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The Wizard, witch and the Prophet
By Robert I Holmes
All scriptures NRSV
The analogy I am about to use may offend many. I want to discuss the role of the prophetic in the church by way of a parallel - an analogy between 'the prophet' and a wizard. There are stunning parallels between the wizard of the luciferian world and the prophet of the Biblical world. The parallels provide insight into why prophecy can become blurred with divination, and prophets can become sooth- sayers. Because the wizard (enchanter, necromancer, witch, diviner or soothsayer) is just a poor satanic copy of the real, we can see that unless we are careful - we can slip into being false in our ministry whilst demonstrating apparently 'real' spiritual phenomena.
I believe we need to get a much clearer focus, a much stronger handle on the supernatural/ spiritual realm. This is because as the end approaches, the prevelance of supernatural events will increase. As supernatural manifestations increase we must walk closely with the Lord in discerning right from wrong, true from false. How blind we are, how inconsiderate to the spiritual things, especially 'churched' folk. Paul shows a clear view of the spiritual realm - which the spiritual man understands: "These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. What is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God's except the Spirit of God... Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God... And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual." (1 Cor 2:8-10).
Those who are spiritual understand spiritual things. A godly man or woman will understand the nature of the spirit realm, and the 'spirit man' - that part of you, which goes on forever. Consider this creature living inside you - everyday interacting with you. This is your inner man, the one who will see God or the burning flames of hell forever. To understand the reality of the spiritual realm, and the nature of the prophetic calling let us consider first the spirit man.
Our Five Spiritual Senses.
We have five exterior senses, and I believe that we likewise have five interior, spiritual senses. These senses interact with the spiritual realm just the same way our exterior senses interact with the outside 'real' world. Our spirit is able to pray - with groans unutterable in the human tongue! Did Paul not say, "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words." (Rom 8:26) If you pray in the spirit, demons can hear you! Spiritual prayers make waves in the 'other world.' Remember the sons of Sceva - who tried to cast a devil out by the 'name of Christ whom Paul preaches'. Evidently their prayers were not known or feared in hell. The demon whipped them into a naked, bloody mess. The demon said, "Christ I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?"! The demons knew the power of Paul's spiritual prayers. Is that perhaps why Paul exhorts believers not to 'say their [empty] prayers' but rather 'pray in the spirit at all times and in every circumstance' (Eph 6:18)? Get known in hell folks!
How well do your spiritual eyes behold the spiritual terrain? Elisha's spiritual eyes saw quite well, though his servant's eyes did not. You remember the story of Elisha and the armies of Aram (2 Kings 6:16)? The earthly armies were gathered around the city, but he perceived the heavenly realm more accurately than most of us! He looked at the spiritual terrain and saw it covered with God's horsemen. He prayed that Gehazi's eyes would see too - and wasn't he surprised when he realised who was on their side?
How are your spiritual ears? Are they tuned into the sounds of the heavenly realm? Can you hear the marching of angel's feet, or hear the movement of those around you? David could. In fact on one occasion his life depended on it. In the day of battle against the Philistines the Lord told him that there would be a supernatural sign. He had wait until he heard the marching of the angel's feet - the heavenly battalion sent to his aide in that battle. He had to be able to sense them in the tops of the Balsam trees! (1 Chr 14:15).
How attuned is your spiritual taste? "As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God... These things I remember, as I pour out my soul" (Psalm 42). Here is David saying his soul hungers - it can taste, it can desire after God the same way we have taste and hunger in the flesh. Thus David says, "Taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him." What does this actually mean, given that God is spirit? It can only imply that we can taste of God spiritually. The realm beyond our sight is very real.
How about your spiritual sense of smell? Christ's sacrifice for us on the cross ascended to God as a fragrance, as a beautiful smell (Eph 5:2), and likewise our gifts to one another are a sweet smelling offering to God (Phil 4:18). Do you know that your prayers are as incense to God (Rev 5:8)? In the spirit realm an angel takes our prayers and pours them out on the censor before God continually (Rev 8:3).
