Halloween: Partnering With Satan

 

Each year at this time I write about the pagan ties and rituals associated with the culturally-accepted holiday of Halloween. And each year, as the Lord reveals more of the evil that takes place on the kingdom of darkness's sacred and holy night, the more I see Halloween commercially promoted. Not just for kids anymore, adults have increasingly adopted this night for their own celebrations. And the amount of money spent on decorations for the house and yard has steadily increased to make it one of the most successful holidays for retailers. Even the professed Christian retailer Hobby Lobby isn't above cashing in on its success.

If you have been reading my blogs for awhile, then you know the different historical persepectives I've brought you regarding Halloween. If not, then you can catch up by reading here and here and here. And for those who want the short version (because it is important to know the ancient history and connections), then here is a summary: The Encyclopedia of Religion describes Halloween as this ... "Halloween is the name for the eve of Samhain [pronounced sow-en], a celebration marking the beginning of winter as well as the first day of the New Year within the ancient Celtic culture of the British Isles. The time of Samhain consisted of the eve of the feast and the day itself (October 31st and November 1st). On this occasion, it was believed that a gathering of supernatural forces occurred as during no other period of the year. The eve and day of Samhain were characterized as a time when the barriers between the human and supernatural worlds were broken. Otherworldly entities, such as the souls of the dead, were able to visit earthly inhabitants, and humans could take the opportunity to penetrate the domains of the gods and supernatural creatures. Fiery tributes and sacrifices of animals, crops, and possibly human beings were made to appease supernatural powers who controlled the fertility of the land ... Samhain acknowledged the entire spectrum of nonhuman forces that roamed the earth during the period" (pp. 176-177, 1987).

Furthermore, The Encyclopedia Brittanica says that on this holiday "huge bonfires were set on hilltops to frighten away evil spirits ... The souls of the dead were supposed to revisit their homes on this day, and the autumnal festival acquired sinister significance, with ghosts, witches, hobgoblins, black cats, fairies, and demons of all kinds said to be roaming about. It was the time to placate the supernatural powers controlling the processes of nature. In addition, Halloween was thought to be the most favorable time for divinations concerning marriage, luck, health, and death. It was the only day on which the help of the devil was invoked for such purposes" (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 15th edition, Micropaedia, Vol. 4, p. 862, "Halloween"). 

By now, I hope that you are able to let go of any deception that this holiday is nothing more than "innocent fun". And the Church trying to "Christianize" the holiday by calling it "All Saint's Day", in the guise of celebrating dead Christian martyrs, is just another case of false pretense. 

Since the Lord has opened my spiritual eyes to the increasing evil in the world and the ways that the devil has infiltrated our culture through witchcraft and the occult [in all spheres of our existence], I have been introduced to deeper and yes, disturbing, revelations about what Halloween represents. I've been able to see how the "spirit" of Halloween, so to speak, has transferred from ancient ceremonies of the Celts and Druids to modern rituals of witches and Satanists. So, as I go to a new level in my exposé on Halloween, it is especially important that Christians understand the trauma and evil that is inflicted on this night, and just how important it is that we counter it with the Light of the Lord.

To that end, I'm going to share the testimony of a woman named Beth, who used to be a witch and was a victim of this satanic ritual abuse on Halloween, and how God delivered her from that situation and healed her. Her testimony will reveal the underlying demonic foundation of Halloween and why it is such a dangerous and contemptible holiday. Here is what she had to say....

"Halloween is all about witchcraft. It is a sacred and holy night in which witches and Satanists pay tribute to the dead. It is a night of celebration; a passage into a different spiritual world. It's a night when the veil between the different world's [realms] is the thinnest and when one has access into other realms. It is the thinnest because of the amount of witchcraft that happens on that night; because of the majik, spells, and incantations that are taking place to diminish the demonic veil."

I found it interesting that she said, "Most witches don't know that what they're doing is evil. It's just a way to get something they want done. Not so, for Satanists and Luciferians -- they actually worship Satan. But it's all witchcraft ... it's all about your intent and purpose ; doing rituals and majik as you partner with the demons in you to push out into the atmosphere to affect change in people, the atmosphere, animals, and things."

She went on, "Halloween is when you have thousands upon thousands of groups of people coming together and doing witchcraft on this one night. So, people [especially Christians] need to understand that when you "trick or treat", or have a Halloween party and dress up in costumes, you are celebrating Halloween and you've made an agreement with the ancient rites! You are in agreement with a Satanic ritual holiday!"

Beth said it is important that Christians understand that "witchcraft is Satanism. Even those who align themselves with neo-paganism or earth spiritualism do not know or believe what they are doing is Satanism. There are even Satanists that are so deceived, they think Lucifer is the bearer of Light and good, and that God is bad. When they are harming people and animals in their rituals, they actually think they are doing good". At this point in her testimony, Scripture came immediately to mind: Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5:20). 

At this point her testimony became difficult to hear, but it is important that we not shy away from the truth that she is sharing... "People will actually sacrifice a baby or animal to the god Molech and tell themselves it's good. It took me years to understand that I was a victim of satanic ritual abuse on Halloween. At the age of three, I was strapped to a table and sexually abused and filled with demons; used as a sexual idol to be worshiped. The satanic rituals performed on Halloween are sexual and sacrificial. Some children are not as lucky as I was to escape the rituals; they are actually murdered as a sacrifice."

I know this is hard to read and perhaps, even harder to accept. But this is why I continually warn against aligning yourself with this evil holiday. Beth was fortunate. By His Grace, God came into the abuse during one of the rituals, because she asked Him to, and she says He took her spirit away so she wouldn't be corrupted. Eventually, she would ask Jesus into her heart where she would find freedom, redemption and healing from her pain and her own personal hell. 

But she is adamant about continuing to warn of the dangers of Halloween. "Hundreds of thousands of others are just like me, and have been subjected to torment on Halloween night. And many more will also be tortured and murdered on Halloween as every year passes. The only difference between myself and most other victims is, I chose to allow God to bring me healing and remember it. I could not have done it without Jesus. It would be impossible. He has shown me a love like I have never known before in my entire life. He has shown me that His love is something that is pure and untainted, and that I am indeed special and valuable to God. There may be evil in this world, but nothing is bigger than the power of the Almighty. The devil may have infiltrated churches, or taken over an entire night to align people unwittingly with darkness, but that can never change the truth of who God is. He is the King, and in the end He will wear the Victor’s Crown." 

So, I know I sound like a broken record, but I believe that a lot of what we are seeing happening in the world today is because Christians don't really believe in spiritual warfare. I think we just expect God to identify evil and deal with it. We're either afraid to engage with the dark side, or we're just too complacent in our security in Christ. But as long as we refuse to face the truth that Satan is looking for every advantage he can get to infiltrate people, animals, the earth and the atmosphere, we are allowing him and his demonic forces free rein to torment and kill. And by our silence and rationalization that "it doesn't mean that to me" or "this is the day the Lord has made, so I'm just going to call it good," we allow evil to continue to reign. You know, we might be able to convince ourselves that our allegiance belongs to the Lord, but we're still in agreement with darkness if we continue to participate in Halloween or refuse to renounce it. If you still need convincing, consider this quote by Anton LaVey, founder of the Church of Satan, "I'm glad Christians let their children worship the Devil at least one night out of the year".

As the Ekklesia, let us redeem the day by coming together [as thousands upon thousands] with our own celebration of the power and might of the Most High God! While that veil between realms is thin, let us bombard the next realm with prayers that sustain and empower the angelic forces of Heaven as they battle the intents and purposes of the witches and Satanists! And then let us use our power and authority to close that access into this realm, sealing it with the blood of Jesus! Let us pray that the minds and hearts of all people be awakened to the ancient darkness that has come down through the centuries to enslave people through witchcraft. Let us pray for the protection of every innocent child who is targeted for this Halloween night. Pray that plans for their torment or sacrifice are thwarted; that every animal or thing upon the earth be defended from wickedness. Let us be instruments of God to bring His Light into this dark night. And please, Lord, expand the time we have between now and Saturday night so that all these things be done in Your Holy and Precious Name! Amen!

