Thesis: to teach the hearers that not only the New Testament (Covenant; Heb 8:8), but also the Old Testament spoke of a time when biblical miracles would cease, this is a consistent teaching throughout scripture.
Text: Gen 6:1-3; Micah 7:11-17; Dan 9:24-27; Zech 13:1-6.
Gen 6:1 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the ground, and daughters were born unto them,
Gen 6:2 that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all that they chose.
Gen 6:3 And Jehovah said, My spirit shall not strive with (abide in; ESV; NASB; ASV;RV margin) man for ever, for that he also is flesh: yet shall his days (lifespan; ISV) be a hundred and twenty years.
Introduction,
We have been looking at the miraculous manifestations of God, and their purpose; God miraculously created the universe, He spoke it into existence, then His natural laws (the seed principle) took over.
God also initiated (we could say in a sense “created”) His 3 dispensations (Patriarchy, the Mosaical dispensation, and the Christian or church age), He ushered these ages in with signs and wonders, and when they were properly set in place, the purpose of those miracles were fulfilled, then the seed, the word of God (Luke 8:11) also took over.
There were times throughout the ages in which God had to intercede to keep His eternal purpose on track, He sent prophets, and even some occasional miracles were brought forth to bring about His will (the redemption of mankind), but for the most part, the seed, the word of God, that sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17) is the way in which God has and does guide His people.
To say that God is no longer creating does not call into question His ability to do such (Mt 3:9), the truth is that He decided that He would “rest,” “cease” from creating, and He hasn’t created a single thing in the physical realm for about 6000 years.
Many, when they hear the things that I am telling you, might and do say “well Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever” (Heb 13:8), thus He is still performing miracles through the power of the Holy Spirit to this very day.” First of all they take that quote out of its context. This quote refers to the elders, those who God had given rule over them, their faith the Hebrew Christians were to imitate, and that faith was based upon Christ, His perfect example, (which they were to be imitating; 1 Cor 11:1) and His perfect work, (His life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension), which also they would imitate, if they remained faithful, the context has nothing to do with the performing of miracles
Just as Christ is not being crucified today, not being raised from the dead today, not ascending into heaven today; neither is He performing miracles today.
Most that say this are fueled by a doctrine which they “want” to believe and have to basically force out it of the biblical text, without taking the whole of what the bible teaches (for the sum of God’s word is truth; Ps 119:160; not just a part, and that out of context), or they are simply unaware of what scriptures teach concerning the miracles of God.
The fact is that the bible teaches both in the OT and the NT that the miracles of the Christian age were always to be temporary, and again, they were not the end, but rather the means through which God would establish the kingdom of Christ on earth, the church (Mt 16:18-19; Heb 12:23, 28), which began on that first Pentecost after the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of our Lord (Acts 2).
That kingdom was brought forth (revealed), confirmed, recorded and God’s completed revelation was delivered to mankind, the New Covenant (Testament), which, when believed and obeyed from the heart would enable one’s entrance into “the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 1:11), where “God himself shall be with them” (Rev 21:3), “for ever and ever” (Rev 22:5) in the new heavens and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness (2 Pet 3:13), this is the goal of God’s plan and it is actively taking place to this very day, people are having their sins forgiven and being renewed, being made fit for Heaven having the hope of That Day.
Therefore we will look at some passages in the OT that I believe clearly set forth God’s eternal intent concerning the duration of NT miracles.
Remembering God’s principle as we go along “that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established” (Mt 18:16; 2 Cor 13:1), only those with a closed heart and bible can deny the things brought forth in God’s word concerning this matter.
Thus, in this lesson we will look at 3 sections of scripture of the OT that clearly teach that the miracles of the NT age were never intended to continue, even though there are many more illusions to such, these are 3 clear references that ought not be overlooked, or denied, therefore we will be looking at . . .
A pre-exilic prophet (Micah), (referring to the Babylonian exile)
An exilic prophet (Daniel),
And a post exilic prophet (Zechariah),
And see that all give the same message, “NT miracles, as we know them, will end near the time of Christ.”
