Today’s reading is Revelation 9.
The seven cities of Asia in which the churches to whom John wrote assembled were littered with idolatry. Temples, statues, shrines, celebrations, feasts, worshipers, priests, priestesses, and so much more. To be part of a guild or professional organization, members had to offer sacrifices to Roman gods. Imperial worship was everywhere. And, frankly, it looked like it was working pretty well. Rome was quite prosperous. And Rome offered peace, prosperity, and protection to cities that toed the line with Roman piety and practice. These cities competed for recognition from Rome for their piety and practice. Maybe there is something to the Imperial worship and pagan practice.
Empty and Demonic
However, John makes it clear in Revelation 9:20-21 the worship of the average Roman citizen was useless at best, demonic at worst. Despite the warnings and partial judgment issued by the trumpet blasts, the rest of mankind refused to repent. From what did they need to repent? The works of their hands and worshiping idols which cannot see or hear or walk. This calls to mind multiple passages from the Old Covenant about idols. Chief among them are Psalm 115 and Psalm 135. Both describe idols as silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have eyes, but don’t see. They have ears, but don’t hear. They have feet, but they do not walk. They are useless and dead. Those who worship them become like them: useless and dead.
Further, they needed to repent from worshiping demons. In 1 Corinthians 10:20, Paul explained the pagans did not sacrifice to the one God but to demons. Participating in those sacrifices was trying to drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons at the same time. Eating of those sacrifices was partaking of the table of the Lord and the table of demons at the same time. Paul was, no doubt, basing his statement off of Deuteronomy 32:16-17:
They stirred him to jealousy with strange gods; with abominations they provoked him to anger. They sacrificed to demons that were no gods, to gods they had never known, to new gods that had come recently, whom your fathers had never dreaded (ESV).
The pagans prayed to Zeus, Athena, Dianna, Hera, Hephaestus, Dionysus and many more. These were not real gods. If any spiritual power lay behind any of them, it was the power of demons. Of course, Jesus came into the world to bind the strong man.
Avoid Demonic Wisdom
I believe Jesus did indeed bind the strong man. By the time the miraculous gifts of the Spirit were no longer needed to accomplish the Lord’s work, exorcism of demons and unclean spirits was also no longer needed. I could be wrong, I know. But I believe the weight of Bible teaching says we do not have to fear demons or unclean spirits will possess us or force us to behave against our will.
That being said, I am more and more warned by James 3:15, which speaks of a competing wisdom to God’s. James wrote: “This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic” (ESV). In other words, while an unclean spirit may not be able to inhabit my body, demonic wisdom is able to inhabit my mind and heart. And that is likely worse. With demon possession, I might be able to claim I’m not accountable. But demonic wisdom takes its hold because I pursued it, submitted to it, and wanted it to hold sway.
The Warning for Us
As we read Revelation 9, we may think we are without fear because we no longer are lured by idols and demons. Zeus has no temple in Tampa. We do not have to worry about how to deal with feasts held in honor of Diana. However, we do not have to worship demons to be following them.
The world offers us its wisdom. The world’s wisdom promises us health, wealth, fun, fame, power, longevity, peace, happiness, etc. As we look around at those who follow worldly wisdom, sometimes it looks like they really are attaining those things. When the Asian Christians looked at their neighbors, sometimes it looked like their practices were really paying off. As they were tempted, we might be tempted to mix in a little worldly wisdom into our religion. But only God’s wisdom will lead to life and the saving of our souls. Demonic wisdom will lead to fire, hail, blood, poisoned water, burning fields, locusts with scorpion tails, horses with serpent heads for tails. Demonic wisdom leads to horrific outcomes.
The Weapon Against Demonic Wisdom
Don’t assume that because you aren’t tempted to worship demons, you won’t fall prey to demonic wisdom. The only weapon we can use against demonic wisdom is God’s wisdom. And God’s wisdom comes from one source, God’s Word.
As James explained, we were born by word of truth (James 1:18) and we need to receive with meekness the implanted word of God which is able to save our souls (James 1:21). But it takes more than hearing God’s Word. We need to do it. Otherwise we will be nothing more than earthly, unspiritual, demonic fools.
Gaze into God’s Word. Meditate on God’s Word. Listen to God’s Word. Be transformed by God’s Word. Do God’s Word. That is the only way for us to battle the demons who wish to lead us astray. Always remember, if we resist the devil, he will flee. If we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. Praise the Lord!
Next week’s reading is Revelation 10.
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PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family
What do you want to share with others from Revelation 9?
Read the Bible 