As we know, demons possess people, so this would mean that “every individual” living in the city would be under the complete control of a demon. I suppose it would be “possible,” but “highly unlikely.” I say this because of all the examples in the Bible of demon-possession, it would seem that demon-possession was rather rare. In Matthew chapter 9 we read of Jesus and His disciples performing miracles in the city of Capernaum and in verses 32-33 it says, “As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed. And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, ‘It was never seen like this in Israel’” (NKJV)! Notice, they “brought to Him a man,” which tells us there was only one individual in this case that was brought to Jesus to have the demon cast out. Verse 35 goes on to say, “Then Jesus went about ALL THE CITIES and VILLAGES, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing EVERY SICKNESS and EVERY DISEASE among the people.” Here we learn that Jesus canvassed every city and village where He taught and preached to people and healed all sicknesses and diseases “among the people.” This means that some people were sick or diseased, but nothing is said, in this passage, about demon-possession. I would encourage you to read Matthew 12:22-23; 17:14-18; Mark 5:1-20; 7:24-30; and Luke 4:31-37, for in these passages we have 5 cases of demon-possession in various cities or near a big city and yet it was only ONE INDIVIDUAL that was possessed by a demon.

What about today? I have no doubt that there are many cases of demon-possession throughout the world; in fact, there may be many who have been diagnosed as “criminally insane” who are actually “demon-possessed.” We know that in some third-world countries, where witchcraft, sorcery and spiritism are practiced by many, there may be quite a few cases of demon-possession. Why? Because these Satanic, occult practices open up the door of their hearts for demons to enter in. But even in these cases, it is “highly unlikely” that a whole city or village is demon-possessed.

In America we have some very “wicked cities.” Las Vegas has been called “Sin City” for years because of its gambling, prostitution, consumption of drugs and alcohol, and crime. Even though it is known as being the most “sinful city” in the United States, no one attributes this to demon-possession. This teaches us that one does NOT have to be demon-possessed to be classified as SINFUL or WICKED. Every individual in the world today has an evil, sinful nature called SIN or THE FLESH, as we see in Romans 7:17-18, “But now, it is no longer I who do it, but SIN that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in MY FLESH) nothing good dwells.” This sinful nature can be just as damaging as a demon. It can control us (like a demon) and it can be just as destructive (to one’s self or to others). You can read about the solemn “works of the flesh” in Galatians 5:19-21. We have seen graphic examples of this in our major cities in the form of riots, murders and looting during our present COVID-19 pandemic. Perhaps SOME of these individuals are demon-possessed, but it is more likely that they are being controlled by their sinful natures to wreak havoc as they become more and more lawless.

In 2nd Thessalonians 2:3-8 we read of the coming of the infamous “Antichrist” who is called “the Man of Sin” and the “Lawless One.” We read in verse 9, “the coming of the LAWLESS ONE is according to the WORKING OF SATAN.” I believe this man will be possessed by Satan just as Judas Iscariot was (see John 13:26-27 and then see John 17:12 and 2nd Thessalonians 2:3 where both men are called “the son of perdition”). And even though he will deceive many and lead many into the depths of sin and degradation, sorcery and demon-possession will only be one of many evils in that day (see Revelation 9:21). Thus, even during the most wicked time in all of human history, it does not seem that whole cities will be given over to demon-possession.  (DO)  (504.1)