Who Is Really Behind the Occult?

CONCERNING our Creator, the Bible says: "God is light and there is no darkness at all in union with him." (1 John 1:5) That is especially true in a spiritual sense. So could the true God be the power behind the occult? Or is there a sinister force involved?

Foremost among occult practices are divination and spiritism, which include astrology, numerology, psalmisty and sorcery, as well as communicating with the "dead" and casting spells. These practices have a very long history, most dating back to ancient Babylon, the ruins of which lie in Iraq. (Isaiah 47:1, 12, 13) From Babylon, occult practices spread around the ancient world and became deeply entrenched in many cultures and civilizations.

Consider an event that occurred in the city of Philippi in ancient Macedonia. There, a small group of Christian ministers, which included the apostle Paul and the physician Luke, encountered a girl who had occult powers. Note how the Bible writer Luke revealed the secret source of her powers. He wrote: "A certain servant girl with a spirit, a demon of divination, met us. She used to furnish her masters with much gain by practicing the art of prediction." -Acts 16:16-18.

Yes, this girl's powers did not come from the true God, Jehovah, but from a demon, an evil spirit. Hence, Paul and his companions refused to listen to her. Perhaps you are now wondering: 'Who are demons? And where did they come from?' Again, note the Bible's answers.

Next time: Who Are the Demons?

Awake! 2011

Who Is Really Behind the Occult?

Who Is Really Behind the Occult?

Conclusion of What Draws People to the Occult?

Desire for Protection and good luck - In some regions of Africa, villagers hire a "prophet" from a charismatic church to exorcise bad spirits from the community. Rituals involve drinking potions and "holy water." Elsewhere, people consult spirit mediums in order to invoke good luck on a new house or a grave.

Threats to children - In Papua New Guinea, a mother may refuse to go outside with her newborn at night. Why? She fears that evil spirits might harm the infant. In Uganda, mothers routinely tie strings, sometimes with beads and shells, to the wrists and ankles of their babies to shield them from harm.

Loss of a loved one - British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle lost his son, brother-in-law, and a nephew in World War I. Distraught and desperate, Doyle and his wife attended seances, hoping to speak with their dead son. Today, too, many consult spirit mediums in an effort to speak with dead love ones. In some lands traditional religions and so-called Christian churches teach that death is the result of a malevolent act by angry spirits. Several compulsory, expensive rituals may be performed in order to ward off a chain of deaths in a community.

Fear of the dead - Beliefs regarding death and the dead have profoundly influenced humankind. Hence, in many lands people perform all kinds of rituals, including self-injury, to appease the dead or to "prove" their love for them. Among some peoples of the Pacific islands, widows or widowers are forced to wear black clothing and go into mourning for months, locked up in a house where they must refrain from eating the deceased person's favorite foods. Individuals who practice this custom can become depressed or sick from hunger or even die.

Clearly there are many enticements luring people into the occult. How important, then, that we understand the true source of occult teachings! To that end, let us examine the Bible, the only book that gives us the full picture.

Next time; Who Is Really Behind the Occult?

Awake! 2011

What Draws People to the Occult?

THE answer to that question may depend to a large extent on where a person lives, as well as his or her religious beliefs and cultural background. In your area, what attracts people to the occult! Perhaps they are enticed by one of the following.''

Curiosity - Humans are innately curious and he occult smacks of mystery. So some wonder if a hidden power is behind the occult. Others might experiment with Ouija board or read a horoscope to see if what it says come true. Still others might attend a seance or consult a physic.

Entertainment- Recent years have seen a surge in entertainment - books, movies and computer games -based on occult themes and ancient pagan religious superstitions. Some of this entertainment also contains graphic violence and sex.

Anxiety about tomorrow -The Bible foretold: "In the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here." (2Timothy 3:1) Difficult times are indeed upon us, and many people are consulting occult practitioners -such as astrologers, clairvoyants, palm readers and psychics-for guidance. "Its one of the few businesses that is recession -proof," said one psychic. 'People don't usually come to see you when they're happy." A clairvoyant in Canada stated: All of a sudden I'm on their private office lines or on their cell-phones in the hall whispering." She added: "These people are skeptical and not really comfortable consulting a psychic."

Physical sickness -In some lands people who are seriously ill often give up on medical doctors and revert to traditional healers who use occult methods. Their sicknesses may be blamed on a curse or a spell. In order to lift the spell, friends or relatives of the ailing one may seek help from a fetishist, or an occult practitioner, who may demand a large payment.

Next time: Conclusion of What Draws People to the Occult?

Awake! - 2011

MESSENGERS OF GODLY PEACE PRONOUNCED HAPPY

Conclusion of Jehovah's Organization on the Move

In some parts of the world, strikingly large crowds of meek ones are responding to this message of godly peace. To mention just a few examples, last year Ukraine reported a 17-percent increase in publishers. Mozambique reported a 17-percent increase, Lithuania a 29-percent increase. Russia had a 31-percent increase, while Albania experienced a 52-percent increase in publishers. These increases represent tens of thousands of honesthearted individuals who want to enjoy godly peace and who have taken their stand for righteousness. Such rapid growth brings joy to the whole Christian brotherhood.

