“AS WE MARCH ALONG IN THE 21st CENTURY, WHAT SEEMS TO BE THE GREATEST CHALLENGE TO OUR SAFETY AND WELLBEING? THE ANSWER IS, NOT A TERRORIST INVASION OR ATTACK, RATHER A SPIRITUAL INVASION OF UNPARALLELED PROPORTIONS.”

 I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the World, the Word & You! Broadcast and in a moment we’ll talk about the world of the Occult, especially the fascination and interest in Necromancy, that is “talking with the dead” …

 … Today I believe Christianity faces its greatest challenge of 21^st Century. What is it? Well for openers, there is a spiritual invasion sweeping our world today that is not from God, nor of benefit to mankind. An invasion if you will, that is subtly changing the faith and philosophy of millions of people around the world. Of course, this invasion began its assault at the beginning of man‘s history and since then, has increased its power and penetration, particularly in modern America which is experiencing a stunning revival of the ancient world of “the Occult.” In fact, Colin Wilson, a recognized author and authority on the occult said, "It would be probably safe to say there are now more witches in England and America that at any time since the Reformation." [1]

Not surprisingly, Pollsters such as Gallup, Roper and Greeley jointly indicate that tens of millions of people are interested in occult subjects and have occult experiences. Alarmingly, a University of Chicago poll not long ago [2] revealed that “more than 67% of Americans now profess belief in the supernatural, and that 42% believe that they have had contact with someone who died." Indeed, we are witnessing an invasion of the occult and what's most alarming to me is a vast majority of Christians are either not concerned, feel no danger, and worst of all, a growing number are beginning to accept many of its subtle and deceptive practices as if they were from God Himself.  Well after another pause for some musical refreshment, I want to look at the inroads the Occult has made into the world of many Americans who think it is an innocent and pleasant pastime to explore the world of the dead. Stay tuned…

… To get right to my point, in Biblical times, the Word of God warns us that the world of the Occult is a dangerous and forbidden area of human knowledge and experience. The apostle Paul warned Christians when he said,

Col 2:8 (NIV)  See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.”

Today that warning is more important than ever, for we are witnessing an invasion of deceptive and captive philosophies the Bible calls "doctrines of demons." Literally a demonic invasion is upon us as we witness an onslaught of demon or Occult teachings and experiences that are being accepted by our society as something wholesome and good.

Why even cable and broadcast television in America has been promoting the world of the Occult as a harmless pastime for respectable Americans. My case in particular is the popular television program now featured on NBC and UPN called, "Crossing Over” with John Edward.

This is a program that encourages people to seek contact with the dead, and offers people hope of communicating with their loved ones who have died. In addition, there has come a rash of Hollywood films glorifying seeking to communicate with the dead. Blockbuster movies like the “SIXTH SENSE,” and others usher Americans into the world of the Occult as something tob e explored. Now when we talk about communication with the dead, we are usually referring to “mediums” who talk to the dead on our behalf, or who allow the dead to speak to us through them. In ancient times this was also called NECROMANCY.  So let’s explore what this fascination really is, and what dangers lie beyond the portals of death itself.

To begin, we must define this word "Occult." The Occult is "a system of beliefs that call its followers to embrace teachings of life and eternity that deny the teachings of Christianity, and extol the virtues of practices forbidden in the Bible." Now the word, "occult," comes from the Latin "occultus," meaning "to cover up, hide or conceal." Thus, occult teaching is usually the call for participation in things hidden, secret, and or forbidden. These are things involve the supernatural, mystical or magical occult world and powers that inhabit our space and time continuum.

Today there is a wide variation of practices in the world of the Occult. For instance, William Kimball [3] a noted authority on the occult says there are four basic categories in which all occult practices fall. They are,

(1) FORTUNE TELLING OR DIVINATION - 

this is the art of foretelling future events, human conduct and character. This may include Palmistry, Astrology, Numerology, Divination by Rod/Pendulum, Sleep Reading, and all forms of reading of tea leaves, Tarot Cards, etc.

(2) SPIRITISM OR NECROMANCY - 

this is the belief that certain people (Mediums) have the ability to contact the dead or simply obtain revelations beyond the grave. This involves practices such as Telekinesis, Table Lifting, Levitation, Spirit or Automatic Writing, Apports, Trumpet Speaking, Materialization, etc. Through these mediums, one can communicate with the spirit of a dead person.

(3) MAGIC, OCCULT MAGIC - 

This is not the "slight of hand," trickery of magicians, but accessed powers of superhuman spirit forces in league with the fallen angel called Satan, or simply the Devil. This involves the practice of Black Magic, Magical Hypnosis, White Magic, Mental Suggestion, Magneticism or Mesmerism. Lastly we have,

(4) SATANISM, VOODOO, WITCHCRAFT, OR ANY PARTICIPATION WITH DEMONIC FORCES - 

These practices involve those who have yielded themselves to a known or even unknown relationship with supernatural forces, powers and or beings from the unseen world. Participation in such practices involves Astral Projection, Clairvoyance, Colorology, Crystal Gazing, Demons, Dreams, ESP, Eastern Mysticism, I-Ching, Meditation, Sylvan Mind Control, Occultic Hypnosis and Altered States of Consciousness, Ouija Boards, Parapsychology, Psychokinesis, Reincarnation, Seances, Talismans, Thought Transfer, Wicca, Visualization, Channeling, Yoga, Holistic Health practices, Eckanbar, Spirit Guides, Crystals, Telepathy, and all magic rituals, spells, curses and charms.

