Wicca and witchcraft

What do the Wicca cult consist of and what power influences behind it? Wicca members and witches do not consider the possibility of fraud

The New Age movement, a mixture of Eastern religions and supernatural elements, has become more and more popular in the past few decades. New Age followers have familiarised us with terms like reincarnation, karma, channelling, spiritual healing, meditation, spirit guides, higher self, aura, etc. Most of these concepts are not new, however. They have been known for centuries. Many of these concepts have been included in Hinduism for ages.

Another movement similar to New Age is Wicca, one of several different forms of witchcraft. There are plenty of similarities in these movements, but there are also some differences. Let's start exploring wicca.

WHAT IS WICCA LIKE?

Wicca is an Old English word meaning witch. However, the same word in practice usually refers to the Wicca cult, which has its own customs and peculiarities it is known for. The following list mentions its most important features.

• Wiccans believe that witchcraft is a pre-Christian pagan religion and they are its descendants. They believe that Wicca is an offspring of the old tradition of witchcraft and older than, for example, the Christian faith.

• The concept of divinity is different from the Christian faith. Wiccans may have many kinds of deities and god families, or some Wiccans can also be oriented towards monotheism, atheism (impersonal life force) or pantheism (the deity of everything).

However, the most common tradition centers around two deities, a goddess and a god. They are considered complementary aspects of a universal force. However, some groups have focused only on the worship of the great mother goddess.

• Wiccans have several ideas about life after death. Many of them believe in reincarnation at some level but some also believe in Summerland where everybody will go once crossing the border. They do not believe in Hell.

• Wiccans are familiar with the so-called threefold law which states that whatever a person does will come back to him or her. Some believe it happens in the form of reincarnation, others already during this life.

• The Wiccan moral concept is as follows: "An it harm none, do what you will". In principle, this "golden rule" is the same that has appeared throughout the centuries in major religions. Jesus also said (Matt 7:12), “Therefore all things whatever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”

• Respecting nature and being in harmony with it is one of the principles of Wicca. Wiccans focus on respecting nature in the form of a god and goddess. The idea of Mother Earth is important to them.

Because Wiccans believe that nature is holy, many of them live ecologically and naturally, and may be involved in political nature conservation groups.

• Wicca has often been confused with Satanism and Satan worship, which it is not actually. Wiccans can indeed carry a pentagram and use it on the altar during rituals. They may also wear black clothes or robes during rituals, but in general they do not believe in personal evil and Satan, but in the goddess, different deities or the divinity of everything.

• Magic and spells are part of Wicca. It is the so-called white magic used to consecrate ritual places and solve problems. Healing is perhaps the most common goal. Instead, magic is not used to harm others, because in Wicca it is believed that a person's actions come back to him.

Wiccans may also use meditation, visualisation and other forms of focusing as an aid in their magic.

• Rituals are a very important aspect of Wicca. They may include some of the following:

- Cleansing the participants and the space, both physically and mentally

- Forming a magic circle, i.e. a sanctified space in which the ritual will be performed. It is a circle meant to protect those inside it from evil forces and gather the energy raised by the ritual.

- Calling divinities

- Ritual objects, such as cups, staves, pots and knives

- Dismantling the magic circle at the end of the ritual

WHAT TO THINK ABOUT WICCA?

Above, some features related to Wicca have been highlighted. It was stated how this form of witchcraft differs from ordinary Satan worship, how it includes various rituals, magic and spells, how it can feature several deities and goddess worship, and how the Wiccans themselves consider witchcraft to be a pre-Christian pagan religion of which they are heirs.

Next, let's explore more of the same topic. The purpose is to bring up some of the claims in Wicca, their validity, and bring a Christian perspective to the same issue. The investigation begins with the question of how old Wicca is:

HOW OLD IS WICCA?

It was noted above how Wiccans often refer to their religion as an old religion. They think that Wicca is a descendant of an old witchcraft tradition and older than the Christian faith.

However, the previous statement is not entirely true. Although common features can be observed between Wicca and ancient pagan religions, shamanism or African magic, there are factors in modern Wicca that are completely new. In its current form, developed by Gerald B. Gardner (1884 - 1964) and Alex Sanders (1926 - 1988), it has only been around for two generations.

