209: Barnaby Harrison - Devils, Demons & Unclean Spirits

Automatically transcribed. Accuracy is good but not perfect, and words are sometimes wrong. Trust the audio over the text.

1. 0:13

   Welcome to good for selfie and talks. I’m Levi and I’m Chris and I’m Brian, thank you for joining us this week. On this podcast, we select one taco week to help us get the Bible in our daily news feed. We post a new episode of the start of each week with a short intro before. Hand to kind of set the stage for the talk. You’re about to listen to and now let’s talk more about this week’s talk.

2. 0:51

   Welcome to the good christadelphians talks podcast. This is brother Brian. This week’s talk is a class that was given by Brother Barnaby Harrison of the rugby UK. Ecclesia on the subject Devils demons and unclean spirits. The talk is a standalone class that was either given as an evening program or perhaps, as an hour each lecture.

3. 1:15

   And I almost hope that it was the latter. Because it was presented and delivered, in such a way that it breaks down a slightly taboo and complex subject into something. That’s very easy to digest. Very easy to follow along with and really very satisfying to walk away from having listened to. I would go so far as to say that, if, you know, someone who struggles with why these words and this language, this demonic language, Appears in the Bible, if they’re not really what we make them out to be.

4. 1:54

   Then this class would be the one that I’d suggest, they listen to particularly due to the way that the brother designs the class around tracking patterns. and then breaking down what those patterns imply and what the probable cause of the reference to a demon or devil or unclean or evil spirit is used for

5. 2:23

   Admittedly not a subject that I would pick out for a Monday morning pick-me-up, on my commute to work. But nevertheless, this talk is fantastic. Considering the subject material. This does not overload you with Exposition and the need for marking up every reference. Although I’m sure you will want to go back and listen twice with a pen in hand.

6. 2:50

   The brother mentions multiple times having to cut it short and perhaps biting off more than what time would allow. And yes, there is a whole lot more, that can be covered, having studied the concepts myself, but either way, it is as smooth as the other side of the pillow. And my overall Lasting Impression but just how many times I found myself mentioning. Wow, that was such a cool point.

7. 3:19

   So as always, we hope this strengthens your faith and brightens your day for the Barnaby Harrison. Devils demons and unclean spirits. A class this evening assumes that the first principles concerning Devils demons unclean, spirits Satan Etc are already understood and so we won’t be proving that Supernatural powers in opposition to God don’t exist.

8. 3:49

   That’s not our rain this evening. So what is our aim? Well, our aim is to discover within the scriptures guiding principles which will help us to understand why the inspired records use the Which of Devils demons and unclean spirits in relation to some miracles of healing and probably mostly from now on, I’m going to use the the phrase demonic language to cover the whole of our subject title.

9. 4:18

   Otherwise it’s going to get a little bit rapid repetitious, isn’t it Devils? Demons, unclean, spirits for Simplicity. I’m going to use the label demonic language. So how are we going to do this this evening? Well, I want to kind of divide the class into roughly two parts will be roughly equal length, and I hope to goodness of not bitten off more than I can chew.

10. 4:39

    Now, the first part unusually for me will not turn up many scriptures and only on the first to complain when that’s the case but hopefully as I go through, you’ll see why that’s the case. We’re going to keep some pretty high level. We’re going to refer to a number of scriptures but really it’s food for thought and you know, feel free to make notes and talk to you about it afterwards. If I If I go off piste a little so that’s the first part. We’re going to ask the question, why, why is demonic language used in the gospels?

11. 5:12

    And then having drawn out some principles which are very much found in within the scriptures with I’m going to try and apply them to just one miracle that the record of which uses this demonic language and it’s the record that we just read with brother. Chris, in Mark chapter 1 there we just read the section verses has 14 to 28.

12. 5:34

    So that’s what I hope to do. And then we’ll have a few summary points at the end. So the first part of the question is that we’re thinking about why, why is demonic language used in the gospels? And it is an important question and there are several facets to the, the answers, and there are more than one possible answer. But before we start with those, I want to just frame our thinking I want you to realize that if we go through all three gospels are, all four gospels actually, but particularly the synoptic gospels will find that the Demonic language is used in, in certainly Matthew, Mark and Luke, it isn’t specific to just one record it spans, all three.

13. 6:20

    So, that’s the first point I want you to notice. And the second thing I want you to to, to do, is to imagine something for me now, arguably having a PowerPoint slide or something similar. Would have been useful here. But I Haven’t we won’t impact the reasons why we just haven’t got one. So you’re going to need to imagine this table and it’s a really useful table, okay?

