⁴³“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. ⁴⁴Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. ⁴⁵Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”

In this section Jesus drew an analogy between a demon and Israel’s acceptance of the Messiah (12:43-45). The contrast is between religionists of Israel and the Messiah.

12:43

“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none.

A demon finds no rest in the desert (dry places—abodes of demons in inhospitable places). Israel found no rest in demon idolatry.

12:44

Then he says, ‘I will return to my house [the entity that the demon possessed] from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order.

Having found no rest, the demon returns to his abode (Israel) to find it put in good order, but the house (Israel) was essentially the same. This house was in order but became susceptible to demon possession again because of a vacuum in the house.

12:45

Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there;

The demon finds seven other demons taking up abode in this house, making it more degenerate. Religion without the Messiah made the condition in Israel worse.

and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

The purpose of the Tribulation is to bring Israel as a nation back to God. Their suffering during that time will be worse than the deportation to Babylon.

So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”

Now Jesus drew the analogy to the nation Israel. Both John the Baptist and Jesus cleansed Israel’s dwelling places, but the people were negative in volition towards Jesus’ claim to Messiahship. Israel did not invite Jesus as the Messiah in the nation. Israel will face ultimate judgment at the Second Coming.

Jesus compared Israel, which turned negative in volition towards His Messiahship, to demon possession. Israel responded to His miracles but not to His Messiahship. That left Israel in a vulnerable vacuum.

PRINCIPLE:

Satanic activity seeks a vacuum.

APPLICATION:

Jesus seeks to occupy our hearts but idolatry keeps Him out.

Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Col 3:5