What about the claim that Wicca is older than the Christian faith; is that true?

If you think about this from the point of view that the Christian faith is 2000 years old, then it is true that different forms of witchcraft and shamanism have existed before that. There's no denying that.

However, it should be noted that there has always been faith in one almighty God. It is humanity's original heritage, because already in paradise, about which the book of Genesis tells, people lived in such a state. The first Christian prophecy about the future Saviour was also delivered in Paradise (Gen 3:15: “who shall bruise the head of the serpent.”). This has been understood to be related to Jesus, so in that sense the Christian faith is old, because it already started in paradise.

What is interesting is that the traditions of different peoples mention the same things: Paradise as it was in the beginning, belief in one God, the Fall, and the Flood. These points confirm that the early history of humanity is monotheistic rather than the Wiccan belief in many gods.

IN CONNECTION WITH WHAT?

One characteristic of Wicca is that people invite and communicate with deities and spirits. It is usually done by meditating, visualizing and speaking to these deities. Wiccans believe they can connect with them.

The idea that one can be in contact with outside divinities or spiritual beings is not an exclusive characteristic of Wicca. We also find the same idea in Hinduism, spiritualism and various religious movements. Even in them, people can think that they are connected to some external force, which can have the most different names. The following types of creatures and elements have usually been mentioned. The first four of them are related to Wicca:

- Goddess and god

- Four air directions (Powers behind them)

- Powers behind the elements of earth, air, water, fire and spirit

- Gods and goddesses from different mythologies, such as Isis, Seth, Venus, Aphrodite, Thor, Odin, Artemis (cf. Acts 19)

- Angels

- Krishna, mother Goddess Kali and thousands of other divinities in Hinduism

- Spirits of dead people

- Saints

- UFOs and extraterrestrials

- Members of the Great White Brotherhood

- Gnomes, fairies, spirit beings

- Higher self, spirit guides

- Internal advisor

- Animal spirits in shamanism

- Energy

When it comes to the creatures and elements in this list, we can basically find three possibilities for what they are. These possibilities are:

1. True. The things mentioned above really exist and are what they are believed to be.

2. Nonexistent. None of the creatures and things mentioned in the list exist.

3. Lie. These beings and things really exist, but they are liars and other than what they are believed to be.

The possibility of a lie. If we think about the possibility (no. 3) that the things on the list are actually lies, not many consider this possibility. For example, Wiccans do not believe in personal evil, Satan. Or there is such a way of thinking in spiritism that they believe they are in contact only with good spirits; evil spirits they reject (Harry Potter books have the same feature: one of the teaching subjects of the wizarding school is protection from evil forces.). This perception was manifested e.g. In the life of Nicky Cruz's parents when they practiced witchcraft and spiritism. At first they did not consider the possibility of a lie, but the truth dawned on them towards the end of their lives:

“My father’s death is another strange story that I'll tell in another chapter, but I want you to understand that even though he practiced spiritism and claimed that he was friend with ‘good spirits’, he knew that they were evil spirits who were actually not his allies.

He was their terrified slave instead.

(...) He was highly respected!

And he convinced himself that he was doing a great deal of good with this power. Sick people were healed (...) even though dad noticed that he was dealing with demons and making pacts with the forces of darkness. Sad people rejoiced when they were able to talk with “their long-gone spouse”... even though my mother had to sometimes give herself over to wild, bad spirits.

(...) When my mother and father started to practice witchcraft, they couldn't imagine that the evil spirits would take advantage of them. They sincerely thought that they were helping people with the assistance of good spirits.

They quickly learned the terrible truth.

My father was so deeply under the power of spirits that he spent almost eighty years without Christ. The truth dawned on him the moment when he took a step towards the Savior.” (…) (1)

We should be aware of the fact that we can be deceived. The Bible refers many times to the prince of the power of the air, and to the evil world of spirits who are only there to lead people astray and finally to damnation. We are foolish if we do not take into account the verses below. These things were certainly known in the society of that time, and that is why these teachings have not been included in the Bible for nothing. They are for our benefit so that we don't get lost. We can be deceived if we fail to take into account the possibility of a lie.