I. A PRE-EXILIC PROPHECY CONCERNING THE CESSATION OF MIRACLES (Micah 7:11-17; 735 BC)
A. Turn to Micah 7:11-17 . . .
Mic 7:11 A day for building thy walls! in that day shall the decree be far removed.
Mic 7:12 In that day shall they come unto thee from Assyria and the cities of Egypt, and from Egypt even to the River, and from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain.
Mic 7:13 Yet shall the land be desolate because of them that dwell therein, for the fruit of their doings.
Mic 7:14 Feed thy people with thy rod (staff), the flock of thy heritage, which dwell solitarily, in the forest in the midst of Carmel: let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.
Mic 7:15 As in (According to; KJV; YLT) the days of thy coming forth out of the land of Egypt will I show unto them marvellous things.
Mic 7:16 The nations shall see and be ashamed of all their might; they shall lay their hand upon their mouth; their ears shall be deaf.
Mic 7:17 They shall lick the dust like a serpent; like crawling things of the earth they shall come trembling out of their close places; they shall come with fear unto Jehovah our God, and shall be afraid because of thee.
(v 11) This speaks of a day when the walls of the city would be rebuilt (at the time of this prophecy, 735 BC, they were still standing), this likely speaks of the walls of the heavenly Jerusalem in which God Himself would be a wall of fire round about her (Zech 2:5), God’s people would look to Heaven instead of earth for protection (Col 3:1-4), committing themselves to the Father even in death (1 Pet 2:21-23).
God’s decree of judgment against Israel (which consisted of the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities) and the shame that goes along with them (the captivities) would be taken far away, Christians would not be ashamed of God, Christ, the gospel, nor their Christian name, and God would not be ashamed to be called their God, they would live whole-heartily to Him and He would be with them.
(v 12) In that day individuals from many nations, including Assyria would come to be among God’s people through the gospel of Christ, it was to go to the Jew first, yet also the Gentiles (Rom 1:16), whosoever wills can drink of the water of life freely (Rev 22:17).
(v 13), But those outside of Christ shall be in a desolate land, because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23), and none comes to God, except through Christ (John 14:6), thus they are without God and without hope in this sin suffering world (Eph 2:12).
(v 14) Those who are in Christ, which the bible teaches only takes place though the waters of baptism (Rom 6:3; Gal 3:27), will be fed (1 Pet 2:2) by the rule or guidance (signified by a rod or staff) of God’s Son (Eph 1:22-23) through the NT (John 17:20-21), they would grow in the grace and knowledge that is in Christ (2 Pet 3:18), where all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden (Col 2:3).
Thus they will be separated from the world, they would be in the world, but not of the world, as it is written (in 2 Cor 6:17-18), in the lush, well vegetated areas provided by God (probably a reference to spiritual blessings that enable the saint to be satisfied in their condition, whether it be needy or plenteous (Phili 4:11).
And in v 15 it is written “As in (“According to” YLT; KJV) the days of thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I show unto them marvelous things,”
For about a period of about 40 years God’s worked miracles that effectuated His peoples release from Egypt, and sustained them in the wilderness.
In like manner, in the Christian age, God would also perform miracles for a similar period (about 40 yrs).
For approximately 40 years (AD 30-70) the apostles and NT prophets had God’s all sufficient word miraculously revealed unto them, they preached it throughout all the civilized world (the nations; v 16), and confirmed it as being from God by signs and wonders, and manifold powers, and gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will (Heb 2:4).
And when the entirety of God’s revelation was completed and recorded in what we call the NT, the accompanying signs fulfilled God’s will, and ceased. Many believed this took place by AD 70, (dating Revelation and the epistles of John in the 60’s, or possibly John was the exception instead of the rule; Jn 21:21-23).
At which time (AD 70) also Jerusalem, the temple and the last dregs of Judaism were destroyed by the judgment of God through the Roman legions.
(v 16) Those that didn’t believe couldn’t deny that the miracles were of God (Acts 4:13-22), the unbelieving Jews and the nations couldn’t stop the spread of the church, no matter what they did, the more Christians they killed, all the more that became Christians.
(v 17) It was they that were destroyed instead (Gal 6:7), both Judaism (in AD 70) and the Roman Empire (in AD 476) were destroyed, thus they were humbled before God, and are pictured as the lowliest of creatures because of their state of fear before Him and His people.
Therefore one can see that this passage clearly shows that the miracles which are seen in the NT, even before they took place, had a God imposed time limit on them.
Thus “According to” (Micah 7:15; YLT) a certain pre-determined number of days, “As in” the days of Israel’s coming out of Egypt were miracles performed by God in the NT age, not because He couldn’t (like creation) perform them (Mt 3:9), but because He said He wouldn’t (also like creation, He rested, He ceased, they ceased).
But what was established (the kingdom of God and Christ; Eph 5:5) still endures, and gives us a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus, Christ the first-fruits, and they that are Christ’s at His coming (1 Cor 15:23), let us strive to be Christ’s (Gal 5:24) . . .
Gal 5:24 And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof.
II. AN EXILIC PROPHECY CONCERNING THE CESSATION OF MIRACLES (Dan 9:24-27; 590 BC)
A. Now let us turn to the book of Daniel, specifically Dan 9:24-27. . .
Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks (lit. seventy sevens), are decreed upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up vision and prophecy (lit. prophet; YLT; ESV; NASB margin), and to anoint the most holy.
Dan 9:25 Know therefore and discern, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the anointed one, the prince, shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: it shall be built again, with street and moat, even in troublous times.
Dan 9:26 And after the threescore and two weeks shall the anointed one be cut off, and shall have nothing: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and even unto the end shall be war; desolations are determined.
Dan 9:27 And he shall make a firm (confirm the; LITV; NKJV; DRB; TS98) covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease; and upon the wing of abominations shall come one that maketh desolate; and even unto the full end, and that determined, shall wrath be poured out upon the desolate.
(v 1) In this passage (Dan 9:1-27) Daniel in captivity in Babylon is praying in the 1st year of Darius (537 BC) a year before their predicted release (Jer 25:11).
This is similar to us praying for our daily bread; we pray for it even though God promised food and clothes to His people (Mt 6:33), and we don’t expect it to fall from the sky, but rather God’s providence gives us our abilities to go out and earn a living, and support our families as commanded in 1 Tim 5:8. . .
1Ti 5:8 But if any provideth not for his own, and specially his own household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.
(v 2) Daniel’s prayer is prompted by the his remembrance of Jeremiah’s prophecy concerning their 70 year captivity (Jer 25:11-12; 29:10), knowing that the time is almost fulfilled, God said it, Daniel knew it would come to pass.
We also have a living hope according to what is written in His word (1 Pet 1:3-4), just like Christ was raised and ascended into Heaven, we also, who are Christ’s, can count on our resurrection and being caught up unto eternal life.
Daniel is admitting the guilt of himself and the people concerning that matter, for God was just in what He did, and they surely deserved it, and he was praying for mercy and the restoration of Jerusalem, the temple, and the people for the LORD’S sake, in other words he is praying “Thy will be done” (v 3-19).
We also need to trust in the Lord’s will concerning ourselves, for we know that all things are for our good, our salvation, we who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28).
At which point the angel Gabriel appears to Daniel in a vision (v 20-21) and brings the prophecy concerning the Messiah which would bring about that which he was praying for, the restoring of the true Jerusalem, the heavenly Jerusalem, who is our mother, we were born out of her, from above (v 24-27).
In verse 24 “seventy weeks” is literally “seventy sevens,” the word “weeks” is not in the original, most bible scholars believe this to be talking about 7 x 70 years (490 years),
Within this time frame these 6 things were to take place . . .
1) To finish the transgression.
2) To make an end of sins.
3) To make reconciliation for iniquity.
4) To bring in everlasting righteousness.
5) To seal up (both) vision and prophecy (lit. prophet).
6) And to anoint the most holy.
The only real difficulty with this passage is aligning the years perfectly (there seems to be a 53 year discrepancy).
Yet it is a well know fact that there is no accurate chronology between Cyrus and Christ except the bible, and most calendars were based upon a false premise (as the Herodian calendar), or guesswork (Ptolemy’s chronology), but that is not the point I am attempting to make, that is a whole other study.
