Satan, Demons and Spiritism
Occult Names, Work and Forbidden Reality
Most people know that the Bible Talks primarily of God, His Nature, work and purpose. It glorifies His Son Jesus Christ and the story of Salvation History and the work and person of the Holy Spirit. However, do you realize that the Bible tells us a great deal about the persona and work of Satan, his demonic hoards and the way we are respond to them. Below are some of these aspects with Biblical reference for your information.
Satan
Adversary 1 Peter 5:8-9
8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
The Destroyer Rev 9:11
They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek, Apollyon.
Liar and Father of it. John 8:44-45
44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45
A Lying Spirit 1 Kings 22:20-22
"One suggested this, and another that. 21 Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the Lord and said, 'I will entice him.' 22 " 'By what means?' the Lord asked." 'I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,' he said." 'You will succeed in enticing him,' said the Lord. 'Go and do it.'
Leads the whole world astray Rev 12:9
9 The great dragon was hurled down — that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray.
Prince and Power of the Air Eph 2:1-2
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:
Hiegharchy of demons Eph 6:12-13
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13
god of this World 2 Cor 4:3-5
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Demons
Don't Participate with Demons 1 Cor 10:20-22
No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord's table and the table of demons. 22 Are we trying to arouse the Lord's jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
Deceiving Spirits 1 Tim 4:1-2
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
Spirits Deny Christ - spirit of Anti-Christ (1 John 4:3).
Every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world
Doctrine Of 1 Tim 4:1-3
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.
Spiritism Forbidden
Forbidden Lev 19:26
"'Do not practice divination or sorcery.
Spiritism Forbidden Lev. 19:31
'Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord
Mediums Forbidden Lev 20:6
'I will set my face against the person who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute himself by following them, and I will cut him off from his people.
Occult Practices Forbidden Deut 18:9-13
9 When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. 10 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, 11 or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. 12 Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord, and because of these detestable practices the Lord, your God will drive out those nations before you. 13 You must be blameless before the Lord your God.
Consulting the Dead Isa 8:19-20
When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? 20
False Visions Ezek 12:23-25
Say to them, 'The days are near when every vision will be fulfilled. 24 For there will be no more false visions or flattering divinations among the people of Israel. 25 But I the Lord will speak what I will, and it shall be fulfilled without delay. For in your days, you rebellious house, I will fulfill whatever I say, declares the Sovereign Lord.'"
Ezek 13:23
Therefore you will no longer see false visions or practice divination. I will save my people from your hands. And then you will know that I am the Lord.'"
No Longer Bow Down to the Work of your Hands Mic 5:12-13
I will destroy your witchcraft
and you will no longer cast spells.
13 I will destroy your carved images
and your sacred stones from among you;
you will no longer bow down
to the work of your hands.
Put to Death Lev 20:27
"'A man or woman who is a medium or spiritist among you must be put to death. You are to stone them; their blood will be on their own heads.'"
Lev 20:27
"'A man or woman who is a medium or spiritist among you must be put to death. You are to stone them; their blood will be on their own heads.'"
Animism Forbidden Hos 4:12
13 They sacrifice on the mountaintops
and burn offerings on the hills,
under oak, poplar and terebinth,
where the shade is pleasant.
Burn Books of Acts 19:18-20
Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. 20 In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.
This information on the Kingdom of the Occult is not all-inclusive but merely gives a brief scriptural outline of what the Bible says concerning the realm of the devil. Christians need to beware of Stan's kingdom so "that they may withstand the wiles of the devil". Continue to read this blog for more incredible information. Our next blog will focus on the Kingdom of the Occult in the Media.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
Catch Me If You Can
Satan’s Counterfeits
Counterfeiting is a fascinating subject. Throughout history men and women have attempted to counterfeit everything from $100.00 bills to credit cards and identity theft. One of the most famous American counterfeiters was Frank Abangale Jr. Frank Abagnale Jr. worked under 8 identities during the 1960s, including his first as Pan American Airlines Pilot Frank Williams, in over 5 years, passing over $2.5 million in counterfeit checks in over 26 countries and all 50 states. He was arrested in France at an Air France ticket counter when an agent recognized his face from a wanted poster. In the movie based on his life, 'Catch Me if You Can', Abagnale made a cameo appearance as a French policeman. Although this movies glamorized the life of Abangale as a world-class counterfeiter, the message was still there that a counterfeit does not have the same value as the real thing.