- (2 Cor 11:14) And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

- (2 Cor 4:3,4) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

4 In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine to them.

- (Eph 2:2) Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:

- (Eph 6:12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

- (John 8:44) You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and stayed not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

- (1 Peter 5:8) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour:

The second point we must take into account is that Jesus and the Apostles often had to deal with false and evil spirits, when they delivered people from them. They recognised the existence of the supernatural world and helped people to freedom. Oriental societies and many natural nations have always understood the reality of the spirit world, and many have lived in fear of spirits. However, the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is powerful to free from all chains, brings hope to this. It has the power to free people from all chains including evil spirits and all deceitful activity.

- (Matt 12:43-45) When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walks through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none.

44 Then he said, I will return into my house from where I came out; and when he is come, he finds it empty, swept, and garnished.

45 Then goes he, and takes with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also to this wicked generation.

- (Acts 5:16) There came also a multitude out of the cities round about to Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

- (Acts 8:6-8) And the people with one accord gave heed to those things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

8 And there was great joy in that city.

- (Acts 16:16-18) And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which show to us the way of salvation.

18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

- (Mark 1:32-34) And at even, when the sun did set, they brought to him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.

33 And all the city was gathered together at the door.

34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

WHITE AND BLACK MAGIC

Wiccans have a teaching: ”...an it harm none, do what you will.” Wiccans apply this also to their use of magic. They do not practice negative magic because they believe that the consequences of magic will return to the sender threefold. This is why they mostly practice so-called white magic, which can include healing, removing curses, casting love and fertility spells, divination and other such things.

But is white magic really white magic, and are its practitioners only in touch with good forces as they believe? And does it make magic good it if Christian symbols are used in it (such as saying the names of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, doing three signs of the cross, or reciting the Lord’s Prayer three times)? We will study this next.

What the Bible says about witchcraft? Firstly, it is good to pay attention to the verses of the Bible about witchcraft. These verses state that there is no difference between black and white magic, but magic always leads us to sin and outside the kingdom of God if we practice it. (Even role-playing games, where spells and curses are pronounced, and deities are called have the same danger). Some people may argue that the verses below are not true, but can they prove that they are not true? They certainly can't, and that's why you should take them seriously:

- (Deut 18:10-12) There shall not be found among you any one that makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that uses divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch.

11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

12 For all that do these things are an abomination to the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD your God does drive them out from before you.

- (Gal 5:19-21) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, jealousies, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Contentions, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

- (Rev 21:7,8) He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

What worshippers of Satan say? The worshippers of Satan are sometimes right. They understand that the same powers are at play in both white and black magic. The colour does not matter. The forms of magic come from the same source even though their impact may seem different.

This is why Anton LaVey, who was the high priest of a church of Satan and resisted white magic, has said,

"People who take part in the ceremonies of white magic stand inside a pentagon to protect themselves from the 'bad' powers they call to assist. (...) From the eyes of a worshipper of Satan it feels phony to protect oneself from the same powers that are called to help.” (2)

Healing. Thirdly, one should note that the devil can really heal people if he is able to bind them spiritually by doing so. Below is an example of such a case. What is regrettable is that the person in this example did not turn to God and Jesus Christ, who has already defeated the devil:

For years a man in Toggenburg, Switzerland, had a flourishing practice as a nature healer and magician. He was able to cure patients, whom doctors had abandoned because they thought their cases were hopeless. He had cured blindness, strokes, advanced cancer, tuberculosis, leukemia, multiple sclerosis, scleroderma, and other severe diseases. Once, however, this healer's own distress came to light. He said, "Yes, I can help others, but no one can help me, never in the world!" In his youth, the man had enrolled himself as Satan's. Since then, he had had a supernatural healing ability. (3)

Let's study a similar case in which a person really was healed but the price was a soul going to hell. She later realised that she had to break off the agreement, at which time she was healed by the laying on of hands. The description is narrated by Corrie ten Boom:

The devil can be a good healer of the body! If he can destroy one’s soul by healing the body, he is willing to give a temporary blessing of health!

