November 9 Salvation

Luke 8:30-36 Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. 31 And they begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. 32 A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into them, and he gave them permission. 33 When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. 34 When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, 35 and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus' feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 36 Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured.  
 
I have been sitting here looking at these verses for a few minutes. They cause me great fear and sadness. They also give me true hope.
   I am fearful and sad for so many who do not know Jesus’ saving power. Demons possess some to cause physical and spiritual misery. Other unbelieving minds are influenced with Satanic lies to deny their sins and need for a Savior. Such people are destined for the Abyss of eternal destruction. Revelation 17:8a The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his destruction. 
   Know this: The demons knew of the Abyss. Confronted with the “Son of the Most High”, they “begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.” The underlined emphasis is to cause you to pay attention to Hell’s horrors. These conscious, living, creatures had once been angels. God had permitted them to follow Satan out of Heaven. They knew about their future in the hellish Abyss. Once in the Abyss, there is no escape from this torturous existence. See how the demons believed in Jesus, his judgment and the promised eternal punishment.
   But within this fearful exchange, you can see hope. Jesus speaks his authority and his patience. Remember that Jesus had come to “to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19:10) That day was not the day for final judgment. That day along Galilee’s shore was a day for grace. The gospel is spoken to proclaim our sin and the Savior. Thus, Jesus spoke to save the man from evil spirits. And in his grace he didn’t judge the demons. See how he answered their petitions as he permitted them to enter into the pigs.
   We don’t know the demons’ ultimate destination that day. Did they drown with the pigs? It I sunlikely spirits respond to physical elements. Other Scriptues teach that demons can and do move from person to person or place to place.
   The twofold lesson here is 1) Mankind must be fearful of the eternal Abyss. Without Jesus’ salvation, this is one’s ultimate destiny. 2) Believe in the Savior’s grace and power to free you from sin’s chains into his eternal presence.
   The Lord is good to save; indeed, his love does endure forever. Trust in this hope and be saved.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for coming to seek and save me. I pray you will save my friends and family membes who do not believe in you as their Lord and Savior. In your name I pray for your mercy. Amen.