We know God’s word is true, and the calendars of men are close at best, for it is written in . . .
Rom 3:4 . . . let God be found true, but every man a liar . . .
Verse 25 states that from the decree of Cyrus to build and restore Jerusalem till the coming of Christ would be 69 sevens (483 years), the city and the wall would be rebuilt, and there would be trouble, but it would get done, this can be read about in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.
We also, can expect trouble when we do the will of the Lord (2 Tim 3:12) . . .
2Ti 3:12 Yea, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
That is just the way it is in this sin darkened world, but if we are diligent, it likewise, will also get done (2 Pet 1:10).
2Pe 1:10 Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never stumble:
In verse 26 it speaks of the sacrifice of Christ (the anointed One Who would be cut off), that only which could take away sin, and also the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple “again” (this time by the Romans under Titus) in AD 70 (at the time of this prophecy it was not yet rebuilt from its first destruction by the Babylonians).
It’s important to keep in mind that there was no real forgiveness under the Old Covenant (Acts 13:38-39), the blood of bulls and goats could not take away sin (Heb 10:4), there was merely “temporary appeasement” until the next day of atonement rolled around, the sins were rolled forward so to speak, year after year, thus there was a continual remembrance thereof (Heb 10:3).
Any and all sins committed throughout time are cleansed only by the blood of Christ (Rom 3:25; Heb 9:17), if Christ never came, no one would ever be able to be released from the gates of Hades and enter into Heaven (Mt 16:18; Rev 20:13).
Christ’s sacrifice is based on the greater blesses the lesser principle, as seen in (Heb 7:7), only the shed blood of the Divine Son of God (the greater) could take away the sins of men (the lesser), and of course, Diety cannot be killed, therefore He had to empty (lower) Himself and become as a man (Phili 2:7), in order that he could be killed and have blood to shed, without which there can be no forgiveness of sins (Heb 9:22).
And He also became a man in order that He could be tempted as men are, yet without sin (Heb 4:15), and be able to experience the hardships thereof, which uniquely gives Him the ability to know intimately the weakness of men, and the strengths of God, between whom He mediates as our High Priest (Heb 3:1).
Yet another reason that Christ came as a human is that He is our forerunner (Heb 6:20), we as His imitators literally follow Him, into death, into Hades, being resurrected, His ascension into Heaven, reigning with God forever and ever.
Verse 27 is an example of Hebrew parallelism, it basically shadows v 26 with some added info, it speaks of the making firm (strengthen; YLT; confirm(ing); KJV; NKJV; LITV DRB; TS98) of the covenant by Christ and the apostles and NT prophets for a week (lit. a seven; 70 years), we should probably consider Christ’s virgin birth the starting point of the miraculous in this prophecy.
In the midst of this 70 years (about 34 years from Christ’s miraculous conception) Christ’s sacrifice of Himself would render the temple sacrifices vain and useless.
The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by Rome according to Christ’s prophecy (Mt 24; Mk 13; Lk 21) would cause the Mosaic sacrificial system to cease, and thus would bring about the “consummation” or the “full end” of Judaism (Mt 24:1-34).
Those that claim to be faithful Jews today are not, and cannot perform the law of Moses as it is written, for . . .
i. They have no temple wherein to sacrifice.
ii. They have no records in order that they may know who is a priest in order to sacrifice (they were stored in the temple and were also destroyed in AD 70).
iii. Those of the national Israel of today are in fact “an antichrist” for they deny that Jesus is the Christ (1 John 2:22).
iv. They are nothing more than another secular country amidst a number of secular countries.
v. The Israel of God today is the church (Rom 2:28-29; 9:6; Gal 6:16),
vi. Those who are heirs according to the promise, Abraham’s seed, through faith and obedience to the gospel of Christ, this was God’s plan from the beginning . . .
vii. And that is the basic theme of the epistle to the Galatians, you are not children of God through the law of Moses, but through the gospel of Christ (Gal 3:26-29) . . .
Gal 3:26 For ye are all sons of God, through (the) faith, in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ.
