Mark 5:5-13 NASB
Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. 6 And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. 7 And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” 8 For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” 9 And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” 10 And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. 11 Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, 12 and they begged him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.” 13 So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea.
Jesus asked the demon's name. They knew Who stood before them: Son of the Most High God.
This reminds me of Satan being thrown out of heaven. In both cases one might wonder why God would allow Satan and his followers to be thrown down to earth, or why Jesus would allow the demons to enter the swine and then rush to the sea.
The sea often represents man in the Bible. God has a reason to allow Satan to come into our midst. Jesus repeated that action when He allowed the demons to enter the unclean swine. Each enter the sea of man, into this fallen creation. The battle for our hearts and souls takes on an increased intensity. The heat of the furnace of the refining fire of life grows hotter and the stakes never higher.
He gave them permission. It is for His purpose and our salvation.
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