14. 6:40

    So can you imagine that you buy, always scribe it down if you look at these, look at something but just it’s a simple table with three columns, okay, on your first column so your left, you’re going to write down what the miracle was just going to note, what is the miracle column one in the second column, you’re going to put is demonic language used yes or no.

15. 7:02

    No, and in the third column you’re going to say where did the miracle take place? So just imagine that that table exists and you’ve then gone through all of the Gospel records and you’ve done that simple exercise. What was the miracle of healing in particular? What was the miracle was demonic? Language used in the record of the healing and where did that Miracle take place? Where geographically did it take place. Now having done that that wonderful analysis And you’ve got it all bad.

16. 7:33

    These would be your results. Now, you’re going to have to believe me. You have to trust me, but if you are in doubt, do the exercise for yourself. Don’t just take my word for it, but for the purposes of class to because it will help us go through this quickly. So, the first of three patterns that would become evident Thomas. The first pattern is that we would note that only sometimes demonic language is used.

17. 8:02

    Sometimes it is definitely not used and sometimes it is a bit ambiguous. That’s the first pattern. The second pattern is that there is a correlation between the type of miracle. And the use of demonic language. So certain types of Miracle commonly, use demonic language or frequently used in manik language. And the third pattern is that there is a correlation between where geographically, the healing Miracle takes place and the use of demonic language. So, it’s three patterns, I’m going to go through each one now, briefly in turn to unpack them in a bit more detail. So, the pattern the first patent was that sometimes given Language is used sometimes, it’s not, sometimes it’s ambiguous. So let me explain in the healing of the man in the synagogue, for my reading and Mark Warren, which is probably still open on your laps.

18. 8:58

    You would agree with me that demonic language is clearly used. Unequivocally, their the spirit of the unclean demon in the loop record. It is a devil. Okay, so there it is clear, it is used but in the healing of the blind man in Mark 8, the language of demons Spirits, unclean, spirits, Devil’s Etc is not used. So, in Market, when the blind man is healed, that language is not used, but there are other Miracles which is not so straightforward.

19. 9:27

    So for example, later on in this chapter, in mark, one around about verse 30, you read of Simon Peter’s mother, Mother-in-law rather his wife mother who lays sick of a fever. And if you read through that record, it says that The Fever left her. Okay. But ambiguous, isn’t it? And it’s very similar to what’s used to the nobleman’s son in John 4, which is also says that The Fever left him. And this language is ambiguous because sorry, the fever is rebuked in Marquand, the fever leaves, the nobleman’s son and John for this language of being Buked or leaving is also applied to other Miracles that do use Devils demons and unclean spirits.

20. 10:11

    Those things are said to have left the individual or they are said to have been rebuked by the Lord Jesus Christ, so that’s what I mean by ambiguous. It’s not always cut and dry whether or not the language is used. So that’s the pattern. What’s the conclusion of that pattern, the first pattern? Well, I think there are two possible conclusions from this first pattern of evidence.

21. 10:36

    Number one, The Inspired records do not constantly apply demonic language to all miracles of healing. Other languages used to easily describe miracles of healing without the need for Language the gospels. Therefore do not rely on demonic language to convey miracles of healing. That’s an important point. I’m going to say it again. The gospel records, do not rely on demonic language to convey miracles of healing.

22. 11:08

    And the second conclusion from the first pattern is that the ambiguous language helps us to realize that it is synonymous with the healing itself, okay? We can conclude that the use of demonic language It is therefore used symbolically, it helps to convey a message over and above the healing itself. So, there are two conclusions there, which I think are helpful, and the second pattern from this table that you’ve done, and you’ve got all this analysis.

23. 11:38

    What was the miracle was demonic language used? And where did the miracle, take place the second pattern then is that you suddenly realize that there are certain types of Miracles that use the Demonic language quite frequently in. Killer demonic language is used consistently in relation to miracles of healing associated with the brain. and more specifically, it’s used with healings that are associated with neurological conditions, And the and alongside that pattern, it’s a sort of the other side of the coin demonic language is rarely if ever used in relation to miracles of healing of other perhaps, we might say, non neurological conditions, other such miracles of healing that language isn’t used. So for example, the man in the synagogue in mark one seems to have suffered with the symptoms commonly associated with epilepsy.

