Sorcery

Adapted from Exposing Spiritualistic Practices in Healing by Edwin A. Noyes M.D., MPH

Those Who Practice Magic Arts

(SORCERY)

A typical sorcery cup

In Greek mythology, the legendary King Odysseus learns that his men have just been turned into swine when given a harmful magical potion by the minor goddess and enchantress Circe. The deity Hermes, considered to be the messenger of the pantheon of pagan Greek gods, gives King Odysseus a protective herb, which he ingests. When the enchantress Circe offers Odysseus the potion, he drinks it without harm. The activity of the enchantress Circe in giving a harmful magical potion to Odysseus and his men is a classic example of the ancient practice of sorcery. In contrast, how does the Bible define and describe the practice of sorcery?

The King James Bible tells us that those practicing “sorcery” cannot enter the gates of the New Jerusalem. The New International version of the Bible translates the same word from the original Greek, as “those who practice magic arts.” They do not obtain eternal life.

Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs, and sorcerers (those who practice magic arts, NIV) and whoremongers and murderers and idolaters and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. (Revelation 22:14, 15 KJV, bold & italics supplied).

Some very serious questions come to mind:

Is it possible that those who practice alternative healing methods involving philosophies and mystical healing practices derived from pagan Eastern religions, are in fact practicing the “magic arts” or “sorcery” that the Bible warns about?  Is it possible that those who seek the services of these practitioners and their mystical healing methods are in reality fraternizing with the “magic arts” and “sorcery” that is condemned in the Bible?  If the practitioners of these mystical healing arts and their clients are Christians, is it possible that their participation in these mystical healing methods could eventually result in their loss of salvation?

According to the Bible, what is the eventual end of those practicing sorcery?

…sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8 KJV, bold supplied).

Why does God destroy the sorcerers (those who practice magic arts)?

…for by their sorceries were all nations deceived. (Revelation 18:23-24 KJV, bold supplied).
Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. (Revelation 9:21 KJV, bold supplied).

What is sorcery and who is a sorcerer?

In the Book of Revelation in the King James version of the Bible, the word sorcerer has been translated from the Greek words “pharmakeia,” “pharmakeus,” and “pharmakos.” According to Young’s Analytical Analysis, all these words have the meaning of “enchantment with drugs,” “charm,” and/or “remedy.” Webster’s New World Dictionary Third Edition, lists: “witchcraft,” “magic,” and enchantments,” as synonyms for sorcery. It is defined as follows:

1. the supposed use of an evil supernatural power over peo­ple and their affairs: witchcraft, black magic.” (Examples are: to cast a spell to cause harm to something or someone);
2. seemingly magical power, influence, or charm.” This definition does not imply causing harm but influencing an event, situation, or person.

Young’s Analytical Concordance of the Bible presents a broad definition of the word “sorcery” as it has been used in the King James Version. The Hebrew words kashaph, kashap, and kashaphim, meaning “wizard” or “witchcraft,” are translated in the King James Bible as “sorcerer,” as is the Hebrew word anan which refers to “observing the clouds,” a form of divination. The Greek words mageia and magos, or “magic” in English, are likewise translated sorcerer. Witchcraft, one of the synonyms of sorcery, is given additional synonyms by the concordance: divination, charm and remedy.

Webster’s New World Dictionary further expands the meaning of sorcerer by defining it as magic, use of charms, spells, rituals to control, and/or cause events, or to govern forces–occultism, baffling effects and/or illusions; truly, the practice of magic arts. In this article the word sorcery is used as defined by the synonyms and expanded definitions. It will not refer to black magic, such as placing a curse on something or someone. The sorcerers will, in all probability, have as their goal to be helpful and to do well for others; yet the end result of following their advice or leading will be our loss. In the biblical context, Sorcery might be explained as a word that relates to anything that causes one to be misguided, be deceived, or to miss the truth.