We have spiritual senses as well as natural ones. How then should we as Christians and prophetic people use them? I started out implying that there is a parallel between the role of wizard and the role of prophets in the church. A good example of this parallel is found in the story of Moses and Pharaoh.
Moses and the Magicians
In Exodus chapter seven and eight we see the remarkable interplay between Moses and God, and the Magicians who counseled Pharaoh. There is no difference in the physical outcome of the miracles performed by the two opposing sides. Moses turned a staff into a serpent, and each enchanter turned their staffs to snakes. "They did the same by their secret arts." Moses struck the water in the river Nile - turning all the water to blood. The magicians of Egypt did the same again by their secret arts. The third time we read that, "Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt. But the magicians did the same by their secret arts, and brought frogs up on the land of Egypt."
We know the rest of the story, evidently God raised the standard too high for these enchanters. They did not know the words for the 'sand to fleas' spell and could not outflank the Lord. That does not preclude the fact that, had they known the enchantment, they may have done the miracle. But how did they do these miracles? And why did they run out of power? Satan engineered these tricks, and proved that God's power is limitless, but his is limited. This is clearly displayed in the confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. Ever asked yourself why the magicians could turn water into blood but these prophets could not get so much as a whisp of smoke from the wood on Mt Carmel that day? Surely 'fire in the sky' is as hard as 'frogs from the river' or 'water to blood'? Why couldn't Satan do this miracle working too? Lets take a look at what these folk were - and who they were serving.
Magic
Magic is defined as, "the art of influencing a course of events by occult [secret, mysterious, hidden] means. The control of spirits, invocation of demons." Clearly the source of power is Satanic. But Satan also has to play by the rules. To go a little deeper, a wizard is "One who uses sorcery, magic, spell casting who performs the seemingly impossible by manipulation of supernatural occurrences." The third definition of interest is augury, "Divining omens and signs, understanding portents and the prophetic significance of events." Soothsayers, who try to foretell the future or discover the unknown without God, practice augury.
These magicians were drawing on supernatural manifestations without the direction or assistance of God. They are a satanic carbon copy of the prophetic ministry. These folk manifest supernatural evidences for the spiritual world, they come with understanding of the signs of the times, they try to guide seekers with advice on future events. They commune with spiritual beings (albeit demons instead of angels). We must be aware of these problems and understand that God Himself will help us - like Moses and Elijah - to neutralise their attack. But in addition we must watch our own heart, to make sure that we do not slip and become false diviners ourselves!
When Their Power Runs Out
False miracle workers manipulate spiritual laws for their own benefit. They employ clairvoyance instead of words of knowledge, enchantment instead of character, spells instead of the conviction of the Holy Spirit and divination instead of prophecy. But there comes a point at which they can no longer do this in the face of a man or woman of God. This is because in His divine economy, God will begin to come against them Himself, through His servants (so expect conflicts!). Isaiah said as much, "I am the LORD, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who by myself spread out the earth; who frustrates the omens of liars, and makes fools of diviners; who turns back the wise, and makes their knowledge foolish; who confirms the word of his servant, and fulfills the prediction of his messengers" (Isa 44:25).
God frustrates the diviner and the magician because they are counterfeit. This is perhaps why the magicians ran out of steam before Moses, and perhaps why the false prophets could not get any fire that day before Elijah. God Himself frustrated their attempts to manipulate the spirit realm.
False prophets
The frieghtening thing is that many in the prophetic ministry are travelling toward the line without even knowing it. Some may have crossed the line into divination without even knowing it. Sadly many so called prophets will find themselves increasingly facing the hand of God against their ministries. The Lord categorises false prophets among the diviners, saying, "Thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who lead my people astray... it shall be night to you, without vision, and darkness to you, without revelation. The sun shall go down upon the prophets, and the day shall be black over them; the seers shall be disgraced, and the diviners put to shame; they shall all cover their lips, for there is no answer from God." (Micah 3:7) Why? Because the false prophet and the diviner are turning men's hearts away from the living God, they are usurping the throne of God's sovereignty. That's why witchcraft is likened to rebellion (1 Sam 15:23). In contrast, the true prophetic minister and the words they bring will turn men's hearts and devotions toward Christ, and him alone.