Witchcraft is not found only in heathen countries! I read recently about a little German girl who was constantly ill. Someone had given her an amulet, a little box that she had to keep on her. She was healed instantly. She was completely healthy after that, but in her heart there was darkness. She seldom smiled, and at the age of eighteen, she tried to commit suicide. One evangelist was asked to help. He inquired whether the girl perhaps kept some kind of an amulet. People had to persuade her for some time before she was willing to give it to the evangelist. And the girl said, “Never open it. He who gave it to me said that it would be dangerous to do that.” In spite of the warning, the evangelist opened the amulet and found a little piece of paper, on which it had been written, "I command you, Satan, to keep this body healthy until you possess the soul, who is condemned to hell!" They destroyed the amulet, and the child was freed, but became very sick immediately. Later on, she was healed through the laying on of hands in Jesus' name. (4)

Consequences. The basic idea of white magic and Wicca is being in contact with good forces and causing good, such as healing.

But as stated, people are connected to the same forces in both white and black magic. In the end, it doesn't matter what color the magic is, because the same false powers are at work in them, and their purpose is only to deceive us and separate us from God. People are being deceived so that they do not turn to the almighty God and let Him save them.

The following words from Jesus Christ are about this subject. They are about a thief, an enemy of the soul that comes to steal, kill and destroy our lives because it hates everybody. Somebody may at first receive earthly blessings but may have to pay for them later on with restlessness or at least by losing their soul. This is why we should take into account the following related words and also the fact that Jesus Christ promised to give rest to everyone who comes to Him.

- (John 10:10,11) The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.

- (Matt 11:28-30) Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke on you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest to your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

The consequences of magic are always negative, like experiences involving UFOs (Bob Larson states in his book UFO, “In hundreds of accounts and personal interviews that I have examined, not a single victim has expressed his encounter with the humanoids being comforting. Humanoids do not offer peace of mind.”). Short-term exposure to such experiences may go unnoticed; the person may only experience difficulty when trying to turn to God. It is then that they may experience harsh battles and feel like they’ve come face to face with a wall. This is common among people who have been involved with occultism or whose family has been involved in it.

The following quote brings out some of the implications of occultism and magic. In that, things are looked at in the longer term and not just in the light of a few months. It's important because many people involved with magic are only looking for immediate rewards just like a playboy can do. They fail to think about eternity or the consequences of their choices over years or decades. We should always keep in mind this longer timeframe.

A young woman told me this story. Her mother's grandmother had written herself as Satan's with her own blood. She had practiced black magic and healed both animals and people. On her deathbed, she had suffered terrible pains, as magicians often do. Her daughter, the narrator's mother, took on her mother's magical abilities. She also got her mother's magical books. Later, their relatives saw the ghost of the deceased. Yet her daughter continued to practice magic. At night during the full moon, she conjured diseases. She also used to use the key hanging above the Bible as a pendulum and was able to stop bleeding. If she ever tried to read the Bible, it was a real trial for her. Over the years, she began to see dark figures in her home, and when she finally died, the atmosphere was haunting. Her ghost was also seen. The story continued. The young woman's mother had adopted her own mother's magical books and customs. She too had become a well-known healer, but her fate was similar to that of her predecessors. The fourth member of this horrible chain of succession was the young woman who told the story. As a small child her mother had cast spells over her. Shortly after this incident, she became clairvoyant and had also started seeing dark creatures in her home. Her brothers and sisters had suffered from bouts of depression, and she herself had had severe mental and nervous disturbances that had finally led her to seek the help of a priest. (5)

WHAT IS GOD LIKE?

Above, we brought up what the Wicca concept of God is like. It includes goddess and god, various deities, Mother Earth and pantheism, i.e. considering nature as divine. The deities can also have many names: Queen of Heaven, Great Mother, Lord of the Forest, Horned Head, Diana, Pan, Apollos, Set, Hermes, Isis, Artemis, etc. These Wiccan deities are not perfect, however; not even fully good. They are like people, like the gods of ancient mythology. It is believed that they can connect with people at some level but they are not very interested in people.

Connection with other religions. The Wiccan idea of divinity has much in common with other pantheistic religions. For example, there can be thousands of deities in Hinduism, just as there can be several in Wicca. In addition, there is a doctrine of the divinity of man and everything in Hinduism, which is also commonly taught in Wicca. Their teachings are exactly the same in these areas. The doctrine of reincarnation, in which many Wiccans believe, also comes from Hinduism.