Click here for more of Beth's testimony. Be sure and check out her blog, theothersideofdarkness.com. 

1 Corinthians 10:21   You cannot drink [both] the Lord’s cup and the cup of demons. You cannot share in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons [thereby becoming partners with them].

 

Warning To Parents: Disney Is Pushing Demons Again

     I have been warning about the sinister undertones of Disney for several years now, and it appears that they are upping the game. LifeSiteNews reports that "The Disney Channel premiered a new cartoon – The Owl House – on Friday, January 10, that promises to introduce young viewers to a world of demons and witchcraft."

     According to Disney themselves, the series follows self-assured teenage girl Luz, who discovers a portal to another realm where humans are not well-liked, and she must disguise herself in order to fit in at witch school. Luz partners with a rebellious witch named Eda and her diminutive sidekick, King, who was indeed once a king, and is searching for a way to restore his titles and glory. Despite not possessing any magical abilities of her own, Luz pursues her dream of becoming a witch by serving as Eda's apprentice and learning the ways of magic.
     Furthermore, Disney describes that realm as a “Demon town,” where Luz takes up residence with Eda the Owl Lady, “the most powerful witch on the Boiling Iles.” Luz declares, “Someday, I’m going to be just like her.”
     Deborah Bunting, a writer for the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), wrote a commentary on this new Disney show, in which she said, “Over the years, Disney has gone farther and farther into the darkness of the spiritual world that opposes the living God, coming up with programming and characters that lead the vulnerable into that dark world of deception.”  And the show's art director said the original concept for the show was "girl hangs out with witch in hell", and the show's creator [Dana Terrace] wanted to make the The Owl House, not only a very real demon realm, but make it "feel like home".
     To that end, Disney has created The Boiling Isles as the main setting of the animated series The Owl House. It is a land populated by all sorts of magical creatures with a town located in the remains of a dead titan. The Demon town is pretty much alive, full of random hands and eyes in strange places. Being the creative geniuses that they are, Disney has created a very distinctive and menacing town with fiendish places of interest. There is Bonesborough, a lively town in the Boiling Isles filled with creatures, witches, ghosts and monsters. There is Hexside Academy of Magic and Demonics, the prestigious high school for witches, demons and magic folk. They have created the Witch Arena, a  gathering place located on the most mysterious part of the Boiling Isles: the Knee. Set within the ruins of a castle, groups will meet here for rituals and social functions. You will find the Covention Center, an arena for magical entertainment and competition. It is the site of the annual COVENTION, in which the covens of the Isles vie for new recruits. And believe it or not, they even have a Playground, where in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Bonesborough, it is a popular destination for kindergarteners, their parents and King.
     To show where their heart lies, the Disney fandom website lists as an "interesting" trivia fact, that the design of the woods was originally going to be much more dominated by black colors, but since it was "melting" with Luz's hair too much, the creators went with "bloody red" for the trees.
     At this point, nothing surprises me from Disney anymore. They are getting bolder and less guarded about their intentions. In 2014, I wrote a warning about being aware of the recreation of ancient pagan symbols and gods and goddesses in our current culture. I pointed out the movie Maleficent, which starred Angelina Jolie as a modern reincarnation of Isis (note the horns), and was a re-do of the old Disney movie, Sleeping Beauty. [NOTE: Disney released Maleficent 2: Mistress of Evil this year, in which Jolie is described as "going full evil in the sequel".]
     When I saw Sleeping Beauty at the age of 5, I was terrified by the evil sorceress, Maleficent.  In the rebirth of this classic tale, the demonic Maleficent, who was once pure evil, was morphed into a sympathetic Earth goddess; cursing, yet protecting her surrogate daughter, the sleeping beauty Aurora. But it appears, her "motherly instincts" are short-sighted in the sequel, and Disney seems to have taken extra steps to embrace the Darkness in order to align themselves against those who claim to represent the “Light”.
     But I don't know why we should be surprised. In 2015, I wrote that even as far back as the release of Fantasia in 1940, Disney openly glorified Chernabog, a giant evil demon, who appears as the only main character in the "Night on Bald Mountain/Ave Maria" segment.  He has been praised as Disney's best representation of pure evil, and as animator Vladimir Tytla's greatest triumph. As a very "raw" representation of evil, he, in his original appearance, is not placed in the context of any real story, and he and his minions' actions are not committed in pursuit of any discernible goal other than general havoc–wreaking and tyranny on all... in other words, "to steal, kill, and destroy" (John 10:10).
     Chernabog is one of the most powerful villains Walt Disney has ever created because he is depicted as a ruthless monster, feared by all who encounter him.  Walt Disney, himself, said another name for Chernabog was Satan.  Many of his appearances also show him to be somewhat comedic, as seen in The Wonderful World of Disney, and House of Mouse.  But I promise you, he is anything but funny.  His power is shown to be incredibly demonic, being able to unleash hellish realms and spirits. While immensely dark, he has managed to become a trademark Disney villain. [NOTE: I personally know several people who have encountered a demon very similar to this character].
     In fact, Thornton Hee, another Disney animator who worked on Fantasia, recalled wanting to ask Vladimir Tytla (the creator of the character Chernabog) about something, but when he entered the animator's room, he found it was in complete darkness save for the fluorescent light under Tytla's drawing, which lit his face in an eerie way as he worked. This unnerved Hee enough to compel him to leave without alerting Tytla to his presence at all.
     And Thornton Hee was not the only one frightened by this depiction of Chernabog.  At the time of its release in 1940, many parents criticized the film for frightening their children in the "Night on Bald Mountain" segment.  One film critic,  Dorothy Thompson of The New York Herald Tribune, wrote that she "left the theater in a condition bordering on nervous breakdown," because the film was a "remarkable nightmare."  And no wonder... when you read of Chernabog's descriptions on a website dedicated to his creation as an animated character, you read things like "Gigantic, slender, muscular, scary-looking face, black skin and horns, yellow glowing eyes, jagged fangs, giant black wings with purple undersides".  You read that his "occupation" is Demon Lord.  The things he likes are "Evil, darkness, war, chaos, night, fire, shadows, sins, hate, fear, despair, death".  And he dislikes "all that is good, and the light".
     So, add all of Disney's evil machinations to LifeSiteNews reporting that Walmart, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble offered a book inviting young children to learn how to summon demons, and I hope it heightens your awareness of all that is coming against our children. Written for 5 to 10-year-olds, A Children’s Book of Demons directs kids to “conjure gentle demons by writing their sigils, which serve as ‘a phone number’ straight to the spirit. Amazon's description of the book is as follows: Don’t want to take out the trash tonight? Maybe you’re swimming in homework? Perhaps that big bully is being a real drag? Well grab your colored pencils and sigil drawing skills and dial up some demons! This paranormal parody is filled to the brim with funny spirits more silly than scary! But in one review, a parent wrote, "It teaches kids the original Greek, Hebrew and Egyptian names of these malicious demons". In short, it is promoting witchcraft, the occult, and Satanism.
     We must become vigilant and alert to the tactics and schemes of the Enemy to influence our children. They are already immersed in technology, and their iPads have become their baby-sitters. Please be aware! The spiritual health and safety of this vulnerable generation is at stake. These movies and books are not innocent entertainment! They are designed to seduce your children and draw them into the occult. And remember the definition of the occult: any person, group, or organization that tries to gain supernatural power, abilities, or knowledge apart from the Creator God. Protect your children from these demonic forces!

