Lessons learned from Demas 515-2 - 20 - 6

The name Demas appears in three of Paul’s letters written from Rome.

Colossians 4:14, “Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.”

Philemon 1:24, “Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow labourers.”

2 Timothy 4:10, “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.”

“The second epistle unto Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time.” [eSword]

Compare 2 Timothy 4:10 to the next verse, “Only Luke is with me. Take Mark and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.”

Luke was a faithful physician to Paul throughout some of his travels and authored the Books of Luke and Acts. (John) Mark had parted with Paul in earlier travels but they were later reconciled. He later wrote Peter’s account of being Jesus’ disciple, the Book of Mark.

As for Demas, he began well as confirmed by Paul referring to Demas as a “fellow labourers,” Philemon 1:24. Sadly he may have feared being executed with Paul and abandoned him. Was it only fear or “having loved this present world.” Here we learn about the pull of survival as well as the comforts of the flesh.

“Study 9 DEMAS: THE SNARE OF WORLDLINESS

2. SEVERE PERSECUTION AND TESTING

Look up Matthew 24:9-10; compare Matthew 5:10-12 and 1 Peter 4:12-19 –- and then look up Luke 8:13. Is this a commentary upon the experience of Demas? It frequently happens that those who have trusted Christ and have confessed their faith in Him “falter” when the fires of persecution begin to burn. Many young believers who have been nurtured in a Christian home and church discover, when they leave home to go to college or to work out “in the world”, that their faith is very severely tested. Some, like Demas, turn back! All such tested ones need our prayers, (not our criticisms), and all the encouragement we can give them.”

[http://www.wordsoflife.co.uk/bible-studies/study-9-demas-the-snare-of-worldliness/]

Matthew 24:9-10, “9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.”

Matthew 5:10-12 speaks to suffering for Jesus as a joyful trial as does 1 Peter 4:12-19.

Finally, the parable of the sower refers to those such as Demas who do not persevere to the end. Luke 8:13, “They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.” 

While Christians suffer throughout parts of the world, we have been far less persecuted here in the United States. However, there can be the loss of friendship, ridicule and even employment. If and when really tested, will I be a Demas, I pray not.

Who was Simeon and what did Simeon predict? Are the prophecies of Simeon being fulfilled today? 531-1 - 2 - 4

“Simeon was one of the godly remnant of Jews who was waiting for the coming of the Messiah. It was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Lord's Christ or Anointed One.”

[Believer’s Bible Commentary]

Luke 2:25, “And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation (G3874) of Israel (G2474): and the Holy Ghost was upon him.” 

Consolation, G3874, From G3870; imploration, hortation, solace: - comfort, consolation, exhortation, intreaty. G3870, to call near, that is, invite, invoke by imploration, hortation or consolation: - beseech, call for, be of good comfort, desire, give exhortation, intreat, pray.

A foretelling of comfort to come, Luke 2:30, “For mine eyes have seen thy salvation…”

Israel, G2474, Of Hebrew origin (H3478); Israel, the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively): - Israel. H3478, he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity: - Israel.

That comfort shall literally be for Israel and figuratively for the descendants of Israel/ Jacob one of whom was Mary and to the Gentiles. Luke 2:32, “A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”

Luke 2:34-35, “34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall (G4431) and rising again (G386) of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35 (Yea, a sword (G4501) shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Fall, G4431, a crash, that is, downfall (literally or figuratively): fall.

Again (Rising), G386, a standing up again, that is, (literally) a resurrection from death (individual, general or by implication (its author)), or (figuratively) a (moral) recovery (of spiritual truth): - raised to life again, resurrection, rise from the dead, that should rise, rising again.

Jesus would fall, be crucified, and rising again, be resurrected.

Sword, G4501, probably of foreign origin; a sabre, that is, a long and broad cutlass (any weapon of the kind, literally or figuratively): - sword.

A sword would figuratively pierce Mary’s soul and a sword would literally pierce the side of the dead Jesus.

As for the phase, “that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed,” refers to past, present, and future reactions to our redeemer, Jesus. The Holy Spirit knows what is truly in our hearts.

Is there a “Grieving the Holy Spirit” today? Jesus said that speaking a word against the Son of man can be forgiven but whosoever “speaks against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.”

Matthew 12:31, 32: “These verses mark a crisis in Christ's dealings with the leaders of Israel. He accuses them of committing the unpardonable sin by blaspheming against the Holy Spirit, that is, by charging that Jesus performed His miracles by the power of Satan rather than by the power of the Holy Spirit. In effect, this was calling the Holy Spirit Beelzebub, the ruler of demons.”

[Believer’s Bible Commentary]

Jesus performed miracles through the power of the Holy Spirit, nevertheless, the Pharisees claimed that it was through the power of Satan. Fast forward to the present, for several years, there have been/ are “revivals” where gold dust appears, masses of people are blown over by what is called the Holy Spirit, feathers float through the air and more. A reversal of the unpardonable sin? What of false teachers/ teachings?