We are living in the last days. “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent (no self control), fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady (conceited), highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God: having a form of godliness (religion), but denying the power thereof; from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3: 1 - 5

“Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Revelation 12: 12

Satanism and Witchcraft
Satan has always wanted worship and he’ll stop at nothing. He even tried to get Jesus to bow down and worship him! Across the world and even in the United States there is a definite rise in the practice of the occult, Satan worship, and witchcraft. We usually think of these practices only taking place in some remote place in Africa or South America. Carlos Annacondia, the evangelist from Argentina, has been conducting crusades around the world. On August 26, 2000, he said that there is a large number of Satanists in France, Italy, Spain, and Germany, as well as in Central and South America.

A lot of the following information is from the book, Becoming a Vessel of Honor in the Master’s Service, written by Rebecca Brown MD. She is involved in winning Satanists to Christ. She’s won thousands so far, so she knows what she’s talking about. It may be hard for some of us to believe that trueSatanists and witches are around. We may not know it, but our authorities do. They don’t tell us because they don’t want to frighten us. “At a police conference in February of 1986 in Las Vegas, it was estimated that there were approximately 40,000 - 60,000 ‘ritual homicides’ (human sacrifices) in the U.S. in the previous year.” (Becoming a Vessel of Honor in the Master’s Service -- by Rebecca Brown MD, page 238)

“But I saw that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.” 1 Corinthians 10: 20

“Everywhere, law enforcement departments are beginning to try to educate police officers in the field of occult related crimes. Psychologists and psychiatrists are holding medical conferences to try to educate themselves about how to deal with people involved in Satanism. (Becoming a Vessel of Honor in the Master’s Service -- by Rebecca Brown MD, page 298)

Officials ask pet owners to keep their pets inside on Halloween night, but they don’t explain why. “Satanists have what are called “satanic high days. These are the days on which the Satanists perform special rituals and sacrifices. . . . I urge you to pray fervently asking, our Lord to stop the human sacrifices and also to have mercy on the little animals being sacrificed and allow them to die before they can be so horribly tortured.” (Becoming a Vessel of Honor in the Master’s Service -- by Rebecca Brown MD, page 298)

“Rock music stars and their albums are peddling blatant Satanism in their concerts, all through music stores and on the popular MTV, every day. More and more hue and cry is being raised that we’ve got to stop the spread of Satanism amongst our teens.” (Becoming a Vessel of Honor in the Master’s Service -- by Rebecca Brown MD, pages 238 - 239)

Below is a list of occultic sins that the Bible says are abominations unto God. They are going on now in our nation. Our nation that was supposed to be “one nation under God.”

“When you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, (human sacrifice), or one who practices witchcraft (one who has power because he/she is in league with an evil spirit), or a soothsayer (astrologer), or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjure spells, or a medium (channeler), or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord, and because of these abominations the Lord your God drives them out from before you. You shall be blameless before the Lord your God. For these nations which you will dispossess listened to soothsayers and diviners; but as for you, the Lord your God has not appointed such for you.” Deuteronomy 18: 9-14 God had to punish other nations for the same sins America is doing. He’ll have to punish us too, unless, we confess the sins of our nation, asking for mercy, a revival, and a healing of our land.

Christians must know about these sins because we are the only ones who have the power to stop the onslaught of the Kingdom of Darkness. Paul wrote that his call was “to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery, which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things; in order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places (demonic rulers). This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carries about in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Ephesians 3: 9 - 11 The church has the power to combat the demonic authorities in the heavenly places! It is essential that we not be “ignorant of Satan’s devices” nor of the “spiritual gifts” that are available to us. 2 Corinthians 2: 11, 2 Corinthians 12: 1

We can’t fight our enemy if we are unaware of what he is doing to our teens and our nation. We must learn to ask God for His wisdom and power as He leads us in the battle. Then we must pray for protection around our families, friends, and nation and pray against Satan’s activities. Finally, we need to intercede for the souls who are trapped in Satan’s snares of Satanism, witchcraft, and the occult. Paul is our example, he prayed for Simon the sorcerer. Acts 8: 9 - 24

We have more power than we think. Listen what the Lord said His disciples are supposed to do.” And he said unto them, ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mark 16: 15 - 18

“THE PRAYERS OF CHRISTIANS ARE EFFECTIVE!
I have heard many, many stories from people coming out of satanism about episodes of interrupted human sacrifices. It is not uncommon for a coven (of witches) to be gathered around an altar to do a human sacrifice when suddenly, a brilliant shaft of light comes down out of no where and lights up the whole altar and surrounding area. When this happens, the victim is not sacrificed and the Satanists flee the scene. I know a number of people who were so shaken up by this shaft of light that they began to search for another god, besides Satan, and ended up accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior.” (Becoming a Vessel of Honor in the Master’s Service -- by Rebecca Brown MD, page 298)

Listed below are the times of the year that we need to pray the most against the occult and Satanists’ activities. (This list is from Rebecca Brown’s book.)

Satanic High Days
These are the most important days when sacrifices are done.