Isaiah 8:19    And when they say to you, “Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,” should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?
 
     

The New Abortion "Fetish": The Power of Witchcraft

    I really do not want to sensationalize this topic, but it is so abhorrent and so real, that I would be remiss to not bring it to your attention so you can join me in praying against this abomination. I had been hearing rumors of a detestable lifestyle among the godless in our country, but just did not want to believe it was true. But then I began hearing podcasts and reading articles substantiating the rumors, and now the Holy Spirit is telling me it's time to bring this information out of the dark fringes of our culture and into the Light of God's Justice.
     Here is what an article on Summit News reports: "A new sexual fetish has emerged where couples repeatedly get pregnant then have multiple abortions. In a Reddit post entitled ‘Question regarding abortion and breeding fetish’, one user reveals how she has “a female friend who has a really powerful fetish for breeding” and never used birth control. “She is with a male partner currently who is just like her, into breeding and they have been practicing their fetish for quite a few abortions,” the post reads.
     Another male respondent then shared details of his own abortion fetish lifestyle. “I know this fetish. My girlfriend and me have the same fetish. My girlfriend enjoys her pregnancies and she enjoys the abortion. Her preferred date to abort is between 20 and 24 weeks of gestation. I enjoy making her pregnant. And I enjoy the time of her pregnancy. She has no menstrual period and she is sexually very active,” he writes. “In the last ten years in our relationship we have done seven abortions and my girlfriend is pregnant again with a little girl,” he adds.
     Another respondent then praises him for sharing his fetish, writing, “It is good (and rare) to hear of a couple (both man and woman) where both members are into abortion and pregnancy. This is a wonderful and potent example of personal power, where sex meets violence and creation combines with destruction.”
     How much more separated from God's saving Light can we become? This sounds completely unbelievable and exaggerated, yet it is regrettably true.  It has only taken 40 years for abortion to go from a whispered act shrouded in shame and guilt, to a celebrated and glorified demonstration of one's own selfish power. It is a medical fact that by the time you are 24 weeks pregnant, the baby has a chance of survival if he or she is born. Most babies born before this time cannot live because their lungs and other vital organs are not developed enough. The care that can now be given in neonatal (baby) units means that more and more babies born early do survive. But obviously, these people have carefully calculated the 20-24 week timeline to soothe any guilty conscience they might have and to justify terminating an innocent life.
     This is such a sick mindset that I honestly can't identify with these people. The Bible tells us these people have "debased", "depraved" or "reprobate" minds, depending on the various translations. And what exactly does that mean? It means their thoughts which lead to their actions are rejected and unapproved by God, their Creator. They won't stand His test of righteousness and they will be cast out of His Presence.
     But there is another reality to this whole mindset. It is witchcraft! And it has existed ever since man became his own god, refusing to even acknowledge God. Somehow, in the 21st Century we have reduced witchcraft to the actions of people called "witches". But the spiritual root of witchcraft is disobedience, and this spirit is appealing to any person, group or organization that tries to gain supernatural power, abilities, or knowledge apart from the creator God. And it works nicely with fetishes.
     According to the dictionary, a fetish is "a course of action to which one has an excessive and irrational commitment". I would definitely say that getting pregnant just so you can kill your baby would be considered "irrational". But other definitions of fetish include, "a form of sexual desire in which gratification is linked to an abnormal degree to a particular object, item of clothing, part of the body, etc.", and "an inanimate object worshiped for its supposed magical powers or because it is considered to be inhabited by a spirit".
     I hope you can see how the spirit of disobedience and rebellion can be linked to abnormal and irrational desires to become this repugnant practice. But it is not just this ungodly act of "breeding-in-order-to-kill" that has me so upset. There was another report by Summit News that gave the testimony of Jill Stanek, an eyewitness nurse at an Illinois hospital. At a hearing on the Born Alive Act in Washington, D.C., Ms. Stanek said that doctors at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn perform “live birth abortions” where the baby is allowed to die during or after the abortion procedure.
     “If staff did not have the time or desire to hold the baby, she was taken to Christ Hospital’s Comfort Room, which was complete with a First Photo machine if parents wanted professional pictures of their aborted baby, baptismal supplies, gowns and certificates, foot printing equipment and baby bracelets for mementos, and a rocking chair,” Stanek said. She also revealed how once she witnessed a nurse deliver a live baby but then fail to clamp the severed umbilical cord, causing the baby to begin bleeding. The infant was then placed in a bag and thrown in the trash.
     So, why is the current Born Alive Infants Protection Act of 2002 not enforced? And what is the moral state of mind in Congress that Senate Bill 311, the “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act,”, is still up for debate? Sponsored by Republican Sen. Ben Sasse, the bill would amend the federal criminal code, instituting penalties and jail time for health care practitioners who don’t provide certain medical care “in the case of an abortion or attempted abortion that results in a child born alive.” Specifically, the bill would require that a “health care practitioner present at the time the child is born alive” to “exercise the same degree of professional skill, care, and diligence to preserve the life and health of the child as a reasonably diligent and conscientious health care practitioner would render to any other child born alive at the same gestational age.” It also would require that the child be “immediately transported and admitted to a hospital” following that professional “skill, care, and diligence.” Violators could be fined and/or jailed for up to five years. The bill specifies that an “intentional killing” through an “overt act” would be punishable under already existing federal law on murder.  Doesn't "being into abortion and pregnancy ... where sex meets violence and creation combines with destruction" meet those federal guidelines for murder?
     Father God, it is hard for me to fathom such evil, and even harder to find it in my heart to forgive these people. They are so consumed with their own attempts to know and control the world and the future, apart from You, the One True God! And by the way, that last sentence is a direct definition of witchcraft from Strong's Concordance.
     I know that vengeance is Yours, Lord, and I am glad that Your righteousness includes Justice. Because these people are no different than Manasseh, the evil king of Judah. We read in 2 Chronicles, 33:6, "And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger." They are no different than King Saul, the first king of Israel, who received this warning from the prophet Samuel: "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king."
     Can you see it? There is rebellion, witchcraft, familiar spirits, idolatry of one's self.... we are just seeing the 21st Century version, and it is just as abhorrent to our God now as it was then. Please join me in praying that these hearts of stone will be made soft to the voice of God. Please pray for the souls and spirits of these precious children who are being attacked by evil before they even enter the world. Pray that the idolatry of Self is defeated by the Blood of the Lamb. And pray that these degenerate minds will be spared the wrath of Jehovah Sabaoth, the Lord of Hosts, and that they will repent for their sinful ways. Lord, save this generation from their wicked and perverse ways!

Romans 1:28-29     And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God or consider Him worth knowing [as their Creator], God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do things which are improper and repulsive, until they were filled (permeated, saturated) with every kind of unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice and mean-spiritedness.
     

