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DELIVERED FROM DEMONS

by C. Parker Thomas
Published 1968, 2nd Edition 1998

Table of Contents

Introduction

1. Judy Clevenger Story

2. Demoniac World

3. Origin and Fall

4. Satanic Kingdom

5. Temptation and Deception

6. Oppression and Possession

7. Demons and Insanity

8. Three Types of Men

9. Casting Out Devils

10. How to Overcome

11. The Church, Christ’s Body

12. The Battle of the Ages

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Chapter 12

The Battle of the Ages

“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, everyone that shall be found written in the book.” (Daniel 12:1).

“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death.

“Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Revelation 12:7-12.

At this present time two great armies are being prepared for The Battle Of The Ages. This will be the showdown between the kingdom of God and His host and the kingdom of Satan and his host. The winner will take all. The loser will be dethroned and banished forever. We already know who is going to win. Hallelujah! Rev. 11:15. But the battle must be fought just the same.

In both the scriptures quoted above it will be noticed that Michael the fighting angel and leader of God’s angelic host is arrayed against Satan and his angels. I believe these two scriptures have reference to the same time and the same battle. And though man is in the middle and definitely a part of the titanic struggle it is spiritual warfare that is fought in the heavenlies. God is pulling the veil back and showing us that the real battle is in the invisible realm.

This is what Paul is talking about in 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.”

DELIVERANCE

At this time everyone of God’s people are going to be delivered. According to Daniel 12:1, it is everyone whose name is written in the book. This I believe is the Lamb’s book of life. Those whose names ARE NOT written in the Lamb’s book of life are going to fully embrace Lucifer as he enthrones himself in man. Revelation 13:8.

This deliverance precedes the coming of Christ and the resurrection. The resurrection and the change of our vile bodies from mortal to immortality is the grand climax of our deliverance. But before this takes place there will come a great deliverance such as the church has never experienced. The chains of Babylon and the world system including Satan and his demon host must be broken from around God’s people.

They will be set free to worship him in Spirit and truth before they are presented to their heavenly Bridegroom. Until this time most of Satan’s energy has been directed against the church. To a great extent he has kept it bound, fettered and blind. Like blinded Samson grinding away at the mill while the Philistines laughed and mocked, the Church has been a reproach in the earth. The devil knows far more about the power and authority of the Church than the church knows itself.

GREAT USURPER

This is why Satan and his legions of demons have directed most of their attention to God’s people. When the church breaks his chains and rises up into the heavenlies with Christ the head where he is seated on the Father’s throne, Satan’s day will be over. Satan is the great usurper, and the power and authority he exercises in the earth does not belong to him. It is by lying deception he blinds and rules mankind.

As Christ our glorious head met Satan on the mount and defeated him, Matthew 4:1-11, his body the church must likewise overcome. Christ actually won the victory at Calvary and the church must enter into that victory by faith. It is her birthright. Our Lord who is reigning now must reign till every enemy is put under his feet (part of the body the church). I Corinthians 15:20-28, Hebrews 10:12-13.

Isaiah tells of this glorious day in these words. “And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin: And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.” (Isa. 1:25-26).

“In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.

“And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem.

“When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgement, and by the spirit of burning.

“And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defense.” (Isa. 4:2-5.

Joel speaks of this day in these words. “Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, spare thy people, O Lord and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?

“Then will the Lord be jealous for his land, and pity his people. Yea, the Lord will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen.”(Joel 2:17-19).

Hallelujah! The reproach is going to be removed. “The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts.” (Haggai 2:9). “And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die: but the third shall be left therein.

“And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.” (Zechariah 13:8-9).

NOT THE JEWS

This is also the meaning of Isaiah 52:1-12, 60:1-4 and many other Old Testament scriptures that are usually applied to the Jewish nation. The thing that dispensationalists cannot see is that Israel was a chosen vessel to bring forth a spiritual seed that has its fulfillment in Christ and the Church.

Things, places, tribes, experiences, ordinances, commandments, offerings, and the nation Israel under the law are all types that point to some eternal, spiritual reality. Even as the tabernacle was an earthly type of the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man, so are these other things. Hebrews 8:1-2 and 10:1. For instance, earthly Zion points to and is fulfilled in spiritual Zion, Hebrews 12:22, likewise earthly Jerusalem, Revelation 21:10.

