Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices" (II Cor. 2:11).
Scripture has made it perfectly clear that the Devil masquerades as "light" and/or an "angel of light." In Latin, the name "Lucifer" means "light-bearer." II Corinthians 11:14 says, "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." Therefore, any experience with spiritual "light" must be thoroughly examined under the microscope of the One True Light, The Word of God.
"Light," it seems, has always been used as a metaphor for heightened, perhaps even spiritual, experiences and/or understandings. Often we hear people speak of being "enlightened." Some believed to possess spiritual empowerment have been called "illuminated."
Traditionally, even artists have depicted both religious and secular leaders, heroes, and great thinkers shining with brilliant light, perhaps even beneath a halo. Now the problem we encounter here is that such inspiration is usually viewed in a positive manner. It is hard to call evil what we normally associate with good. Nevertheless, the Bible bids us to "believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God" (I Jn. 4:1). It seems that throughout history many have encountered spirits of "light," but failed to recognize their source. In fact, many who claim to have found "light," believe they started with the best of intentions. They believed their search for light was search for truth. For instance, Freemasons claim to be searching for "light," hence, the symbolic use of the blindfold in many of their rituals. But, Truth cannot be found outside of the Word of God. An attempt to discover "light" or "truth" apart from it actually demonstrates a lack of faith in the Truth. The Lord has made it clear that seeking Truth means seeking Him. He alone is the Light! "He reveals the deep and secret things: He knows what is in the darkness, and the Light dwells with Him" (Dan. 2:22). "But without Faith it is impossible to please Him: for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them who diligently seek Him" (Heb. 11:6).
FALSE LIGHT
Many false prophets and cult leaders claim to have received revelation knowledge from "angels of light," and usually these revelations became the foundation for their perilous societies. Muhammad claimed that the Angel Gabriel came to him. He explained that, "a luminous being grasped him by the throat and commanded him to repeat the sacred word."20 Another "angel of light" named "Moroni" visited the founder of Mormonism, Joseph Smith, who was already a "romancer and diviner" (familiar with occult communication). Smith said his angel led him to a set of golden plates which he translated from "reformed Egyptian" into English with help of magic stones. The final product was the Book of Mormon.21 Sun Myung Moon, founder of the Unification Church, claims that Jesus appeared to him in a vision asking Moon to complete the work He began. Clearly this "Jesus" was not the Jesus of the Bible. The real Jesus "Finished" His Work! (Jn. 19:30). The Apostle Paul specifically warned us of such false messengers: "But though we, or an Angel from Heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed" (Gal. 1:8). Remember, though, