If Someone Is Possessed and They Are a Born Again Christian Can They Go to Heaven
Questions on Hell and Satan
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Is hell an actual, physical place or just a state of being, equally a certain pastor claims?
The Bible describes hell equally existent. Rather than existence a geographical location that people tin point to, theologians refer to hell as a "somewhere." It is where people are forsaken by God and punished for their sins forever.
With no boldness to your question past any means, the words of Chrysostom in the 4th century come to mind: "Allow us not so much labor to know where hell is—as how to escape it." And that we practice know. On the cross of Calvary Jesus Christ suffered what amounts to hell: he was abased and forsaken by his heavenly Begetter, punished for the sins of the world (Matthew 27:46). Through Spirit-worked faith in Jesus, forgiveness of sins is ours and heaven—not hell—is our eternal dwelling house.
How can I show from Scriptures that hell is forever (eternal)? A friend I met insists God loves all people and wants them to exist saved; that Jesus died for the sins of the whole world; and that if some spend eternity in hell, Jesus would non be an effectual Savior of all people.
Earlier proving scripturally that hell is forever, it'south wise to make certain your friend knows where you concord with him. When he says God is love, and that God loves all and desires all people be saved, he is correctly summarizing 1 John four:16, John 3:16 and 1 Tim. 2:iv. Nosotros not only concur that Jesus died for the earth's sins (1 John ii:2), we even proclaim that God declared the unabridged world not guilty in Jesus (Rom. five:18).
Simply while your friend is correctly sharing some scriptural truths, he is, perhaps unknowingly, omitting others.
Your friend isn't alone. Many Christians experience that God'south reputation as a gracious God is forfeited if we don't modify the historic confession that hell is witting, eternal suffering for everyone who dies in unbelief.
Our task, all the same, is non to make God sound palatable to cultural sensibilities. Yes, Scripture is clear that Jesus is Savior of all and that he also desires the salvation of those who practise non admit him. His tears for the unbelievers in Jerusalem were genuine (Luke 19:41).
Yet Jesus talks nearly hell more forcefully, often, and fully than anyone. He tells us that the broad and busy superhighway is the ane leading to hell non heaven (Matt. 7:xiii). It is Jesus who vividly portrays the witting, eternal suffering of the damned as he tells united states of america well-nigh the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19f).
It is besides Jesus who coins the nigh common description of hell: the place where there is "weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matt. 8:12, 13:42, 13:50, 22:13, 24:51, 25:30). If we inquire how long this "weeping and gnashing of teeth" continues, he tells us in Matthew 25. Afterward Jesus pronounces judgment on the sheep and goats (believers and unbelievers), he announces that the unbelievers "volition go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life" (Matthew 25:46). Nosotros tin no more argue biblically against the eternity of hell than the eternity of heaven.
How do y'all explain to someone the thought of hell who doesn't believe in it?
To explain the doctrine of hell y'all demand to point people to the passages in the Bible that speak about hell. It is described equally a place of torment that will never end, prepared for the devil and his angels. In that location unbelievers will spend eternity. (Isaiah 64:24, Matthew three:12, Matthew 13:42, Matthew 25:41, Matthew 5:29-30, 2 Thessalonians one:6-9, Jude 7, 2 Peter 2:4, Luke 16:nineteen-31, Mark ix:43-48).
Unless people understand the law, which reveals the depths of homo sinfulness and God'south righteous wrath over sin, they will take difficulty grasping a place of eternal punishment. You might want to review what God says in Romans 1:eighteen,nineteen and Romans 3:ix-20. Make certain as well to remember God'due south salvation, his plan of deliverance through faith in his Son, Jesus, whom he offered up as a cede of amende for our sins—and not only for ours simply for the sins of the whole world (Romans 3:21-28, 2 Corinthians v:18-21, i John 2:ii). If a person understands the depths of his sinfulness and the penalty he deserves, he will more than readily grasp the depths of God's love in offering his Son for our salvation. A proper understanding of the law and the gospel is of import for a correct understanding of hell and heaven.
