Sorcery in the Church

Turn off your lights. That’s a key rule for communities associated with Dark Sky Sanctuaries. These are designated places—about 150 in 21 countries—that restrict artificial light pollution to enhance a better viewing of the heavens. Land managers agree to adopt this lighting policy to preserve the night sky for stargazers in these remote locations.

The darkness coming to Babylon isn’t to help people view the stars. Turning off the lights in this verse means an eternal “lights out.” No more weddings, no more family celebrations, no more children being born. God will shut off all lights for all who follow the beast—because they have voluntarily turned away from the light of truth (1 John 1:6).

The apostate church, a seller of false teachings, has spread darkness across the spiritual landscape. The fifth plague predicts darkness will come to the beast’s throne (Revelation 16:10). Now it will be eternally in the dark for all in his kingdom.

But what does it mean that “by your sorcery all the nations were deceived”? Sorcery (Greek pharmakeia) is also interpreted as witchcraft. It has been defined as the use of administering drugs, as poisoning, and as the use of magical arts often associated with idolatry.

Many might think that witchcraft and sorcery have nothing to do with Christianity. But we are warned that Babylon is a fallen church that has parleyed with the world. It is empowered by the dragon, who uses deception to poison the minds of people in order to lead them astray.

Ancient Babylon was the birthplace of sorcery. Astrology in Babylon is spoken of in Isaiah, “Stand now with your enchantments and the multitude of your sorceries. … Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, and the monthly prognosticators stand up and save you” (47:12, 13). Just as drugs can cloud our thinking, false doctrines can confuse our thoughts spiritually.

Do not fall for the delusions of spiritualism, even if it is branded with the word “Christian.” Walking in darkness will never lead you to the light.

Dear Jesus, I want to walk in the light of truth always. I choose to turn from all forms of the occult and to be led only by the Holy Spirit.

For Further Study: Deuteronomy 18:10; 1 Samuel 15:23; Acts 19:19

Key Bible Texts

And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. (Revelation 18:23 KJV)