Written by: Damien Powell
It’s hard for us to determine if we are living in the last days or not, but we can always determine what lies ahead based on prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures. The Book of Enoch speaks about an “apostate” generation that would rise up in the last days. The definition of apostate is a person who abandons a religious or political belief. The same thing was again prophesied in 1 Timothy 4:1 which says:
“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”
Once again the word of YHWH is perfect and true and His words are coming to pass even in our generation. Below is an article written last year which is further proof of people abandoning the faith and following deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
Merry Christmas! Why millennials are ditching religion for witchcraft and astrology
By Kari Paul
Published: Dec 19, 2017 1:12 p.m. ET
In tumultuous political times, the 18-30 demographic is reaching for the stars
Co?Star
Co-founders of astrology app Co—Star.
When Coco Layne, a Brooklyn-based producer, meets someone new these days, the first question that comes up in conversation isn’t “Where do you live?” or “What do you do?” but “What’s your sign?”
“So many millennials read their horoscopes every day and believe them,” Layne, who is involved in a number of nonreligious spiritual practices, said. “It is a good reference point to identify and place people in the world.”
Interest in spirituality has been booming in recent years while interest in religion plummets, especially among millennials. The majority of Americans now believe it is not necessary to believe in God to have good morals, a study from Pew Research Center found. The percentage of people between the ages of 18 and 29 who “never doubt existence of God” fell from 81% in 2007 to 67% in 2012.
Meanwhile, more than half of young adults in the U.S. believe astrology is a science. compared to less than 8% of the Chinese public. The psychic services industry — which includes astrology, aura reading, mediumship, tarot-card reading and palmistry, among other metaphysical services — grew 2% between 2011 and 2016. It is now worth $2 billion annually, according to industry analysis firm IBIS World.
An image from a market hosted by Catland, where customers can buy occult accessories.
Melissa Jayne, owner of Brooklyn-based “metaphysical boutique” Catland, said she has seen a major uptick in interest in the occult in the past five years, especially among New Yorkers in their 20s. The store offers workshops like “Witchcraft 101,” “Astrology 101,” and a “Spirit Seance.”
“Whether it be spell-casting, tarot, astrology, meditation and trance, or herbalism, these traditions offer tangible ways for people to enact change in their lives,” she said. “For a generation that grew up in a world of big industry, environmental destruction, large and oppressive governments, and toxic social structures, all of which seem too big to change, this can be incredibly attractive.”
Co—Star, a new app for millennials
Like the existence of God, however, there’s no actual scientific proof. Astrology has been debunked by numerous academic studies, but Banu Guler, co-founder of artificial intelligence powered astrology app Co—Star said the lack of structure in the field is exactly what drives young, educated professionals to invest their time and money in the practice.
“It’s very different from the way we usually work and live and date, where everything is hyper-mediated and rational,” she said. “There is a belief vacuum: we go from work to a bar to dinner and a date, with no semblance of meaning. Astrology is a way out of it, a way of putting yourself in the context of thousands of years of history and the universe.”
Case in point: Co—Star’s servers were so overwhelmed by demand after it launched in October that the app crashed three times in its first week.
Astrology isn’t the only spiritual field overwhelmed by demand: Danielle Ayoka, the founder of spiritual subscription service Mystic Lipstick, said her customer base is growing exponentially. The self-described astrologer sells a “mystic box” subscription, which includes crystals, “reiki-infused bath salts,” and incense customized to the unique energy of the current moon cycle for $14.99 a month. She says she’s seen 75% increase in her audience in the past year.
“When I started my journey in 2010, I was the weirdo,” she said. “Now it is becoming more and more normalized, and I believe it is because more people are looking to heal. Millennials are much more open-minded.”
One Mystic Lipstick box, which is $14.99 a month.
With this overwhelming demand comes a rise of products claiming metaphysical benefits, not all of which take the cultural context of the occult into account, notes Layne. Urban Outfitters sells sage, a product that has its roots in indigenous cleansing ceremonies, for $18 a pop and a crystal mobile for $32.
Actress turned CEO Gwyneth Paltrow sells a variety of spiritual wares on her website, many of which are borrowed or “inspired” by other cultures. A jade egg that costs $66 has its roots in ancient Taoist practice. Her $85 “Goop Medicine Bag” is “inspired by the Shaman’s medicine bag from various indigenous traditions,” and a $59 Tarot card deck features “mystical artwork” that mirrors Native American patterns.
But Layne, whose interest in Eastern medicine is rooted in her Taiwanese heritage, said white women are often able to profit from ancient practices that are not theirs to sell.
“It is really important to give credit to who is doing the work,” Layne said. “There is a whole culture of white women who capitalize off of spirituality, but it all comes from people of color. People need to do their homework: being in touch with your spiritual side is a natural, human thing to do. To be able to connect yourself is essential to healing not only your own wounds, but healing together.”
Throughout my walk with Yeshua I have met many who have renounced religion because they don’t want to conform to any commandments, rules, or instructions on how they should live their lives and it ultimately leads to starting practices that YHWH calls an abomination. Based on the article alone we see that from 2007 to 2012 those who fell away from the faith dropped 14% and more than half believe in astrology and science, plus a whopping $2 billion is being spent on this demonic activity. So now that we have determined that Bible prophecy is unfolding before our eyes, let’s see what YHWH has to say about this. In Deuteronomy 18:10-12 He says:
“There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto YHWH: and because of these abominations YHWH thy Elohim doth drive them out from before thee.”
Let’s take a moment to see what each of these mean:
Divination-Telling the future by supernatural means, the practice of discovering hidden knowledge through psychics, oujiboards, crystal balls, taro cards
Passing son or daughter through the fire- Abortion and human sacrifices
Observer of times-Same as astrology or stargazing (another form of divination). A person who looks to the stars for guidance (horoscopes, numerology, palm readers.
Enchanter-A magician or sorcerer. One who casts spells and bewitches, just like Jannes and Jambres in the days of Moses who practiced black arts to duplicate the first two plagues of YHWH. No magician is that good to be able to do supernatural things and that is because they are being assisted by demons.
Charmer-to put a spell on someone; to change things by the use of magic; the chanting of a magical verse or formula. Or an object or piece of jewelry used for magical purposes.
Necromancer-The art of raising the spirits of the dead, either for their predictions about the future, or their ghostly help in making something happen. A person who claims they have spoken with those who have already died. These are demonic spirits pretending to be deceased friends or family also known as channeling and mediums.
Consulter with familiar spirits-To ask, demand, or desire of an evil or demonic spirit like séances, oujji boards, and ascended masters.
Wizard- A person who knows many things about the occult and is in touch with demonic spirits. A male witch, magician, conjurer, and one who uses magic to have control over another person.
Witch-A person who practices black magic and deals with demonic spirits, powered from Satan.
Yeshua said the gospel must be preached to the four corners of the earth and it is up to us as disciples to show people, out of love that what they are doing is an abomination to our Heavenly Father. Ephesians 6:11-12 says:
“Put on the whole armor of Elohim, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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.”
The spiritual realm is very real and YHWH told us to stay away because He knows what lies ahead for those who dabble with the demons. As evidenced in the article a lot of people have begun to play with demons and as a result have fallen away from the faith. Let us stand up and be sold out disciples of Messiah Yeshua and fight for the Elohim of Israel.