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Satan has limited power to do deceiving miracles. (John 8:44) says Satan is a liar and the father of lies. He appears as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14) and does this to draw people away from God.
During the tribulation, the Antichrist “will use all sorts of power displays through signs and wonders that serve the lie.” (2 Thessalonians 2:9) They are miracles empowered by Satan. Jesus warned that the end times will be characterized by the treachery of counterfeit prophets who “will do great signs and wonders to deceive.” (Matthew 24:24)
Demonic miracles are one reason we must test all spirits: “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone into the world.” (1 John 4:1) When we are in doubt, make sure what is being taught lines with Scripture. If the miracle worker is teaching something contrary to God’s Word, then his miracles are a demonic delusion.
Demonic miracles are real, and it is your responsibility to make sure you do not give in to them. Keep your Bibles open and put God’s revealed truth ahead of any miracle.
- Satan and his followers do miracles, only if God allows them.
- Satan can transform himself into “an angel of light,” (2 Cor 11:14) and it seems likely other fallen angels do that.
- God allowed Satan to hurt Job in a myriad of ways, all were supernatural in origin (Job 1-2). While God allowed it, Satan had the power to do these things as long as God did not stop him.
- Demons will do signs during the Tribulation. (Rev 16:13-14)
- The Antichrist, the world ruler in the Tribulation, will come “according to Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders.” (2 Thess 2:9)
It is critical that Christians realize that Satan has vast experience in bringing human beings down. In fact, his experience is far greater than that of any human being. As theologian Charles Ryrie puts it:
By his very longevity, Satan has gained a breadth and depth of experience which he matches against the limited knowledge of man. He has observed other believers in every conceivable situation, thus enabling him to predict with accuracy how we will respond to circumstances. Though Satan is not omniscient, his wide experience and observation of man throughout his entire history on earth gives him knowledge which is far superior to anything any man has.
Satan has learned many wiles and tricks to deceive human beings. Some of his deceitful tricks relate to miracles he inspires. Christians are so urged to beware. (1 Peter 5:8; 2 Corinthians 2:11)
The devil has great power to deceive people, (Revelation 12:9) to oppress those who yield to him, and even to enter them. (Acts 16:16) He is a master magician and a super scientist. And with His vast knowledge of God, man, and the universe, he will do “counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders” through the Antichrist. (2 Thessalonians 2:9, emphasis added; see also Revelation 13:13-14)
Regardless of any devious power, rest secure because Christ has defeated them; (Hebrews 2:14-15; Colossians 2:15) and has provided what is necessary for Christians to be victorious over all demons. (Ephesians 4:4-11; 1 John 4:4)
“If Satan casts out demons, he is divided against himself; how will his kingdom stand? He will not cast demons out of someone who is demon possessed, because Satan would be working against himself.”
While the Bible specifically says that the Lord alone heals the sick and infirmed, we never find any specific reference in Scripture of Satan, or his followers, healing someone who is sick or infirmed. Healing miracles are never devious.
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