24. 12:33

    He was torn, couldn’t control himself. Epilepsy we think Mark won the man. The Gathering man that’s recording all three gospels. Seems to have suffered with symptoms of something like a multiple personality disorder and that may or may not have been caused by a parasite and we can speculate and we can be interested in the symptoms that are described and then the dumb man in Matthew 9. Well that man may have suffered from any number of neurological conditions but the one that Springs to mind is a stroke, okay, so those Kind of Miracles, those Miracles that are associated with the brain or maladies of the brain, very commonly very frequently, use demonic language. But other Miracles, like the raising of Jairus daughter from the dead, the man with the withered hand, the man born blind, these Miracles, or they don’t use demonic language. So, that’s the second pattern.

25. 13:31

    Okay, there is a correlation between the type of Miracle of healing and whether or not this language, is You. Used and what’s the conclusion we can draw from that, then? Well, I’m going to suggest We can conclude that demonic language is used in relation to miracles of healing that are associated with the brain. Because the record of these Miracles are used to symbolize a symbolize and to represent teaching about the mind, okay? These miracles of healings that are healing neurological conditions, conditions affecting the brain, use demonic language, Because it is a symbol.

26. 14:15

    It is a vehicle by which the gulf, the inspired word is able to convey a teaching that goes beyond just that person being healed, it’s about the Battle for the mind. So, that’s the second pattern on the third pattern that I think emerges from that table, is that there is a correlation between where the miracle takes place. So, the geographical location for the miracle and whether or not demonic language, is You Used now the Miracles of healing that use demonic language all take place in the north of the land of Israel especially in the region of Galilee and in particular in this city of Capernaum. Now, that’s not to say that all miracles, that took place. In the North of Israel in and around, Galilee not all of those Miracles, use them up in demonic language because they do not. In fact, the raising of gyrus is daughter took place in Capernaum, but as we’ve already said demonic language is not used.

27. 15:21

    So it’s not okay. To draw the conclusion that if the miracle happened in in Galilee, or in and around Galilee, they use demonic language. That would be a false conclusion, okay? But there is a correlation between the two But there is a within that correlation still an important distinction being made and I think that distinction is being made for a reason.

28. 15:41

    So what conclusion might we draw from this third pattern of evidence. Well I think it goes something like this. That demonic language is used in relation to some healing Miracles that take place in the north of the land of Israel in and around Gallery where there is a backdrop of Gentile beliefs associated with Devils demons and In spirits beliefs, which if you were interested, the secular sources. Secular literature shows us that those beliefs were Pagan in origin, And I think that we can conclude from this that the scriptures use and reflect those widespread beliefs of the Gentiles in that region to teach Doctrine. And when we look at the example, in Mark 1 in a little while, I hope to show you that Jesus uses this demonic language in this very Galilee region, to reflect these demonic beliefs to teach Israel and us.

29. 16:46

    By extension important lessons about the need for the true worship of the god of Israel. So, let’s summarize what we’ve done in the last 10 minutes or so. I think we’ve established hope, we’ve established for principles and I think they are important principles. The first is that the inspired scriptures do not always apply demonic language to all miracles of healing.

30. 17:12

    Other languages used easily to describe the Miracles of healing. Without the need for demonic language. The scriptures are not bound by the belief of the day, to always reflect this sense that somebody was possessed by a devil demon or unclean Spirit saying To, to convey these miracles of healing without that language at all.

31. 17:33

    So the question is, why does it use it then and we are suggesting. But whether it leads us to a second conclusion, that it’s their used as a symbol that is a level of symbology, that’s used a vehicle by, which teaching can be made in addition to the healing itself. And the third is that The Ambiguously use of language in some cases indicates to us, that the Demonic language is synonymous with the healing itself.

32. 18:02

    We are not to to be led astray by the scriptures, the scriptures don’t confuse us, they don’t lie to us. They are there to show us almost the synonym, if it describes an unclean Spirit or an inkling devil, Duncan demon. And then in, in another light, it talked about it, being a fever, being rebuked or a fever leaving individual.

33. 18:20

    Then really. It’s just the healing. Okay. It is a Killing of the malady. But in one, the frame of reference of this demonic language is used in others. It is not. So it just shows us that it is still just the healing that’s being talked about. And I think the fourth principle is that there is an element of the way in which the scriptures reflect the widespread yet Regional Gentile false beliefs.

