
Sources of Knowledge
Epistemology is the study of the theory of knowledge. Epistemology asks the question: "Do we know an independent reality or merely that of our experience?" Two kinds of theories of knowledge emerge from the answer, and each grouped with regard to their degree of emphasis on the subjectivity or objectivity of knowledge.
Subjectivistic theories of knowledge answers the above question "No, we do not know an independent world or reality as the cause of our ideas." In other words "We cannot get beyond our experience or ideas." Objectivistic theories of knowledge answers this question: "Yes, we do know an independent world of material objects or of transcendent ideas." This, then, leads us to two kinds of knowledge: (1) knowledge by acquaintance, and (2) knowledge by description. The former is the direct apprehension of (1) sense data, (2) objects of memory, (3) internal states, and (4) ourselves. The latter is the mediated or thought out knowledge of (1) other selves, and (2) physical objects (as constructs and not sense data).
Contemporary deliverance workers claim "deliverance" knowledge by subjective means, and, therefore, are confined to ideas within their minds. Such knowledge is antithetical to an objective or material reality separate from and independent of themselves. What we have with such persons is what is known as epistemological monism (perceptions and things known are one). We hold fast to objectivism meaning objects are independent of the mind and presents their properties directly to the "knower" through sense data. This is known as epistemological realism (things known and sense data are one).
No one can claim to be above deception. Counterfeit experiences are designed to deceive. Some feel, overall, that argument cannot be made regarding experience; however, argument can always be made with its relationship to other experiences and that of God’s Word with the latter being indisputable. As for God’s Word we can do one of three things: (1) believe it, (2) pervert it, or (3) deny it. Scripture is the final authority in all matters and to any question arising within the realms of demonology or deliverance, we must answer with another question: "What saith the Scriptures." A theology based on experience or sentiment is a hollow one at best. Only "Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for doctrine" (II Tim. 3:16). There is no spiritual discernment in the absence of Scripture.
Offensive Operations and Apostasy
Today’s "rebuking and binding" is contrary to authentic biblical teaching. Notwithstanding genuine but rare cases of demon possession, the casting out of demons was one of the many miracles included in the "signs and wonders" as referenced in Acts 5:12. While writing the Second Epistle to the Corinthians, the Great Apostle had in mind the vindication of his apostleship to which he writes " . . . for in nothing am I behind the chiefest apostles, though I be nothing. Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought amoung you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds (II Cor. 11b, 12).
Christ commissioned the apostles to do these signs and wonders designed to authenticate and validate the ministry of the apostle. Their office, writes Ice, "was a foundational office thus unique to the beginnings of the church (Eph 2:20).3 The apostolic period was c. 32 to c. 110. At the end of this period, all signs and wonders ceased. Internal evidence places the penning of the book of Hebrews from 64 to 68 AD. We can conclude that this book was written well into the apostolic period in which the writer presented signs and wonders to be a thing of the past (Heb 2: 3,4).
Today’s false ministers make promises of deliverance, but in reality, place their subjects under emotional and/or demonic bondage. This unbiblical approach to spiritual warfare, "when examined in the light of Scripture," writes Ice, "seems closer to fitting the description of the final apostasy during the end times of the church age."4 Ice further states: "In addition, the new spiritual-warfare theology increasingly appears to fit the description of the false religious system headed by the false prophet in the coming tribulation period. It appears more than likely that Satan and his demons are giving many advocates of the new spiritual warfare the types of ‘power’ experiences they are seeking in order to deceive them. Since these advocates tend to emphasize only the demonic realm (and that from a false perspective), they are open to Satan’s attacks in the realm of the flesh and, especially because of lack of discernment, the influence of the world-system and its false teachings."5
These "ministers" apparently neither deny nor take away from Scripture, but rather add to it. They profess that all their actions are done in the name of the Lord; however, our Lord said: "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 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." It appears that these ministers are disguised as angels of light as are their unseen demonic co-laborers.
Characteristic of the last days: (1) sound doctrine replaced by experience, (2) false signs and wonders, and (3) widespread deception by these miracles. This climate of supernatural signs and miracles over and above sound doctrine is a major composite of the apostasy. Apostasy can relate to either doctrine (word) or behavior (deed). As the scope of this article specifically deals with the former, we will define apostasy simply as the denial of truth. An apostate is characterized by a departure from sound doctrine to false teaching - doctrinal defection. This apostasy, per New Testament warnings, will come from within the church. Paul warns Timothy of this very thing "The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine. They will turn away their ears from the truth, turn aside to myths" (II Tim. 4 ).