In our attempt to gain a more full understanding of what sorcery is and why being deceived by “sorcery” can cause loss of eternal life, we need to understand the terms used to define sorcery, for instance the Concordance’s definition of sorcery as “enchantment with drugs.”  Is this referring to the use of medicinals as therapy for illness, or partaking of some substance that has an influence on the brain and nervous system for recreational purposes?  Might this “enchantment” also include the common frequent use of substances “to pick me up” and/or “to calm me down?”

In ancient times, the use of herbs, special concoctions for creating magic, and a variety of incantations were used to create mind-changing experiences. Plants with psychedelic properties are often used in Wicca (witchcraft), Satanism, occult magic, and shamanistic cultures to pro­duce altered states of consciousness and to facilitate contact with the spirit world.¹⁾ Ankerberg, John; Weldon, John; Can You Trust Your Doctor?, Wolgemuth & Hyatt, Brentwood, TN, (1991), p. 257. Today, many substances are commonly used to affect the mind; even though they are not taken for a psychic experience or to facilitate contact with the spirits, they actually do influence the mind to a varying extent. Mind influencing substances include alcohol, marijuana, different narcotics, amphetamines (speed), cocaine, peyote, and other various plants such as certain mushrooms; even some pre­scription pharmaceuticals might be included in this list. Worldwide there is “enchantment with the use of drugs” mind influencing substances which could fit into the definition of sorcery.

A sorcerer could be one associated with alchemy, as the ancient alchemists concocted drugs and hallucinogens.²⁾Steed, Earnest; Two Be One, Logos International, Plainsfield, NJ, (1978), p. 95. Manly Hall, in his book The Secret Teachings of All Ages, tells us that alchemy and as­trology are the oldest sciences of the world. He tells us that mastery of these sciences would restore man from the curse of the forbidden fruit so that he could again enter the Garden of Eden.³⁾Hall, Manly P., The Secret Teachings of All Ages, Jeremy P. Tarcher/Pen­guin of Penguin Group Inc. New York, NY, (1928), p. 494. Alchemy was consid­ered a science of multiplication and a process of improving upon what already existed.  Not only was alchemy considered a science, it was a religion teaching that God is in everything, a Universal Intelligence, a Univer­sal Spirit, found in all matter.⁴⁾Ibid., p. 498. A common definition of an alchemist is one who tries to turn base metal into gold. Certainly that was one goal, but it also was a ploy to divert the attention from the true nature of the alchemist–that of bringing about a transmutation of material substance. This, in turn, he believed would bring about a change of his spirit from being mor­tal to immortal.

The alchemist, the pseudo-scientist in China, also searched for the elixir of eternal life, which he felt was needed in order to harness the en­ergy that created all things, including life. The Taoist alchemist thought he could find a “potion” which contained the secret to life. Over thou­sands of years, as the alchemist looked for that secret to life, he tested a vast array of substances. He did not comprehend the biochemical aspects of the substance he tested, so the testing of the potions was not always free of danger. In the book, Secrets of the Alchemist, we are told of the ultimate goal of laboratory alchemy in China—to produce the elixir of immortality, and:

According to Chinese records, a number of alchemists–and sev­eral emperors–succumbed to fatal doses of these mystical sub­stances. Often the cause was mercury poisoning, since many alchemical recipes called for ingredients of pure mercury or mer­curic compounds.⁵⁾Editors of Time-Life books, Secrets of the Alchemists, Time-Life Books, Alexandria, VA, (1990), p. 110. 498.

The European alchemist sought to find and capture the vital energy that he thought gave life. It was very elusive. The Chinese alchemist looked for it in some herb or plant so as to make a potion that could then be administered. Perhaps this helps explain why the Chinese have so many herbs as medicinals–the constant quest to find one that would bestow eternal life.

Alcohol was called the “water of life.” It was cold, but tasted hot; it was considered water and fire, elements that were regarded as creative.