However, the following quotes relate to a Chinese folk religion that has some connections to Wicca. The idea of the queen of heaven is like that. In Wicca it appears as a goddess and in Chinese religion it is Matsu or the Goddess of the Sea. In addition, there is a kitchen god and other deities in Chinese religion. Animism is also common:

Mrs. Li places modest food offerings on the altar of the central room of the house, the ancestral room. In the lower left corner of the tablet hanging above the altar is the Kitchen God, to whom the sacrifices are specifically addressed. The Goddess of Mercy, the Goddess of the Sea, and the Earth God are also important travelers to heaven, but this morning the Kitchen God is the most important. In the order of precedence of the gods, this spirit of the stove is the lowest, but as a recorder of family deeds and a policeman, it cannot be considered an insignificant god.... The third month of the lunar calendar is Matsu's month. The goddess of the sea, the Queen of Heaven, the Holy Mother of Heaven, the concubine of the Emperor of Heaven is the object of worship in hundreds of thousands of homes and about four hundred temples. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims make their way to Peikang, the fishing resort on the western coast, where the biggest pai-pai of Matsu's birthday is concentrated. (6)

There is one more element to be added to Chinese folk religion, animism. It manifests itself particularly strongly in the rural areas of Hong Kong. All major trees, stones, rocks and springs have their own spirits that are worshipped. In addition, it is believed that there are a large number of other good and evil spirits that can protect and bless, but also harm a person. According to the Chinese concept, a person cannot direct his own life, but is dependent on these spirits in many ways. Therefore, efforts must be made to control their activities with sacrifices and various precautions. (7)

One or several gods? If we take into account the description of God in the Bible, it is different from what is found in Wicca. The difference is that according to the Bible there is only one almighty God, who has created everything and is separate from His creation. He is not part of creation as taught in Hinduism and pantheism, but He exists separate from creation. This is illustrated in the verses below that describe the existence of one God who has created all things.

- (1 Tim 1:17) Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

- (Isa 45:21) Tell you, and bring them near; yes, let them take counsel together: who has declared this from ancient time? who has told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Savior; there is none beside me.

- (Isa 46:9) Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,

- (Gen 1:1) In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

- (Rev 4:11) You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created.

- (Rev 10:5-6) And the angel which I saw stand on the sea and on the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,

6 And swore by him that lives for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:

- (Mark 13:19) For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created to this time, neither shall be.

Other considerations that should be taken into account are the personality of God and the fact that He is interested in us. While Wiccan deities are almost impersonal, we learn in the Holy Bible that the almighty God sides with good against evil and loves us. He is perfect and there is nothing dark about Him (Matt 5:48: Be you therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect, 1 John 1:5: This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.), but He also wants people to come to Him. The New Testament tells exactly how it can happen and how Jesus came from heaven so that we can get in touch with God and have our sins forgiven. Let this happen in your life:

- (1 John 4:9,10) In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

- (John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

- (Rom 5:8,10) But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

CONSEQUENCES OF ACTIONS

It is remarkable that Wicca also has the idea of human responsibility. Wiccans believe that man is responsible for everything he does, good or bad. This teaching manifests itself especially in their so-called threefold law, which states that people’s actions -- whether good or bad -- will come back to them in triple. The actual wording is, “For good or for ill, shall be returned to us threefold”.

In addition, of course, the idea of reincarnation and karma, which many Wiccans believe in, brings out the same thought pattern.

What about the teaching of the Bible? Also according to it we have to pay for our actions. We will reap what we sow, and we will be judged according to our works. This is illustrated by the verses below. On this point, biblical and Wicca teachings are similar.

- (Gal 6:7,8) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap.