34. 18:45

    Again, to teach Doctrine. So that’s I think a helpful starting point. You’ve done that analysis, you’ve gone through and Whistlestop tour, we’ve drawn out some conclusions, and we’re going to use those conclusions to move on to the next stage of our of our class. So we’re still thinking about this question, aren’t we or why why is demonic language used in the gospels and if we were to try and write the answer down, I think and you were to sort of talk to people about this. There are that I’ve come across to commonly held view points in answer to this question.

35. 19:23

    Now, I’m going to tell you before, I give you the two viewpoints, I don’t think either are right, okay. But I want to share them with you anyway, so that you can go with me on this journey. Of learning. Okay, so the first Viewpoint you, somebody says to you A wise demonic language used, you might hear this answer.

36. 19:41

    You’re very likely to hear one of these two answers. The first is that Jesus and the apostles mention demons, because they believe they existed, and since they were inspired Devils demons and unclean. Spirits are part of the supernatural world that you might be surprised at that one. Now I will not going to dwell on this particular answer for very long because Um, it is problematic when compared to many other scriptures. It’s also a very literal aesthetic Viewpoint, which does not allow for this role of symbology within the Miracles, okay?

37. 20:16

    So, but it is a view that’s held, but the second you may well have heard of. So, the alternative view goes along the lines, that Jesus and the apostles were people of their time. They were people of their day, they did not understand. Perhaps, they could not have understood goes, the suggestion disease and illness in scientific terms. And so they understood these things in the concepts that were familiar to them and that were familiar to the people around them.

38. 20:47

    Just think about that one for a minute. Okay, this is held commonly, but Jesus and the apostles were people of their time. They did not understand and perhaps could not have understood disease and illness in It terms that we do today. And so they understood them in Concepts, like, Devils demons and unclean spirits that were familiar to them. And that was certainly familiar to the people around them. Now, I have to be really clear.

39. 21:13

    This view is not in accordance with our shared understanding of the inspiration of scriptures. God is the author of these gospel records and after years of all the scriptures to Peter 1000e that holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. And we know That the scriptures introduced many Concepts and ideas.

40. 21:37

    To those who were inspired with the words themselves, and these Concepts and ideas were, sometimes not understood by the writers themselves. Okay. God. Gives them Concepts Visions prophecies. That were mind-bending to there that they were hard to be understood. and so he could easily have revealed these things to them in scientific terms, but God chose not to Therefore the idea that neurological conditions couldn’t have been understood by the men and women of Christ. They just doesn’t sit well with me brothers and sisters. We have no evidence that these people were primitive. And it also risks, I think taring the Son of God with the same limited understanding.

41. 22:29

    So, having told you the two views and why I think that they are both wrong. Okay. I don’t believe that Jesus or the apostles believed in Devils demons and unclean spirits. The apostles may have done when they were first converted, and there is evidence, which we aren’t going to explore this evening where it appears to develop their understanding. But I never believe for one minute that the Lord Jesus Christ believed in these things.

42. 22:53

    And yet, the fact remains that he uses these terms in Miracles of healing. So the question Still Remains why. And I think the answer, I think the Viewpoint that is correct, is that there are several reasons why demonic language is used? And those three those reasons are encompassed under three broad categories. Okay?

43. 23:15

    I think the reason demonic language is used is because one that was terminology of the day. It’s just what things are. Cool. There is an element of accommodation and we’ll explain what we mean by that in a second. But more important in all those two is symbology that Devils demons and unclean. Spirits are used as symbols in scripture to make.

44. 23:43

    Some really exciting points and some really exciting teaching. So, what do you mean by terminology? Well, terminal? Just just is a word that says, that’s what things are called. They are the terms. And when a condition particular, medical condition is first Sort of encountered or commonly encountered the name. That’s given to it quite often sticks.

45. 24:04

    And there are a few go to examples of this malaria is the one we’re going to think about. But influenza being influenced by the heavenly bodies or the Stars Dengue fever is another example, malaria. So let’s just unpack that one for a second. It’s from the Latin terms Mal, meaning. Bad or Malla being bad and Aria meaning are malaria. It means bad air and that’s because when this, Term was coined in the mid 19th century.

46. 24:30

    The belief was that malaria bad. Air was the reason why people got sick with this particular condition. If to do with the decomposition, smells and the gases in these Masters in the marshes and these marshes. If you live near these marshes, then you quite often got sick with this condition. It was called malaria, and actually we now know that it’s a parasite carried by mosquito, that causes malaria and yet what do we call it?