The words whiskey and vodka both mean, water of life, convey­ing the belief that opposites were blended to achieve life.⁶⁾Steed, op. cit. p. 93.

In the writings of E.G. White, the words “sorcery,” “sorcerer,” and “sorceries” are found many times. She equates the word “sorcery” with spiritualism, witchcraft, magic, hypnosis, magnetic healers, false heal­ers, earthly enchantments, divination, love of wealth, and fame. What­ever form of deceit the devil uses to confuse and deceive men comes under her definition. There is a movement with some physicians across this country to blend conventional medicine with alternative and com­plementary methods; this blending is referred to as integrative medi­cine. There has been a rapid increase in the number of clinics adopting this mix of the scientific with the non-scientific. This blending is most deceptive for people who are unaware of the devil’s sorceries.

Andrew Weil M.D. has devoted the past 40 years to developing, teaching and educating others on the principles of integrative medicine. Weil is an internationally recognized expert on inte­grative medicine, medicinal herbs, and mind-body inter-actions…. He is a clinical professor of internal medicine and the founder and director of the Program of Integrative Medicine (PIM) at the College of Medicine, University of Arizona in Tucson. Weil re­ceived both his medical degree and his undergraduate AB degree in biology (botany) from Harvard University.⁷⁾http://www.webmd.com/andrew-weil

Dr. Weil is the author of many books. A review of the titles of these books reveal his interest in meditation, deep breathing, guided imagery, sound, and music therapy. He also has vast influence with the public. He trains other doctors in converting to the integrative method of practice. The following quotation will give some insight to the direc­tion of his beliefs and teachings and their orientation. Dr. Weil wrote about his fire walking:

I once did a forty-foot walk over an extremely hot bed of coals without experiencing any burns or even any sensation of heat. (The coals just felt crunch.) This was in a large group with Tony Robins, where everyone got very charged dancing to African drums, chanting, and engaging in other rituals. On another oc­casion I got burned attempting a mere six-foot walk over cooler coals. On that occasion, there were no exciting rituals, no char­ismatic leader, and only a small group of not-very bonded indi­viduals.⁸⁾http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA221693#_ga=1.182122402.481573435.1465163041 http://www.maslow.com/

Upon reading the above comment from Dr. Weil I thought again of the verse in Deuteronomy 18:9-12:

When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do those things are an abomination unto the Lord; and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before you.

What is it that attracts and motivates people to fire-walk? What is to be gained from it? What prevents burns to the feet? Does this act come under the definition of sorcery? It is an act per­formed in many places of the world. I lived for a short time in Phuket, Thailand, where once a year a festival was held for worshiping Satan. It was my understanding that fire-walking was a part of this festival. I have been in pagan provinces of Russia where similar festivals are held. Revelation 13:13, 14 (NIV) gives an answer to the above question:

And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth.

God sent fire from heaven to ignite the sacrifice of Abel; at Solomon’s dedi­cation of the temple; at the sacrifice Elijah offered on Mount Carmel, and He sent fire to consume the soldiers of Ahaziah, king of Israel when they went to arrest Elijah.  The angel of the Lord touched the food Gideon had prepared and the rock they were placed on burst forth with fire and consumed all. In the days of Daniel God preserved the three Hebrews in the fiery furnace.

Satan will use fire to deceive (sorcery) men into believing that man is God. Just because God has allowed Satan to have power over fire, we need not be deceived if all miracles are tested by the scriptures.  By sending fire down from heaven at the end of time and pro­tecting those who walk in fire, does not Satan hold himself out to be God? Does he not deceive by these miracles he performs? Should we not carefully consider the teachings of those people who are led by his power? They may be highly trained in the science of conventional medicine, yet the deception comes as they blend in Satan’s method of healing with God’s methods. Let the followers of Christ beware.