The Occultic Influence On The Body of Christ

     What do you think of when you hear the word "occult"? If you're like most people, you probably think of witchcraft, devil worship, or some kind of dark magic. Actually, the word occult is a rather broad term that covers a lot of practices that are unholy to our God. It comes from the Latin word occultus and means "hidden, or secret". The best definition I've found is that the occult is any person, group, or organization that tries to gain supernatural power, abilities, or knowledge apart from the Creator God.
     Now, that may seem as far away from Christianity as any practice could be. But I want you to know that the occult can be very subtle in the ways it intrudes into our lives. That means that Christians can be unaware about their unintentional involvement in the occult. It may not be hard to discern that activities like a Ouija Board, Tarot Cards, palm reading, or horoscopes may be flirting with the occult. And for many non-Christian people, it can be their form of spirituality. But I would wager that more than a handful of Christians have partaken in these activities at some point in their lives. "But that was a long time ago", they might think. "How can it affect me now?" Or, they dismiss it as harmless fun. They believe in Jesus and don't see it as being affiliated with the dark side.
     But here's the thing ... activities such as these are rooted in disobedience to God! You might think they are harmless, but in reality, they are an invitation for the kingdom of darkness to take up residence in you or your family line. They open doors to the demonic and give the devil legal rights to bring torment into your life.
     You might think is an over-exaggeration, but I personally know of a wonderful Christian woman who decided to have a Tarot card reading because she was at a new stage in her life, and wanted to know what might lie in her future. First, you must understand that anyone who decides to become a Tarot card "reader" receives an instruction booklet with possible interpretations of what any card might mean. I happened to be at a gathering of women when this reading was taking place. I immediately removed myself from the vicinity and began praying, separating myself from what I knew to be an unholy event.
     I don't really remember what other cards she received, nor did I listen to what the "reader" was conveying. But I couldn't ignore the hush that came over the room when she received the "Death Card". Now, of course, no one wants to receive that card, and the reader quickly interpreted it as the end of this stage of her life, and that it represented transformation and new beginnings. The woman ended her "session" excited about what lay in store for her in the coming days or months.
     Well, within that year, one of her daughters committed suicide, and the next year, her second daughter also took her own life. Now, I'm sure that there are more than a few who would say the Tarot Card reading had nothing to do with that. But because of my involvement in Inner Healing and Deliverance ministry, I am well aware of spiritual doors that can be opened.
     That's why I had to repent and renounce my own participation with Tarot card readings while in college. But as you will notice from the original image on the left, the Tarot card industry has decided to soften the image of the Death Card. But it does not change the fact that it is an open door, giving legal rights to the Enemy because you are in agreement by participating in the practice.
     Another example from my past: about a year or so ago, I ran across an old journal I had kept from a horoscope reading I had done in my late 20s. I remember going to this woman's house and providing her with the month, day, year, and actual time of my birth. She then spent an hour relaying where the planets were at the time of my birth and how that aligned with my personality and my destiny. The odd thing is that these few pages, hand-written on Big Chief tablet paper, had managed to travel with me through multiple moves over 40 years. As I read through the notes I took, I was astounded at how that reading had pretty much captured things about my personality. But it was disturbing to see how I also had notes that seemed to indicate that my future was ordained by the stars and the planets, and not my position as a daughter of the King. I took that journal to my husband and asked him to burn it. Well, it was quite interesting what happened next.... it would not burn! It was just paper and no matter how many times we applied a match to it, it would never light. Finally, my husband doused it in diesel fuel, and it finally caught fire, and please believe me ... it curled and coiled, just like a snake! That was enough to convince me that I had truly been participating in an unholy occult practice.
     But it is not just fortune-telling activities like these that are a threat to the Christian community. Satanism, Wicca, Witchcraft, Paganism, Astral Projection, violent occult video and computer games are heavy influences among our culture, especially the Millennial generation. They are looking for adventure and to be stimulated. These practices offer excitement, thrills, and distraction in a world where they are finding it difficult to know their place. But they are opening doors to demonic activity, and the Enemy is only too happy to enter in.
     And we cannot exclude some religions who have occultic overtones. Remember, "occult" means "hidden, or secret". Religions like Mormonism and Jehovah's Witnesses have their origins in the occult. Mormon founder, Joseph Smith, who was a Freemason, claimed supernatural power from a Seer Stone which he said guided him to the golden plates that helped him translate the Book of Mormon.

     Charles Taze Russell, the founder of Jehovah's Witnesses, studied the writings of Sir Isaac Newton, who was a member of another occult organization, the Rosecrucians, and both men held high regard for Egyptian gods and pyramids. (See Russell's tombstone. Does that look Christian?)
     Both religions, just like Freemasonry, put emphasis on secret rituals that elevate initiates to godhead status and include influence from false gods.  I know this may offend some of you, but I have had family members who were involved in these religions and I have seen the effects on them. Also, my niece was asked to be a bridesmaid at a Mormon wedding, but was not allowed into the Temple to witness the actual wedding ceremony because she was not a Mormon. Why would anything having to do with a wedding need to be kept in secret?
     Then there is the seemingly benign act of yoga. But do you know that the word yoga means "to be in union with; or to be yoked to"? And guess who you are in union with? The divine gods of Hinduism. Each of the yoga poses is a posture of submission to one of the 33 million Hindu gods. You can rationalize this practice by calling it "Christian yoga", but the origin of these poses is still about paying homage to false gods.
     In the end, it is important for those of us who profess faith in Jesus Christ alone to be vigilant about the abilities or knowledge we seek, and to know from whom supernatural power is coming from. Blood pacts; séances; astrology/horoscopes; spells or curses; New Age (books, objects, seminars); objects of worship/crystals/good luck charms; sexual spirits; various superstitions; martial arts (mysticism/devotion to sensei); Hare Krishna; transcendental meditation; church of Scientology; other non-christian religions or cults -- they are all non-Christian and unholy spiritual practices that need to be renounced.
     To "renounce" means to "break agreement with". Therefore, it is important that we acknowledge our sin and offense against God and ask for forgiveness. If you or someone you care about has been involved in any practice that is apart from God, then here is a prayer that you can speak over yourself/them:

Lord, I confess seeking the help from Satan that should only come from God. I confess occultism and false religions as sin. I repent and renounce for these sins and ask you to forgive me, in the Name of Jesus. I renounce Satan, his works and his demons, and count them my enemies. I close the door on occult practices, and I command any associated spirits to leave me now in the Mighty Name of Jesus!

Father, please forgive me for any indulgences in the occult, both for what I did myself, and any involvement by my family. I renounce it and cover myself with the blood of Jesus. In the Name of Jesus, I renounce and break loose myself and my family from all psychic powers, bondages, and bonds of mental and physical illness, upon me and my family line, as the result of parents and other ancestors.

I renounce, break, and loose myself from demonic subjection to any family members, ancestors, descendants, or any other human beings, living and dead, who have had spiritual influence over me. I ask You to forgive and bless them, especially with salvation.

I ask that You would forgive me for participating in occult practices and false religion and spiritual adultery. I forgive those who have cursed me. Please forgive me for cursing others. I break any curses and demonic soul ties including psychic and Catholic prayers. Lord, I ask forgiveness for keeping cursed objects and demon infestation in my possession and my home and property. I will clean out my house of any cursed objects. I will anoint my house with oil.

I renounce all fortune telling, all magic practices, and spiritism, cults and false teachings, and any form of Satan worship, in the Name of Jesus.

I break any and all curses and soul ties brought about by psychic heredity, occult contacts and religious cults.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, I break any and all demonic holds on my family line due to supernatural experiences apart from God and name them as the Holy Spirit leads.

Father, I thank You that the blood of Jesus cleanses me from all sin and I go forth in the freedom that His blood paid for. It is in His Mighty and Powerful Name that I pray. Amen. 

John 18:20      Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret.

  
      

    

Halloween: The Satanic Connection

    I was going to continue yesterday's blog on Prayer with a post on how the Holy Spirit has recently moved in my life. But a text message from a concerned Christian friend has me taking a slight detour. I will continue with my testimony on Friday, but I wanted to address this question, because it is of primary consideration over the next few weeks.  So, here is the question: Is "trunk or treat" a God-honoring alternative to Halloween? Here is my answer and some important facts you need to know...

     One can go online to search out whether Halloween is an acceptable holiday for Christians, or if it is really an evil day, celebrated by Satanists and occultists.  For each site you visit, I suspect you will find a different answer.