It is because of the religious world’s belief in a Jewish earthly millennium that they cannot believe the simple teaching of Christ and the apostles relative to his coming. Matthew 24:37-39, 25:1-13, Luke 17:28-30, I Thessalonians 5:1-3, II Thessalonians 1:7-9, 2:1-12, and II Peter 3:1-13. This is one of the great deceptions of Babylon that God’s people must be delivered from if they are to be prepared for his coming. As long as men think they have a thousand years with the Jews becoming great missionaries to all the world, they are in no hurry.

As the Jewish nation degenerated religiously and lost a true knowledge of God, so has the organized church world. As there was only a little remnant who was able to recognize his first coming, there is only a remnant today that will understand and be prepared for his second coming. Daniel 12:10.

As the blinded Jews rejected and crucified Christ at his first coming, the blinded religious world today despises and rejects the true end time move of our Sovereign God.

NEW TESTAMENT ALSO

The deliverance and perfecting of the Church at the end of this age is born out in the New Testament also. This is the very purpose of the ministry given by Christ to the Church. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13.

According to Ephesians 5:26-27, it will be a glorious Church not having spot, wrinkle, or blemish, when it is presented to Christ. This cleansing and sanctifying work will be done by “the washing of water by the word.” This is the restitution of all things that Peter says must take place before Christ comes. Acts 3:19-23.

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” Revelation 19:7-8.

MANY BOUND

At this time, many of God’s elect are bound by Satan. Many are afflicted in mind and body. Some are demon possessed. Many of his servants are bound by unbelief through traditions of men and doctrines of devils. But praise God! Deliverance is on the way. Michael is now standing up and the battle is starting.

BABYLON’S FALL

Babylon’s fall is the beginning of the end for the whole world system. It is also the beginning of the deliverance of God’s people. There are three aspects, facets, or manifestations of the spirit that is called Babylon. It is the false religious, political and materialistic concept given to man by Satan and his demon host. Many think of Babylon as being religious only, but this is wrong: it includes the whole world system.

666

This is the meaning of the mark of the beast, Revelation 13:18. Six is the number of man. It is man without God. It is the natural man with all of his natural attributes as given to him by his infinitely wise Creator, but it is still man devoid of God however wise and brilliant he might be. The numbers 666 in the forehead and right hand simply means mankind will be possessed by the spirit of Anti-Christ as it is manifested in these three areas.

Man has about reached his zenith of power and glory in these three fields. Science has given him push-button luxury with every conceivable material convenience. He has weapons to destroy the world and is now fixing to explore and conquer God’s universe. Transplanting hearts, kidneys, and other organs of the human body, he hopes to soon control life itself.

Politically, he has tried everything and now has the organized machinery to set up a super one-world government through the United Nations. Our own great society government through Social Security, Medicare, and multitudinous programs is delivering us from the need of faith in God.

The apostate religious world is now beginning to see that they are all brothers with the same father and therefore no need to be divided. The Catholics, Jews, and Protestants are becoming very fond of each other and are swapping ideas and pulpits. Their hearts are beginning to bleed for the one great Church. They are rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing, except to get together.

This is Babylon, which already has the mark of the beast and doesn’t know it. They are slaves in mind (mark in forehead) and gladly cooperate (mark in hand) with the Satanic world system as manifested in these three areas. And they do have the same father (Lucifer). And they are going to the same place (hell).

NOW FALLEN

The first aspect of Babylon’s fall is spiritual and it is past tense with God. By supernatural vision one of our young ladies saw the exact same vision of Isaiah 21:7-9. She also heard the words spoken exactly as they are in the text. “... Babylon is fallen, is fallen, and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.”

Though there will be a literal destruction of Babylon (whole world system) by fire, this aspect of the fall of Babylon is spiritual. It is now taking place. Most of Revelation chapter 14 exactly as John saw and heard it was also given in a vision. The angel which said, “... Babylon is fallen, is fallen ...” was seen and heard in this vision.