Do people respond so readily where you live? If so, we rejoice with you. In some territories, though, it takes many, many hours of hard work before even one interested person is found. Do those serving in such territories slack their hands or lose heart? No, Jehovah's Witnesses remember God's Words to Ezekiel when he first commissioned the young prophet to preach to his Jewish compatriots: "As for them, whether they will hear or refrain-for they are a rebellious house-they will certainly know also that a prophet himself happened to be in the midst of them." (Ezekiel 2:5) Like Ezekiel, we keep telling people about godly peace whether they respond or not. If they listen, we are thrilled. If they turn their backs on us, mock us, even persecute us, we persevere. We love Jehovah, and the Bible says: "Love . . .endures all things." (1 Corinthians 13:4, 7) Because we preach with endurance, people know who Jehovah's Witnesses are. They know our message. When the end comes, they will know that Jehovah's Witnesses tried to help them to enjoy godly peace.

Is there any greater privilege than serving Jehovah? No! Our greatest happiness comes from our relationship with God and the knowledge that we are doing his will. "Happy are the people knowing the joyful shouting. O Jehovah , in the light of you face they keep walking." (Psalm 89:15) May we diligently play our part in this work until Jehovah says that it is done.

Next time: What Draws People to the Occult?

Watchtower, 1997

MESSENGERS OF GODLY PEACE PRONOUNCED HAPPY

Jehovah's Organization on the Move


In 613 B.C.E., Ezekiel saw in vision Jehovah's heavenly, chariotlike organization on the move. (Ezekiel 1:4-28) Afterward, Jehovah said to him: "Son of man, go, enter in among the house of Israel, and you must speak with my words to them." (Ezekiel 3:4) In this year of 1997, we discern that Jehovah's heavenly organization is still moving inexorably to fulfill God's purposes. Hence, we still feel impelled to tell others about those purposes. In his day, Ezekiel spoke words that were directly inspired by Jehovah. Today, we speak words from Jehovah's inspired Word, the Bible. And what a message that book has for mankind! while many are worried about the future, the Bible shows that things are far worse-and at the same time, far better-than they imagine.

Things are worse because, as we learned in the previous articles, Christendom and all other false religions will soon be destroyed, as completely as was Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E. Furthermore, the whole global political entity, pictured in the book of Revelation as wild beast with seven heads and ten horns is about to be wiped out, as were many of the pagan neighbors of Jerusalem. (Revelation 13:1, 2; 19:19-21) In Ezekiel's day Jehovah vividly described the terror inspired by the approaching destruction of Jerusalem. But his words will have far more meaning when people discern the imminent destruction of this world. Jehovah said to Ezekiel: "As for you, O son of man, sigh with shaking hips. Even with bitterness you should sigh before their eyes. And it must occur that, in case they say to you, 'On account of what are you sighing?" You must say, 'at a report.' For it will certainly come, and every heart must melt and all hands must drop down and every spirit must become dejected and all knees themselves will drip with water. 'Look! It will certainly come and be brought to occur,' is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah." (Ezekiel 21:6, 7; Matthew 24:30) Fear-inspiring events lie just ahead. Our deep concern for fellow humans moves us to sound the warning, to tell the "report" of Jehovah's coming wrath.

At the same time, for meek ones things are far better than most people imagine. In what way? In that Jesus Christ has died for our sins and now rules as King of God's Kingdom. (1 Timothy 1:15; Revelation 11:15) The seemingly intractable problems of mankind will soon be overcome by means of that heavenly Kingdom. Death, sickness, corruption, hunger and crime will become things of the past, and God's Kingdom will rule unopposed over a paradise earth. (Revelation 21:3, 4) Mankind will enjoy godly peace-a peaceful relationship with Jehovah God and with one another. -Psalm 72:7.

Next time: Conclusion of Jehovah's Organization on the Move

Watchtower, 1997

MESSENGERS OF GODLY PEACE PRONOUNCED HAPPY

The Happiness of God's Messengers

Can you picture their happiness when they realized what a privileged position they enjoyed? As a group, they echoed the words of Isaiah 6:10: "Without fail I shall exalt in Jehovah. My soul will be joyful in my God." The promise of Isaiah 35:10 was fulfilled upon them: "The very ones redeemed by Jehovah will return and certainly come to Zion with a joyful cry; and rejoicing to time indefinite will be upon their head. To exultation and rejoicing they will attain, and grief and sighing must flee away." Such was the happiness of Jehovah's messengers of godly peace back in 1919 as they set out to preach the good news to all mankind. From then on down till this day, they have not ceased to perform this task, and their happiness has increased. In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus stated: "Happy are the peacemakers, since they will be called 'sons of God.' " (Matthew 5:9,) The truthfulness of that pronouncement has been experienced by the remnant of anointed "sons of God" from 1919 until today.

As the years passed, the number of the Israel of God swelled until the 1930's when the gathering of the remaining ones of the anointed neared completion. Did the increase in the number of preacher of the good news then stop? By no means. A great crowd of Christians with an earthly hope had already started to appear, and these were joining their appointed brothers in the preaching work. The apostle John saw this great crowd in vision, and the way he describes them is noteworthy: "They are before the throne of God; and they are rendering him sacred service day and night." (Revelation 7:15) Yes, the great crowd got busy serving God. As a result, when the number of the anointed began to decrease, following 1935, the witnessing work was carried forward with increased momentum by these faithful companions.