47. 24:58

    You need to go abroad to an area. That’s got an area. It is still called malaria, but do any of you believe the condition was caused by bad air. Of course you don’t. You see the point. So although these conditions were said, unclean Spirit devil or demon, there is a facet by which this is just the terminology, it’s just what it was.

48. 25:21

    Cool. but can we rightly conclude that Jesus the apostles believed it In the way that we sometimes talk about it. No, I don’t think we certainly can So that’s terminology the second is accommodation. What do we mean by accommodation? This idea of accommodating certain beliefs. Well, if a person thinks that they are possessed by a devil or demon, it is impossible.

49. 25:47

    I suggest to tell them that they aren’t is sometimes necessary for clinicians who deal with people with patients suffering conditions of the Mind. Take multiple personality disorder for example where they can be any number of personalities and they can change in Split seconds. They can be wholly different, personas in the personas can know about each other, they can be completely different in type and character. And sometimes their clinician is to start by saying, well, who am I dealing with today?

50. 26:19

    Who is it? And I have different names sometimes. Now the clinician needs to accommodate that person’s beliefs and through even to get a conversation going. From which you can then build a basis by which you might treat them and help them contain them. Sometimes these things can be very violent personalities. So that’s what we mean by accommodating in that scenario that I’ve just painted the clinician doesn’t believe in the world view of this person that’s poorly.

51. 26:48

    They have to engage with them on those terms to a certain degree, they need to accommodate them to a certain degree in order to communicate with them to help them to treat them. So the way in which these miracles of healing are recorded, careful reading will show you that whenever Jesus is said to have addressed a devil or demon the very same verse, or a couple of verses later, it’s very clear that he’s also talking to the individual themselves.

52. 27:13

    So if I was thought, I was possessed by a devil or demon, and it’s the devil or demons are speaking through me, Jesus talks to the devil or demon. But then, in the next nurse, it’s very clear. He’s also talking to me as an individual. You see the point, this is what we mean by accommodation, there is an element of this going on in some of the way in which some of these Miracles are recorded.

53. 27:34

    But we can’t conclude from that that the Lord Jesus Christ believed in Devils demons are unclean spirits. That doesn’t make sense. Now, I think it was also to helpful to think about the way in which the Prophet Elijah. He’s taunting the children of Israel are Mount Carmel. Do you remember this? As a great contest going on between the the prince of devils they are And the true God and the majority of the people, there are convinced in the false. God Baal such that, this is a contest between the two gods. No contest, we might say.

54. 28:10

    But he says to them, when they’ve tried all day to get bail to respond by fire, Elijah says to them, or maybe he’s on a journey. Maybe he’s sleepy, he accommodates their worldview, he’s taunting them. Yes, but he’s trying to also make them realize the craziness of what they’re doing the craziness of their own beliefs, but when Elijah uses those terms, he accommodates their own understanding and reflects it back to them, he’s doing it.

55. 28:39

    Not because he believes These things, but he’s doing it to make a broader point, and we know the outcome of what happens on Mount Carmel. So that’s what we mean by accommodation. It’s allowing for a false understanding, either of the poorly person themselves either of some of the audience that were there. But then it’s used as a springboard to go on to develop teaching and that’s where the third element comes in.

56. 29:04

    And most important of all three is symbology. If you doubt anything that I’ve said that so far, that’s fine, but symbology, Gee, I really need you to come with me on this one. Symbology is so important because it really does unlock all of the Miracles of healing that use demonic language Devils demons and unclean spirits.

57. 29:21

    They are not literal Jesus and his disciples. I suggested not believe that they were real but these Miracles are about healing the poorly brains of people, but they go on and they teach Doctrine the teachers spiritual lesson about the Battle for the mind that God is interested in the minds of true. Pools of Trudy’s of True Believers. He wants Minds to be focused on him and not on anything else, not on idolatry.

58. 29:49

    And the language of Devils demons and unclean, spirits is used in this sense and it’s used in many times in the Old Testament, to describe idolatry to describe idol, worship the false gods from the Nations that were around Israel at the time. And Jesus had the power to cure these brain conditions. But more than that, the point that is made by these Miracles is that he had the words of God, which would help the people leave their idolatry behind them.

