Pre-Antichrist Conditioning?

According to the organizers of a conference on “Exorcism and Prayers of Liberation” in Rome this week, the decline of traditional religious beliefs in the West has greatly increased the number of people pursuing black magic, Satanism, and the occult. Coincidentally, a Satanic Black Mass reenactment took place at Harvard University this week, by the Satanic Temple, a group that has filed legislation in Oklahoma to allow a statue of Satan to be installed on the grounds of the State Capitol.

Is this a sign of the times? Will there be an increase of demonic activity in the last days? Yes and yes. But beyond the issue of greater recognition is the normalizing of demonic supernaturalism—something the secularists would have laughed at a half-century ago.  Now it is an assumed reality that has gotten all mixed up with belief in extraterrestrials! Some end-time experts are calling this a pre-antichrist conditioning.

The Paranormalization of America

Halloween may be over, but not America’s obsession with the paranormal. Last month, two animated films about the paranormal were released: Hotel Transylvania about monster/human relations; and Frankenweenie, where dead animals are brought back to life. In the last decade, blockbuster films about witches, warlocks, and vampires became common fodder for our children and teenagers.

In the last half century, the increased fascination with aliens, global invasions, and genetic alterations has been startling. Without a doubt, paranormalization has reduced fear and skepticism of the weird and sensational! ‘So what?’ you say.

Some Bible scholars think the end times, “like the days of Noah,” may include the reintroduction of what-were-possibly fallen angels (Nephilim) on the earth. Whether this forebodes a demonic manifestation in end times is not clear. But if that were to happen, paranormalization could result in naive acceptance. And even if that doesn't happen, paranormalization is still a serious concern. Many Christians have been numbed to the reality and severity of spiritual warfare.

This was Not Normal Evil

After last Friday night's massacre at a mid-night premier of Batman, people are once again asking hard questions. How could a human being do such a thing? Two millennia ago, Jeremiah described the human hearts as “deceitful above all things and desperately sick” (Jer. 17:9). If you read no other book but the Bible, you’d know that human beings are capable of unspeakably terrible things.

Thirty years ago, Scott Peck challenged the world of psychology when he wrote “People of the Lie”—a book about demonic influences on patients.  His premise: 'normal' psychological disorders can't explain some horrific behaviors. When he began his research on the cause of “evil,” he didn't even believe in the devil. But in the end he did. Of course, we didn't need Scott Peck to tell us that!

What made a 24 year old graduate student open fire in a crowded theater?  Though normal psychology is hard-pressed to find an answer, there will likely be the discovering of a new “disorder.”  But we know what is behind such evil: Satan.  It appears that Paul's prophecy of increased violence and lawlessness is being realized as the demonic realm is being loosed across the earth (2 Thess. 2:3-8). Currently, the Holy Spirit is restraining it, but when He leaves (2 Thess. 2:7), all hell will break loose. And the bad news is that the destruction by one demonized man will pale in comparison.

Watch Out for Attacks from the Devil

For some time I have had a sense of urgency and concern for the Church’s need to understand the “dying to live” principles. The bible clearly tells that Satan's attacks will increase in the last days (Revelation 12:12). And I am persuaded that only those who know their ‘position’ in Christ will be able to stand against these demonic assaults.

This last week, I received this confirming word by David Wilkerson's (Times Square Church in New York) bi-weekly teaching. (I have grown to trust David’s maturity and prophetic insights over the last 25 years.) Here is what he says: In the last few years, I have had a growing sense that the suffering and afflictions of God’s elect today are beyond anything endured in the history of Christ’s church.

David Wilkerson is referring not to circumstances as much as Satan’s attack on believers—individually and corporately.

Almost two decades ago, John Piper wrote these words: How can a sense of urgency and vigilance and passion and zeal become part of the Christian ethos today?...The crying need for the last decade of this millennium is a global wartime mentality among all the pastors and churches and believers of the Christian church.

“Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.... Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour” (1 Peter 4:12; 1 Peter 5:8).