Satan is the master counterfeiter. He is a liar and has been a liar since the beginning (John 8:44). One thing that Satan imitates are the gifts on God. We can think back to the time of Moses when he withstood Jannes and Jambrees, the magicians in Pharaoh’s court (2 Timothy 3:8) by changing their rods into snakes. Satan imitated the power of God.
“The Occult Invasion of Health Care” , plainly shows how Satan is attempting to counterfeit one of God’s greatest gifts to the church, the laying on of hands. All three therapies mentioned in my book are called “Touch Therapies” and attempt to imitate, mimic, and serve as impostors to the reality of the gift of laying on of hands through the person of the Holy Spirit. Here’s what the Bible says about Satan’s counterfeits: “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10.
Let us not fall for a cheap trick, let us not be seduced by a lie. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us to “Be sober, be vigilant for your enemy walks to and fro like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.” Today, Satan is attempting to counterfeit the miraculous power of God is dozens of ways and we see it every day in our media . . . books, movies and television. Christian, don’t be duped, don’t believe a lie. God’s gift is reality that will powerfully change your life.
Satan’s Counterfeits
Counterfeiting is a fascinating subject. Throughout history men and women have attempted to counterfeit everything from $100.00 bills to credit cards and identity theft. One of the most famous American counterfeiters was Frank Abangale Jr. Frank Abagnale Jr. worked under 8 identities during the 1960s, including his first as Pan American Airlines Pilot Frank Williams, in over 5 years, passing over $2.5 million in counterfeit checks in over 26 countries and all 50 states. He was arrested in France at an Air France ticket counter when an agent recognized his face from a wanted poster. In the movie based on his life, 'Catch Me if You Can', Abagnale made a cameo appearance as a French policeman. Although this movies glamorized the life of Abangale as a world-class counterfeiter, the message was still there that a counterfeit does not have the same value as the real thing.
Satan is the master counterfeiter. He is a liar and has been a liar since the beginning (John 8:44). One thing that Satan imitates are the gifts on God. We can think back to the time of Moses when he withstood Jannes and Jambrees, the magicians in Pharaoh’s court (2 Timothy 3:8) by changing their rods into snakes. Satan imitated the power of God.
“The Occult Invasion of Health Care” , plainly shows how Satan is attempting to counterfeit one of God’s greatest gifts to the church, the laying on of hands. All three therapies mentioned in my book are called “Touch Therapies” and attempt to imitate, mimic, and serve as impostors to the reality of the gift of laying on of hands through the person of the Holy Spirit. Here’s what the Bible says about Satan’s counterfeits: “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10.
Let us not fall for a cheap trick, let us not be seduced by a lie. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us to “Be sober, be vigilant for your enemy walks to and fro like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.” Today, Satan is attempting to counterfeit the miraculous power of God is dozens of ways and we see it every day in our media . . . books, movies and television. Christian, don’t be duped, don’t believe a lie. God’s gift is reality that will powerfully change your life.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Buddhism
The Absence of GodThere are many central doctrines representing the core of Buddhist teaching. Some of these are the belief in reincarnation, the necessity of continual growth in karma ( good works ) in order to nullify the inherent evil present within each person. There is the ceaseless need to meditate in order to find Enlightenment and become one with the Buddha and finally, the promise to reach Nirvana (nothingness) and the annihilation of the soul.
There is no God in Buddhism, He is absent. There is no hope in Buddhism for there is no future to look forward to. There is only the unending cycle of death and rebirth and the self-effort of karma that wearies the soul. Buddhism speaks of Enlightenment, speaks of an inner sense of peace, offers ritual, exercises, and philosophy which proposes its ultimate goal of personal extinction.
Only Christianity offers a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Only Christianity offers a future to look forward to. Only Christianity offers grace void of self-effort giving rest to the weary soul. Only Christianity offers true insight, the reality of inner peace, and a theology whose goal is eternity with Christ.