      There will be those sites who declare it to be a benign evening of "tricks and treats" for the youngsters, while others will warn of its demonic undertones.  There will be attempts to "Christianize" the holiday by offering Trunk-or-Treat events (popular among churches) to bring Halloween to parking lots where kids go from car to car and get candy.  There will be countless Fall Festivals innocently celebrated, and there will be people who simply don't care, accurately saying that all holidays have pagan roots and it is what you make of it today that matters.
     And that's exactly why we should care about this controversial holiday.  Whether a devout Christian or a non-religious secularist, most people believe that Halloween is a night of candy and costumes and autumn celebrations/festivals that ALL people can share.  But what about the satanists and witches?  Shouldn't we care what it is to them?
     Known as "Samhein" to this latter group, Halloween is a transitional time, and an initial stage of a process in which the veil between life and death grows thin.  I found a Christian website (Logos Resource Pages) that featured an article by Pastor David Phillips that seemed to offer some straightforward information on the holiday.  Consider what the following self-declared witches had to say about the holiday... "Halloween is one of the four Great Sabbats of the witches that everyone has heard about. To witches, Halloween is a serious occasion, however merrily celebrated. It is the old Celtic Eve of Samhain. With the coming of Christianity, the Church tried to Christianize the old festival by naming November 1st as All Saints Day, or All Hallows as the old term was. Thus Samhain Eve became All Hallows Eve, or Halloween. But attempts to discourage the pagan celebrations were so unavailing that the festival was eventually banned from the Church calendar. It was not until 1928 that the Church of England formally restored All Hallows to its calendar, on the assumption that the old pagan associations of Halloween were at last really dead and forgotten; a supposition that was certainly premature."

     Another witch's testimony:  "All the Great Festivals of Paganism, wherever they may be found, correspond in common with the Solstices, Equinoxes, and other natural annual cycles of life. Most of these remain with us today, in more or less disguised form, as the so-called Christian holidays of Christmas (Yule), Easter (Ostara), May Day (Beltane), Thanksgiving (Harvest Home), Halloween (Samhain) and even Groundhogs day (Oimelc)."
     Still, another confirmation of Halloween's importance to occultists:  "Salem (Massachusetts) is a mecca, especially around Samhain. It is our holiday, our new year, and a lot of witches come here from all over the world".
     And if that's not enough confirmation for you that everyone should avoid the celebration of Halloween, let me give you the cold hard facts of their official "holy days":
December 21st (Yule, or the Winter Solstice);
February 1st (Candlemas, also Groundhog's Day; a Illuminati Human Sacrifice night);
March 21st (homage to goddess Ostara; Human Sacrifice Night);
May 1st (Beltaine Festival, also called Walpurgis Night. This is the highest day on the Druidic Witch's Calendar. May 1st is the Illuminati's second most sacred holiday. Human sacrifice is required);
June 21st (Summer Solstice; Litha is one of the Illuminati's Human Sacrifice Nights);
August 1st (Lughnasa, Great Sabbat Festival; One of the Illuminati's Human Sacrifice Nights); September 24th (Autumn Equinox); and
October 31st, which is the highest and holiest night of sacrifice for the secret society of the Illuminati.
      For the discerning Christian, it should be easy to see the connection between ancient paganism and the modern customs and costumes of Halloween. Perhaps the most relevant is the goddess Hecate, the Titan Earth mother of the wizards and witches, who illustrates perhaps better than any other ancient goddess the connection between Wicca, the Celtic Halloween traditions, and the realm of evil supernaturalism.

     Hecate's followers sincerely believed in and feared her magic, and her presence was legendary. This was primarily due to her role as the sorceress of the afterlife.  But true believers also feared Hecate's ability to afflict the mind with madness, as well as her influence over night creatures. She was thought to govern haunted places where evil or murderous activity had occurred. Such areas where violence or lechery had a history were believed to be magnets of malevolent spirits, something like "haunted houses," and if one wanted to get along with the resident apparitions they needed to make oblations to the ruler of the darkness—Hecate.
     But here's what we need to know: the Hecatian myths adopted by Celtic occultists continue in today's pop culture, symbolism and tradition in the following ways:
•  People visiting neighborhood homes on Halloween night represent the dead in search of food (the treat).
•  Masks of devils and hobgoblins represent evil spirits seeking mischief (the trick).
•  Those who pass out candy represent the homes visited by the dead, or may also represent worried individuals seeking to appease Hecate and other nighttime terrors.
•  The Jack-O-Lantern (will-o-the-wisp, fox fire, fairy fire, etc.) is, according to some histories, a wandering soul stuck between heaven and hell. Others claim the Druids left Jack-O-Lanterns on doorsteps to ward off evil spirits. Another legend concerns a drunk named Jack who made a deal with the devil. Each claims to be the true origin of the Jack-O-Lantern myth.
     And in case you think this is all just a bunch of harmless folklore, I want you to consider this .... not long ago some 300 exorcists flocked to Poland for a week-long congress to examine the current fashion for Halloween-themed monsters like werewolves and vampires the world-over, and the apparent connection between this fascination and a surge in demonic possession. Is it possible that  the world is experiencing an explosion of ancient occultism combined with wicked fascination for ghosts and all things paranormal?  Those who monitor social trends now say that Halloween is the second most popular holiday, surpassed only by Christmas; itself full of pagan symbolism.
     I know there are some secularists, and even Christians within the Church who will dismiss all this information as an imagination run wild.  But it is imperative that we understand that the Mass Media, including the Internet, television, film, radio, and other communications systems, have traded Bela-Lugosi-like vampires of former years and silly Abbott and Costello's Frankensteins and Mummies, (which could be vanquished with Christian symbols), for monsters of profound demonic character depicted as impervious to Christ's power. As a result, today's youth have exchanged yesterday's pigtails and pop-guns for pentagrams and blood covenants aligned with forces far stronger than former generations could have imagined.... and forces that they are ill-informed to withstand.
     I think it is dangerous to dismiss these warnings that I've presented. I think that we do that at the risk of our children.  The celebration of Halloween can be an effective tool to lure them into the occult and/or to become victims of satanic rituals.  Current headlines have certainly shown us that evil and wickedness are on the rise; with more and more lurid stories of bizarre and sadistic rituals happening almost every day.  It will be interesting to see what the headlines reveal in the coming days, as to the unholy celebrations that will be taking place at the end of this month.
     Obviously, it is up to you to decide what you think about this commonly accepted holiday.  But for me, I know the power that the Enemy wishes to use against us, and I will not only be on guard tonight, but will be praying for protection and authority to thwart his attacks against innocent children.  Let me leave you with these frightening words from a high priestess of the Church of Satan:  "As a child drawn to darker passions from birth, I always delighted in the fear and fantasies of Halloween. It gives even the most mundane people the opportunity to taste wickedness for one night. They have a chance to dance with the Devil, either stumbling, tittering and nervous in the arms of the Black Prince, or boldly, ravenously sharing in the sensual excesses and fright of others on this magical, unholy night. Now, birth and death have, for me, become inextricably interwoven into this day."  Parents beware!

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12   "And with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness."

Christian Witchcraft and the Modern Church

     I know ... the title to this post seems like an oxymoron, right?  How can Witchcraft and the Church even be used in the same sentence?  The Bible is very clear on its prohibition of any kind of witchcraft, yet you might be surprised to find that there are plenty of people who identify themselves as both Witches and Christians.
     Deuteronomy 18:10-12 says it plainly and explicitly:  There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. 
     One thing needs to be perfectly understood by everyone, whether Christian or not:  There are only two sources of spiritual power: God and Satan. True, Satan has only the power that God allows him to have, but it is considerable. To seek spirituality, knowledge, or power apart from God is idolatry, which is closely related to witchcraft. And Witchcraft is Satan’s realm, and he excels in counterfeiting what God does. When Moses performed miracles before Pharaoh, the magicians did the same things through demonic power.

