Why doesn't possession happen?

[SeventhValley]

Just as the brain scan cannot tell the state of the soul neither can dancing. A elder would have to be in the room with the person and test them. At least that is how Mountain of Silence says it works.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Just as the brain scan cannot tell the state of the soul neither can dancing. A elder would have to be in the room with the person and test them. At least that is how Mountain of Silence says it works.

right, but there are some trends throughout history. those in the Pentecostal movement that do that stuff fall much more in line with those that are demonically possessed or whatever. a holy elder would be the best bet, since his spiritual eyes are more open.

 

[StephanieSomer]

right, but there are some trends throughout history. those in the Pentecostal movement that do that stuff fall much more in line with those that are demonically possessed or whatever. a holy elder would be the best bet, since his spiritual eyes are more open.

I'd be careful calling "that stuff" "demonically possessed". That's not a place I'd like to be standing.

 

[prodromos]

I'd be careful calling "that stuff" "demonically possessed". That's not a place I'd like to be standing.

He didn't. He said it "falls in line" with the kind of displays seen with the demonically possessed.

 

[billvelek]

Another thing to keep in mind that there is a finite number of demons, since they are the fallen angels. On the other hand, the number of people on earth in the time of Christ are estimated to be anywhere from 200 to 300 million, while it is now approximately 7.3 billion (~7,293,000,000). So if we use the 300 million figure, our current population would dilute the demon population by a bit more than 24 times. As a consequence, mathematical averages would mean that demons would appear only about 1/24th the frequency. If the population in Jesus time was 200 million, today they would appear only about 1/36th the frequency. I think that would explain much of it. Also, as they are exorcised over history, do they just go to another body or do they go to Hell; if it is Hell, then the number of demons on earth since the time of Christ have been declining, too.

Your brother in Christ,

Bill Velek

 

[inconsequential]

Well if I saw it then I could believe in the war easier. I have been looking for proof of the supernatural for my whole life and never found any.

Your first sentence indicates the answer. You are looking for proof so you can gain motivation (belief) to resist the enemy. Do you expect him to provide you with that proof, knowing that it would be a tactical error on his part to do so?

 

[Shiranui117]

Another thing to keep in mind that there is a finite number of demons, since they are the fallen angels. On the other hand, the number of people on earth in the time of Christ are estimated to be anywhere from 200 to 300 million, while it is now approximately 7.3 billion (~7,293,000,000). So if we use the 300 million figure, our current population would dilute the demon population by a bit more than 24 times. As a consequence, mathematical averages would mean that demons would appear only about 1/24th the frequency. If the population in Jesus time was 200 million, today they would appear only about 1/36th the frequency. I think that would explain much of it. Also, as they are exorcised over history, do they just go to another body or do they go to Hell; if it is Hell, then the number of demons on earth since the time of Christ have been declining, too.

Your brother in Christ,

Bill Velek

Theoretically, but how many demons fell? I don't think we have demographics on angels and demons.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I'd be careful calling "that stuff" "demonically possessed". That's not a place I'd like to be standing.

that is why I brought up history. the shaking, howling, pretending to be animals, basis of feelings of euphoria, speaking gibberish, etc are more in line with demonic possession. can they be of God? absolutely. but if you even glimpse throughout Scripture or history that is not His MO. it is the devil's.

 

[inconsequential]

that is why I brought up history. the shaking, howling, pretending to be animals, basis of feelings of euphoria, speaking gibberish, etc are more in line with demonic possession. can they be of God? absolutely. but if you even glimpse throughout Scripture or history that is not His MO. it is the devil's.

I agree. I won't declare Pentecostal tongues and such as demonic but I will say that the mechanism is the same, willingly surrendering direct control of your body to an outside force. I went to a oneness Pentecostal church as well as several charismatic churches and was rarely able to do it because it felt exactly like what I did when channelling spirits during my occult days.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I think the issue is more what it can be, than what it is. there is no mechanism in place to determine whether it is of God, demonic, or just something chemically happening in the person. the issue I have seen (and I was in the AoG for a bit when I was in college) is that it is just assumed it is of God.

 

[SeventhValley]

17 They brought in the ark of Yahweh, and set it in its place, in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before Yahweh. 18 When David had made an end of offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Yahweh of Armies. 19 He gave to all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, both to men and women, to everyone a portion of bread, dates, and raisins. So all the people departed everyone to his house. 20 Then David returned to bless his household. Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, “How glorious the king of Israel was today, who uncovered himself today in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!” 21 David said to Michal, “It was before Yahweh, who chose me above your father, and above all his house, to appoint me prince over the people of Yahweh, over Israel. Therefore will I celebrate before Yahweh. 22 I will be yet more vile than this, and will be base in my own sight. But of the handmaids of whom you have spoken, they shall honor me.” 23 Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.

 

[SeventhValley]

Above From 2 Samuel 6

 

[SeventhValley]

Your first sentence indicates the answer. You are looking for proof so you can gain motivation (belief) to resist the enemy. Do you expect him to provide you with that proof, knowing that it would be a tactical error on his part to do so?

But why would God and Satan ignore me?

 

[inconsequential]

But why would God and Satan ignore me?

Maybe they aren't? Maybe God is working gently to bring you to faith by letting you exhaust your search for proof. Maybe Satan is working subtly to snuff your faith by nurturing your doubts.

I can't speak for either but I am familiar with some of Satans techniques.

 

[ArmyMatt]

But why would God and Satan ignore me?

who says they are? often I have found that God and the devil are more subtle than I want them to be (although God knows what I need more than I do, and often what I want is not what I need).

 

[SeventhValley]

who says they are? often I have found that God and the devil are more subtle than I want them to be (although God knows what I need more than I do, and often what I want is not what I need).

Your quote made me think of this....

http://m.youtube.com/?#/watch?v=_lkyqLhLXQ4

 

[ArmyMatt]

the vid did not come up for me for some reason, Seventh.

 

[billvelek]

Theoretically, but how many demons fell? I don't think we have demographics on angels and demons.

Demons are fallen angels, and 1/3 of all angels fell from Heaven. There are verses of scripture which describe the number of angels as innumerable. What does that mean? Infinity?? I don't believe that God created an infinite number of angels (He could have, but I don't think so). If He did create an infinite number of angels, then there are an infinite number of demons because one-third of infinity is still infinity. But if, as I believe, 'innumerable' is meant to signify a very large number -- even trilliions or quadrillions -- then the number of demons is one-third of that.

Your brother in Christ,

Bill Velek

 

[prodromos]

the vid did not come up for me for some reason, Seventh.

It'll work on a smart phone.

 

[RobNJ]

But why would God and Satan ignore me?

Remember what Christ said to Thomas, in John 20:29:

Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed."

For one thing, I'd consider less demonic possession a GOOD thing. For another, it sounds like you're expecting God to jump through hoops for you, like a circus animal act?