From the pen of Ellen White we find:

The God of heaven came to Paul, and through the Spirit of God miracles were wrought. But there were some men there, who tried to imitate the miracles, and the evil spirit fell upon them, and they were beaten and bruised because they took the name of Jesus to use in their sorcery. They cannot mix; they cannot mix at all.⁹⁾White, E.G., Sermons and Talks Volume II, Chapter 8 – Heaven’s Part in Life’s Conflict, manuscript 1, (1890), p. 61.

There is a power in the universe and it is the power of God. It is not inherent in the planets. It is not hidden away in the mind of man waiting for some gimmick to release it. It is not accessed by pendulums or radionic machines, or by mindless meditation. The power of God is accessed by prayer and Bible study, and obedience to His physical and spiritual laws.

Like the Samaritans who were deceived by Simon Magus, the multitudes, from the least to the greatest, give heed to these sorceries, saying: ‘this is the great power of God.¹⁰⁾White, E. G., The Great controversy, Pacific Press, Nampa Idaho, (1888), pp. 624,625, Acts 8:10.

But the people of God will not be misled. The teachings of this false Christ are not in accordance with the Scriptures.¹¹⁾White, op. cit., p. 625.21.

Take each verse of this chapter (Revelation 18), and read it care­fully, especially the last two: ‘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 (magic arts) were all nations deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.’¹²⁾White, E.G., 16 Manuscript Releases, The Ellen G. White Estate Inc., Washington, DC, p. 270.2.

…It is fondly supposed that heathen superstitions have disap­peared before the civilization of the twentieth century. But the word of God and the stern testimony of facts declare that sorcery is practiced in this age as verily as in the days of the old time magicians. The ancient system of magic is, in reality, the same as what is now known as modern spiritualism.¹³⁾White, E.G., Acts of the Apostles, Pacific Press Publishing Assn., Mountain View, CA, (1911), p.289.

Those who give themselves up to the sorcery of Satan may boast of great benefit received; but does this prove their course to be wise or safe? What if life should be prolonged? What if temporal gain should be secured? Will it pay in the end to have disregarded the will of God? All such apparent gain will prove at last an ir­recoverable loss. We cannot with impunity break down a single barrier which God has erected to guard His people from Satan’s power.¹⁴⁾White, E.G., Evangelism, Review and Herald Publishing Association, Washington D.C., (1946) p. 219.

We can gain a perspective of God’s view and disposition toward His people putting their trust in the devil’s deceptions/sorceries/enchantments by the story of King Ahaziah’s (II Kings 1) fall and injury.  He sent messengers to the city of Ekron of the Philistines to have inquiry made of their God Baalzebub as to whether he would recover from his injury.  The prophet Elijah met the messenger and told him to return to the king and ask him if there was no God in Israel that he should send to Ekron to inquire of Baalzebub?  Fifty soldiers were sent to arrest Elijah twice, and each time they were consumed by fire from heaven. The third group of fifty were saved by their captain seeking grace from God, Elijah returned to the king with the captain and soldiers and Elijah repeated the question previously sent to the king.  Is there no God in Israel that you should inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron? Elijah now said to the king.

“Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron, [is it] not because [there is] no God in Israel to inquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. So he died according to the word of the LORD which Elijah had spoken.

Yet now the king of Israel, turning from God to ask help of the worst enemy of his people, proclaimed to the heathen that he had more confidence in their idols than in the God of heaven. In the same manner do men and women dishonor Him when they turn from the Source of strength and wisdom to ask help or counsel from the powers of darkness. If God’s wrath was kindled by Ahaziah’s act, how does He regard those who, having still greater light, choose to follow a similar course?  {PK 211.2}

In the Bible in the 19^th chapter of the book of Acts a story is told of the Christians in the city of Ephesus bringing their books of magic and burning them, their value was of “fifty thousand pieces of silver.”  In the book Acts of the Apostles (by EGW) we have an expanded story of this event.  In Ephesus the great temple and idol Diana were located. Supposedly, this idol had fallen from the sky and on it were many symbolic characters purported to possess great power.  Books had been written explaining their power and how to use the symbols to access that power.  In the temple of Diana were magicians who gave close study and use of the symbols in performing magic of some sort which yielded great influence over the people.

