CHAPTER 12
Doctrines of Demons
1. The declaration
We believe that the closing days of this dispensation will be marked by a flood of
'isms'
which will captivate the carnal Christian and the unsaved, and that these 'isms' are
most surely of
Satanic origin. We believe it is our first duty to 'preach the Word', 'instant in
season and out of
season', and to spend little time in combating error other than by direct and positive
truth.
The solemnity of the days in which we live, however makes it imperative that we should
give
no uncertain sound with reference to errors that are spreading rapidly in the earth.
2. Scriptural grounds.
'Now we beseech you, brethren ... that ye be not soon shaken in mind ... as that the
day of
Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come,
except there
come a falling away first (the apostasy), and that man of sin be revealed, the son
of perdition ... whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs
and lying wonders' (2 Thess. 2:1-9).
'Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart (apostatize)
from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils (demons);
Speaking lies in
hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and
commanding to
abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them
which believe and know the truth' (1 Tim. 4:1-3).
'This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be
lovers of
their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents,
unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent,
fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of
pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power
thereof: from such turn away' (2 Tim. 3:1-5).
' ... the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their
own lusts
shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away
their ears from
the truth, and shall be turned unto fables (myths)' (2 Tim. 4:3,4).
' ... Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great
thing if his
ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness' (2 Cor. 11:14,15).
'And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and
unto
wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the
living to the
dead? (for the living, should it seek unto the dead?). To the law and to the testimony:
if they speak
not according to this word, it is because there is no light in (morning for) them'
(Isa. 8:19,20).
'Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because
many
false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every
spirit that
confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that
confesseth not that
Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of anti-christ'
(1 John 4:1-3).
' ... no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man
can say
that Jesus is Lord, but by the Holy Ghost' (1 Cor. 12:3).
3. A few words on one or two 'isms' that are abroad to-day.