By COGwriter
Many years ago, a man came to my office who was a part-time minister of a Pentecostal sect I was unfamiliar with. He told me the Holy Spirit led him to call me. After his appointment, he told me that the Holy Spirit told him to follow my advice. If that is where it stopped I would have thought nothing of it. I had long been in a non-medical branch of the health profession, and many had commented that they believe that God led them to see me. But this man was different.
One of the things he mentioned to me was that another minister in his sect once told all their members to throw all their medications into a pile, which was then burned (somewhat reminiscent of Acts 19:19). He told me that the medications let out various howls while they were burning. He also told me that those howls were demons which possessed those medications (he also stated that the medications themselves were named after demons).
As there are no biblical examples of non-living materials being demon possessed, I was not doubting there were demons at the "ceremony" he mentioned, but I did doubt that the medications themselves were possessed. He also said, "The Holy Spirit told me that God is well pleased with you" and "You know more about the Bible than all the televangelists." These two statements concerned me greatly as we had not discussed the Bible in any depth. Also, the only biblical examples of God saying He was well pleased concerned Jesus (Isaiah 42:21;Matthew 3:17).
It should be understood that all the spirits that are against us do not try to fight us as directly as Elymas the sorcerer (Acts 13:6-12) did.
Acts 8:9-24 has a story about one who was involved with demons who seemed to be supportive of the truth, but really was not. It says,
But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the great power of God." And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time. But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, Who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, Saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit." But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity." Then Simon answered and said, "Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me."
Notice that Simon believed, but was not converted. As James wrote, "Even the demons believe--and tremble!" (James 2:19).
This man, though, more closely reminded me on an incident Paul encountered,
Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, "These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation." And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And he came out that very hour"(Acts 16:16-18).
Notice that the girl Acts speaks of even supported the proclamation of "the way of salvation", yet was demon possessed.
Other Incidents
Now, this is not the first time I believe demons were involved in sending someone to see me. On at least two other occasions I feel it happened before. In those two occasions, the individuals basically told me that some type of psychic (and they were different psychics) told them to see me by name. As I do not believe these psychics actually knew me, I believe they were influenced by demons or were perhaps demon possessed themselves.
The demons probably know who are Christians as Acts 19:13-16 suggests,
Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, "We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches." Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?" Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
I have wondered if perhaps demons send some to me so that those they wish to possess may live longer.
The first time I suspected a possible demonic presence, was when in the military I attempted to attend a Church of God (COG) on a military base. I had read some old Worldwide Church of God literature and felt that since this particular COG service was on Saturday, that it was probably just fine. However, after several minutes the pastor, associate pastor, and most of the few attendees started to say, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus," etc. Since Jesus taught, "And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words" (Matthew 6:7), I left during that part of the service. I also decided right then that one should be careful about which "Church of God" one attends--as that one was obviously not truly one.
In today's society, demonic influence appears to be growing. Many believe they should communicate with "their angels" (which are most probably demons)--and I have had many people tell me that their "angel" led or told them to do something. Some even worship angels even though the Bible warns against it:
Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels...(Colossians 2:18).
Many movies directed to children seem to encourage demonism.
While "liberals" worry about violence in movies and "conservatives" worry about sex and language (all of which are legitimate concerns), I suspect that the growing spiritism in movies presents another significant danger. Many modern "family" movies encourage children to talk with the dead, to imaginary friends, and to "angels". They are less than subtlety encouraging demonism. With a growing interest in the occult and in "psychic hotlines", it is only likely that this problem will increase until the Kingdom of God is established on this earth.
My several experiences suggest that demons are still around and influencing many.
Public Manifestations?
Much claimed 'paranormal' activity is fraudulent or the result of delusions, but not all. Here is something that the late Dr. Herman Hoeh wrote:
Trickery, Fraud and Deceit
Many who have heard of Houdini the magician, who conjured up all kinds of "magic," have recognized that trickery, fraud and deceit are often associated with spiritism. Any number of spiritist phenomena are the direct result of hypnotism, of the clever frauds perpetrated in semi-darkness, of the fact that the hand of the medium is quicker than the eye of those attending a seance.