8 For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

- (Rev 20:12-15) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15 And whoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

However, the Bible also talks a lot about another thing that is unknown to many. It speaks of grace that can be received without merit. We don't have to earn salvation, God's approval and entrance to heaven, but everything can be got as a gift. This possibility is not known in Wicca or in human religions, but an almighty God can do what is impossible for us. He is able in one moment to forgive sins and give His grace to everyone who turns to him in their hearts. This does not have anything to do with our past, or with how well or badly we have lived our lives. Everything is based on God's love and because Jesus has earned salvation for us. This is demonstrated in the following New Testament verses:

- (Eph 2:4,5) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, by grace you are saved;

- (Eph 2:8,9) For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

- (Acts 15:11) But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

- (Rom 3:24) Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus

- (Rev 21:6) And he said to me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to him that is thirsty of the fountain of the water of life freely.

REJECT YOUR SINS!

When a person has been involved in magic, satanism, occultism or any other sin, God's admonition to us is: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matt 4:17), as Jesus taught.

This means that we must confess our sins, renounce the devil's lies and turn to God through Jesus Christ. If we do this and accept Jesus Christ into our lives, we can receive God’s wondrous promises. The following verses, in which Jesus speaks about Himself, are about this subject. Take these verses seriously and believe them:

- (John 14:6) Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me.

- (John 10:9) I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

- (John 5:39,40) Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

40 And you will not come to me, that you might have life.

The quote below highlights the importance of repentance. God can forgive even the worst sinners, but if man himself does not want to give up his iniquity and does not seek forgiveness, it is not possible. He must already in this lifetime, preferably immediately, turn to God and Jesus Christ as shown in the description. The example is about an adulterer in Hell who rejected God’s invitation. Do not act in the same way, but let yourself be saved on this day:

Jesus said:

Whoever comes to me and loses his life for My sake will find an immensely more abundant life in me. But sinners must repent while they are already alive on earth. It's late to repent here. Many sinners want to do the impossible: serve both God and Satan. Or they believe that the time of grace is unlimited. They think repentance can be postponed as long as they please. The truly wise make their choices now, on this day, at this moment.

…Jesus turned, looked at the woman and said:

If you had listened to Me while you were alive on earth, if you had come to Me, repented of your sins and asked for forgiveness, I would have forgiven you and you would have avoided this place. My Word is true in every respect, and it informs that everyone must repent and turn from their sins already in time. Everyone needs to take Me into their lives if they want to avoid this place. The forgiveness of sins is through my blood. I am faithful and just to all who come to me. I forgive them. I don't reject anyone. I don't throw anyone out.

Jesus continued in a gentle voice:

You were given many opportunities, but you hardened your heart, even though you knew that My Word says that the portion of all unrepentant fornicators is the lake of fire.

Jesus turned to me and explained:

“This woman had sinful relationships with many men and caused the destruction of many homes. Regardless, I still loved her. I went to her, not to condemn, but to save. I sent several of my servants to her to make her repent of her evil ways, but he did not. I called her when she was a young woman, but she just carried on as before. She did a lot of wrong, a lot of bad things, but I would have forgiven her for everything if she had come to me. But she preferred to serve Satan.

She even went to church just to get men. She found them and seduced them. If only she had come to Me, my blood would have washed away her sins. A part of her wanted to serve me, but you can't serve God and Satan at the same time. Everyone has to make a choice between the two.” (8)

THE PRAYER OF SALVATION: Lord, Jesus, I turn to You. I confess that I have sinned against You and have not lived according to Your will. However, I want to turn away from my sins and follow You with all my heart. I also believe that my sins have been forgiven through Your atonement and I have received eternal life through You. I thank You for the salvation that You have given me. Amen.

REFERENCES:

1. Nicky Cruz: Juokse henkesi edestä (Devil on the Run), p. 29, 178

2. Feorge Vandeman: Psykisk Roulette, p. 156. Quote from Kauko-ohjattu (MED FORT HÅND), Ingerlise Provstgaard, p. 68

3. Kurt Koch: Onko paholainen olemassa (Between Christ and Satan), p. 61

4. Corrie ten Boom: Lyöty vihollinen (Defeated Enemies), p. 31,32

5. Kurt Koch: Onko paholainen olemassa (Between Christ and Satan), p. 62

6. Matleena Pinola: Pai-pai, p. 8, 58

7. Olavi Vuori: Hyvät henget ja pahat, p 8

8. Mary Baxter: Jumalan ilmoitus kadotuksesta (A Divine Revelation of Hell), p. 86,39,40