I'm wondering about the extent of the Devil's power to tempt u.s.a.. I heard once that Satan caused Judas to despair over his sins. Wouldn't Satan have to enter a person'south idea process to tempt the person to despair? Could y'all elaborate on Satan's ability/ability to manipulate our thoughts and enter our minds to tempt us in our areas of weakness. Thanks!
There is so much we don't know about the spirit world of angels and demons and how it all works. All we can practice is look at what Scripture reveals to the states.
It is true that Satan does non have the power to read our thoughts the way God does. He is not all-knowing. However, information technology is clear from Scripture that he is able to tempt us, which includes entering our minds and affecting our thought processes. Scripture warns us to avoid sinful thoughts, words, actions, and emotions then that we do not give the devil a foothold (Ephesians 4:27). two Corinthians 4:4 mentions that he is able to blind the minds of unbelievers.
Yous also refer to Judas Iscariot. Luke 22:3 states that "Satan entered Judas" and that "the devil prompted him to betray Jesus" (John xiii:ii). It adds, "Equally soon equally Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him" (John xiii:27). With Judas it does non appear equally though Satan actually possessed him but rather that the devil exerted a destructive influence on his centre and mind. This would indicate that Satan can "get into our mind" and affect us in ways that nosotros exercise not understand. He is a fallen affections and as such has powers that are far superior to our own as human beings. At the same time, he is but a fallen angel and no friction match for God.
Yous also talk about the devil tempting us in our areas of weakness. The devil knows our pet sins and where we are near vulnerable. He knows this non because he is all-knowing, but because he has spent a lot of time studying us. He has observed which sins nosotros struggle against. When he tempts usa, he will try to have advantage of our weaknesses.
To help residual this discussion, it is important to call up that God also knows united states. He knows everything about u.s.a.. Just dissimilar the devil, God uses this knowledge to help us not hurt us. He knows where we are weak, and he seeks to strengthen us. He knows what we need–a Savior–and has provided for that need in his Son. He reminds us that he defeated the devil through Jesus' life and death. Because of Christ, God assures the states that naught can dissever united states of america from his love. Non fifty-fifty demons (Romans viii:38).
One is frequently exposed to stories and reports of encounters with aliens from outer space. I believe that most of these cases can be explained as hoaxes, mistaken interpretations of an experience, or someone wanting attention. Despite that, there are some instances in which an "run across" cannot exist completely explained away. Is it possible that demons could exist at work in trying to deceive people by taking on the appearance of an conflicting, or the image that most people believe an conflicting would expect similar? I recall it is within the realm of demonic activity for this to be possible. Am I incorrect? Thanks.
I don't believe you lot are incorrect in suggesting that possibility—and that'due south all information technology is, a possibility. The Bible reminds us that "Our struggle is not confronting flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the regime, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12). Satan is an enemy whose power exceeds our own. His goal is to destroy religion in people who believe and go on others in unbelief (2 Corinthians 4:4). In that location is no telling what Satan might attempt to practice to carry out his goals.
Thankfully nosotros are dealing with a defeated enemy, one whose head has been crushed (Genesis 3:15). Jesus Christ shared in our humanity "and then that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of expiry—that is, the devil" (Hebrews 2:xiv). By his holy life, death and resurrection Jesus has destroyed Satan, and it is only a affair of fourth dimension before he is put out of commission entirely (Revelation 20:10). Until that time, Christians like yous and I carry out God'south instruction: "Put on the full armor of God so that you tin can accept your stand against the devil's schemes" (Ephesians 6:11). We exercise that trusting in God's promise: "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James four:vii).
Who is Satan?
Have you lot ever seen the Loch Ness Monster? How about Sasquatch or Big Foot? These are just a few of the imaginary creatures we hear about. Their "sightings" make front folio news in the tabloids.
There is a city in Northern Wisconsin that calls itself "The Domicile of the Hodag." According to Eugene Sheperd, who supposedly discovered the hodag in 1893, information technology has "the head of a frog, the grinning face of a behemothic elephant, thick short legs ready off by huge claws, the back of a dinosaur, and a long tail with spears at the end." It's a pop creature in the area. Even the local high schoolhouse has the hodag as its mascot.