1. Every full moon 2. Halloween is the highest time of the year is Halloween. Halloween is considered to be Satan’s birthday. Frequently it is called ‘ Harvest Feast.’ The rituals and sacrifices to be celebrate this time of the year are not just on Halloween night. They run from October 15th through November 15th. 3. Ash Wednesday, Easter, and Christmas -- Satanists try to desecrate Christian holidays. 4. Solstices - spring, summer, winter, and fall. Mark the exact dates on your calendar or in your prayer journal. 5. New Year’s Eve (at midnight) and New Year’s Day

Satanists are becoming more bold. Satanists have started persecuting churches with death threats and violence. “In the month of May 1989, I spoke with a pastor who is a traveling evangelist. He told me of six churches that he personally knew of in the states of Texas and Oklahoma whose doors were closed because of threats from the local Satanists. Neither the pastors nor the members of the church were willing to stand up to the satanic death threats.” (Becoming a Vessel of Honor in the Master’s Service -- by Rebecca Brown MD, page 240)

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;” 2 Timothy 3: 12 -14

Halloween Observances
Now we see that Halloween is not an innocent pastime. History traces it back to the ancient religion of the Druids. The American People’s Encyclopedia explains: “The origin of Halloween customs antedate Christianity. The Druids, member of pagan orders in Britain, Ireland and Gaul, held a celebration on October 31st, the eve of the Festival of Samhain.” Samhain was the lord of the dead. Samhain is either a demon of death or Satan himself. That’s why there is so much emphasis on death, -- mummies, tombstones, skeletons, etc. It was the supreme night of demonic jubilation. While American children celebrate it “just for fun,” Satanists and witches gather to perform Satanic rituals, cast spells, and offer blood sacrifices to Satan.

When Christians participate in Halloween, it sends a message to our children that witchcraft, Satanism and the occult is fun and harmless. We tempt them to become intrigued and tantalized by the very things that God hates and warns us to keep away from. God’s Word says, “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5: 22 God said that to protect us from sin and from the powers of Satan.

Some may try to support Halloween by saying it is the eve of All Saints’ Day. Man, Myth, and Magic, a twenty-four volume encyclopedia of the supernatural, says that the Roman Catholic Church tried to ‘Christianize’ the original pagan holiday by moving the Festival of All Hallows’ or All Saint’s Day to the day after The Festival of Samhain. Man may have changed its name, but neither God nor Satan was fooled by the attempt.

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” Colossians 3: 17 How can celebrating Halloween bring glory to God?

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” 1 Corinthians 10: 31 How can we drag Jesus’ precious name into these activities?

What Should Christians Do? We need to pray and get involved!

1. Praise and worship -- binds demonic nobles’ powers.
a. brings the presence of God (Psalm 22:3)
b. builds our faith and deepens our love
c. binds demonic powers (Psalm 149:6-9)
2. Supplication -- making requests for ourselves and others, (Philippians 4: 6) which includes:
a. Repenting of any involvement we may have had in
these activities, and renouncing these sins: celebrating Halloween, astrology, palm reading, seances, occultic games, etc.
b. Repenting for our nation and asking the Lord to forgive us for allowing this to continue.
c. Asking God to help us teach our children that occultic and horror movies and TV shows are dangerous and sinful.
d. Asking God to help our children see that Ouiji games, Dungeons and Dragons, tarot cards, astrology and other such activities are occultic and are forbidden by God.
3. Intercession -- standing in the gap, praying powerfully on an ongoing basis for others (1 Timothy 2:1 NIV).
a. We need to pray a hedge of protection around our children and innocent people and train them to keep away from all of these activities.
b. We need to pray for our nation to repent of this infatuation with the Occult, New Age, etc.
c. We need to pray for God to protect and deliver potential human and animal sacrifices.
d. We need to pray for those who are bound in these situations to be delivered.
4. Praying in the spirit -- deep prayer either in our own language, with new tongues (Mark 16:17), or with groanings that cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26), as the Holy Spirit prays helps you pray.
a. Pray that God will reveal the demonic strongmen and their doctrines and philosophies so they may be bound and torn down.
5. Spiritual Warfare
a. “binding and loosing,” Matthew 16: 19 This includes binding spiritual powers and strongholds and loosing blessings or grace from God.
b. “wrestling against principalities and rulers of the darkness of this world” Ephesians 6: 12 This prayer can be for deliverance of those people Satan has blinded. Then we need to lead them to Christ.
c. “pulling down of strongholds, and casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God. . . ” 2 Corinthians 10: 4 - 5 We need to pray that we can help others see the dangers of the occult. d. We need to pray against peoples’ involvement with those rap or rock songs that promote violence or Satan worship. e. We need to join the war against drugs, which often are used as doorways to Satan’s purposes. 6. Travail is a deeper, much more powerful level of praying in the spirit. The Holy Spirit anoints you and prays through you.

Travail is often required before a revival or before many souls can be saved, because before Zion can bring forth, she must travail. Isaiah 66: 6-8

I was previously involved with a prayer group that met every morning at 6:00 for the whole month of October. Why? We wanted to bind the powers of darkness at Halloween time. On several mornings, we even met at 4: 30 to prayer walk through the Haight area of San Francisco, an area that is full of the occult. We were binding Satan and his plans for Halloween. What happened? The morning after Halloween I listened to the news on the radio. I also cut out an article from the paper. Both reported that the police had commented that “Halloween was strangely quiet” that year. Yes! Yes! Yes! Prayer does work. God does answer prayer!

He has given us power over Satan. “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10: 19

Arise, you mighty army of God. Let’s obey God and go to battle. Rejoice, God has given us the battle if . . . we PRAY.