We were told by the angel of the Lord that these Bible visions were coming forth that we might know what is taking place in this hour. This fall of religious Babylon simply means God is through with her. Her day of grace and mercy has come to an end. Her space to repent has ended. Rev. 2:21. She has reached the end of her tether and her day of reckoning is at hand.

Divine judgment upon Babylon results first in her fall in the eyes of God’s elect as the scales of spiritual darkness are pulled from their eyes. They are beginning to see the vain, lifeless, dead form of ecclesiastical Babylon and are turning to the Lord for help. This is why little groups of hungry saints are springing up all over the world.

A vision came forth this morning while in prayer through one who knows nothing about what I am writing. They saw a beautiful church with affluent people in it. There was a shield of light completely covering the church. The light turned into a large man that began to smash the church with his hands.

As the roof and walls of the church began to cave in, the people started pouring out of it. Two groups of figures (angels and demons) appeared and took the people by the arms and led them off. Black figures took most of the people by their left arms and went in one direction, while figures of light took the minority of the people by their right arms and led them off in another direction.

This vision is a picture of what God is doing in this hour as he removes his protective grace (shield of light) and begins destroying Babylon’s confines (creeds, doctrines, traditions). His people are being led by angels of light to his Church, the body of Christ. The unregenerate are being led by demon forces into the camp of Anti-Christ. This is the separation of the wheat from the tares. Matthew 13:23-30, 36-43.

Deliverance of God’s people, which is already underway, will be effected through four principle means. They are as follows: judgment, restoration of divine knowledge, outpouring of the Spirit, and the ministry of angels. It doesn’t necessarily follow in the order I have given above. Fact is some of these things are coming simultaneously. However, we will briefly mention them in the order given above.

JUDGMENT

Judgment will be effected two ways. Firstly, some of God’s people have to be dealt with severely. They are stubborn and rebellious and have to be chastened and scourged before they will get down to business with God. Hebrews 12:5-11, Revelation 3:19 and John 15:2. The Lord alone knows what it will take to break the stubborn wills of his children. It might be the death of a loved one, a sickness, captivity by demons, or other things.

And then, there is the Spirit of Judgment and the Spirit of Burning spoken of by Isaiah 4:4, also Malachi 3:2-3. This definitely is in connection with the cleansing and purification of the Church as will be noticed from the context. This is a powerful work of God’s Spirit that is beginning already where people are seeking the face of God. It is the beginning of the last great outpouring of the Spirit before the coming of Christ. Joel 2:28-29.

EVENING TIME LIGHT

The next thing used of the Lord to deliver his Church is the last day revelation of his word, or restoration of divine knowledge. In addition to the restoration of apostolic truth buried under a morass of apostate Christianity, God is revealing truth reserved for this end time. The little book of Revelation 5 is being opened. These are the things Daniel was not allowed to open and reveal in his day. Daniel 12:4.

It is the evening time light of Zechariah 14:7. It is the hidden manna of Revelation 2:17. It is the light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Proverbs 4:18. It is the perfect expression of God’s wisdom and knowledge that does away with that which is in part. I Corinthians 13:9-10.

WORKS UNDER DARKNESS

This restoration of divine knowledge is absolutely necessary to defeat Satan and to deliver God’s people. In Hosea 4:6 the Lord said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge ....” Satan and his demon host can only work under the cover of darkness. The darkness of prejudice, bias, superstition, sin, and ignorance. Pour light into the minds of men and women and you set them free. The entrance of God’s word gives light. His word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our pathway. This is why perfect light will result in Satan being literally put under Christ’s feet (Church).

Truly, God’s people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge. Expose Satan and his works and he loses his power. Satan and his host have to camouflage themselves when they deceive and lead men astray. Seldom do demon possessed people know they are literally possessed by evil spirit beings that intend to destroy them. This is why Lucifer and his fallen angels are called the power of darkness. Acts 26:18.

The evening time light will shine brighter and brighter until everyone whose name is written in the book is delivered. At the same time the wicked will not be able to see nor apprehend what is taking place. Daniel 12:10. One of our teenage girls had a remarkable vision a few days ago which illustrates this truth.

