Welcome to Volume II of our study on Demons and Deliverance. In this deliberate series on principalities and powers, we will be exposing the occult. We will reveal the knowledge of the doctrines, rites, phrases, and definitions that demon worshippers use.
Jesus prophesied in Matthew 16:18, "Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Today, the Church must rise up to the greatest action of its entire history to set humanity free.
In Matthew 24, the disciples asked Jesus, "What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?"
Jesus's first reply was astounding. Before He mentioned wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, or cosmic signs in the heavens, He said: "Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many" (Matthew 24:4-5).
The very first sign of the end times is related to the personal integrity of the disciple: do not be deceived. The greatest advice we can give people today is not to be fooled by anyone. Know the truth! Let the Word of God be the foundation of your life. If anyone—even an angel—tries to teach you any truth outside of this Book, let him be accursed.
Christendom and Western civilization are entering their final warfare for survival. This great conflict will precede the Battle of Armageddon. It will mark the termination of the Gentile Age and will usher in the seventh dispensation of God: the Millennial Kingdom, an age of peace and gladness when the Lord Jesus Christ shall rule for a thousand years.
This final warfare will be fought primarily in the realm of the supernatural. If you do not understand the supernatural, you will not understand what is happening in our world. Soon, politicians and leaders will rise who are entirely demon-possessed. If you try to deal with them using only intellectual or academic methods, you will fail completely, because their power source has nothing to do with education. The primary realm of warfare facing the Church today is the realm of supernatural demonic forces.
Our times are the most conflicting in the history of mankind. We are living in a conundrum of extremes:
The devil is trying to create total confusion, but God is making the truth bright and simple. All you have to do to get rid of darkness is turn on a light! You don't have to curse the darkness or stomp your feet; just push the button. We are the light of the world, and it is time to turn the light up so bright that the darkness cannot stand it!
The only intelligent way to interpret the times we live in is through Bible prophecy. If Daniel, Jeremiah, or Ezekiel were alive today, they would not be looking to the news anchors or sociologists for answers; they would provide a divine, biblical interpretation of what is happening socially, morally, politically, and economically.
When a nation begins to slip morally, it is incredibly difficult to put on the brakes. We must reach out to God with a new force and a new power. As the world rushes headlong toward the year 2000 and the conclusion of this age, the forces of hell are going to have to face a living, lively Church that refuses to give in to the devil!
The greatest challenge for the Church today is to deal with principalities and powers to set humanity free. God is going to use laypeople—not just doctors of divinity or vocational ministers—in ways we never dreamed possible.
To set a person free from the devil does not require massive physical energy or a loud voice. You simply speak with the authority of the Holy Spirit and command the devil to come out. There is no alternative for the enemy; he must obey!
Recently, a Baptist evangelist appeared on my television program. He shared that he had read my teachings on demon power. While in a church, a young girl manifested an abnormal, demonic spirit. He decided to act on what he had read. Though he had no formal training in this area, he walked over to her and simply said, "Come out of there right now in Jesus' name." She was instantly and permanently delivered! He realized that anyone covered by the blood of Jesus Christ, operating under the authority of the Great Commission, can command the devil to go.
The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ must rise up to its greatest action in history. Think of the mighty revival in Indonesia, where entire congregations of three or four hundred believers would march through a city together, taking it for Jesus. If one can chase a thousand, and two can put ten thousand to flight, imagine what a united Church can do!
The most exciting moment in Church history is right before us. The disciples of the Lord are going to go forth and set millions of people free!