Questions and Answers
In October 2022, Antonio Pagliarulo wrote a piece on the nbcnews.com website under the heading “Why paganism and witchcraft are making a comeback” and below are a few excerpts: “Two weeks ago, in the run-up to Halloween, I visited Salem, Massachusetts, for the first time since the pandemic began. In renewing my annual Halloween pilgrimage, I was bowled over by what I found in the Witch City: bigger crowds, longer lines and a wider and welcome array of merchandise geared toward many different religious traditions and ethnic identities. “Amid the curious crowds in black capes and conical hats, bags overflowing with DIY spell kits and candles to enhance prosperity, I overheard the same question: Is magic really real? “Witchcraft, which includes Wicca, paganism, folk magic and other New Age traditions, is one of the fastest-growing spiritual paths in America. “For me, the answer is yes. “I am one of a million-plus Americans who — whether proudly, secretly or dabbling through the power of consumerism — practice some form of witchcraft. Witchcraft, which includes Wicca, paganism, folk magic, and other New Age traditions, is one of the fastest growing spiritual paths in America. “In 1990, Trinity College in Connecticut estimated there were 8,000 adherents to Wicca. In 2008, the U.S. Census Bureau… In the previous installments of this series, we showed that both the last revival of the Roman Empire [through the raising up of the ancient Chaldeans, and their subsequent defeat] and the preaching of the gospel are described as the Work of God. We then concentrated on God’s Work in these end times, as it relates to the preaching of the gospel and to the warning of the nations. In this final installment, we will talk about the connection between aspects of the Work of God and our salvation, as well as the marvelous Truth that the more we are involved in God’s Work of preaching the gospel, the more we will overcome our sins and our human nature… which is necessary to be able to enter the Kingdom and Family of God. First, we need to understand that some aspects and tasks might have been referred to as the Work in the past, even though that may not necessarily have relevance for us today. But whenever God used people to do His Work, they had to do it with their whole heart, and in complete obedience to God’s instructions. One of these aspects was the building of the tabernacle in the wilderness. When… In the previous installments of this new series, we have pointed out that at the time of the final revival of the ancient Roman Empire in Europe, God’s Church will be busy, with renewed strength, to fulfill its end-time commission to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God in all the world as a witness, prior to Christ’s return. As the European power will only survive for a short time, so the preaching of the gospel will likewise be short-lived. We showed that both the last revival of the Roman Empire [through the raising up of the ancient Chaldeans, and their subsequent defeat] and the preaching of the gospel are described as the Work of God. We then concentrated on God’s Work, as it relates to the preaching of the gospel. In this installment, we will discuss that God’s end-time Church has been given the Work of warning the nations, which is actually part of the proclamation of the gospel message. We read in Amos 3:4-9, 13-14: “Will a lion roar in the forest, when he has no prey? Will a young lion cry out of his den, if he has caught nothing? Will a bird fall into a snare on the earth, where… In the first two installments of this new series, we have pointed out that at the time of the final revival of the ancient Roman Empire in Europe, God’s Church will be busy, with renewed strength, to fulfill its end-time commission to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God in all the world as a witness, prior to Christ’s return. As the European power will only survive for a short time, so the preaching of the gospel will likewise be short-lived. Both the last revival of the Roman Empire [through the raising up of the ancient Chaldeans, and their subsequent defeat] and the preaching of the gospel are described as the Work of God. In this installment, we will concentrate on God’s Work, as it relates to the preaching of the gospel. We read previously in Acts 13:41 that the preaching of the gospel is defined as God working a work in our days. We also read in Romans 9:28 that God will finish this work and cut it short in righteousness, as He will make a short work upon the earth. The immediate context is salvation of a remnant of Israel and the warning not to despise God’s Word (compare… In the first installment of this new series, we began to address God’s Work in the context of the prophetic revival of the ancient Roman Empire in Europe and, in connection therewith, the preaching of the gospel in the world as a witness, which includes a warning message of impending disaster. We showed that God will raise the ancient Chaldeans—“modern Babylon”—under the leadership of an end-time Assyrian “Führer” —the “beast” in the Book of Revelation—to punish and destroy the modern Houses of Israel and Judah. (For more information on the identity of the king of Assyria and the descendants of the ancient Houses of Israel and Judah, please read our free booklets, “Germany in Prophecy” and “The Fall and Rise of Britain and America.”). In this installment, we will discuss in more detail how God will use the end-time “beast”—the coming king of Assyria—to punish the Houses of Israel and Judah—as being part of God’s end-time Work. We read in the Bible that God will raise the “king of Assyria” to conquer Israel and Judah. Isaiah 10:3-6 reads: “What will you do in the day of punishment, And in the desolation which will come from afar? To whom will you flee for help? And… The Bible uses the