59. 30:18

    And instead Focus their minds on Jesus and on the father and when we say symbology, what do we mean by it? We know what a symbol is, don’t we? It’s something a word or phrase that stands for something else. In addition to what it is usually used for So, sun and moon, they describe the celestial bodies line turns out 10 in the Bible. When you read about the Sun and the Moon, you are looking about the Sun and the Moon that you can see in the daytime, if it’s not cloudy and in the nighttime, if it’s not cloudy. So, the son of the moon, but sometimes they are used as a symbol and they are used to represent Powers particularly ruling powers or ruling authorities. so, It is a phrase or a word that has an additional meaning into what it is usually understood to be and I think that’s what is going on with this demonic language.

60. 31:16

    Yes. Society particularly in the Gentile region around Galilee, there is a reflection of these false beliefs but then they are used as a symbol. To represent something far more worrying than a brain condition that could be healed by the almighty. The condition of idolatry that was a pandemic in the nation that was The mining, the whole livelihood, and that ultimately would lead to them being the natural branches, been broken off and the Gentiles being grafted in.

61. 31:47

    So demonic language, reflects, both the beliefs of those around them, as well as symbolizing the nation of Israel, under the influence of foreign ideas. So we’ve covered the first half of the class and I think, if I check my stopwatch, we’ve done it in 24 minutes, that’s going to be a long class.

62. 32:06

    So we have a shorter second half, okay? And if if I get to about 40 minutes or so I’ll just stop Ian didn’t to worry. You can have the rest in discussion afterwards if you’re interested. So we’re not going to go to Mark, chapter 1 and we’re going to try and see how some of these things stack up.

63. 32:23

    Okay, so let’s open our bibles are going to do some filming and I think we’re going to do some Me just reading out the references and you listen and then you can look them up in your own time. Okay. So Mark, 1 verse 21, we’re told that on the Sabbath day, Jesus enters into the synagogue and taught, you know, that and verse 22 that the people are astonished at his Doctrine for, he taught them as one who had Authority.

64. 32:48

    So, do this miracle begins with Jesus entering into a synagogue and teaching with authority and interestingly the teaching is not described for us. Okay. But what is described is the healing of a man, with an unclean Spirit, the man with an unclean Spirit declares that Jesus is the Holy One Of God, Jesus, rebukes him.

65. 33:08

    And the unclean Spirit comes out of the man. And as you might expect, the on workers are amazed their astonishment. But somewhat counter-intuitively, the gospels emphasize their amazement, not at the miracle, but at the doctrine that Jesus taught rather than the miracle that he carried out, you see that? Verse 22. They were astonished at his Doctrine for he taught them as one of the total Authority and in verse 27, at the end of that Miracle.

66. 33:37

    We’ve got a mirror image. Haven’t me. They were all amazed. in as much as they questioned among themselves saying, what new thing is this what you Doctrine is this for with authority commandeth, even the unclean spirits and they do a baby So got teaching in a synagogue teaching, not recorded, miracle, done, miracle done with unclean Spirit. People are amazed, but they’re not amazed at the doctor. They’re not amazed at the miracle. They’re amazed at the doctrine because repeated Doctrine Authority.

67. 34:11

    So there is a real clear pattern to this miracle, and this is emphasizing the symbology that’s going to go on here. The teaching happens within the miracle of healing itself. So this is a chiastic structure for those that like finding these in verse 21, we have a mirror with verse 29. They go into the synagogue verse 29, they come out of the synagogue in verse 23. We learned that the man with the unclean Spirit confronts Jesus and we are told that he cried out and in verse 26, the counterpart.

68. 34:42

    The unclean Spirit tears. The man and he cries out with a loud voice. So we’ve got crying out, we’ve got unclean Spirit, 23 and 26, and that then leads us to Center of this miracle, which is also the center of the chiasm. Let us alone. What have we to do with thee. Thou Jesus of Nazareth, Art Thou.

69. 34:58

    Come to destroy us. I know that you do art, the Holy One of God and Jesus rebuked him saying, hold thy peace, and come out of him. So, clearly this miracle the way in which is recorded is really important, and we have to remember that as well with everything else. We’ve said this evening that the, the world couldn’t contain the books of everything that Jesus did.

70. 35:20

    So the Miracles that are recorded are of particular interest. And therefore, the ones that do use demonic language are another of level of Interest beyond that, aren’t they? Why this miracle, why recorded in this way? It’s not just okay to say, Well, it conveys, the general sense that Jesus could heal people. Well, you could do that. About this level of detail, brothers and sisters, there must be more to it than that.

