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No, I didn’t forget to capitalize ‘gods’ and I’m sure you can guess why.
I became aware of an event which occurred this week, but that I had not heard about previously. It struck me as so odd and the timing so intriguing that I simply knew there was a deeper meaning behind it… a progression of events if you will. In this series I’m going to discuss not only the event which triggered this, but the events which I see as aligning with and leading up to it.
Up front, let me apologize, as it is not my intention to keep delving into series after series on this site, but the fact is that I keep being lead to topics which just require more time and contemplation to both write, and digest than a single article reasonably accommodates. I also want you to know that I am not ‘tone-deaf’. While it may seem that I am not addressing events unfolding on the national and world-stage, the opposite is actually true. The thing is, for those with eyes to see it, I believe the Lord is leading us to an understanding that reaches far deeper than just this moment, or a superficial understanding of current events. Matters run far deeper than our initial impressions might indicate.
Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers have swept over me.
Psalm 42:7 (NIV)
With all of this in mind, we need to address a few principles in order to better grasp what we’re seeing play out in the physical, right before our eyes.
Uderstanding ‘magic’
Thanks to Hollywood and the abundance of effects used throughout our entertainment media, we tend to have a rather exaggerated view of “magic”. It might be just me, but I always used to picture grandiose events and effects like those one might see in a Harry Potter movie or Lord of the Rings.
The thing is, that’s not really how it works. You see, there are varying types and even levels of “magic”, and while I’m certainly no expert (and have no desire to be), I have learned to recognize the difference. The flashy, grandiose displays we see in movies and television programs, well that stuff is possible, but it’s far from common – at least in terms of what we would deem “supernatural“. Much of the fantastical we see in legend and myth, particularly those tales which contain an element of truth, are actually an attempt to explain technology. Think, Zeus throwing lightning bolts, Thor and his hammer Mjölnir, or the Vimana of Hindu mythology.
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
– Arthur C. Clarke
While this all aligns with my personal opinion on the matter, I have to be up-front with the fact that this is conjecture. I see a scriptural basis for this view and believe it even in the absence of empirical evidence because it’s both logical and – dare I say – reasonable. Particularly if one takes the Book of Enoch as having merit – and obviously I do – then an awful lot of “puzzle pieces” begin to fall into place.
But what about other forms of magic? What about those things not made up of fire-balls and lightning bolts or abilities that seem to defy the laws of physics? What about… more mundane forms of magic?
Outstanding question. I’m glad you asked – let’s start with the low-hanging fruit.
Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, envying, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and similar things. I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!
Galatians 5:19 – 21
Even the light from a lamp will never shine in you again! The voices of the bridegroom and his bride will never be heard in you again. For your merchants were the tycoons of the world, because all the nations were deceived by your magic spells!
Revelation 18:23
First, understand that most of our modern bibles are translated from Greek texts. This begins with the Septuagint, a Greek translation of the ‘Old Testament’, but also includes the texts from which we translate the ‘New Testament’ as well. In both the precedent citations (as well as other areas of scripture), we see sorcery and witchcraft or magic spells used interchangeably – but what if I told you that the original terminology may point to a much broader definition?
pharmakeía (from pharmakeuō, “administer drugs”) –
properly, drug-related sorcery, like the practice of magical-arts, etc.
– Stong’s Greek (Concordance): 5331
If that word has a familiar ring to it, it’s for good reason. Pharmakeia is the basis from which we derive the word pharmaceutical. Given current circumstances, that indictment should be chilling – I certainly find it to be. Furthermore, it points to something that was addressed in another ancient, venerated text:
And there arose much godlessness, and they committed fornication, and they were led astray, and became corrupt in all their ways. Semjâzâ (Sem-yah-zah) taught enchantments, and root-cuttings, Armârôs (Ar-mah-ros) the resolving of enchantments, Barâqîjâl (Bar-ah-kee-yahl) (taught) astrology, Kôkabêl (Koh-kah-bel) the constellations, Ezêqêêl (Ez-eh-keel) the knowledge of the clouds, 〈Araqiêl (Ar-ah-keel) the signs of the earth, Shamsiêl (Sham-see-el) the signs of the sun〉, and Sariêl (Sah-ree-el) the course of the moon. And as men perished, they cried, and their cry went up to heaven . . .
