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Objection 1: It would seem that no prophecy comes from the demons.
For prophecy is "a Divine revelation," according to Cassiodorus
[Prol. in Psalt. i]. But that which is done by a demon is not
Divine. Therefore no prophecy can be from a demon.
Objection 2: Further, some kind of enlightenment is requisite for
prophetic knowledge, as stated above (Question 171, Articles
2,3). Now the demons do not enlighten the human intellect, as
stated above in the FP, Question 119, Article 3. Therefore
no prophecy can come from the demons.
Objection 3: Further, a sign is worthless if it betokens
contraries. Now prophecy is a sign in confirmation of faith;
wherefore a gloss on Rm. 12:6, "Either prophecy to be used
according to the rule of faith," says: "Observe that in reckoning
the graces, he begins with prophecy, which is the first proof of the
reasonableness of our faith; since believers, after receiving the
Spirit, prophesied." Therefore prophecy cannot be bestowed by the
demons.
On the contrary, It is written (3 Kgs. 18:19): "Gather
unto me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four
hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the grove four hundred, who eat
at Jezebel's table." Now these were worshippers of demons.
Therefore it would seem that there is also a prophecy from the demons.
I answer that, As stated above (Question 171, Article 1),
prophecy denotes knowledge far removed from human knowledge. Now it is
evident that an intellect of a higher order can know some things that
are far removed from the knowledge of an inferior intellect. Again,
above the human intellect there is not only the Divine intellect, but
also the intellects of good and bad angels according to the order of
nature. Hence the demons, even by their natural knowledge, know
certain things remote from men's knowledge, which they can reveal to
men: although those things which God alone knows are remote simply and
most of all.
Accordingly prophecy, properly and simply, is conveyed by Divine
revelations alone; yet the revelation which is made by the demons may
be called prophecy in a restricted sense. Wherefore those men to whom
something is revealed by the demons are styled in the Scriptures as
prophets, not simply, but with an addition, for instance as "false
prophets," or "prophets of idols." Hence Augustine says (Gen.
ad lit. xii, 19): "When the evil spirit lays hold of a man for
such purposes as these," namely visions, "he makes him either
devilish, or possessed, or a false prophet."
Reply to Objection 1: Cassiodorus is here defining prophecy in its
proper and simple acceptation.
Reply to Objection 2: The demons reveal what they know to men, not
by enlightening the intellect, but by an imaginary vision, or even by
audible speech; and in this way this prophecy differs from true
prophecy.
Reply to Objection 3: The prophecy of the demons can be
distinguished from Divine prophecy by certain, and even outward,
signs. Hence Chrysostom says [Opus Imperf. in Matth., Hom.
xix] that "some prophesy by the spirit of the devil, such as
diviners, but they may be discerned by the fact that the devil
sometimes utters what is false, the Holy Ghost never." Wherefore
it is written (Dt. 18:21,22): "If in silent thought thou
answer: How shall I know the word that the Lord hath spoken? Thou
shalt have this sign: Whatsoever that same prophet foretelleth in the
name of the Lord, and it come not to pass, that thing the Lord hath
not spoken."
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