In this way Isaiah 60:3, 4 was fulfilled: "Nations will certainly go to your light, and kings to the brightness of your shining forth. Raise you eyes all around and see! They have all of them been collected together; they have come to you. From far away your own sons keep coming, and your daughters will will be taken care of on the flank." The happiness that these developments brought to the Israel of God is beautifully described at Isaiah 60:5, where we read: "At that time you will see and certainly become radiant, and your heart will actually quiver and expand, because to you the wealthiness of the sea will direct itself; the very sources of the nations will come to you."

Next time: Jehovah Organization on the Move

Watchtower, 1997

MESSENGERS OF GODLY PEACE PRONOUNCED HAPPY

Conclusion of Identifying God's Messengers Today

Earlier in this century, there was powerful evidence that a Creator Cyrus was at work. Who was he? None other than Jesus Christ, enthroned since 1914 in the heavenly Kingdom. This great King showed goodwill toward his anointed brothers on earth when, in the year 1919, anointed Christians were freed from spiritual captivity and returned to their "land," their spiritual estate. (Isaiah 66:8; Revelation 17:4) Thus Ezekiel 11:17 had a modern-day fulfillment. In ancient times it took the fall of Babylon to open the way for Israelites to return to their land. In modern times the restoration of the Israel of God was evidence that Babylon the Great had experienced a fall at the hands of Greater Cyrus. This fall was announce by the second angel of Revelation chapter 14, when he cried out: "Babylon the Great has fallen, she who made all the nations drink of the wine of the anger of her fornication!" (Revelation 14:8) What a reversal for Babylon the Great, especially for Christendom! And what a blessing for true Christians!

At Ezekiel 11:18-20, we read the prophet's description of the happiness of God's people after their restoration. the first fulfillment of his words meant the cleansing of Israel in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah. The modern-day fulfillment meant something similar. Let us see how. Jehovah says: "They will certainly come [to their land] and remove all it disgusting things and all its detestable things out of it." Just as prophesied, starting in 1919, Jehovah cleansed his people and reinvigorated them to serve him. They began to remove from their spiritual environment all the Babylonish practices and doctrines that polluted them in his eyes.

Then, according to verse 19, Jehovah goes on to say: "And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I shall put inside them; and I shall certainly remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh." In harmony with these words, in 1919, Jehovah united his anointed servants, gave them "one heart," so to speak,in order that they would serve him "shoulder to shoulder." (Zephaniah 3:9) Further, Jehovah gave his people holy spirit to invigorate them in the witness work and to produce in them the fine fruitage described at Galatians 5:22, 23. And rather than an unresponsive, stonelike heart, Jehovah gave them a soft, pliable, obedient heart, a heart that would respond to his will.

Why did he do this? Jehovah himself explains. We read at Ezekiel 11:20: "In order that they may walk in my own statutes and keep my own judicial decisions and actually carry them out; and they may really become my people and I myself my become their God." The Israel of God learned to obey Jehovah's law rather than follow their own ideas. They learned to do God's will without fear of man. thus, they stood out as different from the imitation Christians of Christendom. They were Jehovah's people. As such, Jehovah was ready to use them as his messenger, his "faithful and indiscreet slave." -Matthew 24:45-47.

Next time: The Happiness of God's Messengers

Watchtower, 1997

MESSENGERS OF GODLY PEACE PRONOUNCED HAPPY

Identifying God's Messengers Today

What about today? Many in the world feel a sense of foreboding when they observe the deterioration of human society. Those with a love of righteousness are pained at heart when they see the hypocrisy and sheer wickedness of Christendom. As Jehovah foretold through Ezekiel, they "are sighing and groaning over all the detestable things that are being done in the midst of it." (Ezekiel 9:4) However, many do not realize what Jehovah's purposes are. They need to be told.

Does anyone speak out with the fearless spirit of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel? Jesus indicated that someone would. When foretelling events of our day, he said: "This good news of the kingdom will be approached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14) Who today is fulfilling that prophecy, serving as a messenger, a preacher of good news? Similarities between our day and the time of ancient Israel help us to answer that question.

During the dark days of World War I , Jehovah's modern-day people, the remnant of the anointed "Israel of God," went into a captivity similar to that of Israel in Babylon. (Galatians 6:16) They suffered spiritual exile in Babylon the Great, the world conglomerate of false religions,of which Christendom is the most prominent and reprehensible. Nevertheless, Jehovah's words to Ezekiel showed that they were not abandoned. He said: "I will also collect you from the lands among which you have been scattered, and I will give you the soil of Israel." (Ezekiel 11:17) In order to fulfill that promise for ancient Israel, Jehovah raised up the Persian Cyrus, who overthrew the Babylonian World Power and opened the way for a remnant of Israel to return to their land. But what of today?

Next time: Conclusion of Identifying God's Messengers Today

Watchtower, 1997