– Book of Enoch 8:2
Incidentally, “root-cuttings” have been attributed to the identification of intoxicants and psychedelic drugs (Ayahuasca anyone?), and while I agree with that assessment, I do not think it is broad enough. Personally, I see pharmakeia being addressed here and it is furthermore attributed to the direct teaching of a devil in the flesh and a corrupter of the seed of man.
We could go on identifying more aspects of those things scripture would indict as sorcery or witchcraft, but that really isn’t my point – I simply want you to see how prevalent these things are today. Many have effectively been woven into the very fabric of society such that, many would balk at the notion out of hand. I mean, are we saying that taking an aspirin is a form of sorcery? I’ll let you decide that – but you have to admit; folks like the Amish and their counterparts don’t seem quite so fringe with this in mind now, do they?
Lesser Magic
Have you ever read, or heard a sermon or teaching that likened manipulation to witchcraft? I’d be surprised if you hadn’t. Often I’ve heard such teaching in relation to the spirit of Jezebel, but that’s far from the only application of the principle.
“For rebellion is like the sin of sorcery, stubbornness like the crime of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of Adonai, he too has rejected you as king.”
1 Samuel 15:23 (CJB)
So let’s break down some logic here: if rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, how then do we attribute manipulation to the same status? The answer, as it happens, is two-fold; manipulation seeks to override both the free will of others, and simultaneously override the will of the Living God, favoring our understanding and desired outcomes over His ~and that, ladies and gentlemen, is rebellion.
We could dig even deeper into this, but again, not the point. The point is that, in order for this manipulation, this lesser magic to be effective, agreement is required. Whether it takes the form of seduction, deception, coercion or outright intimidation, those enacting the “spell” require our agreement and consent – even if acquiring it actually violates our will.
Personally I see several ways in which this can be done, and present circumstances are no exception. I mean, “accept an injection of this mystery concoction or we’ll cut off your income” sure seems to fit the definition I’ve presented herein, does it not? This of course, represents a far more egregious and obvious example of coercive behavior than what is generally employed. In fact, the more subtle the approach, the more likely those involved in such witchcraft are to achieve a more desirable and successful (to them) result.
Consider this; if someone is able to manipulate you without your notice, even going so far as to have you believe that the decisions you’ve made and the consent you’ve given were your idea, well… such people could do nearly anything they wanted (to a point) without even being detected as manipulators in the first place. On a grand-scale, one might go about such an insidious – yet undetected – manipulation of an entire population through various means; propaganda, repeated suggestion, subliminal suggestion, and the gradual introduction of ideas that the people might otherwise find objectionable. It’s the principle of “boiling the frog“.
In the worst examples of this form of manipulation and witchcraft, the victim(s) find themselves entering, unknowingly, into a covenant. Make no mistake, a covenant is not a form of witchcraft in-and-of-itself, it’s a legally binding agreement with some person or entity – known or unknown, seen or unseen.
The truth is, that once we come to grips with these fundamental tenants, we can begin to see the slimy tendrils of paganism and witchcraft running throughout our cultures. Even among those societies like my own, which arrogantly deems itself “enlightened”, I see the rampant worship of the “old gods”, whether or not any of the participants recognize this fact. Know for certain however, those who drive this agenda, most assuredly know who they serve and what they are doing.
To date, these nefarious actors and agents of ‘old gods’ have been alarmingly successful. Regardless of what nation or region you find yourself in, ask yourself; does the culture seem off? Insane? Outright demonic?
That’s because it is.
More concerning, we didn’t get here overnight – this happened over a span of time and, what’s more, with our agreement...
Until next time, I trust that you are having a joyful Chanukah.
חג שמח – Chag Sameach – Joyous Festival
שלום עליכם – Shalom Aleichem – Peace Be Upon You