“Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the MAN WHO HAD BEEN MUTE SPOKE, AND THE CROWD WAS AMAZED. But, WHEN THE PHARISEES HEARD THIS, THEY SAID, “BY BEELZEBUL, THE PRINCE OF DEMONS, HE IS DRIVING OUT DEMONS.” (Luke 11:14-15) “Whoever is not with me IS AGAINST ME, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. And so, I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL NOT BE FORGIVEN. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will NOT BE FORGIVEN, either in this age or in the age to come.” (Matthew 12:30-32)
The Pharisees said Jesus is casting out devils by “BEELZEBUL, THE PRINCE OF DEMONS.“ Jesus said this is, “BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT” and will NOT be forgiven. “If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if it is BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD THAT I DRIVE OUT DEMONS, then the kingdom of God has COME UPON YOU.” (Matthew 12:26-28)
Now when Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU.” Then He said to the disciples, “The days will come when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. And they will say to you, ‘Look here!’ or ‘Look there!’ DO NOT GO AFTER THEM OR FOLLOW THEM. For as the lightning that flashes out of one part under heaven shines to the other part under heaven, so also the SON OF MAN BE IN HIS DAY.” (Luke 17:20-24)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham