sed with a devil, blind, and dumb; and He healed him, insomuch
that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. And all the people were
amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? But when the Pharisees
heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by
Beelzebub the prince of the devils. And Jesus knew their thoughts, and
said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to
desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not
stand: and if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how
shall then his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by
whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your
judges. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom
of God has come unto you. Or else how can one enter into a strong man's
house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and
then he will spoil his house. He that is not with me is against me; and
he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad."

By this Scripture it may be seen that the kingdom of Satan is a host of
bodiless spirits. Although their origin cannot be definitely traced, it
is probable that they were created as subjects of Satan in the primal
glory, as he, also, was created as their prince and king. Satan, being
in authority over these beings, doubtless drew them after him in his
sinful attempt to thrust himself into the place of God.

It would seem that Satan is in authority over two distinct orders of
beings--the Satanic order of the earth, and the Satanic host of the air.
It is clear that he secured the scepter of government in the earth from
Adam, by right of conquest: while his authority over the Satanic host
is, undoubtedly, that which he has been permitted to retain from his
creation. If Satan has thus kept his authority over these spirits from
the beginning, it follows that they are in full sympathy with him and
render him willing service. The following Scriptures emphasize the
authority of Satan over these beings: "And if Satan cast out Satan, how
then shall his kingdom stand?" (Matt. 12:26). "Then shall he say also
unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting
fire, prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matt. 25:41).

The reality and personality of this host of evil spirits is taught in
Scripture; and a careful study of the numerous passages in which they
are mentioned will reveal how God has provided complete