BODY OF CHRIST VISION

She saw the world covered in great darkness with a few people dressed in white and a large number dressed in black. A beam of light began to shine upon the earth until the entire earth was illuminated. With this illumination of the earth those in white came together into one great body in the form of a man whose head and shoulders reached into the heavens. Ephesians 1:10, Isaiah 52:8 and 60:5.

This great light that brought the small group dressed in white together into one great man (Christ) did not affect those dressed in black. They were unaware of what was taking place. After the flowing together into this one great man was accomplished, fire began to fall upon the earth. As the earth was enveloped in flames the Church was seen going up through the clouds into heaven.

This gathering together into one is, first of all, a spiritual work that must be accomplished in the hearts of God’s children. Heaven is ready and waiting for this. The short quick work of Romans 9:28 pertains to that part of Christ’s body that is upon the earth at the end of this age. “... because a short work will the Lord make UPON THE EARTH.”

Satan and his demon host has used every conceivable thing to keep the body of Christ divided. It is when we see and understand that the many devil inspired walls of division are torn down. This is the meaning of Isaiah 60:5 which says, “Then thou shalt see, and flow together....”

The greatest factor used to keep Christ’s body divided is Satan’s influence over the ministry. The great work that is going on now is purging and perfecting the ministry. Malachi 3:3 is now in process of being fulfilled. God always works from the top down. This is why so many of God’s servants are being purged and purified through many fiery trials at this time. The Lord is perfecting the ministry.

“Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion.” Isaiah 52:8.

This is the end of the dispensation of the fullness of times. The Lord is gathering “... together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.” Ephesians 1:10.

OUTPOURING OF SPIRIT

Actually the outpouring of the spirit accompanies judgment, restoration of divine knowledge and the ministry of angels. However, I might add that the beginning of this last day outpouring, called the latter rain began with Pentecost and the latter is simply the climax of the church or Holy Ghost dispensation.

“Former” (Hebrew, Yowreh, Hosea 6:3) means first sprinkling of the autumnal showers or first rain.

“Former” (Hebrew, Mowreh, Joel 2:23) means teacher, teaching, or the early rain.

“Early” (Greek, proimos, James 5:7) means the dawning, early, or beginning of the autumnal rains. It is the beginning of the rains that develops the crops before they can ripen for the harvest. From these scriptures, it is evident that the last day outpouring begins with the spirit of revelation, or teacher rain, to teach God’s people and bring them back to true divine order.

This aspect of the latter rain is a return to the apostolic truth of the early Church. This is a preparation work that gets God’s people ready for the great effusion of the Spirit before the coming of the Lord.

This teacher rain has been falling for several years now. Of course, the depth of revelation is increasing by the hour. And it will increase until the perfect light of God is restored to the Church. His body will be full of light when it overcomes Satan and goes to meet her heavenly bridegroom.

MINISTRY OF ANGELS

The last thing we consider in the deliverance of God’s people is the ministry of angels. Angels have always been more active in the work of the Lord than we realized. Most of us believe in angels to some degree. We know the Bible records many instances of angels appearing to people. Some of us have heard of angels who appeared to people outside the Bible. And a very few believe angels actually appear to some people today.

The sad truth is most of mankind is in such a state of unbelief they do not literally believe in angels at all. Fact is, they do not believe in angels, healing, miracles, or any other supernatural manifestation of God. It is this same unbelief that keeps men from believing in demons also. However, before this age is finished God’s people are going to become very much alive to the existence of God’s angels and Satan’s demon host.

This is the time for the showdown between God’s kingdom and Satan’s kingdom. Most of the war between Satan and the Church has been skirmishes up until now. God has purposed to bring it to a close. The Battle of the Ages is at hand. Michael is now standing up. Daniel 12:1. Warfare in heaven is beginning. Revelation 12:7-9.

WAR IN HEAVEN

The heaven that John is speaking of is not some geographical heaven located somewhere in outer space. This is carnal reasoning. Heaven is more of a state than some physical, tangible place located in God’s material universe. Jesus told Nicodemus, “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.” John 3:13.

Although he stood before Nicodemus in a flesh and blood body he said he was in heaven. Most of the religious world would be miserable wretches if they went to heaven in their present condition. Heaven would be hell to them. The presence of the Lord, the saints, praise and worship in that holy blessed state would make them most miserable.