Many direct-voice contacts with the "other world" are purely the result of ventriloquism. Photographs of the materializations of "spirits" have been demonstrated to be frauds-- the result of miniature pictures attached to tiny flash lights, often secreted in the palm of the hand or in the pockets of the medium. In the semi-darkness the opening of the camera was cleverly timed with the flash of a miniature flash light bulb on which a picture was pasted. Though there was actually no materialization of a "spirit" from the other world, there was a photograph!
Frauds have been so prevalent in spiritism that there is hardly a prominent medium who has not on certain occasions had recourse to deception. Case after case has been carefully documented against scores of mediums who have been caught red-handed in perpetrating their trickery.
Fingerprints, supposedly of deceased, have often been faked in semi-darkness. Finger print experts have been called in and have proved that the prints were not those of the deceased but of the medium.
Acts of levitation-- being lifted up into the air without physical means, or floating in the air-- have been demonstrated, in certain cases, to be the result of hypnotic suggestion.
Documentary evidence of these examples which I have mentioned is accessible to nearly anyone. H. Dennis Bradley, a one-time proponent of spiritism, presents an excellent case of fraud in his book "-- and After," published in 1931. So does Harry Price, in his demonstration in the "Bulletin of the National Laboratory of Psychic Research" (1931). Certainly the most thorough works have been those written by Herbert Thurston, S.J., a Roman Catholic. Two of his books are The Church and Spiritualism and The Physical Phenomena of Mysticism.
Anyone who has investigated spiritism recognizes that much of what is performed in the flickering light of seances is plain dishonesty and common fraud! But it is NOT ALL FRAUD!
Science Is Baffled
The very reason for the increasing prevalence of spiritism is that not all of its manifestations are fraud. Many documented cases prove beyond doubt that there is unnatural power present in spiritist sittings and demonstrations.
Says Henry Thurston: "The knockings and the table movements... cannot all be explained by mere trickery. Investigators," he continues, "who, following in the track of Houdini the conjuror, began by denouncing all the manifestations as fraudulent, have found themselves compelled to modify their views." (From the booklet "Spiritualism.")
Absolutely astounding occurrences have been proved to be associated with spiritist phenomena. In one particular instance, the testimony of a medium was used to track down a criminal. The case was that of Harry Dobkin, convicted of murdering his wife. The sister of the murdered woman, Polly Dubinski, grew suspicious of the long absence of her sister. She therefore visited a spiritist medium who told her that her sister was murdered and who revealed the manner of her death. The police were informed. They visited the medium and obtained the details. Upon checking into the case of the missing woman, they found the medium's account of the death verified. Harry Dobkin was arrested and convicted!
The medium Marion Trevor recently received a message of the Sidon disaster in Portland harbor, nearly 12 hours before the submarine sank. This same medium apparently foretold the passing of King George VI and of Queen Mary.
These and many other remarkable incidents associated with spiritism have defied the explanation of scientists. They KNOW these phenomena occur, but they are at a loss to explain them. ...
SPIRITISM IS THE OLDEST FORM OF DECEPTION IN THE WORLD TODAY! Let's understand how it began.
What Is a Spiritist "Medium"? ...
According to the adherents of spiritism, spirit guides or controls direct the woman "until she is fitted to act as a permanent 'mouthpiece' through which he can give out the individual teaching, messages, demonstrations, healing, and so on that he came... to convey." These spirit guides so influence the medium that finally "the guide can order and direct his instrument as he wills." "On the medium in a passive condition is directed a stream of thought, originating in some attendant spirit entity, which expels for the time being the medium's ordinary consciousness and makes trance communication possible."
These statements, by adherents of spiritism, explain what happens to a medium who is under the influence of a superior spirit entity. Now let's examine the first instance of a spirit using a medium.
It occurred in the Garden of Eden!
The first medium was the SERPENT in the garden. Notice that this account, given in Genesis 3, has been scoffed at by materialistic scientists as impossible. But it is no more impossible than the hundreds of other genuine spiritist phenomena which defy scientific explanation!
That first medium "was more subtil than any beast of the field." Here was an animal which had subtil characteristics. Suddenly under satanic influence, it spoke! Eve listened. Then she was deceived!
