COME OUT OF THE MAN
Mark 5:1 ¶ And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. 2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: 4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. 6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, 7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. 8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. 9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. 10 And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. 11 Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. 12 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. 13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea. 14 And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done. 15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. 16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. 17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. 18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. 19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. 20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.
We must first take notice of that word, “immediately” in verse two. For it gives us an important truth concerning our Lord Jesus Christ. For in Matthew’s account of this he relates, “no man might pass by that way.” (Matthew 8:28) Also here in our context we read the words, “no man” and “any man” in regard to anyone being able to deal with the furious actions of this one with the unclean spirit.
Therefore we are led to see that the Lord Jesus Christ was not just “any man,” he is the God-man! And being so we also understand that this demoniac came out to report to him, “immediately. 1 Peter 3:22 speaks of the Lord’s authority over all spiritual beings: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
We also read in the Book of Job that all the angels have to report to God and give account of themselves, even Satan himself! Therefore we understand that Jesus of Nazareth is very God! Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. 2:1 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.
And the demons even give clear testimony that they well knew just who the Lord Jesus was. For they identified him as “Jesus, thou Son of the most high God!” And they also report to us that he had sovereign power over them to torment them or to send them away.
Here is another passage wherein the demonic forces give a clear statement of knowing the identity of the Lord Jesus. Acts 19:13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
James also relates to us that the demons also give mental assent to that portion of the confession which religionists quote in their creed. James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
We also see this as the Lord gives command to Satan after he possessed Judas regarding the timing of his own betrayal. John 13:26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
Destroying Satan’s works was the purpose of the Incarnation. 1 John 3:8 For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. And he knew it was to be done at Calvary. John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. 32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. 33 This he said, signifying what death he should die. Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Next we need to understand just how a human can possibly become possessed with multiple demons. And we discover that this comes through an insincere relating to the gospel! For when anyone hears the gospel and only obtains morality, instead of seeking righteousness, he sets himself up for multiple demonic possessions. 2 Corinthians 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world (Satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Luke 11:24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. 25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. 26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
2 Peter 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
For those who just “taste” of the word and don’t hunger and thirst after righteousness cannot be renewed unto repentance again, thus leaving themselves open to the powers of darkness! Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Believers should well believe in the realm of the demonic in their christian experience. For it is these forces of evil with whom they contend, and not just the human agents through whom the wickedness is presented. Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
For this is the arena in which their warfare comes. 2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; Take careful note that the first “strong hold” with which we have to contend is our own imaginations and thoughts! For this is a warfare in which every believer must contend throughout the remainder of the earthly journey!
This was the area of control in which Satan ruled over us before we were born again. So this is the area of conflict in which our battle rages as he seeks to regain his control over us. Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
And we are instructed how the believer is to develop his spiritual mindedness. Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 4:6 Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all under-standing, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. In order to have “the peace of God” we must adhere to the “God of peace.”
We should also give careful attention to that which is listed in verses ten and seventeen of our passage. For in verse ten the demons besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. Yet in verse seventeen we read that the citizens of that country began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. The demons had found a comfortable dwelling place here. It is just as the Lord stated concerning Satan’s possession of human souls. Luke 11:21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: The “goods” here spoken of is human souls.
Yet when the mighty Christ delivers this area of the stronghold of the demonic at the expense of the herd of swine, these citizens are so terrified of that event, they wish him to leave! Religionists get along well with the pigs of this world, even at the expense of one of their number being crazed with Satan’s possession! Therefore what they considered ‘normal’ was demonic possession of their country! And what they were horrified at was the sovereignty of God being manifested over the powers of darkness! To them that was abnormal! Amazing!
Carefully meditate on these verses: Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. Revelation 18:21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.
Christ’s kingdom is ‘received’ by a mighty shaking of things physical, but especially things spiritual! Hebrews 12:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they (those Jews at Mount Sinai at the giving of the law) escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: 26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29 For our God is a consuming fire.
May God have mercy!
Pastor Gene Breed
April 8, 2022
