Why the sudden rise in astrology, sorcery, religious superstition?
WEIRD happenings are occurring in the British Isles. During the year just ended — 1963 — a number of churches were deliberately and disgracefully desecrated. Peaceful English churchyards were disturbed — the bones from numerous graves deliberately disinterred. Wild and obscene orgiastic parties have been reported in various parts of Britain.
What is really behind these acts which one normally thinks of as belonging to the Dark Ages?
The Plague of Witchcraft
Reports a leading news source: "BRITAIN is being plagued today by the biggest upsurge of interest in Black Magic and the timeless secrets of witchcraft that the country has known since the Middle Ages.
"And in those days, for the record, they burned two million witches throughout Europe.
"We know of covens (regular meetings of witchcraft devotees) all over London. . . .
"In one Home Counties town with a population of only just over 50,000 there are at least half a dozen meeting places regularly used for Black Magic rites" (News of the World, 1st September, 1963).
British newspapers report a sudden all-time record demand for books on Black Magic and witchcraft impedimenta such as skulls, chalices, black candles and various other objects used in connection with "the dark art."
Numerous witches have appeared on British Television and have unashamedly admitted that they were witches — blatantly divulging information to news reporters.
Many cities and university towns all over Britain have well-established covens.
In the Daily Express of February 20, 1964, appeared an interesting article entitled "Witches Meet." According to Mrs. Sybil Leek, 41-year-old high priestess of the New Forest Witches, "There are 600 witches' covens in Britain, with 13 witches to a coven."
Why Black Magic Is Common in Britain
"Black Magic is as common in Britain today as, say, the traffic in dope, "reports the Daily Express, August 26, 1963.
The same article continues, "But Black Magic is the worship of the devil. The story of Lucifer is part of the Original Creation and cannot be shrugged off."
Dennis Wheatley, author of this Daily Express article shows that Black Magic dates long before Christianity. It continued after the introduction of Catholicism into Western Europe. During the Dark Ages weekly "night clubs" were organized by the peasants, and at such meetings "they called upon Lucifer for help."
Even Time magazine (December 27, 1963) mentioned that "England seems to be in the midst of a mild little REVIVAL OF BLACK MAGIC." Scores of articles have described numerous Black Magic activities here in Britain.
But just what is behind this "revival" of witchcraft — this veritable rash of Black Magic?
For part of the answer, turn to Time magazine.
"Parliament removed witchcraft from the list of criminal offences in 1936. Since then, the Black Arts have been the property of tiny demoniac cults. But 1963, for no clear reason, has been a banner year for sorcerers" (Time, December 27, 1963). In November, 1963, a Conservative M.P., Commander John Kerans, asked the British Government to pass new laws against the spread of witchcraft.
Though the immediate reason for the revival of witchcraft and astrology in Britain is attributed to the fact that Parliament removed witchcraft from the list of criminal offences, yet the REAL reason lies much deeper than this.
Before we can understand the subject of witchcraft, there are certain basic facts which we need to bear in mind. First, we need to realize that there is a personal, real, living Creator-Sustainer of the universe — who upholds and rules it from His high throne in heaven. This Being is revealed in the Bible as the Creator God. He is Creator, Sustainer, Ruler of all that exists in the vast limitlessness of space. He is supreme in power, wisdom and intelligence.
Second in command of the Universe is His Son, Jesus Christ.
The Scripture reveals that God the Father created all things through, or by, Christ Jesus. This includes the creation of myriads of angelic, spirit beings. You can read it in Colossians 1:13, 16, and 17.
The Fallen Angels
Long before the creation of man upon the earth, God Almighty created myriads of angelic spirit beings (Heb. 1:7). These angelic beings — symbolized as "stars" — were with God at the time when He "laid the foundations of the earth" and they "shouted for joy" (Job 38:4, 7). (For proof that "stars" represent angels, see Revelation 1:20, and 12:3, 4).
Some of the angels of God followed the rebellious leadership of a great cherub, named Lucifer. Though they had an estate here on this earth, they wanted to exalt themselves. "And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day" (Jude 6). This same event is mentioned by the Apostle Peter. "For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell [Greek tartaroo], and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment" (II Peter 2:4).
Isaiah 14:12 and Ezekiel 28:11-18 show that the former cherub, Lucifer, became exalted in his own estimation. He led a number of angels in assault against the very throne of God in heaven. Revelation 12:4 reveals that one third of the angels were involved in this angelic insurrection!
Even Jesus Christ himself said, "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven" (Luke 10:18).
