Title 2021

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Let’s take a moment to reflect on one of the most important realities facing all of humanity: the deep, universal longing for hope, peace, and salvation. Every person—regardless of nationality, religion, or background—carries a yearning in their heart for a better world, for answers to life’s pain and confusion, and for a lasting solution to both physical and spiritual suffering.

This longing is no accident. It was planted in our hearts by God.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV): “He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”

1. Humanity’s Search for a Savior

Around the world, people are looking for someone to trust, someone who can bring lasting change. In science, researchers hope for breakthroughs or even contact with alien life, imagining such beings might possess solutions to disease, aging, and death. In politics, societies are constantly searching for the perfect leader—someone who can bring peace, justice, and prosperity. But time and time again, leaders fall short, and people are left disillusioned.

Even religion reflects this longing. Every major world religion has some expectation of a future figure who will bring deliverance. In Islam, they await the Mahdi; in Buddhism, the future Buddha (Maitreya); in Hinduism, the Kalki Avatar. Christians, however, await the return of Jesus Christ, the true and only Messiah, sent by God to reconcile the world to Himself.

John 4:42 (NIV): “We know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”

2. The God-Planted Hunger for Redemption

This universal longing isn’t simply emotional—it’s spiritual. God designed it so that people would seek Him.

Acts 17:26–27 (NIV): “From one man he made all the nations… so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.”

Only Jesus Christ was appointed by God as the true solution to the world’s problems—spiritual and physical alike.

John 14:6 (NIV): “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Acts 4:12 (NIV): “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

3. The Rise of the False Messiah (Antichrist)

Scripture tells us that before Christ returns, a counterfeit leader will arise—the Antichrist—who will deceive many. He will offer false peace and seem to meet the world’s desires. People will worship him, believing he is divine.

2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 (NIV): “Don’t let anyone deceive you… that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped…”

Revelation 13:8 (NIV): “All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.”

This man will perform miracles, signs, and wonders—just like Pharaoh’s magicians in Moses’ time—but they will be counterfeit, empowered by Satan to deceive.

2 Thessalonians 2:9–10 (NIV): “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie…”

Revelation 13:13–14 (NIV): “And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven… Because of the signs it was given power to perform… it deceived the inhabitants of the earth.”

4. The Mark of the Beast and Global Control

The Antichrist will reshape the world’s political, economic, and religious systems. He will establish the infamous “mark of the beast,” without which no one can buy or sell—signifying total control.

Revelation 13:16–17 (NIV): “It also forced all people… to receive a mark… so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark…”

He will even establish peace treaties, fulfilling the prophecy in Daniel:

Daniel 9:27 (NIV): “He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering.”

5. The Great Tribulation and God’s Judgment

Those who resist the Antichrist will suffer greatly. The Bible describes this as a time of tribulation worse than anything the world has ever seen.

Matthew 24:21 (NIV): “For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.”

Revelation 7:14 (NIV): “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

After the three and a half years of false peace and three and a half years of brutal persecution, Jesus will return in glory to defeat the Antichrist and judge the earth.

Revelation 19:11–16 (NIV): Describes Christ’s return as a conquering King, riding on a white horse, followed by the armies of heaven.

6. The Urgency of the Hour: Are You in Christ?

All biblical signs of the end times are being fulfilled. The final event we now await is the Rapture—the catching up of the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17). It could happen at any moment.

The question is: Are you in Christ? If He returns tonight, are you confident that you’ll meet Him in the air?

If not, the only future left is the Great Tribulation and, eventually, the Lake of Fire.

Revelation 20:15 (NIV): “Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.”

7. The Call to Repentance

Friend, you’ve heard the truth. Don’t harden your heart. Don’t delay. Now is the time to repent and turn to your Creator.

2 Corinthians 6:2 (NIV): “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”

This is not the season for comfort or complacency—it is the time of the Evening Light, the final call before the darkness falls.

Romans 13:11 (NIV): “The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”

Maranatha – Come, Lord Jesus.

Praise the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s study the Word of God together and uncover an important spiritual truth that affects every believer and non-believer alike.

WHAT HAPPENS TO DEMONS AFTER THEY LEAVE A PERSON?

Have you ever wondered what happens to evil spirits when they are cast out of someone? Do they just disappear? Do they go straight to hell? According to the Bible, demons do not die or vanish. Instead, they wander, looking for another person to enter. And if they find no suitable host, they often return to the one they left—especially if that person hasn’t truly changed or surrendered to God.

Jesus Himself explained this clearly:

Matthew 12:43–45 (NKJV)

“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.”