Buddhism is an empty, hopeless religion based on a philosophy that panders to an ethical morality void of its reality. The readings of the Dharma (right teaching), the Sutras ( divine reading ) and personal meditation are focused on the self and forgets there is a world to save.
This is why the West with its commitment to the Christian faith provided the outward focus of serving and helping others resulting in social improvement in the name of Christ. The East on the other hand, lacked the motivation to help its fellow man and the altruism necessary for the common good because it could not see beyond its own navel. Its focus on the inward quest is the result of a belief in the absence of God and fails to motivate its adherents to show mercy, or have compassion on others.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Healing - Is There Another Way?
Scriptural Methods for Healing
Reiki, Therapeutic Touch and Healing Touch all offer alternative ways to experience healing. What does the Bible say are God's method's for healing?
It has been noticed, in relation to other spiritual experiences, that God is a God of variety. His methods are not stereotyped by any means. This is true also in relation to the manner in which Divine Healing is administered. The following are six different ways in which people receive healing from the Lord.
A. Pray for Yourself.
James 5:13 says: “Is any among you afflicted, let him pray.” Apparently, it is scriptural to pray for yourself when afflicted.
B. Ask Someone Else to Pray for you.
James 5:16 instructs: “… pray one for another that ye may be healed.” Any sincere Christian who believes can pray for another. No ministerial credentials nor special gifts of the Spirit are necessary.
C. Call for the Elders of the Church. James 5:14-16 has often been called the New Testament Healing Covenant.
Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for an other, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
This should be the regular procedure for those in fellowship with a local church. These verses clearly teach that God is no respecter of persons, but that all may be healed. The promise stipulates “Is any sick among you?” There is no discrimination whatever. It is God's Will to heal any and all who will call. “The prayer of faith” would be that prayer offered by the elders. There is a responsibility resting upon them. The sick exercises his faith when he calls for the elders. The elders pray the prayer of faith. Some have gone so far as to say that the elders were supposed to “massage” the sick person with oil, and this was the cause of his recovery. There certainly is no oil known to medical science which can guarantee healing, regardless of what the affliction is.
The text does not say that the oil healed the sick; it was “the prayer of faith,” “and the Lord will raise him.” We believe the oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, Who quickens our mortal body (Rom 8:11). Some associate the oil, as the means of healing, with Hezekiah's poultice of figs (2 Kings 20:7). It is amazing how people can have more faith in a little oil, or in a bunch of figs, than they do in the Power of God!
D. By Laying On of Hands.
“These signs shall follow them that believe; In my name … they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:17,18). It should be carefully noted here, that no mention is made of anointing with oil, or of praying for the sick. All that is said is that those who believe shall lay their hands on the sick in the name of Jesus. This is the method which Jesus used on a number of occasions. In the following scriptures Jesus is said to have touched the sick, or laid His hand or hands upon them: Matt 8:15; Mark 6:5; 8:23,25; Luke 4:40; 5:13; 13:13. Today, when the believing one lays his hands on the sick in the name of Jesus, it is as though the hands of Jesus were laid thereon.
E. Special Miracles Through Handkerchiefs and Aprons.
“And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: so that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them” (Acts 19:11,12). These were “special miracles” in that there were no scriptural instructions concerning them. Paul must have simply been guided by the Holy Spirit in this matter. Many churches have followed a similar pattern and have given out small pieces of cloth, over which prayer has been made, and sometimes they have been anointed with oil. Some most remarkable miracles have been reported from the use of this method. It is understood that the “prayer cloth” has no virtue in itself, but provides an act of faith by which one's attention is directed to the Lord Who is the Great Physician.
F. Spiritual Gifts of Healing.
“For to one is given by the Spirit … to another the gifts of healing …” (1 Cor 12:9). “God hath set some in the church … then gifts of healings …” (1 Cor 12:28). Inasmuch as this subject is covered thoroughly under the Gifts of the Spirit, it will not be elaborated on here. Two things are of special interest. First, this is the only gift of the Spirit which is in the plural. Suggested reasons for this are given in the study of the gifts. Second, in the list of healings wrought through the Apostles as recorded in the book of Acts, previously listed in this chapter, it is of interest that in no case did the apostles pray for the sick to be healed. In several cases, there was prayer about the sick person; but, the healing seemed to be administered by the power which had been given them for this ministry. They probably had the “gifts of healing.”
