What if . . .

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What if the reason for demonic activity is because no one has been there as a witness of the true king? What if no one has been there as a representative of the kingdom of YHWH? Or, perhaps, if they have been there, they must continue to bring these 'principalities and powers' to reconciliation? What if this must be done constantly and continuously?

I ask because of the story of St Bartholomew. It is said that he stayed in India at a Temple housed by the demon, Astaruth. Before Bartholomew was there, the demon would 'cure' people of infirmity (but only, it seems, temporarily). However, after Bartholomew showed up and stationed himself in that same Temple, the demon was no where to be seen. You can read more about this here and here.

This has gotten me thinking. What if that is the case? That is, what if the problem is that these 'principalities and powers' have been rebellious so long that we must continually bring them under 'control', as it were?

St Paul wrote:
Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before God made anything at all and is supreme over all creation. Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see -- kings, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities. Everything has been created through him and for him. He existed before everything else began, and he holds all creation together.

Christ is the head of the church, which is his body. He is the first of all who will rise from the dead, so he is first in everything. For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and by him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of his blood on the cross. -- Colossians 1.15-20

Did you notice that? St Paul wrote that YHWH 'reconciled everything to himself' -- including the 'principalities and powers'! So, like I asked, maybe we have to continually bring these demons to subjection to Christ? Reminding them that YHWH has reconciled them to himself.

This leads me to my next thought. YHWH has reconciled everything to 'himself'. But, everything has not been reconciled to YHWH. For reconciliation to work, there has to be a willingness with all parties involved. YHWH has done his part. The whole world has been reconciled to 'him'. But, to quote Paul again:
God has given us the task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others. We are Christ's ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, "Be reconciled to God!" -- 2Corinthians 5.18-20

Just some thoughts on this fine Wednesday.

May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance.

+OD

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