Results 1 - 3 of 3
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | seven other spirits | Matt 12:45 | Makarios | 10748 | ||
Greetings ECARG, "12:43-45 Once again an unusual parable is spoken by the Lord. Interpreting the significance of the saying, Jesus is not giving a lecture on demonology; rather He is casting a revealing light upon the nature of the Jewish religious life of His generation. Apparently, Jesus envisions a man who has undergone significant moral reformation (but not spiritual regeneration), including exorcism of the demon which formerly possessed him. However, since nothing of real spiritual significance has replaced the evil, the exorcised spirit eventually returns with seven (a number often symbolizing perfection or completeness) wicked cohorts, reinhabiting the empty chambers of moral reformation and bringing on a condition more reprehensible than the original state of the man. Jesus is, in effect, suggesting that the legalism of the Jewish faith had resulted in a worse state among the Jews than that which existed prior to the law." (Believer's Study Bible) "12:43-45 The transformation that Jesus brings to a human life (swept, put in order) can be lost by the return of evil spirits. Cf. Lk 11:24-26." (Cambridge Annotated Study Bible) "Even Again the rejected King announces judgment (cp. 11:20-24). Israel, in the center of the Pharisaic revival of outward religious strictness, was like a man out of whom a demon had come, i.e. of his own volition. He would come back and find an empty house, etc. The application is to those who are depending upon self-reformation. 'Spirits' Cp. Mark 7:25-26; see Matt 7:22, note 'Worse' 2 Pet 2:20; cp. Heb 6:4-6 'Generation' See Mat 24:34, note" (New Scofield Study Bible) "12:43-45 unclean spirit is a demon. See note on 7:22. Self-reformation, without spiritual conversion, can lead to serious ramifications. Notice that some demons are more wicked than others, and they can repossess a person from whom they have been cast out." (The Ryrie Study Bible) Luke 11:24 "unclean spirit goes out. Jesus is perhaps referring to the work of Jewish exorcists, who claimed to cast out demons (cf. v. 19) but who rejected the kingdom of God and whose exorcisms were therefore ineffective. See Matt. 12:43-45, where Jesus makes a similar comment about the Jewish nation of that day." (Zondervan NASB Study Bible) "the last state of that man is worse than the first. The problem is that the evil spirit found the house "empty" (v. 44). This is the description of someone who attempts moral reform without ever being indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Reform apart from regeneration is never effective and eventually reverts back to pre-form behavior." (MacArthur NKJV Study Bible) Nolan |
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2 | seven other spirits | Matt 12:45 | kalos | 10830 | ||
Nolan: You make an excellent point. We need always to remember that in many of the parables that Jesus spoke, the application is to the nation Israel, NOT the church. In other parables the application is to the church and not to Israel. A basic principle of interpretation is that the Bible recognizes three different groups of people: 1 Cor 10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Therefore, when interpreting the scriptures one must ask the question: to whom or of whom is this verse speaking -- the Jews, the Gentiles, or the church of God? --JVH0212 "In essentials unity, in nonessentials liberty, and in all things charity." |
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3 | seven other spirits | Matt 12:45 | Makarios | 10855 | ||
Dear John (JVH0212), You make an excellent point here, also: "Therefore, when interpreting the scriptures one must ask the question: to whom or of whom is this verse speaking -- the Jews, the Gentiles, or the church of God?" Too often are we assuming that every scripture was meant for the church! Too often we forget exactly who the message was too and what it was for. I believe with an even more in-depth look at the scriptures, we can solve this problem also! Grace to you, my friend! You are also a great example of a young man like myself to follow! :) Nolan |
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