The Signs of the Times

                                                                                                By Pastor F. M. Riley

    “….When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.  And in the morning, It will be foul weather today: for the sky is red and lowring.  O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?” 

                                                                                                    Matthew 16:3

Introduction

    Today Bible prophecy is being fulfilled so fast that God’s people [true believers] find it hard to stay on top of prophetically significant events that are occurring with increasing frequency.  Due to this situation some events of prophetic significance are simply over looked.  These events have come upon humanity gradually and so subtly, that most people don’t even realize the significance of them. 
    In this study I want to focus on a prophetic event that is permeating our whole society to such an extent that most people don’t even give it a second thought…..

The Rise and Revival of Witchcraft

    “And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.
    And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. 
    And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand;…..”
                                                                                                  
                                                                                                            Daniel 8:23-25

    Someone once said, “Coming events always cast their shadows beforehand.”  How true a statement!  Every great change in human history has always been preceded by abundant “signs” [indicators] that the change was coming.  This truth is set forth in God’s inspired Word, and it has never failed throughout human history.  Folks, the “signs” of the swiftly approaching Tribulation period are all about us today. 
   
    The above text tells us that the coming Antichrist shall understand “dark sentences” and shall cause “craft to prosper.”  These two expressions are translated from two words in the Hebrew text [Strong’s No’s 2420 and 4820], both of which refer to witchcraft.  Look up the words for yourself in a Hebrew Lexicon or Concordance. 
    Mankind, due to his rebellious sin nature, has always been fascinated with “the dark side” throughout human history.  But the knowledge of “the dark side” has always been more or less controlled and suppressed by rulers and those in positions of authority.  It was recognized by the general public in the past that the practice of witchcraft, black magic, voodoo, Satanism, demonism, the occult, and all related practices, were harmful, both to the practitioners and to all around them. Therefore in order to keep the general public appeased, most political rulers would not allow the so-called “black arts” to   practice openly and publicly. In the past, the so-called “black arts” usually had to be practiced in secret.  But today humanity has arrived at…..
The New Age

    I don’t remember the exact date when the program, “Bewitched,” began to be aired on TV.  I do remember that it was designed as a “comedy,” and it quickly became a highly popular program watched by millions of people.  I truly believe that program “broke the ice” for similar programs which followed, with each new program taking the viewers just a little deeper into “the dark side.”  Each program, of course, was planned and presented in such a way as to make the “forbidden knowledge” appear to be innocent, attractive, and “a tree to be desired to make one wise,” Genesis 3:6.  Shades of Eden all over again! 

    Fast forward to 1993!  That was the year J. K. Rowling, a former prostitute and self confessed “witch,” published her first book in the “Harry Potter” series of children’s books.  The series caught on like wildfire.  Gullible parents rushed to buy the books for their children, including many “Christian” [?] parents.  To this day many “willingly ignorant” people still don’t realize that the Harry Pothead series of books are in reality a course designed to systematically teach witchcraft to this whole generation, especially zeroing in on highly impressionable young children.  God have mercy!
    The popularity of the Harry Pothead books appears to have opened the door to a flood of “dark side” propaganda.  Today nearly every program on TV contains something in it that promotes witchcraft.  Watching various TV programs, you will see symbols displayed in the background, or candles being burned and incantations being said, or feats of magic being performed, or Tarot cards being read, or Ouija boards being played with, or psychics or fortune tellers being consulted, etc.  Nearly every program has something in it designed to promote the so-called “black arts.” 
   
    Children’s programs and movies [Disney and others], especially the “cartoons,” are filled with “good” little fairies [demons], leprechauns [more demons], and “magical” animals and birds [more demons], and “good” little witches [Sic!] performing all kinds of magical feats designed to attract, entertain, and seduce the minds and hearts of little children.  Folks, wake up!  Satan wants YOUR child.
    Sadly, most parents, including “Christian parents,” turn the TV to a “cartoon” channel, sit their children in front of it, and let it baby sit their children while they are occupied with other things.  Folks, you might as well let a rattlesnake baby sit your child.  The ultimate result will be the same.  The “wages of sin” are still “death,” Romans 6:23. 
   
    Not content with just the programs and movies on TV, this same “magical” poison has now been injected into the TV commercials.  You hadn’t noticed?  Just watch the commercials on TV for one day, or for even a few minutes, and count the number of commercials which are now using “magic” to sell their products.  Think about it! 

    However, the most deceitful fountain from which “New Age”[witchcraft] teachings are flowing forth today is none other than the “Ophrah Winfrey Show.”  Every week some 49 million viewers in various countries around the world watch her program.  Women especially, are glued to the TV sets to catch every word that falls from the lips of “Ophrah.”  In the eyes of millions of people, this woman can do no wrong.  Sic!  Yet few people realize that Ophrah Winfrey is a dedicated “New Age” disciple.  Her programs are filled with New Age teachings and philosophy.  Every day she is slowly indoctrinating millions of people with the New Age “mind set,” and most of them don’t even know that it is happening. 
    You don’t believe this?  Then check this out!  Ophrah Winfrey has already announced that her programs during 2008 will be used to teach the now popular “Course on Miracles.”  While this “course” is being promoted as a “Christian” [Sic!] course, it is actually a course that systematically teaches New Age doctrine.  And Ophrah Winfrey knows it!  Check it out for yourself.
   
    Just what is “New Age Doctrine?”  I am sure glad you asked.  Here are some samples:
         “There is no sin….”
         “A “slain” Christ has no meaning.”
         “The journey to the cross should be the last “useless” journey.”
         “Do not make the pathetic error of “clinging to the old rugged cross.” 
         “The name of Jesus Christ as such is but a symbol…..It is a symbol that is      
           safely used as a replacement for the many names of all the gods to which
           you pray.”
          “God is in everything I see.” 
          “The recognition of God is the recognition of yourself.”
          “The Atonement is the final lesson he [man] need learn, for it teaches him
            that, never having sinned, he has no need of salvation.”
    Every example given above is a blasphemous denial of the God of the Bible, and of His Son and your Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.  These examples just barely touch the the tip of New Age teaching.  New Age disciples embrace most Occultic beliefs and practices.  They teach a pantheistic God, astral projection, contacting “spirit guides,” the use of crystals to purify your body, visualization for a variety of purposes, evolution, global unity, reincarnation, astrology, use of the “magic” arts, psychic healing, and the divinity of self.  Need I go on?  Every aspect of witchcraft is believed and practiced by the adherents of the New Age movement, and the most influential promoter of that movement in the world today is…..OPHRAH WINFREY.   Check it out for yourself.

Conclusion

    Yes, dear readers, we are living in “a magical time.”  The “magic” is coming forth from Satan and the Antichrist in a revival of so-called “New Age” witchcraft.  It has come so subtly that the average person doesn’t even realize how much it has permeated our whole society today.  Even most “Christians” do not realize that this revival of witchcraftwas predicted in God’s Word some 2600 years ago, Daniel 8:23-25.  Just as coming events cast their shadows beforehand, so the shadows of the coming Tribulation are everywhere today.
    Why do Christian people not see these things today?  Because far too many of them are simply not watching as the Lord instructed His people to do, Mark 13:35-37.  The “signs of the times” are right in front of our eyes today, and even many of God’s people [true believers] cannot (or will not) discern them.  God have mercy!
   
    Folks, the Antichrist is already alive, and well, and is hard at work. [No, I don’t know his identity].  I know this to be true because he was prophesied to come “…..after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish….,” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10.     
   
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!  Ezekiel 33:8-9

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Pastor F. M. Riley          fmrglbd5@yahoo.com