Many Cults today which are not directly involved in the Occult, are often the launching point to bring unsuspecting followers into their world and power. Anti-Christian groups such Jehovah Witnesses, Unitarians, The Unification Church, Bahai, Hare Krishna, ECK, EST, TM, Scientology, Mormonism, Rosicrucianism, and all “New Age Movement” groups and others are participants of the world of the Occult. Their teachings are all a part of or windows into the world of the Occult which is now storming the gates of humanity.

Now I must say at this point, I named a goodly amount of philosophies and groups that do contain many followers who are in and of themselves fine people. However, the good that may be done by these groups and methods of harnessing the unseen world of supernatural power cannot be approved, simply because of the good they do. We are told in the Bible that Satan himself and his demon agents disguise themselves with good things. We read,

2 Cor 11:14 -15 (NLT)  “…  Even Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no wonder his servants can also do it by pretending to be godly ministers. In the end they will get every bit of punishment their wicked deeds deserve.

Therefore we must not judge the value of a group, or its philosophy simply by its benign outward appearance and good works offered. Satan's greatest evil in the eyes of God is his desire to "be good without God" – that is, good in the terms of his own mind and will, which has clearly been revealed by God as evil and wickedness.

Now the sad thing today is, millions of people who have not the "light of Christ" are wide open to these forces of the unseen spirit world in rebellion to God. Since they have not the light of Christ, they can easily be persuaded to embrace these forces of darkness, parading as wholesome, good and light. What's worse, is ignorant Christians today are also being deceived to accept much of what they practice which has been so disguised that even some of God's elect are being deceived to believe it comes from God Himself and is basically good for them.

Popular preachers today like Benny Hinn, a superstar to televangelism has moved into Necromancy as he claims contact with the dead. From false prophecies, heretical doctrines, spurious healings and his exorbitant lifestyle coupled with fabricated personal historical accounts -- he has drawn thousands of his followers into the world of the occult. In his 1997 Honolulu Crusade, Hinn reported that he met with Kathryn Kulman who had died and spoke with her. He later alleged the same at the gravesite of Aimee Semple McPherson (1890-1944), a well-known female charismatic evangelist of the 1920s and 1930s. This is dangerous and deceptive teachings of supposed Christian ministers, which encourages others to seek contact with the dead. Again the Bible speaks to Benny Hinn and John Edwards in,

1 Tim 4:1-2 (NLT)  Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from what we believe; they will follow lying spirits and teachings that come from demons. 2 These teachers are hypocrites and liars. They pretend to be religious, but their consciences are dead.

Now what can we know and do about this demonic spiritual invasion? Well, the first thing is to be foreword and armed to know good from evil, light from darkness, spiritual forces of wickedness from God and His truth. More than ever, we must learn what the Bible says about every facet of the world of the Occult, especially (Necromancy) talking with the dead.

In Scripture, God has nothing good, positive or praiseworthy of it and strongly condemns all of it warning anyone dabbling in it of the dire consequences temporal and eternal. Listen to just a small portion of God's Word where we read,

Deu 18:9-14 (NLT)  "When you arrive in the land the LORD your God is giving you, be very careful not to imitate the detestable customs of the nations living there. 10 For example… do not let your people practice fortune-telling or sorcery, or allow them to interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, 11 or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead. 12 Anyone who does these things is an object of horror and disgust to the LORD… the LORD your God forbids you to do such things.

 Later Moses was warned by God to instruct His people,

Lev 19:31 (NLT)  “Do not rely on mediums and psychics, for you will be defiled by them. I, the LORD, am your God.

 Yet Israel turned to the world of the Occult, seeking to contact the dead due to the pressure of the godless society in which they lived. In the process of embracing the practices of the Occult, God again gave this warning through Isaiah the prophet,

Isa 8:19 (NLT)  So why are you trying to find out the future by consulting mediums and psychics? Do not listen to their whisperings and mutterings. Can the living find out the future from the dead? Why not ask your God?

 Well, the rest is history. God judged Israel for its idolatry and occult involvement. Yet as time moved on and God raised up yet another people for His pleasure, the New Testament Church of Jesus Christ, it is similarly warned of the dangers and evil of involvement in the world of the occult. We read in the Book of Acts that when people turned to the one true and living God, the Lord Jesus Christ, they turned from their sins and practices in the world of the occult.

Acts 19:19 (NLT)  A number of them who had been practicing magic brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire. The value of the books was several million dollars.