Warnings of Doctrinal Defection
"And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many will come in my name, saying I am Christ; and shall deceive many." "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many." "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect" (Mt. 24:4,5,11,24).6 This chapter alone contains four warnings from Christ underscoring the seriousness of this deception. The signs and wonders by these miracle-workers will support their false doctrines and therefore deceive many (multitudes) in departing from the truth. Serving in the name of our Lord, Satan empowers these workers. Writing to the Thessalonians, Paul issued a similar warning: "Let no one in any way deceive you..." (II Thess. 2:3).
Jay Bartlett of Jay Bartlett’s International Ministry of Evangelism and Exorcism is an international evangelist and exorcist. Of one of his meetings, Bartlett writes:
Four times I had to bring back a young lady from the dead (she had no pulse, body limp, had stopped breathing and was cold). I was involved in one of the most intense exorcisms, in years, in our recent meeting in Austin, Texas. The demons were within a young lady who had traveled, with her father, to Austin to receive freedom from the demons that were tormenting her life. The first spirit that surfaced was a spirit named, "Blasphemy." He was quite aggressive and violent. Took three men to hold her and God’s Holy Angels. He spoke in different demonic languages, crissed crossed her eyes, disfigured her body, manifested various burning smells within the room, exhibited supernatural power, and extremely blasphemous (as it repeated blasphemy in Germanic like accent).
During the battle we utilized holy water, conscreated objects, praise, the Scriptures, and holy angels. They weakened the spirit, in fact, the spirit of blasphemy, was literally burned by the conscreated cross when I placed it in her hand (her hand had physical marks due to the cross burning her but God healed her and the marks were completely GONE!). We expelled hundreds of these spirits.Then "Destroyer" surfaced and was entirely different & a higher level demonic entity that literally put her to death at least 4 times during the exorcism–no pulse, no breathing whatsoever, cold & limp body, and no life. As you can imagine, the lady’s father was frantic (but strong in Jesus) as he saw her dead–she was gone–but with the commands of Jesus we spoke life and raised her back to life. I breathed in her life, via her mouth, the life of the Holy Spirit and she was revived. In each instance when she was in the state of death I had to breathe life in her. Jesus answered our prayers and raised her back from the dead to life!
Also, during this exorcism while praying over her head, the demon snapped at me and got a hold of my right pointer finger and clamped down on it and all I thought was– it was going to chew my finger right off –as it sneered and rejoiced that it had me. The pain, my friends, was incredible and very intense as you can imagine. I’m sore. But God is healing me. One time the demon choked the father, and spat in my face. The demons violently disfigured her body and called for reinforcements, however, God prevailed. Thousands of these spirits were driven out of her in Jesus name. They had entered her through ancestral Satan worship back many generations ago. There is SO much to share…but I am rejoicing in the goodness of God as people were healed physically, emotionally, delivered from thousands of evil spirits, and the young lady raised from the dead four times.7
In addition, "Though not specifically gifted in the area of healing, Jay and his wife have, nevertheless, have witnessed hurting individuals being healed of demonic dumbness, of being paralyzed by demonic powers, cancer, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, arthritis, mental illness, sexual dysfunctions, sexual transmitted diseases, rashes, addictions, emotional pain, cysts, bleeding problems, depression, epilepsy, dissociation, demonic muteness, demonic blindness and severe physical pains.8
Marks of a False Teacher
The Second Epistle of Peter’s central theme is a warning against corrupt scoffers and teachers. Peter exposed the false prophets of that day and foretold of the appearance of false teachers to come. Not only did Peter denounce their false doctrine (word) he also described their behavior (deed). Characteristics include:
- "walk after the flesh" (v.10) - self-indulgences
- "despise government" (v.10) - carnal impudence, despise authority
- "presumptuous" (v.10) - excessively forward
- "self-willed" (v.10) - adherence to one’s own desires or opinions
- "speaking evil of dignities" (v.10) - rash and self-confident speech pertaining to evil powers. Peter’s reference to angles (vs.11) parallels Jude 9 which reflects a contest between Michael and Satan in which Michael does not, himself, rebuke Satan but rather says "The Lord rebuke you." This display of restraint is a far cry from the lack of reverence displayed by false teachers in regard to authority. Jude writes: (1:8) "Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities...(1:10) "But these speak evil of those things which they know not:..." This self-assurance is matched by their ignorance (lack of knowledge).
