Chapter 1

OCCULT PHENOMENA

In this book we will try to describe the deeds of Satan and the occult kingdom from the point of view of what the Bible says about them. At the same time, we would like to paint an objective picture of the state of affairs and avoid sensationalism.

WHAT IS "OCCULT"?

The word "occult" comes from the Latin "osсultus" and contains the idea of hidden, secret and mysterious objects. David Hoover, author of Answering the Challenge of the Occult, names three essential characteristics of the occult:

1. The occult deals with secret or hidden objects.

2. The occult involves manipulations and events that supposedly depend on human capabilities that lie beyond the five senses.

3. The occult is connected with the supernatural, with the presence of angelic or demonic forces.

Occultism manifests itself in at least the following forms: witchcraft, magic, palmistry, fortune-telling, ouija boards, card reading, Satanism, spiritism, possession, and the use of crystal balls. There is much more to add to this list.

C.S. Lewis once remarked, "There are two equally powerful and opposing misconceptions about demons. Some do not believe in them, others believe in them and have an unnecessary and unhealthy interest in them. The demons themselves are happy with both mistakes and greet both the materialist and the lover of black magic with equal enthusiasm."

A WORD OF WARNING

We are aware that by informing people about the occult world, we can push some to subjects and activities of which they previously knew nothing. It is not our desire to arouse interest in the occult kingdom to such an extent that it becomes an obsession. Knowing about the inclination of the human race to evil, one should remember the words of the Apostle Paul: "I desire that you should be wise in good and simple in evil" (Romans 16:19).

Flirting with the world of the occult can lead to serious damage, both physical and spiritual. There is a difference between knowing that poison can kill and taking poison to experience what you already know to be a fact. We must be warned of the workings of Satan's kingdom, but not in order to be unwholesomely interested, obsessed, or infatuated with it.

СВЕРХЪЕСТЕСТВЕННОЕ СУЩЕСТВУЕТ

Мы живем в такое время‚ когда люди ищут ответы на основные‚ жизненно важные вопросы: какова цель жизни? Есть ли жизнь после смерти? Существуют ли подтверждения существования сверхъестественного Бога?

Согласно Библии‚ разворачивается сверхприродная война: «Наша брань не против крови и плоти‚ но против начальств‚ против властей‚ против мироправителей тьмы века сего‚ против духов злобы поднебесных» (Еф. 6:12).