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DEUTERONOMY 18:9-12

"GOD'S MESSAGE IN THE STARS"

Intro: Today their is a rising interest in the occult. People such as Jean Dixon receive
       wide publicity. Newspapers, magazines, radios & T.V. give daily horoscopes. People
       are looking for God's message in the stars.

I. THE HISTORY OF THE OCCULT IS ALMOST AS OLD AS MAN.
        A. Astrology traces its origins to ancient Chadea and Babylon, shortly after flood.
        B. Ancient Egyptian writings are still the source books for witchcraft.
        C. Through his history man has attempted to reach beyond his material world.
                1. Sought to learn the future.
                2. Sought uncanny powers.
                3. Sought to communicate with spirit world.
                4. Sought divine guidance.
        D. The rise of the religion of science almost ended the occult.
                1. The men of science almost claiming infallibility, held to the supremacy
                   of the material world and began to deny spirit world entirely.
                2. People bowed in awed respect to the word of the scientist as final
                   and truth.
                        a. The scientist scoffed at witchcraft.
                        b. The idea of God was ridiculed.
                        c. The whole area of the supernatural was relegated to ignorance
                           and superstition.
                        d. The universe, the world, and life forms were explained by natural
                           unintelligent forces combined by fortuitous concurrence of
                           accidental circumstances.
                                1. Because they used such big words that nobody understood,
                                   people just figured they were smart and without thorough
                                   examination began to believe their hypothesis.
                3. One day people discovered the scientist were not infallible.
                        a. When man first introduced the idea of a bath tub in your home.
                        b. Science textbooks had to be revised.
                        c. Many old ideas of science discarded.
                4. Science may be infallible but man's interpreting of it is very fallible.
        E. Now a renewed and growing revival of occultism.
                1. college courses offered in witchcraft.
                2. Science is seeking to make a serious study of Psychic Phenomenon.
                3. Millions following their horoscopes.
                4. Sell of ouijas boards is million dollar business.

II. WHY THE REVIVAL OF THE INTEREST IN THE OCCULT.
        A. Some say T.V.
        B. One psychiatrist blamed the church.
        C. Interesting that its rise paralleled the drug abuse.
                1. Drugs have always been related to witchcraft.
                        a. Gal.
                2. Many through drug experiences became aware of the spirit world.
                        a. They turned to the church or the occult.

III. ALL FORMS OF OCCULTISM FORBIDDEN BY GOD.
        A. God's word is very strong and very plain.
        B. If you have been drawn by curiosity into these realms.
                1. Ask God to free you from their power and to forgive you.

IV. GOD HAS GIVEN US A MESSAGE IN THE STARS.
        A. The heavens declare the glory of God.
        B. Seek God to influence and guide your daily life.