"Now the Spirit speaketh
expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving
heed to seducing spirits …" (1 Tim. 4:1).

 

Although modern man may believe
he has outgrown his need of God, he has not outgrown his need of understanding
"the unseen" or the supernatural. Instead of turning to God through
the Lord Jesus Christ to satisfy spiritual needs, increasing numbers are
turning to the old occult (mysterious, unseen) sciences. Various of these
occult arts are gaining reception as they are explained in intellectual
language and masked by such terms as parapsychology and extrasensory perception
(ESP). The Bible uses a number of terms for those who practice various phases
of these wicked supernatural arts:necromancer, soothsayer, witch, charmer,
wizard, astrologer, enchanter, magician, and sorcerer.

 

Since the outbreak of idolatry
after the flood, these occult sciences have ever been the scourge of nations.
They are not new. The practice of these magical arts was forbidden in Israel and violators were to be punished by death (Ex. 22:18; Deut. 18:10). All these forms
of spiritual wickedness are condemned by God and branded the abominations of
the heathen nations. Even in apostolic times, those bearing the gospel message
met opposition by sorcerers, magicians, etc. (See Acts 8:1-24, 13:6-8, 16:16, 19:19.)
Today, however, the renewed interest in these areas of contact with the unseen
world and the supernatural is appalling.

 

Radio stations have recently
found overwhelming audience response to call-in programs on which various
witches, palm readers, mediums, and specialists in ESP are interviewed. When a Chicago radio station recently interviewed a specialist in ESP, it was swamped with over
30,000 call attempts while the station phones were busy. The program was
reported to have been one of their most responsive ever.

 

Last fall a certain self-styled
witch from England, Dame Sybil Leak, toured the U.S. and was interviewed on
radio. The interest was amazing as local stations were flooded with calls from
listeners, some "junior witches" comparing notes as to trances,
projecting spirits, etc. Dame Leak also pointed out how the study of these
occult sciences is lagging in the U.S. She added that Europe has eight colleges
and universities offering study in these occult sciences while so far not a
single U.S. university or college offers courses in this field. From what we
can gather, campus life is full enough these days without adding witchcraft!

 

These magical arts are supposed
to help the adherents feel the past, sense the future, bolster against shock,
and sense death in advance. They also claim to be in touch with the
"universal mind" and in search of "universal truth."
Miraculous healings are supposedly dispensed without charge. These claims,
together with re-incarnation and a hodgepodge of other hokum, are the basic
elements of these forbidden practices. Many of these witches and ESP artists
are associated with Theosophical Societies which some have said "attempt
to popularize Buddhism in western lands." (For a brief examination of
Theosophy we commend a small pamphlet by A. J. Pollock available through our
bookseller.)

 

In this country a Mrs. Jeane
Dixon has professed some of these supernatural powers and received nationwide
fame for her predictions and their fulfillments. News media have given her
extensive coverage. Some of her past predictions in connection with plane
wrecks, international affairs, and even the death of President Kennedy have
amazed many. Some of her future predictions, if interpreted in the light of
Bible prophecy, have even led some Christians to wonder. Several of our readers
have sent articles about her for our attention.

 

We understand that Mrs. Dixon
professes Christian belief as a member of the Roman Catholic Church. No doubt
she is a lady of many social graces and much poise, yet if the reports are
true, does she not at least practice one of the condemned occult arts? What
shall we say of the condition of things when one practicing these occult
sciences is received in the "Christian fold"? God spoke through Moses
saying, "If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and
giveth thee a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder come to pass,
whereof he spake unto thee, saying. Let us go after other gods, which thou hast
not known, and let us serve them; thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that
prophet, or that dreamer of dreams:for the LORD your God proveth you, to know
whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments,
and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. And that
prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath
spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the
land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out
of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put
the evil away from the midst of thee" (Deut. 13:l-5).

 

Thus was the prescribed
treatment for prophets or dreamers whose prophesies, even though fulfilled,
were not of God.

 

We believe the stupefying
effects of these magical arts will but ripen all those taken in by them to more
readily believe the lie which will seal their eternal doom—"that they all
might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in
unrighteousness" (2 Thess. 2:12). Woe unto the professed wisdom of this
age which is placing itself more and more under the influence of Satan. "Professing
themselves to be wise they became fools" (Rom. 1:22).

 

We thank God for the gospel of
Christ which is still His power unto salvation to everyone that believes. But,
we ask with Isaiah and the Apostle Paul, "Who hath believed our
report?" (Rom. 10:16). Though it was applied to Israel as God spoke
through the prophets, we believe it is still applicable to folks of this age.
"All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and
gainsaying people" (Rom. 10:21).

 

The day of grace has nearly run
its course. The Lord’s coming is very near. Signs of our times are truly
foreboding. Salvation through Jesus Christ as Saviour and His finished atoning
work on the cross is still proclaimed. "Who hath believed our
report?" Have you? We beg you to consider well this question. If you have
not yet received life, pardon, and peace through faith in His name, do so today
without further delay. For those who have believed,

 

"We are bound to give
thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of Lord, because God hath from
the beginning chosen, you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and
belief of the truth:whereunto He called you by our gospel to the obtaining of
the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold
the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now
our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us,
and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort
your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work" (2 Thess.
2:13-17).