     So how does someone who considers themselves a "Christian Witch" convince themselves that it is OK with God?  How can they bring holy spirituality and demonic spirituality into harmony?  I contend that it all goes back to the roots of Satan’s first temptation to Eve: “You can be like God”. And the Enemy accomplishes his goal through a process called syncretism, which pulls religious ideas from a number of sources to create something unique or individual. This is the foundation for Christian Witchcraft.  A Christian Witch will take what they like from various traditions, beliefs, and rituals of both Christianity and witchcraft...and leave the rest behind.  In doing so the Christian Witch creates something totally individual for their own spiritual expression.
      So what exactly does a Christian Witch believe? Let Kristine McGuire, who wrote an article titled I Was A Christian Witch tell you:  "Like all esoteric or mystical paths, Christian witchcraft is highly individualized. However, there are some common denominators which can be found among Christian Witch's, Christian Wiccans, and Christo-Pagans. Most...though certainly not all...Christian Witch's either have a very liberal understanding of the Bible or follow Gnostic Christian teachings.  Many come from a Catholic upbringing. New Age philosophy can also enter strongly into a Christian Witch's belief structure.  Some will take the religion of Wicca or a form of Paganism and superimpose a Christian understanding of deity on the rituals while others take a more traditional Christian approach, adding magick and ritual into their belief structure. Many will continue to be regular attenders and active participants of their local church. In all circumstances, Christian Witchcraft, Christian Wicca, and Christo-Paganism are nature based... As a Christian Witch, I was a Christian who practiced traditional witchcraft.  Christianity was my belief...witchcraft was my path".
     I don't know about you, but there was an awful lot of terminology included in Kristine's explanation. So, what do we need to know about all these terms?  Let's just start with Paganism, which is an umbrella term referring to a number of earth or nature-based faiths.  Wiccan theology is a little harder to pin down.  Most early Wiccan groups adhered to the dual worship of a Horned God of fertility and a Mother Goddess, with practitioners typically believing that these had been the ancient deities worshipped by the hunter-gatherers of the Old Stone Age, whose veneration had been passed down in secret right to the present. Then, in the 1950s, Gerald Gardner brought Wicca to the public, and many contemporary Pagans embraced the practice. Gerald Gardner was also a Freemason, and involved in Spiritualism.  Although Wicca itself was founded by Gardner, he based it upon the old stone-age traditions. However, a lot of Witches and Pagans were perfectly happy to continue practicing their own spiritual path without converting to Wicca.
     There are also a number of people who consider themselves Witches, but who are not necessarily Wiccan or even Pagan. Typically, these are people who use the term "eclectic Witch”. In many cases, Witchcraft is seen as a skill set in addition to, or instead of, a religious system. A Witch may practice magic in a manner completely separate from their spirituality; in other words, one does not have to interact with the Divine to be a Witch. Or, as in the case of Kristine McGuire, she felt she could practice being a witch and still practice her Christianity, and she didn't see any problem with that.
     Consider this quote from another Christian Witch:  “There can be many different ways of going about Christian Witchcraft. From believing in the gnostic side of things, to just using it as your pantheon while still being somewhat polytheistic (Christo Paganism). Each Christian Witch will do things differently from another. But that’s what I found beautiful about witchcraft, that it really depended on the person using it. It depended on the person’s control and contact with their own energies as well as how open they were when it came to any deity they may use in their ritual".
     At this point, we need to understand that the "gnostic side of things" includes the Gnostic doctrine, which teaches that the world was created and ruled by a lesser divinity, the demiurge (underworld), and that Christ was an emissary of the remote supreme divine being, and the mysterious knowledge (gnosis) of him enabled the redemption of the human spirit. In simpler terms, Gnostics shunned the material world, and embraced the spiritual world.  It is a knowledge superior to, and independent of, faith.
     The Christian Witch continues:  “[When] I began this path, I split God into male and female. As time grew I found that God will always be a Father figure to me. Jesus would always be Jesus, and the Holy Spirit would come to me in different forms. When I need a female figure it comes to me as a female, when I need a more masculine figure it comes to me as male. The Holy Spirit began as female and through time has shifted into a male form. I see it as genderless. It is The Holy Spirit and does what it wants. What I Believe in is : The Holy Trinity. Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
     I began to blend my faith with that of witchcraft. I celebrate both Christian Holidays as well as the Wheel of the year. I use the wheel of the year to help keep me connected to the world around me -- the solstices and the equinoxes, the days where nature needs to be respected. My first spell was a prayer burning ritual. I began to see that what I was doing was worshiping God, but with the use of witchcraft.”
     Can you see that at the heart of Christian Witchcraft is the worship of self?  That they want the best of both worlds -- Christianity and the world of mysticism?  I know there will be those who will have a hard time believing that Witchcraft could infiltrate the Church. But when you look at how far the Church has come in compromising God's core value system, why is it such a big stretch to see why Christian Witches think they have permission to add to their faith?
     Take the advice of Kristine McGuire, the former Christian Witch, who has repented of her sins and seen her relationship with Christ restored:  "The Church needs to acknowledge there are spiritually hungry people in the Christian community who are being tempted to incorporate magickal practices into their faith walk. We must do all we can to encourage Biblical literacy among Christians.  Too many people profess Christ but have no clue what the BIble says about Him or anything else for that matter. People now seem to base their Christian walk on what they hear in the pulpit, see on tv, or read on the internet, without ever checking to be sure it's actually from the Bible, accurate, and in context. We must acknowledge the Bible as the true, revealed Word of God.  There is no doubt Scripture condemns all practices involved in witchcraft: sorcery, spell casting, divination, enchantments, spiritism, idolatry, etc ... in the strongest terms, but many people are either missing or ignoring it".

"White" Magic

     But we cannot ignore the allure that witchcraft and the occult hold in our society. It is hard not to notice the rapidly growing fascination in America with zombies, vampires, death, the occult, and the supernatural.  As David Fiorazo wrote in his article, Are Christians Welcoming Witchcraft, "In many entertainment products from Charmed to Harry Potter to Sabrina the Teenage Witch, the heroes are typically good people – you know, the ones using witchcraft and the occult – while the average person is portrayed as ordinary, weak, or even bad, partly because they do not have any magic powers. Therefore, the occult, the satanic, and anything related to it are looked at as beneficial and desirable, which is a complete twisting of the concept of good and evil... Public schools do not allow Christianity to be taught or promoted. However, they accept the religions of atheism, Humanism, evolution, environmental extremism (earth worship), Buddhism, Islam, and of course the religion of Wicca – the practice of witchcraft. Kids have sat through readings of the Harry Potter books, watched the movies during class instruction times, and have even discussed the details of casting spells".
     And need I tell you that there are actually Christian Witches who will defend their demonic practices by trying to distinguish their "White Magic" from the dark side's "Black Magic".  The problem?  It is all an abomination before the Lord! I know I don't need to tell you that; nor do I need to explain that Witchcraft, in all its forms, has been performed since the beginning of mankind.  The first instance of witchcraft that I could find in the Bible was Genesis 44:5, which reads, Is it not from this that my lord drinks, and by this that he practices divination? You have done evil in doing this. This pertains to a practice in the household of Joseph, called scrying. It was an ancient occultic method of divination in which a cup or other vessel is filled with water and gazed into. This technique of foretelling the future was used by Nostradamus and is still used today.
     But I guess the final point I want to make is this: the idea of Man or Woman is central to the core beliefs of Witchcraft.  Any theological position is tolerated, and in this case, it works nicely with the New Age Movement, which embraces a theology of "feel-goodism," "universal tolerance," and "moral relativism." Together, they blend with Spiritualism to offer a compromise between the revealed religions, materialistic philosophies, and the ability to form a personal and spiritual expression of your own.
      The bottom line is this:  The Church needs to wake up to the reality that Witchcraft has creeped into our religious institutions, and it has invaded our Church buildings. Just google "Christian Witchcraft websites" and I think you will be astounded at the encouragement given to take this path. I found one comment that implied that Christian Witches haven't turned their backs on their faith; they have simply opened their spirits to something more. Sadly, it is that "something more" that will lead to their eternal destruction.