Gal 3:28 There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:29 And if ye are Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise.
But the things I would like to bring to your attention in this passage (Dan 9:24-27) first is in verse 24 “to seal up vision and prophecy.”
Literally in Hebrew, this states “to seal up vision, and prophet”
The word “seal” here is the Hebrew word “chatham” and it means to “make an end, mark, seal (up), stop.” (Strong’s)
Thus this is telling us that sometime near to the coming of the Messiah, because of the Messiah, vision and prophets would “end, stop, be sealed up”
So all these individuals that claim that are receiving present day revelations from God, are directly opposed to what this passage claims, but these sorts of things were prophesied of (Mt 7:15; 1 John 4:1)
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.
1Jo 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
And in verse 27 “He” the Messiah, “with many” (the apostles and NT prophets) would confirm; KJV LITV DRB; TS98 (make a firm; ASV) the covenant (through miracles) for one week (lit. one seven; 70 years).
Starting with the miraculous virgin birth of Christ in AD 0 (Mt 1:23) and ending with the destruction of Jerusalem approximately 70 years later in AD 70,
Therefore again we see a time limit on the miracles of the 1st century (lit. one seven, 70 years), beginning with the virgin birth of Christ and ending in AD 70, by which time the New Testament, the Faith, the Way, the gospel, would be once for all time delivered, confirmed, and recorded.
And it is so precious, that is why we must contend for it, for without it, we cannot be saved, that is why Jude by inspiration tell us (Jude 3) . . .
Jud 1:3 Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints.
Because it is not the doctrines of men that save, nor a twisted, different gospel, (faith only, grace only, whatever only) for there is no other, and this is why this warning is so intensely given by the Holy Spirit through Paul concerning the churches of Galatia, who were attempting to bring in parts of the law of Moses into the gospel of Christ (Gal 1:6-9) . . .
Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ unto a different gospel;
Gal 1:7 which is not another gospel only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema (accursed).
Gal 1:9 As we have said before, so say I now again, if any man preacheth unto you any gospel other than that which ye received, let him be anathema (accursed).
If it wasn’t revealed and preached in the 1st century, it is not from God, it’s not the gospel, and it is merely the damnable musings of men, and if followed, it could cost you your immortal soul (Pro 14:12; Jer 10:23), the Lord said (Mt 15:13-14) . . .
Mat 15:13 But he answered and said, Every plant which my heavenly Father planted not, shall be rooted up.
Mat 15:14 Let them alone: they are blind guides. And if the blind guide the blind, both shall fall into a pit.
So let us not follow what men teach us today, but what the Father teaches us through His word
III. A POST-EXILIC PROPHECY CONCERNING THE CESSATION OF MIRACLES (Zech 13:1-6).
A. Turn your bibles to the book of Zechariah (a post Babylonian captivity prophet; 520 BC), specifically we will look at Zech 13:1-6 . . .
Zec 13:1 In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness.
Zec 13:2 And it shall come to pass in that day, saith Jehovah of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered; and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.
Zec 13:3 And it shall come to pass that, when any shall yet (still) prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of Jehovah; and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.
Zec 13:4 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he prophesieth; neither shall they wear a hairy mantle to deceive:
Zec 13:5 but he shall say, I am no prophet, I am a tiller of the ground; for I have been made a bondman from my youth.
Zec 13:6 And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds between thine arms (hands)? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.
In verse 1 this passage opens thus “In that day there shall be a fountain opened.”
The phrase “in that day” is used 20 times in the book of Zechariah, and refers consistently to the time of the coming of the Messiah.
Also that fountain for sin and uncleanness is no doubt a reference to sin cleansing blood of Christ which was shed on that cruel cross at Calvary which is available to whosoever wills (Rev 20:17) through the gospel.
And in verse 2 again it states “in that day”
Thus “in that day,” the time of the Messiah’s coming, Jehovah would also cut off the names of the idols out of the land.
It is a well known fact that after the Assyrian and Babylonian captivity, never again did Israel have a problem with idol worship, in Christ’s day, even unto this day.
And it says that God “will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.”
