Bible Study with Hank

Hello All, Please join us for Bible study in 8 hours. The notes are below. Below are your Bible Study notes for 8:00 AM PDT 08/15/2026. These notes are the same as we had last week, with a few minor corrections. I apologize, I did not get the notes and the notice of the meeting out in a timely fashion last week, thus we had a very limited participation. Those situations are always good because it gives those of us on the call a chance to catch up on the gossip. Please join us, our Zoom Link and Study notes are below for this Saturday's session at 8:00 AM PDT 08/15/2025. I pray you and yours are well. Please remember that you bless us with your presence, and may the Holy Spirit bring you His comfort and His peace. Join us!!! Zoom Link: For Study, Prayer and Fellowship - 8:00 AM PDT on 08/15/2025: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82968961343?pwd=LzcwVjJKcWVESDRURlhDcXlNV0JUdz09 Meeting ID: 829 6896 1343 Passcode: 77299ere: Bible Study Notes: 08/15/2026 – Prologue – Demonic possession is the occurrence of someone who has been partially or fully possessed by an evil spirit, either willfully or in ignorance. As Christians we know we are in a spiritual war [Eph. 6:12], but what are the signs of demonic possession? To be abundantly clear, we are not talking about a simple series of unfortunate incidents, but a constant string of negative outcomes that defy the odds. While it is wise to be aware of the tactics and signs of the enemy’s presence, it must be said, however, that Christians need not worry about or fear these things if they are in a healthy relationship with Jesus Christ. Our proximity to Christ makes it much more difficult for the Adversary to attack us. [Luke 10:19-20] [Matt. 8:28-34] – The Healing of Two Demon-possessed Men – Following the Sermon on the Mount [Matt. 4:25-8:1] Jesus exercises His authority through His teaching and through a series of miraculous deeds for those in need. [Matt. 8-9] This direct encounter with two demon possessed men emphasizes the authority of Jesus. He drives back Satan as He inaugurates God’s reign in the fallen creation. Matthew contrasts the horrible power and filth of demon possession with the overwhelming authority of the Son of God. Remember, He has that power as well as the absolute authority to set free those in bondage to Satan. These verses are strange and contain certain uncertainties. We will try to explain what we can and set aside those mysteries into which we have no insight. Matthew sets the scene, emphasizing the power and terror of possession which is demonstrated by the violence of the men and by the fact they are living in the tombs. [Matt. 8:28] Based on where they lived, they are probably Gentiles. Note: Even the Gentiles would be appalled by those living among the remains of the dead. Even more horrifying to both the Jewish Christians and Jesus’ disciples was the unclean, defiled state of the men as well as the unclean swine nearby. When the meeting incident is over the folks from the nearby city will go out to meet Jesus. In Jesus’ day, a city was a central dwelling place with a resident population of between 1,500 and 5000 people. Some still hold to that level of density others think the threshold is 3,000. In my NIV Bible the demon possessed men addressed Jesus as, “Son of God”. We are not told why Jesus met them, but by the greeting we may assume the men have an understanding of Jesus’ identity and His authority transforms the situation. There are three distinct interactions. [Matt. 8:29, 32, 34] First, the demons and Jesus are introduced. We must be aware that they believe in God, but oppose the one God and His purposes. The demons’ speech reveals the mystery of evil, which continues in hatred, setting its will against the good will and plan of God, in Jesus. The demons know that the day of reckoning will come and their future will be one of torment. They also think that Jesus’ appearance is “before the time.” Clearly, what they do not reckon with is that the reign of God already stands nearby in Jesus. [Matt. 4:17] Nor that Jesus will now exercise his authority on behalf of the men whose bodies being possessed by the demons. Also, Jesus does not answer the questions asked of Him in [Matt. 8:29] At that time a herd of pigs was grazing nearby and the demons begged that they be sent into that herd. They continue to plead and Jesus finally commands, “Go!’ [Matt. 8:29-32] Why did the demons make this request and Jesus grant it? Matthew did not answer and therefore no certain answers are possible. We probably should not guess, leaving that for the scholars or those wishing to live restlessly. The Jewish Christians (Matthew’s audience) in all probability would conclude that the demon's desire to enter the swine provided evidence of these spirits’ evil and unclean nature. Because the demons must obey Jesus and He commanded “Go!” they came out of the men and departed in the pigs. This, naturally, raises the question, “Why?” The demons knew they were supposed to obey Jesus. This causes us to ask, Why did the swine, now containing, in some sense, the demons, self-destruct? Or was it Jesus’ word and will that the herd rushed headlong and perished in the sea. Note: Jesus had just established that He had absolute authority over the waters. The demons did not escape from the authority of Jesus. Nor did He permit them to continue their evil works elsewhere. This is one of the classic descriptions of the direct mortal combat between the reign of God in Jesus and the reign of Satan and his evil angels. There is no doubt to whom victory will favor! Jesus’ influence is also demonstrated by the fact that those who were tending the pigs, fled and told the story to the inhabitants of the nearby town. [Matt. 8:33] Hank Hohenstein, OFS Land Steward 161 Osprey Vista Shady Cove, OR 97539 Cell: 541-973-5442 hankhohenstein@gmail.com