The overwhelming suffering, the sin, disease, sorrow, grief, misery, war and death that you witness today is the result of mother Eve attending a seance by a medium! (Hoeh H. SPIRITISM - Truth, or Fraud? Plain Truth, July-August 1955)
The late Herbert W. Armstrong wrote:
Wicked Spirits in Control
Whether or not human beings like to admit it, the Bible plainly teaches that supernatural powers control and operate this world. The apostle Paul was inspired to write that human beings must struggle "against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against wicked spirits in high places" (Ephesians 6:12, marg. reading).
Jesus Christ never contested Satan's claim that all the nations of the world were his. Said Satan: "All this power" -- the control of the nations -- "will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine" (Luke 4:6-7).
Little wonder, then, that Spiritism should be manifest in a world controlled and operated by wicked spirits in high places! ...
Spiritism is a work of DARKNESS!
Paul warns us:
"Have NO FELLOWSHIP with the unfruitful works of DARKNESS, but rather reprove them" (Eph. 5:11).
Millions of dollars have been filched from unthinking people who have lost loved ones and who have sought to contact them in the DARKNESS of Spiritist seances. GOD'S blessings come "without money and without price." But it costs money to fellowship Spiritism's DARKNESS! Extorting money from innocent victims on behalf of the dead is a RACKET ALMOST SIX THOUSAND YEARS OLD!
The racket is controlled by Satan the devil. Spiritism, however, is not its only form. This racket even manifests itself in powerful denominations. Sorrowing relatives are asked to pay to relieve their loved ones from suffering supposedly occurring on the other side of death!
Two Kinds of Angels
Since not all Spiritism is trickery-- and since the dead CANNOT communicate with the living, then what power causes the phenomena of Spiritism!
Remember that this world is controlled by SUPERNATURAL SPIRIT POWERS. Satan is called the prince of this world in three distinct Scriptures-- John 12:31, 14:30 and 16:11. He is the god of this age whom the world worships in ignorance! Paul said,
"... the god of this world (or "age") hath blinded the minds of them that believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" (II Cor. 4:4).
The Bible reveals that there are only two classes of spirit beings created by God. Man is NOT spirit. He is mortal flesh. Paul wrote of man:
"For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality" (I Cor. 15:53).
Here are the two classes of spirits:
1) Obedient angels of God. Paul wrote:
"But to which of the angels did He say at any time: Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" (Heb. 1:13-14).
Obedient angels are spirits sent to minister to mortal, fleshly human beings who are heirs to salvation-- heirs to immortality!
2) Demons or fallen angels, subject to the princely authority of Satan the devil. Satan is the "prince of demons" (Mark 3:22). We read of Satan and his angels in Revelation 12:9:
"And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."
The apostle Peter wrote of them:
"For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment" (II Peter 2:4).
The two classes of created spirit beings are both angels. The only difference is that one class is obedient, the other class DISOBEDIENT. The spirits manifesting themselves through Spiritism are of the second class-- WICKED spirits.
Cause of Demon-Possession
The demons manifest their powers in various ways-- sometimes in the darkness of Spiritist seances, sometimes through possessing the mental and physical attributes of human beings. This latter form is often termed "demon possession."
There are several interesting cases recorded in the Bible. Turn to Acts 16:16-18 and notice one example: "
And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, arid cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour."
Notice that evil spirits can possess the mental and vocal faculties of human beings. They impersonate or pretend that they are human beings...
TODAY we are warned:
"Believe not every spirit, but TRY THE SPIRITS whether they are of God (I John 4:1).
We need to prove whether spirits are good or evil. Notice what Isaiah wrote:
"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? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isa. 8:19-20).
Evil Spirits Pretend to Bring Light
The spirits who masquerade as human beings at Spiritist seances pretend to bring LIGHT and knowledge. Here is what Paul wrote of them:
"For such [ministers who pretend to serve Jesus Christ] are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; FOR 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; whose end shall be according to their works" (II Cor. 11:13-14).
James tells us what to do when the influence of wicked spirits is present:
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. RESIST THE DEVIL, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).