Some believe this is talking about false prophets, (it is even has words in the title headings alluding to this assertion in some bibles) even though the bible doesn’t say that (this is primarily based on the LXX where the word “false” [pseudo] is added to the text).
And in fact, verses 3-6 actually depict the condition of false prophets that will indeed exist.
In NT times and even unto today, false prophets have been constantly increasing in number, all you have to do is visit a Pentecostal assembly and you can know that this is true.
The Lord Jesus warned us to be on guard for such and how we are to identify them (Mt 7:15-16a)
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16a By their fruits ye shall know them
The apostle John wrote (1 Jn 4:1) . . .
1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
False prophets haven’t passed away anywhere, in the church, or out, that which was prophesied to pass away would be the true prophets of God.
Now look at the term “unclean spirit” in verse 2
Concerning the “unclean spirit” here is likely a reference to demon possession (and is translated “demon” in the ISV), the phrase “unclean spirit” occurs 13 times in the bible, once here in the OT, and 12 other times in the NT, a study of these passages shows that this indeed is speaking of demon possession and teaches us that it no longer takes place today.
There is not much said about the origin of such spirits in the bible, but the best evidence (which is based upon Jewish tradition) believes that they are the spirits of evil men.
That were probably released by God from the Hadean realm (the Abyss; Luke 8:31) for a certain period of time in order that Christ would be able to effectively answer His enemies when they claimed “He cast demons out by the power of Beelzebub (Satan).”
Of course if He were in league with Satan, He would not be working against Himself,
Thus their assertion (by the use of logic combined with Him casting the demons out) was effectively proved to be false.
Consider this, His answering them concerning the source of His miracles could be denied, it would be His word against theirs if there were no demons to cast out
And when the miracles of the 1st century bought forth (revealed) the completed revelation of God, confirmed it, and it was recorded as what we call the New Testament today, the unclean spirit manifested in these demons where then put back in torments, in the abyss (in Hades; Luke 16:23) awaiting the Last Day,
For they (the demons) were fully aware of the temporary loosing of themselves, and also at what time (AD 70), they would be put back, that is why we see them making this statement to Christ in Mt 8:29, which took place in about AD 29 (turn there, Mt 8:29).
Mat 8:29 And behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
Is this speaking of the end of time at the Final Judgment? No! Look at Lk 8:31 in a parallel account . . .
Luk 8:31 And they entreated him that he would not command them to depart into the abyss.
The Abyss, Tartaroo, and Torments, are all synonymous terms for the bad side of Hades, the Abyss is a place some were allowed to come out of (Rev 9:1- 2, 11), no one is allowed the escape from hell (look at Rev 17:8; 20:1-3, 10)
Rev 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss, and to go into perdition. And they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, they whose name hath not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast, how that he was, and is not, and shall come.
Rev 20:1 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand.
Rev 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, the old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years,
Rev 20:3 and cast him into the abyss, and shut it, and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years should be finished: after this he must be loosed for a little time.
Here is a picture of Gehennah Hell at the end of time (Rev 19:20; 20:10, 15)
Rev 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought the signs in his sight, wherewith he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast and them that worshipped his image: they two were cast alive into the lake of fire that burneth with brimstone:
Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where are also the beast and the false prophet; and they shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Rev 20:15 And if any was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.
Back in Mt 8:29, but when that appointed time came (41 years later in Matthew’s context), they (the loosed demons) were put back in Torments, in the Abyss and likewise the miraculous powers that were able to cast them out, also ceased.
Those that claim demon possession today are in the same boat as are those who claim present day miracles.
The burden of proof lies with them, they have to bring forth for all to see that which they claim, and they have been challenged repeatedly concerning this, yet, they make excuses and do not step up for the challenge.
The miracles of the bible were not done in a corner, but openly for all to see, and believe, but the miracles of today are like smoke, you try and get a good look at them, and (just like that) they are gone.
Thus this passage teaches us that “true” prophets, and the unclean spirit (manifested in demon possession) would pass from the land sometime around the opening of that fountain, that precious blood of the Lamb (as depicted in the ISV) . . .