Scriptural Methods for Healing
Reiki, Therapeutic Touch and Healing Touch all offer alternative ways to experience healing. What does the Bible say are God's method's for healing?
It has been noticed, in relation to other spiritual experiences, that God is a God of variety. His methods are not stereotyped by any means. This is true also in relation to the manner in which Divine Healing is administered. The following are six different ways in which people receive healing from the Lord.
A. Pray for Yourself.
James 5:13 says: “Is any among you afflicted, let him pray.” Apparently, it is scriptural to pray for yourself when afflicted.
B. Ask Someone Else to Pray for you.
James 5:16 instructs: “… pray one for another that ye may be healed.” Any sincere Christian who believes can pray for another. No ministerial credentials nor special gifts of the Spirit are necessary.
C. Call for the Elders of the Church. James 5:14-16 has often been called the New Testament Healing Covenant.
Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for an other, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
This should be the regular procedure for those in fellowship with a local church. These verses clearly teach that God is no respecter of persons, but that all may be healed. The promise stipulates “Is any sick among you?” There is no discrimination whatever. It is God's Will to heal any and all who will call. “The prayer of faith” would be that prayer offered by the elders. There is a responsibility resting upon them. The sick exercises his faith when he calls for the elders. The elders pray the prayer of faith. Some have gone so far as to say that the elders were supposed to “massage” the sick person with oil, and this was the cause of his recovery. There certainly is no oil known to medical science which can guarantee healing, regardless of what the affliction is.
The text does not say that the oil healed the sick; it was “the prayer of faith,” “and the Lord will raise him.” We believe the oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, Who quickens our mortal body (Rom 8:11). Some associate the oil, as the means of healing, with Hezekiah's poultice of figs (2 Kings 20:7). It is amazing how people can have more faith in a little oil, or in a bunch of figs, than they do in the Power of God!
D. By Laying On of Hands.
“These signs shall follow them that believe; In my name … they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:17,18). It should be carefully noted here, that no mention is made of anointing with oil, or of praying for the sick. All that is said is that those who believe shall lay their hands on the sick in the name of Jesus. This is the method which Jesus used on a number of occasions. In the following scriptures Jesus is said to have touched the sick, or laid His hand or hands upon them: Matt 8:15; Mark 6:5; 8:23,25; Luke 4:40; 5:13; 13:13. Today, when the believing one lays his hands on the sick in the name of Jesus, it is as though the hands of Jesus were laid thereon.
E. Special Miracles Through Handkerchiefs and Aprons.
“And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: so that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them” (Acts 19:11,12). These were “special miracles” in that there were no scriptural instructions concerning them. Paul must have simply been guided by the Holy Spirit in this matter. Many churches have followed a similar pattern and have given out small pieces of cloth, over which prayer has been made, and sometimes they have been anointed with oil. Some most remarkable miracles have been reported from the use of this method. It is understood that the “prayer cloth” has no virtue in itself, but provides an act of faith by which one's attention is directed to the Lord Who is the Great Physician.
F. Spiritual Gifts of Healing.
“For to one is given by the Spirit … to another the gifts of healing …” (1 Cor 12:9). “God hath set some in the church … then gifts of healings …” (1 Cor 12:28). Inasmuch as this subject is covered thoroughly under the Gifts of the Spirit, it will not be elaborated on here. Two things are of special interest. First, this is the only gift of the Spirit which is in the plural. Suggested reasons for this are given in the study of the gifts. Second, in the list of healings wrought through the Apostles as recorded in the book of Acts, previously listed in this chapter, it is of interest that in no case did the apostles pray for the sick to be healed. In several cases, there was prayer about the sick person; but, the healing seemed to be administered by the power which had been given them for this ministry. They probably had the “gifts of healing.”
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