What God desires to do is bring heaven to earth in the hearts of men. This will happen when his kingdom comes and his will is done in earth (man) as it is in heaven Matthew 6:10.

Positionally, we are now in Christ seated in heavenly places. Ephesians 1:3, 2:6 and 3:10. The reality of our exalted position in him has not dawned upon us because of our carnal unbelief. We live more like earth dwellers than citizens of heaven. We can, “NOW”, overcome and sit down in the Father’s throne. Revelation 3:21.

The heaven that Satan must be cast out of is God’s dwelling place, the Church. This is God’s habitation or dwelling place. Ephesians 2:19-22. Since the church is a many-membered body it means Satan and his demon host must be cast out of the hearts and lives of every one of God’s children. This is really what the battle is all about. When the last member is delivered, Satan’s place will be found no more in heaven.

Since the fall in the garden, Satan has accused us before the Father day and night. Once again, let me say, this is not a geographical thing. Since God fills the universe, anywhere Lucifer accuses us is before God. It simply means the devil and his demon host has intimidated, charged, accused, deceived, and lied to us to destroy our faith and hope in God.

This is how he has accused us before the Father day and night. What could Satan hope to accomplish by literally accusing us to God? Since God knows he is a liar and the father of it, he doesn’t receive Satan’s lies against us. It is to our own conscience and heart that he speaks and accuses us.

When we learn what Paul is talking about in II Corinthians 10:3-5, Satan will be cast down and Revelation 12:10 will be fulfilled. “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ; for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.” Revelation 12:10.

THE LOOSING OF SATAN

This will also result in the loosing of Satan for the little season before the final destruction of the whole world system ruled over by Anti-Christ. The loosing of Satan at the end of this age simply means he is going to give unfettered attention to lost unregenerate humanity. It is in and through a world abandoned by God to strong delusion, II Thessalonians 2:9-12, that Satan is going to be loosed.

Hitherto Satan and his demon host have been mostly occupied with harassing, deceiving, and fighting the Church. After being cast out of God’s people, it is going to be “woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Revelation 12:12.

By the mouth of God’s angel we have been told that Satan is loose already like never before. And we know this is true as we observe the tremendous increase in crime, immorality, violence and a great falling away. As the little remnant of God’s people leave the confines of Babylon (organized religion) and band together to seek his face, Babylon will become indeed “the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” Revelation 18:2. This means complete demon control of religion.

As already stated we have been shown by supernatural vision that Babylon is fallen. God has removed his condescending protective grace and the door has been opened to Satan and his demon host. At the same time those whose names are written in the lamb’s book of life are coming out of the camp and beginning to seek the face of the Lord. This is the time of the separation of the wheat and the tares. Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43.

This is also why we are experiencing the visit of God’s angels. They are very active in ministering to God’s people in the earth realm at this time. However, let me warn you to not seek a visit of angels. Seek the Lord alone. The devil knows about those who are getting down to business with God, and he has power to transform himself as an angel of light and deceive you if your heart is not right with God. II Corinthians 11:13-15. Believe me, for I know what I am telling you to be true. Satan has already come and tried this in our group. But the Lord was with us and his subterfuge was discovered.

There are, no doubt, other little groups that are being watched over by God’s host of holy angels at the time. But the angels have not as yet manifested themselves to these groups. They will, if need be, when they are ready for it. The holy angels of God are in complete obedience to the Lord and only do what he tells them to do.

The great work at this time is to teach and get God’s people ready for the coming of the Lord. These are not things I have conjured up in my own mind but I have received them from the heavenly messengers of the Lord. Through the two messengers which have manifested themselves to our group we have received much help and instruction.

Being filled with much unbelief like most of God’s people, we have been very fearful and suspicious of these messengers from another realm. We have also tested them with many questions and fully believe they are from God. They honor God, the blood of Jesus Christ, and the Word of God.

Yes, beloved, we are experiencing the most unusual visitation of our entire lives. We know that many will not understand nor believe it. In fact, the angels themselves told us this. But we have also been told that God would bless this message and it would cause some to seek his face. This is what we are after. God bless you to seek the face of the Lord with all your heart, mind, and soul. The coming of the Lord is very near.