Some people see Satan as a fictional animate being. He's the petty red man with horns and a pitchfork. Or he'southward the ghost-like figure that can scare the bejeebers out of y'all in a movie like "Exorcist." Or that handsome looking guy that is portrayed in the TV series, "Reaper."
Isn't it interesting that even a guy like Anton LaVey didn't believe Satan was existent. The belatedly Lavey was the leading Satanist in contempo times. He even worshipped Satan! Nevertheless he didn't believe he was a real person. Only a negative ability source that stood for all that is evil.
So who is Satan? Or what is he? A monster? A mascot? A pic star? Satan may exist all of these, only one thing he isn't is imaginary. Satan is real. And he is a personal being—not with flesh and bones but a spiritual "beingness." That might sound complex, but actually information technology's quite simple.
The Bible calls Satan a fallen angel. At get-go there were only good angels. God gave them a choice to serve him or serve themselves. Some of them rebelled against God and decided to serve themselves. Satan was a leader of this group and he led a large number of angels in a rebellion against God. The good angels stayed with God, continue to serve God, and savour God'due south blessings. Satan and the evil angels rejected God, detest him with a passion, and serve themselves. (See 2 Peter ii:4 and Jude 6)
Every bit an evil affections, Satan is pretty powerful, just non nearly as powerful as God. Jesus is proof of that. He took on the devil in 1-on-one gainsay and it wasn't fifty-fifty close. It turned out just every bit God said it would. Satan bruised the heal of Jesus, merely got his head crushed in the process. That's what the cantankerous did.
The amazing thing is that Jesus crushed all our sins in the process. Like Satan, the bad things we do are existent. Yet the cross is as well existent. And that is where Christ defeated Satan and won existent life, real hope, real forgiveness.
Nosotros know that Satan cannot read our thoughts simply can he speak to united states through our thoughts or are our sinful thoughts but a product of our sinful nature? In other words, if the Holy Spirit can guide our thoughts, does Satan also have the capability to guide our thoughts or tin he only affect our "situations" to manipulate us by creating incertitude and other thoughts that hinder our faith? I accept heard televangelists and those of that saying things similar "those voices in our heads are Satan talking to usa" but I find no scriptural basis for that belief other than Former Attestation documentation of Satan speaking directly to people like Eve.
Y'all ask important questions. Satan is a formidable enemy (Ephesians 6:12). By his powerful resurrection from the dead, Jesus crushed Satan's head, only as Scripture had prophesied (Genesis 3:xv). Satan has been defeated. "He knows that his time is brusk" (Revelation 12:12) until he is put out of commission one time and for all (Revelation twenty:10). Until that time, Satan's mission is to try to fill up hell with as many souls every bit possible.
While the Bible does describe Satan, a fallen angel, as having powers and abilities greater than ours, information technology does non give us many specifics. Beyond demon possession, which your questions do non accost, we know that Satan "entered into" Judas (John 13:27). The apostle Paul wrote of Satan that "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot meet the calorie-free of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the paradigm of God" (2 Corinthians 4:four). Satan certainly knows our weaknesses and can use that knowledge to his advantage in ways nosotros can only imagine.
In your get-go question y'all mention our sinful natures. That is an area of our lives that certainly deserves attending. Information technology is and then easy for Christians (and the televangelists you mentioned) to blame Satan for all their sins and troubles. I sometimes get the impression that people think that locking up Satan somewhere correct now would eliminate their struggles with sin. That kind of thinking fails to realize how thoroughly decadent the sinful nature is. The sinful nature is an ally of Satan. It is hostile toward God (Romans 8:7). It is the identify where evil thoughts originate (Matthew fifteen:19). It wants nothing to do with God or godliness. It continually wars against our new cocky (Romans 7:eighteen-25).
The sinful nature is an enemy that needs our continual attention. Recall what our Catechism says: "Baptism means that the old Adam in us should exist drowned by daily contrition and repentance, and that all its evil deeds and desires be put to decease." We exercise that past putting off the sinful nature, rejecting its temptations and confessing our sins when nosotros requite in to temptation (Colossians 2:11-12; Romans half-dozen:two, 3, 6, 12, 13). At the aforementioned fourth dimension, we build up the new self through the use of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Christians long for the day when they no longer fight against the ungodly trio: the devil, the world and our sinful flesh. That day is when our earthly lives come to an end. Until then, nosotros "fight the good fight of the faith" (one Timothy six:12).
