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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Mark 5:13	Adrian	Monday, January 30, 2012
Question: When the unclean spirits (legion) asked the Lord to be kind to them how is it that the Lord acceeded to their request? This was not the only occassion that Jesus showed compassion on evil spirits.
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r) Dear Adrian: I am afriad you misinterpret the Scripture passage. Jesus was not expressing compassion. The passage in it context reads: (Mark 5:6-13) And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped him; and crying out with a loud voice, he said, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me." For he had said to him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!" And Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" He replied, "My name is Legion; for we are many." And he begged him eagerly not to send them out of the country. Now a great herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside; and they begged him, "Send us to the swine, let us enter them." So he gave them leave. And the unclean spirits came out, and entered the swine; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and were drowned in the sea. Jesus allowed the demons to go into the swine with the intention of the swine going over the cliff to teach us something. The reason symbolizes not only Christ's power over evil, but also that evil will be destroyed in the Lake of Fire (symbolized by the sea in this passage). More directly, the reference to the sea in Biblical language is that God's enemies arise from the sea as beasts to oppress God's people (Daniel 7:1-7; Revelation 13:1). Jesus reverses the direction of evil in this instance by sending the demon-possessed swine back into the sea. Like Pharaoh's army in the Old Testament, GOd's adversaries are drowned in the waters (Exodus 14:26-28; 15:1). [Source: Ignatius Study Bible footnote to Mark 5:13] The enemy is vanquished from whence it came in this symbolism, which can be interpreted as a prophecy that in the end of days Satan and is minions will be returned from the hell they came from into the Lake (Sea) of Hell-fire forever (Revelations 20:10). Bottomline: This was not a compassionate act. This was an act of God reminding the demons that they are doomed and will be returned to Hell forever. Jesus was also reminding us, I believe, of our eternal destiny if we reject Him. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Mark 5:13

Adrian

Monday, January 30, 2012

Question:

When the unclean spirits (legion) asked the Lord to be kind to them how is it that the Lord acceeded to their request? This was not the only occassion that Jesus showed compassion on evil spirits.

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r)

Dear Adrian:

I am afriad you misinterpret the Scripture passage. Jesus was not expressing compassion.

The passage in it context reads:

(Mark 5:6-13) And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped him; and crying out with a loud voice, he said, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me." For he had said to him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!"

And Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" He replied, "My name is Legion; for we are many." And he begged him eagerly not to send them out of the country. Now a great herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside; and they begged him, "Send us to the swine, let us enter them." So he gave them leave. And the unclean spirits came out, and entered the swine; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and were drowned in the sea.

Jesus allowed the demons to go into the swine with the intention of the swine going over the cliff to teach us something. The reason symbolizes not only Christ's power over evil, but also that evil will be destroyed in the Lake of Fire (symbolized by the sea in this passage).

More directly, the reference to the sea in Biblical language is that God's enemies arise from the sea as beasts to oppress God's people (Daniel 7:1-7; Revelation 13:1). Jesus reverses the direction of evil in this instance by sending the demon-possessed swine back into the sea. Like Pharaoh's army in the Old Testament, GOd's adversaries are drowned in the waters (Exodus 14:26-28; 15:1). [Source: Ignatius Study Bible footnote to Mark 5:13]

The enemy is vanquished from whence it came in this symbolism, which can be interpreted as a prophecy that in the end of days Satan and is minions will be returned from the hell they came from into the Lake (Sea) of Hell-fire forever (Revelations 20:10).

Bottomline: This was not a compassionate act. This was an act of God reminding the demons that they are doomed and will be returned to Hell forever. Jesus was also reminding us, I believe, of our eternal destiny if we reject Him.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.