Paul’s work in Ephesus was given special power in healing.  God wrought miracles through Paul, so much so that a cloth that came in contact with him would bring healing if taken and given to an ill person. This manifestation of God’s power far exceeded the power of the magicians at the temple and had a far reaching influence for the cause of God in the region.  Many of the temple sorcerers themselves were converted and were of those bringing books to burn.  It was by this practice of magic that God had been offended and their souls imperiled.

For a while they did not give up their practice of magic but eventually recognized this error and brought their books and burned them in the sight of all.

“And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver.  So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.” Acts 19: 19, 20

Those magical books contained rules and forms of communication with evil spirits.  They were, in fact, the regulations of the worship of Satan; directions for soliciting his help, and obtaining information from him.  The system of magic or sorcery then extant was in reality the same as that which is now known as modern Spiritualism.  Many were deceived in Paul’s day by this Satanic delusion, and many are deceived today by the same power.  “Magical books” were not confined to the apostolic age, or to nations that are called heathen.  The sorcerers of our time are taking advantage of the freedom of the press to spread abroad their baleful literature.  Could all the productions of modern Spiritualism be treated as were the magical books of the Ephesians, one of Satan’s most successful avenues to destroy the souls of men would be cut off.  {ST, May 18, 1882 par.8} Emphasis added

But the word of God and the stern testimony of facts declare that sorcery is practiced in this age as verily as in the days of the old-time magicians. The ancient system of magic is, in reality, the same as what is now known as modern spiritualism… (AA p. 289) Emphasis added

Every man, woman, and child that is not under the control of the Spirit of God is under the influence of Satan’s sorcery, and by his (man’s) words and example he will lead others away from the path of truth.  (FLB 56.6)

Ephesians 5:11
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. (NIV)

Addendum:

Revelation 22:15 — Those Who Practice Magic Arts / Sorcerers

Rev. 22:15

NIV:  Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, (pharmakoi), the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

KJV:  For without are dogs, and sorcerers (pharmakoi), and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

OTHER VERSIONS:  “sorcerers” (CSB, ESV, NASB, NET, NKJV, NLT, NRSV, RSV).

LATIN VULGATE:  Dogs outside and drug abusers (venefici et inpudici, drugs and abusers) and murderers and idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. [Google translate].

Rev 21:8

NIV:  But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts (pharmakois), the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the

KJV:  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers (pharmakois), and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

OTHER VERSIONS:  “ sorcerers” (almost all);  “those who practice witchcraft” (NLT).

LATIN VULGATE:  “veneficis” (“sorcerers”, per Google Translate).

Rev 18:23

NIV:  The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. Your merchants were the world’s important people. By your magic spell (pharmakeia) all the nations were led astray.

KJV:  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 (pharmakeia) were all nations deceived.

OTHER VERSIONS:  “sorcery” (almost all);  “by your magic spells” (NET).

LATIN VULGATE:  “veneficiis” (“pharmaceuticals”, per Google Translate).

Rev 9:21

NIV:  Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts (pharmakon), their sexual immorality or their thefts.

KJV:  Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries (pharmakeion), nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

OTHER VERSIONS:  “sorceries” (many others);  “magic spells” (NET),  “witchcraft” (NLT).

LATIN VULGATE:  “veneficiis” (“sorceries”, per Google Translate).

Gal 5:19-20

NIV:  The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft  (pharmakeia – farmakei/a));  hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions

KJV:  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, ²⁰ Idolatry, witchcraft (pharmakeia), hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

OTHER VERSIONS:  “sorcery” (almost all).

LATIN VULGATE:  “veneficia” (“witchcraft”, per Google Translate).