Is it possible for a person actually to make a deal with the devil?
The concept of making a bargain with the devil or selling one's soul to Satan in exchange for something is rooted in secular literature and folktales, just has no Bible basis. Johann Wolfgang Goethe's fictional Dr. Faustus made such a bargain with the devil. Other fictional stories are based on that premise, notably short stories by Washington Irving, (The Devil and Tom Walker) and Stephen Vincent Benet (The Devil and Daniel Webster). To echo, the Bible has no example of a person "selling his soul" to Satan, and Scripture never implies that making a bargain with the devil is possible.
At the heart of such a concept is some truth and lots of mistake. The truth office takes Satan seriously. He is powerful, deceptive, and constantly seeking to lead people away from revealed truth of Scripture and saving faith in Jesus Christ. The error in all this forgets that the devil is actually not an contained agent and warden of hell; he is an inmate in hell and subject field to God's authority and volition. Those who do evil and choose to despise Christ and God'due south gracious will for their faith and faith-life stop up joining Satan in opposition to God and volition forfeit divine blessings as they receive expressions of God'south but judgment just equally Satan does and volition continue to practice. The devil doesn't ultimately cause all this; they practise, tragically and unnecessarily. This is their own fault. They really sold their soul to wickedness and forfeited divine approving.
General discussion of wisdom: Neither underestimate nor overestimate the power and deceptive nature of the devil. Be alert to his working even so never forget he is already defeated and non an independent agent who enjoys freedom to piece of work evil. And never neglect or underestimate the ability and comfort of the gospel of Jesus Christ for ourselves and the world!
I am baptized, confirmed and an active fellow member of WELS and want to know how would a Christian such every bit myself be prepared to never follow or worship this brute as told in book of Revelation? Certainly this animate being and its image will be masqueraded and I'yard not certain I would know it if I saw information technology. I do not want to fall victim to it nor worship it. Thank you!
Revelation chapter 13 speaks of two beasts. There is a beast that John saw "coming out of the sea" (poesy 1) and a creature that the apostle saw "coming out of the earth" (poesy 11). Lutheran commentators have seen the start animate being representing secular governments that are anti-Christian in nature, being in league with Satan. Lutheran commentators take understood the 2d animal to represent the peachy Antichrist, the "man of lawlessness" of ii Thessalonians chapter ii.
How practice we recognize these beasts, you wonder? Jesus said that we recognize fake prophets "by their fruit" (Matthew 7:15-20). We volition recognize anti-Christian governments and the Antichrist past what they say and do. And that presupposes that we know what the Bible says, doesn't it? Nosotros demand to know the Bible so that nosotros can recognize truth and mistake.
And when we recognize error and false teaching, we reject that. We cling to the truths of God'southward word, knowing that God always speaks the truth (Numbers 23:19). More clinging to God's word, nosotros utilize that same word as our weapon confronting Satan and his allies. I'grand reminded of the great Reformation hymn: "Though devils all the world should fill, All eager to devour usa, We tremble non, we fear no ill; They shall non overpow'r united states of america. This globe'due south prince may still Scowl violent as he volition, He tin can impairment usa none. He'south judged; the human action is done! One little word can cruel him." (CW 200:3). Every bit the campaigner James wrote: "Resist the devil, and he will flee from yous" (James 4:seven).
One is ofttimes exposed to stories and reports of encounters with aliens from outer infinite. I believe that most of these cases can be explained equally hoaxes, mistaken interpretations of an experience, or someone wanting attention. Despite that, there are some instances in which an "encounter" cannot be completely explained away. Is it possible that demons could be at work in trying to deceive people past taking on the appearance of an alien, or the image that most people believe an alien would look like? I think it is within the realm of demonic activeness for this to be possible. Am I wrong? Thank you.