In other words, unless a person fills their life with the presence of God—especially through the Holy Spirit—they remain vulnerable. Evil spirits recognize this “emptiness” as an open invitation.

DEMONS DON’T DIE—THEY CYCLE THROUGH PEOPLE

Just like money doesn’t get destroyed when it leaves your hand, demons don’t cease to exist when cast out. They keep looking for where they can be welcomed—either by sin, spiritual negligence, or rebellion against God. This explains why deliverance without true repentance and sanctification can leave someone worse off than before.

SATAN AND DEMONS PRESENT CASES TO GOD

Many Christians are unaware that spiritual beings—even fallen ones—still function under certain rules in God’s spiritual courtroom. Satan, in particular, is called “the accuser of the brethren.”

Revelation 12:10 (ESV)

“…for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.”

He accuses believers before God, just like he did with Job. In Job 1:6–12, Satan presents himself before God and questions Job’s faithfulness, ultimately receiving permission to test him.

Similarly, in the case of King Ahab, we’re shown that spirits can request permission from God to influence events:

1 Kings 22:19–23

“Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, saying, ‘I will entice him.’ And the Lord said to him, ‘By what means?’ And he said, ‘I will go out and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And He said, ‘You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so.’”

This shows that God’s sovereignty is supreme—nothing happens without His knowledge. But also, it teaches us that sin opens legal doors for Satan and demons to act.

SIN CREATES OPEN DOORS FOR DEMONIC ENTRY

When people live in unrepentant sin—such as sexual immorality, hatred, idolatry, or witchcraft—they make themselves spiritually vulnerable. Demons can then “petition” God for permission to enter that person, and if no intercessor or repentance stands in the way, the petition may be granted.

This is why Scripture says:

Ephesians 4:27 (NIV)

“…do not give the devil a foothold.”

REAL-LIFE EXAMPLE: SEXUAL SIN AND DEMONIC ACCESS

Take, for example, someone who constantly engages in sexual immorality. In the spiritual realm, this person is surrounded by unclean spirits seeking access. Initially, God may delay their entry, giving the person opportunities to repent—often through preachers or convictions from the Holy Spirit. But if the person continually ignores God’s warnings, the demons may be given permission to enter. The result could be severe consequences—physical, emotional, or spiritual. Diseases like HIV, for instance, may sometimes be spiritual judgments rather than mere infections (though not always, and not in every case).

Paul warns:

1 Corinthians 6:18–20 (NIV)

“Flee from sexual immorality… Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit…? Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

DEMONS EVEN BEGGED JESUS FOR MERCY

Even during His earthly ministry, Jesus encountered demons who begged not to be tormented before their time. This proves that demons are aware of divine timelines and legal boundaries.

Matthew 8:28–32

“What do You want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have You come here to torture us before the appointed time?”… The demons begged Jesus, ‘If You drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.’”

Jesus granted their request, showing that spiritual beings can ask, and God may permit based on divine wisdom and timing.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM DEMONIC ENTRY

To remain free from demonic oppression, a person must repent and stay spiritually filled. It’s not enough to be “cleaned out”; you must be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:38 (NIV)

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

True repentance involves action:

• Forgive those who’ve wronged you (Matthew 6:14)

• Cut off sinful relationships (1 Corinthians 15:33)

• Destroy spiritually harmful materials (Acts 19:19)

• Stop watching pornographic or ungodly content

• Replace worldly music with worship and truth-filled songs

Tangible steps prove your repentance is real. This kind of repentance drives out demons naturally—you may not even need deliverance prayers, because darkness cannot remain where the Holy Spirit lives.

FINISH YOUR DELIVERANCE WITH BAPTISM

After repentance and cleansing, seek baptism in water by immersion in the name of Jesus Christ. This completes your obedience to the Gospel.

John 3:23 shows that Jesus’ disciples baptized in places with “much water”—a symbol of total cleansing.

Once you’ve truly repented, filled yourself with God’s Spirit, and been baptized, demons lose all legal ground. Their accusations won’t stand, and you will live in freedom.

James 4:7 (NIV)

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus

There’s an important theological principle we must grasp: God, although all-powerful, does not do everything on His own. While He has the absolute ability to handle all things, He has designed His relationship with humanity in such a way that He does much, but also leaves room for us to participate. This principle is based on God’s wisdom and the nature of His relationship with us.

1. God’s Partnership with Humanity

From the very beginning, God chose to involve humans in His divine purposes. For example, in the Garden of Eden, after creating everything, God could have left Adam to live in eternal comfort and abundance, enjoying the garden without any effort. Yet, God gave Adam the responsibility to “work it and take care of it” (Genesis 2:15). This wasn’t because God was incapable of doing it Himself—He could have maintained the garden without Adam—but God’s design was to allow humanity to share in His work. It was a way of involving Adam in the stewardship of creation, teaching him the value of responsibility.