71. 35:42

    So, the way in which it is recorded is as important as what is recorded. So, this miracle put Jesus in opposition to the man possessed with an unclean spirit. And it demonstrates a conflict between the unclean spirit and Christ. Okay. Now, you might want to note here that when you get the parallel record in, Luke, rather, than unclean Spirit, we have the word demon. And that’s why I think we can use them interchangeably as to why we have the three turns or that I have to be another class or together but there is a degree of it interchangeability. And I think the reason there are differences lie in the fact that there are different symbols being used and different facets of idolatry that have been brought out in the Old Testament.

72. 36:27

    So let’s just park that for a moment and let’s think Unclean, unclean spirit is very clear in mark. One that is what’s described an unclean spirit. Uncleanness in the law through, Moses had set involved several things, you don’t clean animals, which the Israelites were not allowed to touch anything. I did that to make a sin-offering liberty was five. They were unclean animals which could not be eaten. Leviticus 11, the state of leprosy was described as being unclean, Leviticus 13 and bodily discharges were also unclean of it.

73. 37:00

    Because 12 and Leviticus 15. So the law has a lot to do with unclean. It was not a good thing. The general result of transgressing these laws, meant that, a person themselves became styled. Unclean and action had to be taken to resolve the situation, and that usually involved a period of separation. And this whole idea of uncleanness that whole pattern of what’s in the law. You become you touch something unclean, you associate with it, you yourself are unclean, you have to be separated, this then becomes a pattern to describe the nature. Even habitants of the land given to Israel. So just listen to Ezra 90k as ra9 the land and to which you go to possess is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands with their Abominations which are filled it from one end to the other with their uncleanness. So we’ve got the law, we’ve got a pattern of uncleanness and already that pattern is used elsewhere in the Old Testament, to associate it with Gentiles with their filthiness, with their uncleanness and in particular their idolatry, their Abominations, Ezra 9 verse 11, that was and in Ezekiel 36 we have a very similar references.

74. 38:22

    So son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled, it by their own way and by their doings their way was before me as the In the server removed woman, wherefore I poured out my Fury, upon them, for the blood that they have shed upon their land, and for their Idols wherewith, they had polluted it as Ezekiel 36 verses 17 and 18.

75. 38:44

    And it goes on to say, in Ezekiel 36, but having been polluted and having been unclean, Ezekiel 36 verse 25 says, then, I will sprinkle clean water upon you and you shall be clean from all your filthiness. And from your, from all your Your Idols will I cleanse you did? You see what’s going on here?

76. 39:06

    We’ve got literal uncleanness. As according to the law, we’ve got that being used as a pattern for what happened to Israel. When they came into contact with these false ideas of the Nations around them, they were unclean. They were filthy, they needed to be cleansed from their idolatry. God promises a faithful Remnant.

77. 39:26

    He would reverse their state of uncleanness and he would make them clean. And I Zechariah 13. Let’s just have a look at Zechariah 13 because this reference is a good. Go to reference in this subject, Zakaria 13, and verse 2. Talking about the way in which God is going to redeem The Remnant Zechariah 13 verse 2 and it shall come to pass in that day.

78. 39:52

    Saith, Yahweh 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’ll cause the prophets and the unclean Spirit to pass out of the land. You see that Zechariah 13 and verse 2. And so when we’re thinking about symbology, rather than being bogged down with what’s going on in mark, one with did, Is believe an unclean spirits or did you not? Well, they’re clever enough to understand the science, or whether or not let’s, Be faithful to the record. Let’s realize it is teaching Doctrine, and that there are those within the audience of Jesus day that understood the doctrine and they Marvel because he’s teaching with authority and the unclean spirit that is being styled. Here is representative of the state of the nation of Israel. Who were themselves unclean who needed the uncleanness to be cast out, that they needed the cleaning as it were the cleansing of almighty God.

79. 40:54

    That was possible in his son. The Lord Jesus Christ and so we are able to comprehend better. What’s going on in Mark? Chapter 1, if we stand too close to that record, we end up seeing the gospel as a product of its day. Strange demonic language being used to describe to us recognizable. Neurological conditions.

80. 41:17

    Which are to do with some form of brain impairment of one form or another. But by stepping back from that very close that narrative and considering the record in the light of the Canon of scripture, which God, so, clearly wants us to do time. And again, comparing spiritual with spiritual. We see that we begin to see a symbology that goes, well, beyond the literal explanation of what was wrong with the Pauly man.

