YHWH and His Divided Kingdom: Satan Casting Out Satan
Jesus used a parable to reveal this truth after expelling a demon and healing a man. Some asked, “Can this be the Son of David?” [Mt 12:23] Scribes claimed, “Only by Beelzebul, prince of demons, does this man cast out demons.” [Mt 12:24]
Jesus replied, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? If I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? They will be your judges.” [Mt 12:25–27]
I believe Jesus exposed YHWH as Satan, referencing an event involving evil spirits and David: “The Spirit of YHWH departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from YHWH tormented him. Saul’s servants said, ‘Behold, an evil spirit from God torments you. Let our lord command your servants to find a man skilful in playing the lyre, and when the evil spirit from God is upon you, he will play, and you will be well.’” [1 Sa 16:14–16]
David, chosen because YHWH was with him [1 Sa 16:18], played the lyre whenever the evil spirit from God tormented Saul, refreshing him and driving the spirit away. [1 Sa 16:23]
Recap:
- YHWH sends an evil spirit to torment Saul.
- David, chosen for YHWH’s presence, expels it.
Key point: YHWH casting out his own evil spirit mirrors Satan casting out Satan, a divided kingdom.
Jesus added, “But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” [Mt 12:28] He clarified he casts out demons by his Father’s Spirit, not Satan, signalling the true Kingdom’s arrival.
Jesus also said he won us from the “strong man,” Satan (YHWH), the “god of this world.” “How can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods unless he first binds the strong man? Then he may plunder his house. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people.” [Mt 12:29–31]
Through the law comes knowledge of sin. [Ro 3:20] Jesus declared his Kingdom has bound Satan, plundering him, so “every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people.”
He warned that attributing his Father’s Spirit to Satan is unforgivable blasphemy in this age or the next. [Mt 12:32 & Mk 3:28-29]