Zec 13:2 Cessation of Prophecy
¶ “At that time,” [Lit. day] declares the Lord of the Heavenly Armies, “I will eliminate the names of the idols from the land, and they will not be remembered anymore. I will also force both prophet and demon [Lit. and unclean spirit] to leave the land.
Zec 13:3 It will also come about that if any man would dare to [Lit. would still] prophesy, then his father and his mother who bore him will respond to him, ‘You will not live, because you are speaking lies in the name of the Lord.’ Then his father and mother who bore him will stab him for prophesying.
Zec 13:4 Furthermore, it will come about at that time [Lit. day] that every prophet will become ashamed of his vision as he prophesies. They will wear no rough garments intended to deceive others.” [The Heb. lacks others]
And when the cannon was completed (closed), God’s revelation ceased (brought forth by the apostles and NT prophets), in like manner did the accompanying and confirming signs and wonders (Mk 16:20; Acts 14:3; Heb 2:3-4).
Conclusion,
The purpose of God’s miracles (creation, revelation, inspiration, with the confirming signs and wonders) have been fulfilled.
God also states in His word that such things would, and indeed they did, pass away.
And what we are left with is God’s completed revelation to man, the living and active (powerful) word of God (Heb 4:12), the bible.
That “which is able to build you up (spiritually), and to give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified (through belief and adherence to it)” (Acts 20:32),
It reveals unto us God’s miracle of creation, after which His natural laws took over.
It reveals how God’s laws were miraculously revealed and confirmed (OT and NT), and how His written word, the seed (Luke 8:11), His laws, took over (Patriarchy, the law of Moses, and the law of Christ, Gal 6:2; that perfect law of liberty, Ja 1:25)
And God’s word reveals unto us God’s slowly, but surely, developing plan of redemption for mankind, which He brought forth both through miraculous and providential means.
It tells us how to live holy lives unto God, this is a very important matter, in Heb 12:14 it is written . . .
Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
And it gives us the answer to that most important question, “what must I do to be saved” (Acts 16:30).
That answer is the same that has been for the last almost 2,000 years, the sum of God’s word teaches . . .
One must . . .
1) Hear the word of God (Acts 2:37; Rom 10:17);
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
We must hear or read of the gospel, this is how God plants His seed (Lk 8:11) in our hearts
One must . . .
2) Believe that Jesus is the Divine resurrected Christ (Acts 8:37; John 8:24; Rom 10:9), and that God rewards those that earnestly seek after Him (Heb 11:6), this is when the process of “being saved" (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:27; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15) begins, Jesus said in Jn 5:24 . . .
Joh 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth him that sent me, hath eternal life, and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of death into life.
But not faith only (Ja 2:24), which is demon like faith (Ja 2:19).
One must also . . .
3) Repent of sins, (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3, 5), Jesus stated . . .
Luk 13:3 . . . except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish.
Repentance is a change in mind that results in a changed life, it may be a little at a time and in differing degrees,
yet all change.
One must . . .
4) Confess Christ before men (Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9) as it is written . . .
Rom 10:9 because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved:
One must . . .
5) Be baptized (immersed) into Christ (Gal 3:27), into the death of Christ (Rom 6:3), where His precious blood was shed (John 19:34); unto (for the purpose of) the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38; 22:16); this is the point where one is to die to self and live unto God (Rom 6:3-14) . . .
Rom 6:3 Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 We were buried therefore with him through baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection;
Rom 6:6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin;
Rom 6:7 for he that hath died is justified from sin.
Rom 6:8 But if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him;
Rom 6:9 knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death no more hath dominion over him.
Rom 6:10 For the death that he died, he died unto sin once: but the life that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
Rom 6:11 Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus.
Rom 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey the lusts thereof:
Rom 6:13 neither present your members unto sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves unto God, as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under law, but under grace.
One must . . .
6) And live a holy and faithful life (1 Pet 1:15; Rev 2:10; Heb 12:14), not just one day a week, but every day,
1Pe 1:15 but like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living (every aspect of your lives; CEB);
1Pe 1:16 because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy.
Heb 12:14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord (ESV)
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