Occult America
Revelation 9:21 describes the global culture during the reign of the Antichrist: murder, witchcraft, sexual immorality, greed and theft. It also paints a picture of the sober reality of just how hard the human heart will be during the Great Tribulation. Though God is pouring out His wrath upon a wicked, defiant, Christ-rejecting world (Rev 6: 16, 17), the bible says billions of people living in the Great Tribulation will refuse to repent of their sins. Talk about a hardness of heart!
Regarding the global culture of the Great Tribulation, Revelation 9:21 mentions a few of these acts by name, but there is one I want to zero in on: "witchcraft." Revelation 9:21 is telling us that during the reign of the Antichrist the world will be immersed in witchcraft and occult practices.
What I want us to recognize today is that though we are not in the Great Tribulation, the Great Tribulation is casting its large, ominous shadow over our generation. Even today we see the earth racing toward that occultic world.
In this blog I am not going to go into all the details on how occultism has shaped our world today, particularly America, or will I give the statistics regarding occultism in America today. In this blog I simply want to re-enforce what so many of us already know: occultism and witchcraft is huge in America. Our nation is fascinated with occultism.
Let me give you a brief definition of the word "occult." There are actually a variety of definitions given, ranging from Webster's Dictionary to the Satanic bible. However, looking at the variety of definitions given, I combined them into something simple that I believe defines it well: "Occultism is acquiring wisdom and power from a supernatural source in the spirit world." Whether it is Satanism, astrology, Gnosticism, Pantheism, etc. etc. etc., the one thing they all have in common is attempting to acquire knowledge and power from the spirit world. Of course as Christians we know whatever knowledge and power they acquire, it comes from one source, Satan, the great deceiver.
Our American culture is fascinated with occultism. There are so many sources we can talk about, but I think the clearest indicator is the media: television and movies. The occult has been popularized through books and movies, most popular the Harry Potter series. Author J.K. Rowling so blatantly glorifies witchcraft in her Harry Potter books. It is safe to assume many kids who grew up on Harry Potter are now engaging in witchcraft practices in order to satisfy their curiosity or obsession inspired by Harry Potter.
Also television programs centered around the occult has flooded the airways. To name one, the popular Netflix series, "The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina." Sabrina is a teenage girl who is half witch and half mortal caught up in the dark world of occultism. The first season leads to the climatic episode where on her sixteenth birthday she celebrates by giving herself to Satan. The Netflix series was huge, mostly popular with teenagers, and no doubt fanning the flame of fascination of the occult.
Shows revolving around the paranormal are also huge splashes on major T.V. networks. Shows like Ghost Adventurer, Ghost Hunters, and The Most Haunted Places On Earth are growing larger and larger audiences.
Now television celebrities are so openly talking about their occultic practices. And not just talking about it, television shows are now making it the topic of episodes. For example, "Real Housewives" have aired episodes centered around psychics and necromancies. No doubt television producers have discovered occultic themes are a drawing card for larger audiences.
Tarot cards, crystals, Ouija boards and horoscopes are more popular today than ever. Many people who are now steeped in occultism are candidly saying, "These things started out as fun and games, but now I am a full fledge occultist."
If we are not already there, we are racing toward that Great Tribulation culture that is immersed in the occult. Just one more strong indicator that the stage has already been set for the coming Antichrist. Just think about it: occultism is ghastly in America today, but how much worst will it be when the church is raptured and Satan is unrestrained in the earth? We shudder at the thought.
So now let's bring in the hope. We are not in the Great Tribulation and the church is still here, so what is the assurance? The assurance is that the gospel still changes lives. The gospel still has the power to save souls and destroy the works of darkness.
Why are millions of people turning to the occult? Yes, so many are fascinated by it, but many others are turning to occultism because they are searching for something to fill the spiritual void in their lives. This is why the church should be continuing to pray and minister the gospel. Just the fact that the church is still on this earth tells us that there are people who will hear, believe, repent and receive the salvation that is found in Christ alone.
Romans 5:20 "Where sin did abound, grace did much more abound." It seems that in every generation sin and Satan is much stronger than in the previous generation. Every generation has spiraled into a deeper depravity than the previous generation. However, it doesn't matter how strong Satan and sin may be, grace will always be stronger.
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