concept of “God’s Work” or the “Work of God” in many different ways. But as we will see, they all harmonize or complement each other; there is no contradiction. We will show how great God is and how His masterplan is being worked out here below. In this first installment, we will begin to address God’s Work in the context of the prophetic revival of the ancient Roman Empire in Europe and, in connection therewith, the preaching of the gospel in the world as a witness, because both concepts are necessary to lead to the soon-coming return of Jesus Christ to establish God’s Kingdom here on earth. In our free booklet, “Evil Empires and Evil People—Wild Beasts of the Bible,” we state the following: “In Daniel 7, four great world-ruling empires (called ‘kingdoms’ in Daniel 2 and 7) are described, which are seen by Daniel in a vision as four wild beasts… When Daniel saw the vision, only the first empire was in existence—the Babylonian Empire, which was symbolized as a lion (verse 4). It was to be followed by the Medo-Persian Empire, which was symbolized as a bear (verse 5). It, in turn, was to be replaced by the Greco-Macedonian Empire, which… We read in Hebrews 12:1, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” The New International Version states it this way: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Even though the author of the Book of Hebrews is not clear, this book has been traditionally attributed to the Apostle Paul. Nevertheless, the writings were Godly-inspired and are still in force and effect today, as Jesus is described in the next verse as the “author or originator” and the “finisher or perfecter” of our faith, and all who profess faith in Him are urged to do two things: First, we are to remove or put off any burden that keeps us from attaining the likeness of Christ, especially sin, because sin ensnares us and we become slaves to sin when we commit unrighteousness. Second, we are to persevere with patience, enduring all things until we grow and mature in… One eminent and highly intelligent Catholic writer made these observations: “As Catholics, it is essential to speak our sins to Christ through the priest in persona Christi that we might develop habits of examining our consciences, confessing our sins, receiving sacramental grace, resolving to improve, and receiving the real grace of the sacrament of Penance. Such habits alert us to our vanities and ego and in turn inspire in us reverence and humility.” We would agree that it is a good habit to use the tool of introspection; 2 Corinthians 13:5 gives us this admonition: “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Prove yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.” This is particularly required of the people of God to do before they take the Passover: “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup” (1 Corinthians 11:28), but it should also be an ongoing process throughout the year. But what is the Sacrament of PENANCE? It is worth spending some time on this whole matter as it is quite revealing about how the largest Christian mainstream group managed to come to this incorrect conclusion through the misunderstanding… Many today are engaging in witchcraft and superstitious conduct in one way or another, consulting mediums, or believing in the reliability of horoscopes. They may think that this is harmless or even beneficial and desirable. Let us ignore what man may think about this topic and see what the Word of God has to say on this matter. After all, it should be the guide for all who claim that they follow the Judeo-Christian faith, but sadly, history and experience show us that that is not the case with so many. In the Statements of Beliefs of the Church of the Eternal God and its international affiliates, we read the following: “Our doctrines and practices are based upon a literal understanding of the ‘teachings revealed in the entire Bible. We believe that the Scriptures of both the Old and New Testaments are God’s revelation of His Will to man, inspired in thought and word, and infallible in the original writings; that said Scriptures are the supreme and final authority in faith and life, the source of Truth and the foundation of all knowledge.’” Let us now concentrate on wizards, witchcraft and related concepts. What is a wizard? The Merriam-Webster Dictionary has this definition: “one skilled in magic: SORCERER”. Dictionary.com has this definition:… In a previous Q&A, titled, “Must Christians be poor?”, we showed that God can and sometimes does bless His people with wealth and riches. We explained that it is therefore not required that God’s people must be poor. But as we will show in this Q&A, this does not mean that everyone who is rich has been blessed by God—that God made that person rich. We wrote in the Q&A, mentioned above: “God does not bless someone who is unrighteous. It is true, of course, that unrighteous people may be rich, but this would not be because of God’s blessings… Psalm 37:7, 16 says: ‘Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass… A little that a righteous man has Is better than the riches of many wicked…” The Bible shows that quite often, people have become or are rich—not because of God who blessed them, but because of Satan. When Satan tempted Christ in the wilderness, he offered Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, stating that he would give all of them to Christ if He were…How do you view paganism today, and exactly what is it? (Part 1)
What is the Work of God? (Part 5)
What is the Work of God? (Part 4)
What is the Work of God? (Part 3)
What is the Work of God (Part 2)?
What is the Work of God? (Part 1)
Who is and what is meant by the cloud of witnesses mentioned in Hebrews 12:1?
Why is it wrong to confess our sins to a priest?
What does the Bible say about wizards and witchcraft?
Does God bless the wicked with riches?