1 Samuel 15:23   "For rebellion is as the sin of divination,
and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry".

Modern Magic and Mocking God

     It's time to take a break from all the post-election speculation and obsession, don't you think?  And, so it was with cautious curiosity that my husband and I tuned into David Blaine's TV Special, called "Beyond Magic".  Now, for those of you unfamiliar with David Blaine, he is billed as a Magician, Illusionist, and Endurance Artist. To be honest with you, I wasn't all that familiar with him, but the commercial for his special was intriguing, as it appeared that he both disgusted and alarmed celebrities and average folks alike with his displays of mysterious and supernatural magic.
    But the real reason I wanted to watch it is because I am becoming more and more aware of the fascination with the Occult in our forms of entertainment.  In fact, it is becoming more popular and more mainstream.  To be sure, one of the finalists on this season's America's Got Talent, was a couple from Vienna, Austria, who called themselves "The Clairvoyants".  The woman partner in the duo dazzled the judges [and America] with her ability to use what she calls her "unique art of intuition" to reveal random thoughts, objects, and personal facts associated with audience members.  And in case you do not know what a clairvoyant medium is, they are able to see spirits, auras, objects and places that are not perceptible to others. But here is what the fascinated audience did not understand ... Only God can read the minds of men.  When men [or women] claim supernatural power to read the minds of others, they are involved in a form of witchcraft and divination, which is clearly condemned by God.  

     Back to David Blaine... during the opening animation for the show, it was obvious that whatever power he uses to complete his "magic", it is derived from the occult.  Images of demons and the Goat god Baphomet were discreetly portrayed in the cartoon-like introduction.  Was he showing those with discernment just exactly who is behind his success?  And the title, "Beyond Magic"... was that a nod to the supernatural spirits who supply him with the methods to pull off his magic and illusions; and do they provide superhuman abilities to achieve such performances as catching a bullet in his mouth?

     Here is what is becoming obvious to me ... Satan loves to boast and show off what he can do through those who are willing to accept his offer of spiritual power. In so doing, he overplays his cards and shows people exactly who and what is at the core of the game. And this is nothing new!  From the beginning pages of the Bible, God warns against interacting with mediums or familiar spirits; to avoid all forms of the occult, including divination, necromancy, astrology, hypnotism, fortune-telling, magic, etc., so that you might not become defiled by them.
     The Bible gives us plenty of accounts of practicers of the occult:  from Simon the Magician, Elymas the Sorcerer, the girl at Philippi, and the entire city of Ephesus; all within the Book of Acts!  But perhaps none are so well known as the magicians, the astrologers, and the sorcerers who advised King Nebuchadnezzar in the Book of Daniel.  These men made their living on their supposed ability to contact the gods and gain secrets from the spirit realm. Yet they were no match for the power and might of Daniel's God who was able to communicate truth to the prophet.

     And that is my fear about the increasing amount of occultism that is being presented as entertainment and amusement and diversion to a society and culture that is struggling and hurting.  Because it is not amusing, and it is nothing to play around with.  I fear that it has captured the attention of our youth, drawing them into a realm they are unequipped to handle.  And more than anything, I see it as mocking God.  Just take a look at this image of magician and illusionist, Criss Angel.  First, there are the angel wings. Somehow, I sense they are imitating a Fallen Angel, rather than an angel of the Lord.  He also wears a necklace displaying his "A"symbol above a necklace of the Cross, clearly belittling the power of Jesus. Then there is the key, which represents those properties which unlock the mystical "wisdom" of the occult. It also represents the unlocking of "latent physic powers," thereby opening the doors to the world of the supernatural. You can also see the Ace of Spades, which in occultism is the symbol of ancient mysteries and the card that represents transformation. It all adds up to what Satan specializes in—illusion.  And whether Criss Angel is aware he is opening up portals and being used by the Prince of the Air, or truly believes he has unlocked the mysteries of the spirit realm, it doesn't really matter.  His end will be the same.
     But it was David Blaine's "frog trick" that spoke the loudest of Occultic influences.  It was as if he was enacting Revelation 16:13 before my very eyes.  In Chapter 16 of the Book of Revelation, we are told that 7 angels have been instructed to "pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath and indignation of God."  Just before the final bowl of wrath is poured out, we read this passage in verses 13 and 14:  And I saw three loathsome spirits like frogs, leaping from the mouth of the dragon (Satan) and from the mouth of the beast (Antichrist, dictator) and from the mouth of the false prophet; for they are [actually] the spirits of demons, performing [miraculous] signs.
     Not only does the opening animation of "Beyond Magic" depict a frog coming from an open mouth, but Blaine actually references the plague of frogs that came upon Egypt.  But it was the fact that he spits out three frogs from his mouth during the act that convinces me he has acquired powers from the Dark Side.  He is able to perform lying wonders and signs because he has accepted the offer of dark powers from the false god of the air.
     Here is what these magicians and illusionists fail to understand: The powers they have received are a counterfeit substitute for the power of God. Whether or not they acknowledge it, they are occult practitioners who serve gods other than the God of the Bible. What these magicians do not grasp is that the power to do magic only appears to be under their control. They are actually being used by demonic beings with superior intelligence to their own. Real evil spirits are willing to be engaged by these magicians in order to captivate both their soul and the audience. They’ll move an object, give you a revelation, mind read, and more. They will draw you in as needed, and is it all according to what the Bible says in 1 Timothy 4:1: But the [Holy] Spirit explicitly and unmistakably declares that in later times some will turn away from the faith, paying attention instead to deceitful and seductive spirits and doctrines of demons.  That is exactly what this new "Age of Satanism" offers as entertainment to the masses.  It is becoming more blatant and tolerated, and is a sure sign of the increasing power of Satan and his followers.
     In the end, these modern magicians are no different than the wizards that astounded the courts of the ancient kings.  They are "pretenders of the magic arts", receiving limited powers from the demons of false gods.  Little do they know that they are practicing in the realm of deception and rebellion.  Magic is designed to lead us astray, and the Bible tells us that those who practice magic arts are headed to destruction and disaster.  And the world is mesmerized....

You can watch David Blaine's "Beyond Magic" by clicking on this link.  