God, in His perfect sovereignty, chose to delegate, showing that His plan for creation involves cooperation with His image-bearers. This delegation is not about God needing us, but about His desire to involve us in His redemptive work.

2. God Sustains Us, but We Must Cooperate

God sustains our very existence—our heartbeat, our breath, our health—all are in His hands:

“You hide your face, they are terrified; you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.” (Psalm 104:29-30)

Yet, we are not passive in this divine arrangement. God designed the human body with incredible processes that operate autonomously, but He still requires us to participate in our own care. For instance, we don’t control the beating of our hearts, but we are responsible for caring for our health:

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

As much as God sustains us, He expects us to take responsibility for our physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being. While God provides the means for our nourishment (Matthew 6:11), He doesn’t magically feed us without any effort on our part. In the same way, our spiritual health requires active participation, such as prayer, Bible study, and service.

3. God’s Expectation of Prayer

One of the clearest areas where God calls us to participate is in prayer. Jesus emphasized the need for active prayer and watchfulness:

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)

Prayer is not a passive act; it is a deliberate, ongoing engagement with God. In fact, prayer is an essential part of our partnership with God. While God knows our needs before we ask:

“Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:8)

He still invites us to pray because prayer aligns us with His will and brings us into communion with Him.

In Luke 18:1, Jesus told His disciples a parable to teach them that they should always pray and not give up:

“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” (Luke 18:1)

Even though God is sovereign and knows what we need, He chooses to work through our prayers. If we neglect to pray, we miss out on the intimacy with God that He desires for us, and we may hinder the work He wants to do through us.

4. God’s Work and Our Participation in It

We are not mere spectators in the work of God. As members of the body of Christ, we are called to actively participate in His work:

“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12:12)

This is a central part of God’s redemptive plan for the world: He uses His people as instruments to carry out His will on earth.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)

God has prepared specific tasks for each believer, and part of our responsibility is to be diligent in fulfilling those tasks. However, we must not fall into the trap of thinking that we can be passive in our spiritual lives and expect God to do everything for us. As we read in James 2:26:

“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” (James 2:26)

This means that a faith that does not engage in action—whether through prayer, service, or obedience—fails to reflect the full nature of a living relationship with God.

5. The Importance of Faith and Works

Many people mistakenly believe that since God is in control, we don’t need to do anything. While it’s true that salvation is by grace alone through faith:

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

This doesn’t mean that we should remain passive in our spiritual walk. Our faith must be expressed through works. Jesus Himself, though sinless and fully God, still lived a life of prayer and action. He didn’t rely on His divine nature to avoid the responsibilities of life; rather, He exemplified the balance of trusting God while actively participating in God’s will on earth:

“Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” (John 5:19)

Similarly, we are called to “work out our salvation with fear and trembling”:

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12)

This isn’t about earning our salvation, but about actively living out the reality of our salvation. God calls us to participate in His work through prayer, service, and obedience.

6. The Danger of Neglecting Our Part

When we neglect the small part God has assigned to us, we open ourselves to spiritual decline. Proverbs 26:15 reminds us:

“The lazy man buries his hand in the dish; it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.” (Proverbs 26:15)

Spiritual laziness leads to stagnation and even death. If we sit back and wait for God to do everything, neglecting the small tasks He has entrusted to us, we miss out on the richness of partnership with Him.

In the work of the Kingdom, we must be faithful stewards of what God has given us. Whether it’s serving in the church, evangelizing, or using our gifts for the good of others, our participation is crucial. God doesn’t want us to be passive recipients of His blessings; He wants us to actively participate in the mission of His Kingdom.

Conclusion: Walking with God in Balance

To maintain a balanced Christian life, we must recognize our responsibility to actively engage with God’s work. This means participating in prayer, serving others, and being faithful stewards of what God has given us. If we neglect these duties, we risk drifting away from God’s will.

God has designed the Christian life as a partnership—He does the heavy lifting, but He invites us to join Him in His work. Just as He sustains our lives, we must actively participate in His Kingdom, both in our personal lives and in the broader mission of the Church.

Let us be empowered by the Holy Spirit to pray earnestly and to do the work God has called us to do. As we do this, we align ourselves with His perfect will and walk in the balance He desires for us.

Shalom.

