Previously, we talked about what “the last Adam” (I Corinthians 15:45) ability “to seek and to save that which was lost,” which was the authority or dominion that “the first Adam” had lost in the garden when he ate of the fruit. Though many believe the son of man’s main purpose for coming was to save individual lost souls, we know that saving lost souls was “the by-product” of what he actually did. In getting back this “authority (dominion),” Jesus gave us “the power or authority over all of the power of the enemy,” which we know is Satan. He also gave us the “authority” to use “his name, the name of Jesus, to cast out demons (Mark 16:17 NKJV).”
“Yet it was because of this that God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name which is above every other name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11 TLB).
“The name of Jesus” has incredible power. For at the very “name of Jesus,” every knee shall bow in heaven, on the earth, and under the earth and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord. All of this power in a name because God gave him a name that is above every other name.
“When the seventy disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, ‘Even the demons obey us when we use your name’” (Luke 10:17 TLB).
Jesus chose seventy other disciples and sent them out in pairs to all the towns and villages that he had planned to visit. He gave them specific instructions as to what to do while they journeyed from place to place. However, when the seventy disciples returned, they reported to Jesus that even the demons obeyed when they used “his name, the name of Jesus.”
“Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of sickness and disease” (Matthew 10:1). “Jesus sent them out with these instructions: ‘Don’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, but only to the people of Israel—God’s lost sheep. Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure the lepers, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received’” (Matthew 10:5-8 TLB)!
Again, we see Jesus giving authority to cast out demons. We know that many believers have been taught that these demons are spirit beings without physical form, who go around looking for bodies, be they human or animal bodies, to inhabit. These demons have been describes as being evil spirits that are opposed to God and anything pertaining to God. They have even been associated with Satan and thought to be part of his entourage fallen angels. There are some glitches with the notion that they are somehow part of the same coalition, the same evil group, much less the same entourage.
Most of you are very familiar with the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness by Satan. While in the wilderness, we are told of three separate temptations that Jesus had to endure. In two of the three temptations, Satan wove in a conditional statement that had Jesus responded to the temptation would have proved who he was beyond any doubt. Satan’s “If you are the son of God” (Luke 4:3; 4:9) statement gives that appearance that he was unsure as to who Jesus really was. Scripture goes on to say, “had the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing, known of the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (I Corinthians 2:6-8 NKJV). However, the demons have a different story.
“When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of God!’ And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ” (Luke 4: 40-41 NKJV).
The demons immediately recognized who Jesus was as they came out of the people. And here is the interesting thing about this incidence. Jesus did not allow the demons to say what they knew, “for they knew he was the Christ.” If the demons are associated with or are a part of Satan’s entourage, the why do the demons know who Jesus is, and Satan appears to question is identity. We know for some, this revelation is contrary to all you hold dear, but for those of you who have an ear to hear, hear what the Lord God is saying. You have been given permission, the “authority” to use “the name of Jesus to cast out devils (demons).” You also have been given “the power or authority over all of the power of the enemy.” We trust that you can see the difference in the two and that you use your two “authorities” appropriately.
May today’s inspirational message abundantly bless you and greatly inform you. We pray that you will be the better for having read it. If blessed by today’s message, please share so that others may be blessed as well. Amen.
Enjoy your blessings - KW
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