I. A factual phenomenon of the first century

A. Demon possession afflicted people in various ways: inability to speak (Matthew 9:32-33); blindness (Matthew 12:22); insanity (Mark 9:26-36)
B. Jesus and His apostles often cast them out of victims (Mark 5:1-20; 9:25-27; Luke 10:17-18)

II. What are (or were) demons?

A. What they are (and were) not: metaphors, superstitions, common explanation for mental illness
B. Intelligent beings (Mark 1:24; 5:7)
C. Wicked beings from the abyss (Revelation 9:11)
D. Souls of departed wicked men who were allowed by God to possess the living so that His power and authority over all things could be demonstrated and He could be glorified

III. What about today?

A. Their end was prophesied (Zechariah 13:2)
B. God gives us “the way of escape” from temptation—not miraculous (1 Corinthians 10:13)