Dear Mike,

Here is my pre- made “standard” answer to Jas 2:19:

Jas 2:19 “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils { Grk, daimonia, ‘demons’, R. S. V.} also believe, and tremble.”

1. This passage appears to be an allusion by James to the demons cast out by Christ and the disciples. (Mar 3:11; Luk 4:34, 41).
2. The context of this passage in James indicates a concern for the relationship between faith and works. (vs. 14-18). The demoniacs or demon possessed persons had sufficient sanity to acknowledge “trembling”, that Jesus was the Son of God, but this faith was not demonstrated in acceptable works. The Gadarene demoniacs were, for example, “exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way”. (Mat 8:28). Unless believers to whom James addressed his epistle, demonstrated their faith in appropriate works, their professions of faith were in effect no better than those of a demoniac.
3. There is no indication elsewhere in Scripture that demons literally believed and trembled. It was the individual “possessed with demons” who did the speaking. (See Mar 5:9 – “And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.”) To be “possessed of demons” is equivalent to madness. (Joh 8:48; 10:20). Similarly, “demon possession” described infirmities of the body. (E. g. blindness – Mat 12:22; epilepsy – Mar 9:17-22; dumbness – Mat 9:32, 33).

The passage in Job should read “By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his open hand hath formed the constellation of the dragon” (Job 26:13). Job is here speaking of God’s power and sovereignty – as in verse 7 “He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing”. The whole chapter is in answer to Bildad the Shuhite (25:1) and he continues the “parable” in chapter 27 (27:1). Isa 27:1 and 43:14 lets us know that the constellation of the dragon is symbolic of Babylon. That is, the real and physical Babylon and also “spiritual” Babylon – I agree about “spiritual” Babylon – Israel (both physical and “spiritual”). I know that the “Babylon” in prophecy is speaking of “spiritual Babylon” and not the pile of rocks over in Iraq (Rev 17). Lucifer should have been a “light bringer” (both physical and also “spiritual” Babylon) but, alas… Isa 14. The reason why the dragon constellation was used as symbolic of Babylon is because Babylon used it as their city- state symbol in ancient times. Sort of like our “eagle” symbol of America and the “lion” for England and the “bear” for Russia.

Well, I’ve rattled on long enough, I know you must be busy…. later.

Sincerely,

C____

I’ll just pray that God will grant you spiritual vision, C____ 🙂

Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

The ‘invisible’ is ‘understood’ by the visible. It does not say that the invisible is the visible! The ‘serpent’ is not visible man.

Eph 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 [ heaven].

The “spiritual wickedness,” we fight is in “heaven.” Did you read the notes on Where Heaven Is?
It’s not a matter of geography, any more than Satan is physical. It is all spiritual and it is all in “high places” also translated ‘heavenly places.’ It is the exact same Greek word ‘pouranos.’ It is spiritual demons whether it is mental illness or physical illness.

Mental illness is a physical disease. But it is certainly accomplished through “evil spirits from the Lord.” His words, not mine.

Mike