Eschatology For Beginners: A Primary Piece "Witchcraft"

                                                 The World And The Occult

Revelation 9:21 They did not turn away from committing murder, practicing witchcraft, sinning sexually, or stealing. 

Hi everyone. In Eschatology For Beginners we have already covered the "Primary players" in end-time bible prophecy. Now we are looking at the "Primary pieces" in end time bible prophecy. We are answering questions like, As a whole, what will the world look like in the last days? How does the bible characterize the state of our world just prior to the return of Christ? Do we clearly see these "Primary pieces" in place in our world today? So far we have talked about "globalism" and "the crisis in the Middle East." In this blog I want to talk about "the world and the occult." 

Revelation 9:21 describes the global culture during the reign of the Antichrist: murder, witchcraft, sexual immorality, greed and theft. It also paints a sober reality of just how hard the human heart will be during the Great Tribulation. Though God is pouring out His wrath on a evil, 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 describes it by listing a some of the sins that the world will be drowning in, but the one I want to talk about today is "witchcraft." Revelation 9:21 tells us that during the reign of the Antichrist the world will be immersed in witchcraft and occult practices.

So let me give a brief, yet thorough 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 these definitions, 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 and turned into a phenomena through books and movies. The most popular television shows on the tube today have occultic themes. To name a few, "Charmed," "Supernatural," "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch," and the list goes on and on. Shows revolving around the paranormal are also huge on major television networks. Shows like Ghost Adventurer, Ghost Hunters, and The Most Haunted Places On Earth" are growing larger and larger audiences. 

Now reality television have discovered the power of the paranormal in regards to drawing larger audiences. For example, "Real Housewives" have aired episodes centered around psychics and necromancies. No doubt television producers have discovered occultic themes are a huge 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." 

So, that Great Tribulation world of occultism, "we are now there!" Though the Great Tribulation has not begun, our world is immersed in the occult. And 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? I shudder at the thought!

So, what is the hope? We are not in the Great Tribulation yet, and the church is still here giving the gospel. The assurance is that the gospel still changes lives. Roman 5:20 "Where sin did abound, grace did much more abound." It doesn't matter how strong Satan and sin may be, God's grace will always be stronger. 

Well, I hope this helps. The world just prior to Christ's return will be steeped in witchcraft and occult practices. Though grieved in spirit, as Christians we should not be shocked by how occultic our world, particular the media becomes. It is just another clear indicator that Jesus is coming so soon. But until He takes us out of the earth, let's keep ministering the gospel "like there's no tomorrow" because it still changes lives. 

God bless.