You must not obey the devil by yielding to his temptations. Instead, ask God for help. Refuse to yield to satanic influence. Submit to God's correction. Let Him guide you.
The most important chapter in all the Bible relating to our combat with evil spirits is found in Ephesians 6, beginning with verse 10. Here is what we read:
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power o/ His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against wicked spirits in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand.... Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with TRUTH"
-- Jesus said the truth shall make us free (John 8:32). God's Word -- the bible --is truth. We need to understand it. Continuing,
"And having on the breastplate of righteousness"
--righteousness is defined as keeping all God's commandments (Psa. 119:172).
"And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace"
-- we must all work, that the good news of the kingdom of God may reach the whole world.
"Above all, taking the shield of FAITH, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked"
-- absolute trust in God for deliverance despite all obstacles --
"and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the WORD of God"
-- use the Bible to know what to do and to know what to resist. It is the only sword which can vanquish evil spirits, and which can overcome sin and produce self-mastery!
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints"
-- don't slack off in praying, don't become negligent. PRAY with perseverance, not only for yourself, but for all those whom God has called. We are all in this battle together! It is a titanic struggle.
Our eternal life depends upon whether we overcome the temptations of the devil and submit to the rule, the AUTHORITY of God over our lives. It is high time we recognized the evil powers which manifest themselves through Spiritism! (Armstrong HW. SPIRITISM Fraud... or Fact? Plain Truth magazine, September 1955)
While they have happened throughout history (cf. Genesis 3; Isaiah 47:10-15), we may be seeing more public manifestation of demons.
Notice the following:
August 15, 2016
THE MUM at the centre of Scotland’s incredible “poltergeist” case broke her silence yesterday.
Catherine Shreenan told of the stress the whole affair had placed her under – but insisted she didn’t want to discuss the bizarre occurrences at her home.
The Record revealed on Saturday how police who went to the Rutherglen house where Ms Shreenan lives with her teenage son had themselves witnessed a series of unexplained happenings.
Called by the frantic mum to deal with what was described as a “disturbance” officers saw clothes flying across a room, lights going off and when they went back on the lampshades were upside down and oven doors opening and closing.
A chihuahua dog which was playing in the garden was then discovered sitting on top of a seven-foot hedge.
Yesterday Ms Shreenan said: “It’s placed enormous stress on the family. I’ve had people, teenagers, going past my home singing Ghostbusters.” …
Police were called to the house on Monday and Tuesday last week.
The situation has been discussed at high levels within Police Scotland, with senior officers perplexed as to how they best handle the incidents.
Police sources said officers with 20 years experience at the force had witnessed the strange events and nobody knew how to proceed.
The source said: “One problem we’ve got is where we go from here as no crime has been established, so what else can we do but deal with any reports of disturbances.”
A priest has been to the house in Stonelaw Road and performed what has been described as a ‘blessing’ at the property. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/poltergeist-case-mum-speaks-enormous-8630255
August 15, 2016
Police officers who called to the house, near Glasgow, last week reportedly saw the family’s pet Chihuahua levitating and clothes flying across rooms.The mother and teenager contacted officers after being left “extremely distressed” by the “violent and unexplained circumstances”, according to insiders.A baffled source said: “These were incidents that were witnessed by our own officers. Incidents that are not easily explained. “But officers with more than 20 years’ service are saying they’ve never seen anything like this.”It really is something that down-to-earth police officers are having trouble getting their heads round.”How do you handle what, despite us liking to use the word, has been described as a poltergeist.” Another insider said: “The officers witnessed the lights going off, clothes flying across the room and the dog sitting on top of the hedge.”The officers called their superiors who also attended thinking the cops were perhaps being a bit silly but it’s being taken very seriously.”The fact it was witnessed by our officers has lent itself to a very different but active inquiry.” http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/700059/ghost-poltergeist-Scotland-South-Lanarkshire
The fact that the reports say that this was witnessed by police officers, indicates that this is not just a delusional report, but that something, apparently demonic, was witnessed.
Yet publicly claiming something came from demons is not what most modern government officials will do. So, they are at a loss on this.
Here is how Dictionary.com defines poltergeist:
noun1.a ghost or spirit supposed to manifest its presence by noises, knockings, etc.