Scripture is full of exhortations against enchanters, witchcraft, divination, sorcery and curse casting. God has made it clear that sorcery, magic and witchcraft are out of bounds for the Christian (Mal 3:5). They are listed among the vilest sins (Rev 21:8). We are in no way to take part in these deeds of darkness, and in no wise to consult those who practice them, including self appointed prophets of blessing (Deut 18:4). God is shown throughout Scripture as being passionately against those who abuse the spiritual laws and principles for their own gain. Why? Because they are abusing spiritual power and playing god to the people. God wants to speak to men directly Himself, confirming their destiny and directing the course of their lives. Anything else which copies Him, which stands in the place of his personal directions, is an assault on His character and position as God. They usurp the rightful position of God and His true servants.
Stepping over the Line
Those who step over the line from true to false, or from anointed servant to surrogate rival do so for a number of reasons. Balaam had a 'profit' motive. You might develop a lust for glory, monetary gain, or a power hunger which can only be satisfied by personal worship and adoration. Let's face it, getting and giving supernatural knowledge and insight can be addictive. So addictive that we focus on getting it by any means. However those 'other' means drive you to becoming an enemy of God. This is one of the primary reasons king Manasseh was rejected. We read that he, "practiced soothsaying and augury and sorcery, and dealt with mediums and with wizards. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking him to anger." (2 Chr 33:6). It is a rather familiar story really. God stops performing miracles, or ceases to answer our prayers. Then we have a natural tendency to keep 'pressing the buttons' because we have become addicted to the supernatural manifestations. In the process we may also have become known for one who operates in them supernatural realms (we get a reputation which we then have to maintain!)
But God may choose to stop speaking to you for a season for His own good reasons. He may wish to test your faith. He may wish to test your obedience. In this we must be careful not to step over the line and walk into soothsaying and divination! Spiritual knowledge is out there to get, and miracles can be performed quite without the backing of the Holy Spirit. The rules of the spirit world are as immutable as gravity. I have been one to slip into this practice of going on without God. It is terrifyingly easy to do. In the heat of a ministry session when the Spirit is moving thick and fast to bring conviction of sin it is easy to get carried away.
But you might ask, 'How can Satan be so close at hand when someone is anointed?' We read in the Old Testament of the High Priest standing right in the sanctuary (holy place): "Then he showed me the high priest Joshua standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand" (Zech 3:1). The most holy man in all of Israel was standing in the holy place and yet the angel of the lord was on one hand and Satan was right there beside him on the other side! If it can happen then, to him, at that place, it can happen to us mere mortals any time...
Conclusion
Notice in some of the above Scriptures that the false prophet is put in with all the other satanic revelatory people God comes against with the strength of His own arm! He can distinguish easily between true and false - it is a little harder for us. One is a gift the other is perverted. One is a 'gracelet' the other is satanic. The problem for those who minister prophetically is that it can change in a moment, the twinkling of an eye. Look at Peter - shifting from the most heavenly minded man to one driven by the mind of Satan in the space of four verses! (Matt 16:19 & 23) Is that not why Paul exhorted us to test all prophecies and hold fast to that which is good and discard that which is evil (satanic) (1 Thess 5:26ff). This issue, this year, is critical as an onslaught of false ministries and words increases!
When the Lord ceases, make sure you stop - even if the 'words of knowledge' don't! It is possible to divine information but as the Lord says, such snippets of information are 'lies and false dreams' giving empty consolation. They are no longer from the very mouth or mind of God. These pieces of knowledge, or these miracles are carnal (though just as real). What job description do you have - one of a wizard and enchanter, or a holy, devout follower of Christ. Whose glory are you here to promote, your own of Christ's? Who do you serve, and how do you serve - out of obedience, or out of a pressure to perform? Brethren let us be careful.
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