After this angelic rebellion God created MAN on earth. He made man with free moral agency — free to make CHOICE between the right ways of God and the wrong ways of Satan. God marked off a duration of six thousand years during which man must choose between the invisible sway and influence of Satan and the revealed laws of God. This is to be followed by one millennium under the enforced world-rule of Christ, when Satan shall be totally restrained.
With this very brief scriptural history of the "angels that sinned," we can understand the real motivating, diabolical power behind this recent rash of witchcraft covens which has appeared all over Britain. The real motivating power behind all forms of witchcraft, Black Magic or sorcery — is Satan and his demons!
Reports from America, Germany, Spain, Australia, Haiti, Africa and all over the world reveal that witchcraft, voodoo and all the various forms of occultism or demonism are fast on the increase! Bible prophecies reveal that we will see greatly increased demoniacal activity in the years immediately ahead.
Not only do the wicked spirits rule the occult world, but they influence and, indirectly, control this present evil 'world — including its politics, religion, social and economic beliefs and practices. This is shocking, I know, but true! It is Satan who is "the — GOD OF THIS WORLD" (II Cor. 4:4, Matt. 4:8-10). He is "the prince of the power of the air, the SPIRIT that now WORKS IN the children of disobedience" (Eph. 2:2).
Yes, it Is Satan the devil who is now feverishly working in those individuals who have yielded to him and his way of lawlessness. Satan is a rebel, and those who follow him always rebel against the holy and perfect laws and ways of Almighty God.
The Apostle Paul was very emphatic in showing that the works of the flesh include "WITCHCRAFT" (Gal. 5:19, 20). "They which do such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God" (verse 21).
God Condemns All Forms of Divination
Throughout the Old and the New Testaments the prophets and apostles of God condemned the utterly abominable practice of witchcraft or sorcery.
God commanded Israel "Ye shall not . . . use enchantment, nor observe times [practice divination]" (Lev. 19:26). He further commanded Israel, "Regard not them that have FAMILIAR SPIRITS [demons], neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God" (verse 31).
God declared that anyone who would seek after familiar spirits and wizards incurs His divine wrath. "And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people" (Lev. 20:6).
Those who deal with familiar spirits are so detestable in the sight of Almighty God that He commanded, "A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them" (verse 27). God warned Israel not to learn to do "the abominations" of the Canaanitish nations when they drove them out and inherited their land. He said: "There shall not be found among you one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth DIVINATION, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer, for all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord your God doth drive them out from before thee" (Deut. 18:9-14).
Divination was practiced in many different ways. Some diviners practiced augury. They revealed future or secret knowledge (or in some cases only pretended to) through dreams, trance-speaking, examining of the victims' livers, intestines, speal bones or shoulder bones, observation of clouds, movement of animals, birds, astrology, divining-rods and through an almost endless number of other ways.
An enchanter was one who cast a spell on his bewitched victim through chanting or muttering certain words, phrases or songs.
A witch simple means a sorcerer. A witch can refer either to a male or female, though today it has come to mean a female who practices sorcery. A male witch is now sometimes called a warlock.
A charmer is one who by one means or another charms his victims. There are snake-charmers, Today we have our modern charmers known as hypnotists. Many now foolishly look upon hypnotism as harmless, as a toy. Others consider it as a useful tool. And today it is being commonly used on, women during childbirth and by numerous mind and body doctors in their practice. It is a known fact, however, that hypnotism is often dangerous — especially when the subject is mentally or emotionally disturbed.
God Almighty forbids you to "flirt with" hypnotism — or meddle with any form of sorcery for that matter. Don't ever let your curiosity cause you to even dabble in these diabolical practices.
Your mind is your most precious possession, so don't ever let another person (or being) take control of your mind. Don't ever permit yourself to be hypnotized by anyone.
A few years ago Bridle Murphy (hypnotists) Clubs sprang up all over America, and many played with this dangerous power as though it were a toy.
Recently on British television an interviewer and a hypnotist discussed the subject of hypnotism of expectant mothers by means of a kit! This kit included a record of the soothing, purring voice of the hypnotist — which the expectant mother would listen to in order to become hypnotized at the time of the delivery of her baby. The Living God denounces these charmers — these hypnotists! Remember it is Satan who wants to take control of your mind in order to implant more firmly his diabolical suggestions. Resist him, and he will flee from you (Jas. 4:7). There were many, in ancient times just as today, who consulted with familiar spirits by one means or another. Even wizards received their knowledge through familiar spirits, and necromancers (those who pretended to receive their knowledge from the dead) also practiced their evil art through the cooperation of an evil spirit who impersonated a dead person.