81. 41:41

    And I think my point is simple, that rather than being caught up in what the condition might have been, we do that. Don’t tell me. Who was it? Was it epilepsy? Or was it, was it something else that brothers and sisters is not, not the important. It might be interesting. You know, was the man, the Gathering was he affected by sisters are kotas?

82. 42:00

    How do you eat them cook? Pork, was he a sufferer of a parasite? That’s fascinating, but it’s not the main point. The main point is the way in which God wants us to realize that there is a symbology, well, beyond the miracle of healing itself that it’s to do with the You’ll state of the nation of Israel and the Healer was was possible to heal these things. You know, we’re familiar with this concept. The man, with the withered hand, many of you will know this one, it’s on a Sabbath day.

83. 42:30

    Is it to do good, or to do evil to save life or to destroy. And Jesus puts the man in front of mrs. Stretch forth. Your hand on the Sabbath day and you go back to Isaiah 58, which is all about the key principles of the Sabbath. And how does Isaiah 59 verse 1 begin. Behold yahweh’s hand is not Shortened that it cannot save. So we’re used to seeing Old Testament principles, being worked out in the life of the Lord. Jesus Christ.

84. 42:55

    Key principles of Salvation being brought out in real life. And I think the Miracles of off healing to do with demonic language are the same. We are being encouraged by God to go and find this language in the Old Testament, and to use that as the frame of understanding, by which we are taught great lessons about the Battle for In our minds about the need for us not to be distracted and overwhelmed by as it were power of powers that have influence over us.

85. 43:25

    But instead to be clear, minded in our right Minds, it says of the gallery and and and in a state of mind that is ready to receive the word of God. Now we have run out of time. I had hoped to be able to show you much more of this language in Mark 1. In the Old Testament because there is a particular and very specific typology, which underlies this miracle. It’s that of Israel being spiritually in Israel, so it’s spiritually in Egypt.

86. 43:59

    Okay? So, rather than giving, you all of the types, I’m going to just pick out one or two, okay? So the man with the unclean Spirit, the words that he cries are important, is let us alone. And that’s exactly what the people say. The Moses. Exodus 40, let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians.

87. 44:20

    I’ll give you these references afterwards. I just want to give you a quick bullet point summary. So you go. I think you could be on to something there. Okay, let us alone. Exodus 14, let us alone. Why that we may serve the Egyptians. The man also says, I’ll come to destroy us. That’s in Deuteronomy chapter 1 because you always hated us, he has brought us forth in the land of Egypt to deliver us into the hand of the amorites to destroy us. It is word.

88. 44:46

    For word verbatim. Ezekiel 20 employs the people they had to forsake the idols of Egypt. And then we’re told that the Jesus told the the man to hold his peace and that’s exactly the phrase that’s used of it. In Exodus 14 again, they were told that they would hold their peace when they saw the salvation of Yahweh.

89. 45:10

    He says Yahweh shall fight for you and you shall hold your peace. We’re told that the people are amazed in Mark 1 and this amazement is reflected by the amazement of the Nations around. Israel, when Israel are delivered from Egypt, okay? So Exodus 15, The Dukes of Edom shall be amazed the Mighty Men of Moab trembling shall take.

90. 45:33

    Hold on them. All the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away. So I’ve just done a handful of the comparisons but you can see that every Clause of this record, every phrase is loaded with, meaning is loaded with Association, it is loaded with with representation The broad pattern of unclean spirits takes us to idolatry, but the specific language to gives us a very particular context about of Israel in Egypt and succumbing to the idols of Egypt.

91. 46:09

    Well, I’m going to draw a line under it. There, I hope this class has been helpful. I realize I have tried to cram too much into it, but I hope that it’s the principles. You’ll remember the principles that this is a very carefully constructed. Could by the almighty God of heaven. And let’s not presume to limit the understanding of Our Lord or the understanding of his disciples don’t patronize them by what they could. Or could not have understood, do not limit the Creator to what he could convey because of the limited understanding of a group of people in a certain region.

92. 46:45

    Instead, let’s see it as reflecting a belief, but being used to overturn that belief. And to help the nation. Not just the one man that was poorly or the one woman that needed help. But through that healing, the nation could realize. Whoa, hang on.

93. 47:07

    We too can be saved from the idolatry that is around us. If only, we will be in our right minds and ready to come to know the true God and Jesus Christ, whom he has sent Thanks you.

94. 47:35

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95. 47:50

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96. 48:31

    God, bless and talk to you next week.