2 Thessalonians 2:9    "The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,"

The Demonic Origins of Halloween

   

I'm not going to sugarcoat it.  Halloween is an evil holiday.  It is not some harmless night of fun for the kids.  It actually has its roots in ancient paganism.  In fact, the Luciferian occultists celebrate eight major ritualistic "holy days":
December 21st (Yule, or the Winter Solstice);
February 1st (Candlemas, also Groundhog's Day; a Illuminati Human Sacrifice night);
March 21st (homage to goddess Ostara; Human Sacrifice Night);
May 1st (Beltaine Festival, also called Walpurgis Night. This is the highest day on the Druidic Witch's Calendar. May 1st is the Illuminati's second most sacred holiday. Human sacrifice is required);
June 21st (Summer Solstice; Litha is one of the Illuminati's Human Sacrifice Nights);
August 1st (Lughnasa, Great Sabbat Festival; One of the Illuminati's Human Sacrifice Nights); September 24th (Autumn Equinox); and
October 31st, which is the highest and holiest night of sacrifice for the secret society of the Illuminati.
     Halloween was originally known as "All Hallow's Eve", and began in the 7th Century A.D.  It was initially celebrated on May 13th as a night to celebrate the memories of deceased saints and martyrs. The date was then changed to November 1st, which marked the change from summer to fall, and removed the stigma of the holiday from being so close to Beltaine.  Legends began to be circulated of the ghosts of departed ones revisiting their former homes to warm themselves by the fire, and roaming the countryside retrieving offerings of food and drink, supplied by living family members.  But it was rumored that darker forces roamed the night as well; demons, goblins, and witches, all haunting the night with acts of mischief... i.e., "the trick".
     But real witches also roamed the night, acting out their ritual dances around fires, while the devil himself played music for them.  Modern witches and wicca practice similar Halloween rituals, calling on earth's spirits and goddesses to visit their circles of power.
      In an upcoming book by Tom Horn and Josh Peck, entitled Abaddon Ascending: The Ancient Conspiracy at the Center of CERN's Most Secretive Mission, the authors consider, among other topics, the goddess Hecate, the Titan Earth mother of the wizards and witches, who illustrates perhaps better than any other ancient goddess the connection between Wicca, the Celtic Halloween traditions, and the realm of evil supernaturalism.
     Hecate may be considered the original witch of Halloween, and as the dark goddess of witchcraft, Hecate, like Isis, was worshiped with impure rites and magical incantations. Her name was probably derived from the ancient Egyptian word Heka, meaning "sorcery" or "magical," which may explain her association with the Egyptian frog goddess of the same name.
     That is probably where we get the legendary tales associating frogs with witchcraft, and the witch's various potions of frog-wart.  And here is an interesting fact I bet you didn't know:  Because her devotees practiced such magic wherever three paths joined, Hecate was known by the Romans as Trivia ("tri"-three; and "via"-roads). Later, when the Latin church fathers compared the magic of the goddess Trivia with the power of the Gospel, they found it to be inferior, and thus the pursuit of Hecate's knowledge became known as "Trivial Pursuit," or inconsequential.
     But the fact remained that Hecate's followers sincerely believed in and feared her magic, and her presence was legendary. This was primarily due to her role as the sorceress of the afterlife.  But true believers also feared Hecate's ability to afflict the mind with madness, as well as her influence over night creatures. She was thought to govern haunted places where evil or murderous activity had occurred. Such areas where violence or lechery had a history were believed to be magnets of malevolent spirits, something like "haunted houses," and if one wanted to get along with the resident apparitions they needed to make oblations to the ruler of the darkness—Hecate.
     Hecate's most familiar companion was the night owl, who announced the acceptance of the oblations.  And those who gathered on the eve of the full moon perceived the spooky sound of the creature as a good omen. Statues of the goddess bearing the triple-face of a dog, a snake, and a horse overshadowed the dark rituals when they were performed at the crossing of three roads. At midnight, Hecate's devotees left food offerings at the intersection for the goddess ("Hecate's Supper") and, once deposited, quickly exited without turning around or looking back. Sometimes the offerings consisted of honey cakes and chicken hearts. At other time's puppies, honey and female black lambs were slaughtered for the goddess and her followers.

     These followers were women who were deformed by a curse placed on them, and vicious owl-like affiliates of Hecate, who flew through the night feeding on bodies of unattended babies. During the day these followers appeared as simple old women, and such may account for the history of Halloween's flying witches. The same followers hid amidst the leaves of the trees during the annual festival of Hecate, held on August 13, when Hecate's followers offered up the highest praise of the goddess. Hecate's devotees celebrated such festivals by communing with the tree spirits—(Earth spirits, including Hecate, were thought to inhabit trees)—and summoned the souls of the dead from the mouths of nearby caves.
     Hecate was known by a variety of names:  "the one before the gate," a role in which she guarded the entrances of homes and temples from nefarious outside evils (talk about Satan casting out Satan!); and "the one who leads," as in the underworld guide of Persephone and of those who inhabit graveyards.  Finally, she was known as Hecate-Phosphoros, "the light bearer," her most sacred title and one that recalls another powerful underworld spirit, Satan, whose original name was Lucifer ("the light bearer"). It was nevertheless her role as the feminist Earth-goddess-spirit Hecate-Chthonia that popularized her divinity and commanded reverence from among the common people.
     But it is easy to see the connection between ancient paganism and the modern customs and costumes of Halloween. The Hecatian myths adopted by Celtic occultists continue in today's pop culture, symbolism and tradition in the following ways:
•  People visiting neighborhood homes on Halloween night represent the dead in search of food (the treat).
•  Masks of devils and hobgoblins represent evil spirits seeking mischief (the trick).
•  Those who pass out candy represent the homes visited by the dead, or may also represent worried individuals seeking to appease Hecate and other nighttime terrors.
•  The Jack-O-Lantern (will-o-the-wisp, fox fire, fairy fire, etc.) is, according to some histories, a wandering soul stuck between heaven and hell. Others claim the Druids left Jack-O-Lanterns on doorsteps to ward off evil spirits. Another legend concerns a drunk named Jack who made a deal with the devil. Each claims to be the true origin of the Jack-O-Lantern myth.
     And in case you think this is all just a bunch of harmless folklore, I want you to consider this .... not long ago some 300 exorcists flocked to Poland for a week-long congress to examine the current fashion for Halloween-themed monsters like werewolves and vampires the world-over, and the apparent connection between this fascination and a surge in demonic possession. Is it possible that  the world is experiencing an explosion of ancient occultism combined with wicked fascination for ghosts and all things paranormal?  Those who monitor social trends now say that Halloween is the second most popular holiday, surpassed only by Christmas; itself full of pagan symbolism.
      I don't think we can ignore that in the United States alone, there are as many as 8 million practitioners of witchcraft. On college and high school campuses vampires, werewolves, and other "creatures of the night" are esteemed as objects of desire and idolized by young men and women who view them as cult icons of envious mystical power. (The popularity of the Twilight movie franchise exhibits this dangerous fascination).
     Almost daily we read how Satanism is spreading to public schoolyards and elementary after-school clubs; city council meetings are being opened with invocations to Satan; and even church goers are being enchanted by the darkness.

     It is imperative that we understand that the Mass Media, including the Internet, television, film, radio, and other communications systems, have traded Bela-Lugosi-like vampires of former years and silly Abbott and Costello's Frankensteins and Mummies, (which could be vanquished with Christian symbols), for monsters of profound demonic character depicted as impervious to Christ's power. As a result, today's youth have exchanged yesterday's pigtails and pop-guns for pentagrams and blood covenants aligned with forces far stronger than former generations could have imagined.... and forces that they are ill-informed to withstand.
     It is no stretch of the imagination to suggest this is one of the signs that this age is under demonic influence. If we could see through the veil into the supernatural realm, we would find a world alive with good against evil; a place where the ultimate prize is the soul of this generation and where legions war for control of its cities and people.
     Yet we continue to think that celebrating Halloween is harmless, and we refuse to look beyond the veil to see the dark spiritual forces orchestrating their evil.  I know that there will be those who think this is all exaggerated and nothing but old wives tales, or fanciful legends.  But if you are willing to entertain the smallest possibility that there is any truth to these legends, then why would you partake in the celebration of such wickedness ... and worst of all, why subject a child to the influence of such dark forces.  It's time to come out of our stupor and listen to the discerning spirit that God has given us.  There's a reason these "legends" have existed for as long as they have, and it doesn't take much imagination to see that the forces behind them are gaining in power.

Thanks to Charisma News and author Tom Horn for the research and the information regarding the history of Halloween and its pagan, demonic roots.

Ephesians 5:11   "Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them."