Deep Things Of Satan

by PRASHER, G. | Category: Focus | Jul 2002

Last month we referred to Satan masquerading as an angel of light through promotion of religious philosophy with a veneer of moral goodness which disguised fundamental rejection of God's revealed truth in the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet Satan has diverse strategies. He even succeeds in perverting the minds of some to revere and worship him in direct defiance of the divine Being.

Early this year a high profile murder trial in Bochem, Germany, shocked the nation. Two Satanists faced charges of ritualistic murder. One defendant was a young woman of twenty-three who had been 'converted' to the Satanist movement when on holiday in Britain. She and an associate were alleged to have murdered a man of thirty-three, viciously slashing his face, and drinking blood from his corpse. They claimed to have done this 'on Satan's orders'. Although this was an exceptionally extreme case it brought home to many in Germany and elsewhere that Satanism was being actively promoted.

It has, in fact, been gaining ground in Europe and North America during the past half-century, initially through the influence of a certain Aleister Crowley. He claimed to have made a pact with Satan, referred to himself as the 'great beast' of Revelation, and had one of his mistresses branded with the 'mark of the beast'. The 'First Church of Satan' was founded in San Francisco by one Antony La Vey, who was also the author of 'The Satanic Bible'. The Satanic rituals he devised were based on the concept that sensual pleasures are the chief good, the proper aim in life.

However, for the most part Satanism has been developed in less open settings than public church services. Local 'covens' tend to meet outdoors in remote spots, preferably among trees and near a source of water. They meet in darkness, gathering at midnight and dispersing before dawn. Or where a house is used in urban areas, a room is set apart darkened by heavy curtains and featuring symbolic images of the devil. How reminiscent this is of the word that 'men loved the darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil' (John 3:19).

Most covens include both men and women, with recognized orders of priests and priestesses in leadership. Members are expected to attend a weekly or monthly meeting known as the esbat, usually held on Friday nights. Larger gatherings called sabbats are held on such special days as November-eve (Hallowe'en). Initiation of new members requires a formal 'contract' with the devil, often signed in the blood of the applicant.

There is in Satanism a deliberate intention to undermine Christian concepts. Details vary from coven to coven, but typically there may be mock services, expressing group renunciation of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. There are blasphemous parodies of hymns, confessions of regret for good deeds instead of bad, imitation of communion services using blood mixed with wine.

It may well be asked what would draw people to this type of movement. Basically there is the appeal of mystery, exploration of an unseen spirit world; combined with casting off moral restraints and indulgence in carnal pleasures. These indeed answer to what are described in Ephesians 5:11,12 as 'unfruitful works of darkness ... for the things which are done by them in secret are a shame even to speak of.' In His message to the Church of God in Thyatira the Lord Jesus exposed false teaching which encouraged just such evil conduct, and commended those who did not have that teaching, 'who do not know the deep things of Satan' (Rev.2:20,24 NASB). Those 'deep things' find ample modern expression among Satanists in today's world!

How tragic the present and eternal consequences for those who so deliberately sell themselves to Satan to do what is evil in the sight of the LORD (2 Kings 17:17). Through the apostle Jude we learn of some 'for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. Fearful thought! By contrast, how gladly we give thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness ...' (Col. 1:12,13).

PRASHER, G. | Jul 2002
Focus