The ‘spirit’ doing what has been described in Scotland certainly sounds as if it is demonic.
We should expect to see increases in such demonic ‘paranormal’ activity.
Why?
Notice the following prophecy written by the Apostle Paul:
3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-7)
So, the restrainer will be taken out of the way before the end. (For information on who the restrainer seems to be, check out the article What is Restrained and Who is Restraining in 2 Thessalonians 2:7?)
After the restrainer is out of the way, we will see more signs and lying wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:8-12).
Expect to see more ‘verified’ ‘paranormal’ activity.
A video is also available titled: Poltergeists and Lying Wonders.
Can Demons Read Your Mind?
While I doubt that demons can read the minds of those that they do not possess, is it possible that they can pretty much understand you as well as your intents?
This seems possible. Notice what Dr. Scott Winnail wrote on this subject:
Who Can Read YOUR Mind? For years, many in God’s Church have debated whether or not Satan can actually “read” our thoughts—we know God can (Psalm 44:21). We do not know for sure about Satan, but cutting-edge research may give us a clue. Earlier this year, a team of European scientists, using complex brain scans, discovered a way to read a person’s “intention” to act in a certain way. One researcher commented, “…but what you can be absolutely sure of is that these [scientific advances] will continue to roll out and we will have more and more ability to probe people’s intentions, minds, background thoughts, hopes and emotions.” Some scientists suspect that, “More advanced versions [of the brain scans] may be able to read complex thoughts and even pick them up before the person is conscious of them.” Scientists are now debating the “ethics” of using such a device (The Guardian, February 9, 2007). From a prophetic standpoint, how might such a tool be used by leaders, law enforcement agencies, and governments with selfish or wrong motivations? Additionally, if man, with his limited “human” capacity, is now developing the means to “read our thoughts,” how much more might the prince of the power of the air, a master of using spirit, already be able to do so? What else would be possible for man if he is given enough time to discover it? (see Genesis 11:6). (Source: Winnail Scott. WA Weekly Update, 12/20/07).
Whether demons can or cannot actually read your mind, notice what the Apostle Paul said to meditate about:
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:8-9).
While James wrote:
"God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you (James 4:6-8).
Guardian Angels?
As one raised Roman Catholic, I had heard about 'guardian angels.' While it may well be that God assigns an angel to watch over each person, the Bible shows that angels are not to be worshiped or venerated:
18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God. (Colossians 2:18-19)
However, Pope Francis encourages people to communicate with 'guardian angels.' I received an email titled "Pope - we should listen to Demons" along with the link to the following
Pope Francis: 'I believe in guardian angels...and everyone should listen to their advice'
Independent, UK - October 3, 2014
Pope Francis has said he believes in angels, telling Catholics around the world to reaffirm their belief in holy guardians. Speaking to followers at the Vatican on Wednesday, the pontiff said every person has a guardian angel advising them in life.
Stressing they were not imaginary, he said it was only pride stopping people hearing their voices. “Do not rebel: follow his advice,” the Pope said according to the Catholic News Agency. “No one walks alone and none of us can think that he is alone.”
Pope Francis made the comments on the Feast of Holy Guardian Angels, observed by Catholics around the world on 2 October. He claimed that no person can rightly give moral advice to themselves and should instead rely on direction from angels.
“It is dangerous to chase away our travelling companion,” he said. “The Holy Spirit advises me, the angel advises me. This is why we need him.” http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/pope-francis-i-believe-in-guardian-angelsand-everyone-should-listen-to-their-advice-9772622.html
Vatican City, Oct 2, 2014 / 07:37 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In his homily for the Feast of Holy Guardian Angels, Pope Francis told those gathered for daily Mass to be like children who pay attention to their “traveling companion.”
The doctrine of the angels, the Holy Father stressed, is not imaginary, but “reality.” Citing what Jesus has said, “I send an angel before you to protect you, to accompany you along the path, so that you do not make mistakes!”
According to the tradition of the Church, each of us has a guardian angel who protects us and helps make us aware of things, the Pope said at the Santa Marta residence Oct. 2. Often times, we have the feeling that “I should do this, this is not right, be careful.” This, he said, “is the voice of” our guardian angel: our “traveling companion.”