A revival of hearts ensued and people broke free from the power of evil that had ensnared them. And, to keep them from it, God again and again warned His people that those who would give themselves over to the experiences and practices of the occult and its power would reveal a startling truth as well as suffer a judgment for all eternity. Paul and John, apostles of the Church wrote,

Gal 5:19-21 (NLT)  When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: … participation in demonic activities.., and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God .

Rev 21:8 (NLT)  “… those who practice witchcraft, and idol worshipers, and all liars—their doom is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”

God wants everyone to know that evil personalities and powers of great intensity exist beyond our senses and the grave; and, anyone who seeks to engage those powers and principalities will find themselves under great judgment and personal harm. Yes, occult practices of any and all sort are sin, for they honor Satan rather than God, and they employ his powers rather than God's to meet their needs and to do good.

Now how does this affect those who are Christians today? The answer is -- much of what is considered good and of God and being introduced into the Church, is nothing less than evil and sin, and comes from the world of the occult. Let me give you my estimation of it. Today in the church there is a great movement to accept psychotherapy as a means of treating the ailments of sin. Watch out for anything that draws your attention for help and hope away from the plain and perfect Word of God.

In addition, I see an invasion in the Church of acceptance of things like Visualization, Role-playing or Psychodrama, Meditation, Biofeedback, Positive Confession or Possibility Thinking, all forms of Hypnosis, Holistic Medicine, and a whole spectrum of self-improvement and success/motivation techniques - all employed to gain the "good life" supposedly God has waiting for all who find the “hidden secrets” of life.

Friend, this is just Satan's plan for success which is a thinly veiled cover for sorcery, a “Trojan Horse” if you will, now inside the Church. Men and programs like that of the late Norman Vincent Peale, Robert Schuller, Napolean Hill, Charles Capps, even Amway Motivational teachings, and "Ye are Gods" teachers such as Frederick K.C. Price, Robert Tilton, and Kenneth Copeland to name just a few. Then there are the Charismatic teachers like Benny Hinn, who call up unseen forces to render personal power to any individual who seeks it through supernatural gifting such as miraculous physical healing, harnessing the power of unlearned “words of knowledge,” – all designed to seek to control Heaven to bring one personal health, wealth and success, and now contact with the dead!

Yes, without a doubt these things if sought, even in the name of Jesus, can happen and materialize before our eyes, but the question is, are they from God? The answer I believe the Bible teaches is a resounding “No!”

Now Scripture teaches that God's people are not to fear Satan, his demons or their powers among us. Rather we who are Christians are to stand firmly against him and his work and be sure to not allow the Occult presence in and among God's people. The Bible tell us,

James 4:7-8 (NLT)  So humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, you hypocrites.

We are each responsible to keep our hearts and minds clean and away from the influences of all these things and anything that leads us into the demonic forces of evil parading as goodness and from God. Beware of much of Satan's last ditch effort to claim humanity, by reaching out to our young children and youth too. Popular fiction such as Harry Potter are not harmless, nor are the Saturday morning cartoons today which are filled with "windows" into the world of the Occult, nor role-playing computer and board games encouraging escapism and situational ethics to pave the way for values modification and ultimate manipulation for later embrace of the Occult. Against such things the Bible says, "Be on guard."

Eph 4:14-15 (NLT) “… no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different or because someone has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.”

Friend, there is a war going on, and it is a war for the souls of men. As we move toward the Day of the Lord, and His Second Coming, the Bible warns these things will increase and become more deceitful. Now I realize what I've said concerning the vast sweep of modern ideology and practices may well have touched a nerve in the church and society, but as God's servant and messenger of truth, I must say it on behalf of God -- Make sure your life is not enmeshed in, or starting to embrace things which God says are "forbidden." The end result is always judgment.

May you truly be found on that day of the Lord's triumphant return, as a child of God, living in the light of His truth and goodness as found in the Scriptures alone. But, if you have been involved in any of these things, then right now repent and confess them to God, call upon Christ to forgive you, and ask for His power to cleanse and keep you from it in the days ahead. Then be sure to rid yourself of all the materials, books, and things that are of the occult. The Lord promises to draw near to everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord. May God add His blessings to these words to your heart today for Jesus sake, Amen.

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HELPS & SUGGESTED READING :

• CULT WATCH, John Ankerberg & John Weldon, Harvest House Publishers

• A READY DEFENSE, The Best of Josh McDowell, Here's Life Publishers

• EXPOSING & CONFRONTING SATAN & ASSOCIATES, Wendall Amstutz, National Counseling Resource Center, Rochester, MN.

• THE SEDUCTION OF CHRISTIANITY, Dave Hunt & T.A. MacMahon, Harvest House Publishers.

• LARSON'S NEW BOOK OF CULTS, Bob Larson, Tyndale House Publishers.

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ENDNOTES:

1. Colin Wilson: THE OCCULT: A HISTORY (New York:Vintage Books/Random House, 1973), P.456

2. Andrew Greeley: MYSTICISM GOES MAINSTREAM (American Health, Jan.-Feb. 1987)

3. Wendall Amstutz: EXPOSING & CONFRONTING SATAN & ASSOCIATES, ( National Counseling Resource Center , Rochester , MN )