- "forsaken the right way, and are gone astray" (v.15)
- "speak great swelling words of vanity" (v.15)
- "allure through the lusts of the flesh" (v.15)
- "promise themselves liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage" (v.19)
- "the end is worse with them than the beginning" (v.20)
It must be said again that having an offensive posture against spirit entities is described by Peter as a characteristic of false teachers: "...Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord" (II Pet. 2:10b, 11). It is this author’s opinion that this type of response to spirit entities can subjugate the believer to demonic oppression.9
It is unnerving to listen to false deliverance workers address these fallen beings (namely Satan) in a most irreverent manner. The manner in which this is being done presupposes a type of non-existent authority over these angels. Yet, Michael the archangel when contending with the devil in dispute over the body of Moses did not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke thee." The word "rebuke" means, "to reprove, reprimand, to admonish strongly."
Michael is the first among the archangels, one of the chief princes (Dan. 10:13), the Prince of Israel and the special guardian of the Jews of whom he will stand firm during the tribulation period. During the tribulation, he will go to war for Israel and defeat the army of darkness. His position is one of great authority as ascertained from the Hebrew meaning of Michael "who is like God?" In spite of his authority, exalted position and greatness, he dare not "bring a railing accusation against Satan." Michael was careful not to be involved in any sins of the tongue, exercise any misplaced authority, and add or supplement any sentence of judgment.
Conclusion
Scripture predicts that a satanically inspired and empowered "signs and wonders" movement will be operative during the last days, and thus a delusion that will deceive many. One must be firmly grounded in Scripture to avoid end-time deception. The prescription for the believer’s warfare against demons/ fallen angels is intercessory prayer, resistance (James 4:7), and putting on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6: 10-18).
Endnotes
1. Thomas Ice and Robert Dean, Jr., Overrun by Demons, (Eugene: Harvest House Publishers, 1990), 31.
2. See Merrill Unger, Demons in the World Today, (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, 1971). -Dr. Unger’s position was borne out of deceptive experiences shared by missionaries and various others regarding "demon possessed believers." Remarks to such accounts include: "quite probably," "would seem to confirm," "supported by and experience and observation," and etc. This is quite a departure from previously held biblical position of the impossibility of Christian possession. See Merrill Unger, Biblical Demonology, (Wheaton: Van Kampen Press, 1952). I vigorously disagree with Unger’s "experience theology" as Scripture is clear regarding the believers’ position in Christ. Also see pp. iv-xi, Dr. Ed Murphy, The Handbook for Spiritual Warfare, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2003).
3. Ice and Dean, Ibid., 134.
4. Ibid., 187.
5. Ibid.
6. (v.3) aionos (gen. sing. of aion) - an era; an age; a period of time of significant character. Used here as a reference to the age in which the apostles were a part and had knowledge of. This time period, by implication (v.15) is the midpoint of the seventieth week. This age is described in Dan. 9:25-27 of which sixty-nine weeks had passed when Jesus was "cut off." Daniel’s seventieth week is clearly divided into two halves (Dan 9:27). The order of events (Mt. 24:4-14) unfold during the first-half of Daniel’s seventieth week (first three and one-half years) though tendencies (v.5) develop during present age (I Jn.4:3). The Olivet Discourse concerns itself with the tribulation period which culminates in Christ’s return.
7. Jay Bartlett, Delivered, Healed and Raised From the Dead, October 20, 2008, Deliverance Ministry Blog, http://www.deliveranceblog.org/index.php/page/2/ (accessed Dec. 30, 2008).
8. Jay Bartlett’s International Ministry of Evangelism and Exorcism, http://www.jaybartlett.org/biography.php (accessed Dec. 30, 2008).
9. The tenth chapter of Daniel provides an illustration of prayer in dealing with angelic beings that provides excellent insight to the conflict experienced within the angelic spheres. Referenced chapter deals with a spiritual reality that makes up a great portion of spiritual warfare. Some fallen angels are assigned as what is commonly known to some as "territorial spirits." These spirits are apparently assigned to the principalities, powers, and are the world rulers of this present darkness and spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. The strategy in dealing with fallen angels is intercession. Although Daniel’s prayer was not about these beings, this chapter informs us of the realities to which our prayers extend.