In the time of Jesus, society was shaped by various religious and political groups, and three major groups were particularly hostile to Him. In addition to the well-known Pharisees and Sadducees, there was another group called the Herodians. As their name suggests, the Herodians were political supporters of the family of Herod the Great, who ruled Judea under Roman authority. They saw Herod as the rightful ruler and believed that he, as a representative of the Roman Empire, deserved royal honor and glory. Theologically, the Herodians were more concerned with political power and the status quo than with spiritual matters.

Theological Background:
The Herodians were not interested in the coming Messiah in the same way the Pharisees were. While the Pharisees hoped for a Messiah who would overthrow Roman rule and establish God’s kingdom (John 6:15), the Herodians were willing to support the political status quo under Roman dominion, as long as it meant preserving their position of power. Their allegiance to Herod’s political dynasty directly conflicted with the Jewish hope for a Messiah who would deliver them from oppression. This political focus made them more concerned with the preservation of earthly power than with the true kingdom of God that Jesus proclaimed.

The Herodian Alliance with the Pharisees:
The Herodians and the Pharisees typically had no common ground. The Pharisees were opposed to Roman rule, whereas the Herodians were aligned with it. However, when Jesus’ influence and authority began to grow, the two groups found common cause in their opposition to Him. Jealous of His teachings and His ability to gather crowds, the Pharisees and Herodians joined forces to destroy Him, even though they were political enemies. This alliance reveals the depth of their animosity toward Jesus, who they saw as a threat to both their religious authority (in the case of the Pharisees) and their political control (in the case of the Herodians).

” (Mark 3:6)
“Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.”

This verse shows how the Pharisees, motivated by jealousy, teamed up with the Herodians to achieve their shared goal of eliminating Jesus. Theologically, this alliance illustrates how religious and political systems, when threatened by divine truth, will often collaborate to suppress God’s work.

Attempts to Trap Jesus:
The Herodians, along with the Pharisees, tried several times to trap Jesus with questions that would force Him into a position where He could be accused of breaking Roman laws or contradicting Jewish law. They knew that if He answered their questions in a way that angered Herod or the Romans, they could accuse Him before the authorities. For example, in Mark 12:13-17, the Herodians and Pharisees asked Jesus whether it was right to pay taxes to Caesar, hoping He would either anger the Jewish people (by supporting Roman taxation) or upset the Roman authorities (by opposing it).

“Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch Him in His words.” (Mark 12:13)

“Tell us then, is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?” (Matthew 22:17)

Jesus responded, saying, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” (Mark 12:17)

This response confounded His enemies. Theologically, Jesus affirmed the legitimacy of earthly government while simultaneously emphasizing that ultimate allegiance belongs to God. His answer pointed to a higher spiritual truth, acknowledging the sovereignty of God over all earthly rulers.

The Herodians’ Role in the Death of John the Baptist and Jesus:
The Herodians, who were loyal to the ruling family of Herod, were directly involved in the imprisonment and death of John the Baptist (Mark 6:17-29). John had publicly rebuked Herod for his immoral marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife. Herodias, in particular, held a grudge against John and used her influence to have him executed. This event foreshadows how political and religious powers can conspire to silence the voice of truth. Similarly, the Herodians played a part in the trial of Jesus. They, along with the Pharisees, were part of the group that handed Jesus over to Pilate, seeking His crucifixion (Mark 15:10-11).

Theological Reflection:
The actions of the Herodians, like those of many earthly rulers and political systems throughout history, reflect a fundamental conflict between worldly power and the kingdom of God. The Herodians sought to maintain the status quo under Roman rule, while Jesus proclaimed the kingdom of God, which transcends earthly kingdoms (John 18:36). His challenge to both the religious establishment and the political rulers was a declaration that God’s kingdom was not of this world, and it was to be established not through political manipulation or violence, but through the sacrificial love of Christ (Luke 17:20-21).

Warning Against Trusting in Human Power:
The Bible warns us not to place our trust in human beings, but in God alone.

“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans.” (Psalm 118:8)

Trusting in human systems, which are often corrupt and temporary, leads to disappointment and destruction. In contrast, those who trust in God are secure in His eternal kingdom.

“Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord.” (Jeremiah 17:5)

This curse is not just for those who reject God outright, but also for those who place their trust in human systems or rulers above God’s sovereignty.

Conclusion:
The Herodians, in their pursuit of political power and alliance with the Pharisees, exemplify the dangers of trusting in worldly authority. Their actions against Jesus and John the Baptist illustrate how earthly rulers and systems often resist God’s will. Theologically, we are reminded that God’s kingdom cannot be contained or defeated by human power. We are called to trust in God, who reigns eternally, rather than in the fleeting power of human rulers.

May the Lord help us to seek His kingdom first and to place our trust in Him alone.