Our guardian angel will “carry us” throughout our entire life. For this reason, he said we should “listen to his voice, don't rebel against it.” ...Not listening to our guardian angel's advice, the Pope said, is like telling him to go away. “It is dangerous to chase away our traveling companion,” he said, “because no man, no woman can advise themselves. I can give advise to another, but I cannot give advise to my self.” ...
Concluding his homily, Pope Francis put forward the following question: “How is my relationship with my guardian angel? Do I listen to him? Do I wish him good morning? Do I say: 'protect me during sleep'? Do I speak with him? Do I ask his advice? He is at my side.”
“We can respond to this question today, each and everyone of us: “How is my relationship with this angel who the Lord has sent to protect and accompany me along the way, and who always sees the face of the Father who is in the heavens?” http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/be-like-children-believe-in-your-guardian-angel-pope-says-55343/
There does not appear to be a Bible that states Jesus said, "I send an angel before you to protect you, to accompany you along the path, so that you do not make mistakes!"
There are passages in the Old Testament that God would send an angel to prepare the way for something (Genesis 24:7; Exodus 23:20; 33:2), but none that say what Pope Francis states. And closest passage in the New Testament seems to be:
"I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star." (Revelation 22:16)
But that also does not say what Pope Francis stated. Nor is there any verse in the Bible that hints of having an on-going personal relationship with a guardian angel. The Bible does not ever say to pray to one.
Pope Francis has told people to turn to and pray to his version of Jesus' mother Mary (see Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy?). He often advocates practices that the Bible either condemns or at least does not condone.
The Bible warns against accepting false messages from angels:
6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:6-9 )
Yet, Pope Francis is often advocating messages that are not biblical or part of the true gospel (What is the Gospel?).
Concluding Thoughts
As we get closer to the end, there will be more and more wonders from the demon possessed:
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:8-12)
Thus we see that, in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul warned that towards the end, almost all would be deceived by signs and lying wonders. Paul also is teaching that those who do not have the love of the truth, those who rely on traditions of men more than the Bible, will be deceived by those influenced by Satan.
Deception must be clever to work, and would need some type of ‘verification’ to be believed by the masses.
Throughout history multitudes have already been deceived by signs and wonders coming from statues and alleged apparitions of Jesus and Mary, as well as other demonic manifestations. They have felt that this was ‘proof’ that some false religion was true. But Christians are supposed to walk by faith and not sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
In the future, the “interfaith movement” will likely employ “Mary,” signs, and other ideas as tools for improper unity for those who are not true, biblical, Christians (see Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction?).
Satan has a plan, and deceit, signs, and lying wonders are part of it (see also Satan’s Plan).
Having ‘verified’ paranormal activity will condition people to accept as real, improper manifestations in the future.
The Book of Revelation shows that a massive deceit, in the form of wrong worship, will affect the world:
7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. 12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. (Revelation 13:7-14)
We are getting closer to the fulfillment of these verses in Revelation. Likely within the next decade or two.
Even though demons may have signs that suggest that they are powerful, the Apostle John wrote:
1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out in the world...6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error (1 John 4:1,6).
We in the true Church need to stay close to God to protect us from these spirits which are afflicting the world. We need to meditate on the things of God and obey Him.
While most, incorrectly, feel that they can properly test/discern the spirits, that is not the case. Even most real Christians in these end times are not doing that correctly (cf. Revelation 3:14-19; see also How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God). However, the ‘Laodicean Christians‘ will not be deceived like the non-Christians will be–but they will have problems because of their improper priorities (consider also the video 17 Laodicean Errors in Prophecy).
Demonic influence is here and will increase as we get to the end of this age:
13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. (Revelation 16:13-14)
As we get closer to the end, there will be many signs including lying wonders (see also Who is the Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians 2?).
We are not to be deceived by them, but are to have a love for the truth.
A video is also available titled: Poltergeists and Lying Wonders.
B. Thiel, Ph.D., Demon Possession: Close Encounters of the 'Spirit' Kind. www.cogwriter.com (c) 2000/2005/2006/2007/2009/2014/2016 0822