I don't believe you are wrong in suggesting that possibility—and that'due south all it is, a possibility. The Bible reminds the states that "Our struggle is non against flesh and claret, merely against the rulers, confronting the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians six:12). Satan is an enemy whose ability exceeds our own. His goal is to destroy faith in people who believe and keep others in unbelief (two Corinthians 4:4). There is no telling what Satan might attempt to practise to carry out his goals.
Thankfully we are dealing with a defeated enemy, one whose head has been crushed (Genesis 3:15). Jesus Christ shared in our humanity "so that past his death he might destroy him who holds the power of decease—that is, the devil" (Hebrews two:14). Past his holy life, decease and resurrection Jesus has destroyed Satan, and information technology is simply a matter of time earlier he is put out of commission entirely (Revelation 20:ten). Until that time, Christians similar you and I carry out God's instruction: "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil'due south schemes" (Ephesians 6:11). We do that trusting in God's promise: "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you lot" (James four:seven).
A friend was abused sexually as a child past both male and female. At present it seems that there are memories beginning to surface of satanic ritual abuse. My friend feels like his 'soul has been sucked out of him.' He feels like he is possessed. He does nourish church building and is in therapy with a wonderful therapist who deals with severe trauma. I remind my friend of his baptism and the love his Savior has for him. How does he get over the feeling of beingness 'soul-less?'
It is skilful that your friend is receiving the kind of assistance you described. Hopefully he is seeing a Christian therapist who can offering biblical guidance. And hopefully the church he is attention is rock-solid in its teachings, and its pastor can provide counseling as he is able.
What you lot can do is remind your friend about Satan'southward limitations and God's ability. God lone has power over a person's soul (Matthew 10:28). Satan is non free to do equally he pleases. The opening chapters of the volume of Job make that articulate. With his discussion God has given us a powerful weapon (Ephesians 6:17) to combat the devil (James 4:seven).
Continue to point your friend to the Bible so he can supersede his feelings with the objective truths that God has revealed. Yous and I won't be able to alter your friend'due south feelings, merely God tin. You lot can remind your friend that what God says is true, regardless of his feelings.
You are certainly doing the right thing past encouraging him to think the truths of his baptism. The meaning of baptism is God saying, "I accept redeemed you; I have summoned you past name; y'all are mine" (Isaiah 43:one). Keep praying for your friend. God bless all your efforts to restore the joy of salvation for your friend (Psalm 51:12).
Are demons real? And if so, will they attack or possess you? When going through Canon, my pastor did not impact the field of study of demons, other than to explain they were real and to exist wary of them. And if they are existent, are there ways to protect myself from them? When I was young, I used to have nightmares most a dog-similar beast, and sometimes I thought I could see or hear it, and these experiences didn't stop until my firm and room were blessed by my female parent and my very religious therapist. Is this but crazy credo, and I'one thousand an overly imaginative person, or is the possibility of a demon tormenting me real?
Demons are real (Luke viii:26-33). We know from Job's life (cf. capacity 1 and 2 of the volume of Job) and the apostle Paul's life (2 Corinthians 12:7) that Satan and the balance of the fallen angels can, under God'due south control, create problems in the lives of Christians.
Demon possession is a complex bailiwick. It can be useful to differentiate between spiritual possession and concrete possession. Judas is someone who exemplifies spiritual possession. Concrete possession is the kind that Jesus often encountered during his earthly ministry when he cast demons out of people (e.k., Marking 9:xiv-27).
Scripture explains to us that Satan is furiously going nearly his fiendish work because he recognizes the time is rapidly budgeted (Revelation 12:12) when he will be confined to hell forever and exist tormented forever (Matthew 25:41, 46; Revelation 20:ten).
In the Bible God gives us this instruction and hope: "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James four:7). Martin Luther illustrated his confidence in that promise in the great Reformation hymn: "Though devils all the world should fill, All eager to devour us, Nosotros tremble not, we fright no ill; They shall not overpow'r u.s.. This globe's prince may notwithstanding Scowl fierce as he volition, He can impairment united states of america none. He's judged; the human action is done! One little word tin can fell him" (Christian Worship 200:3).
I encourage you to speak to your pastor near your situation. He can provide biblical guidance and suggest other resource that may be helpful.
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Source: https://wels.net/serving-you/wels-topical-qa/hell-satan-questions/
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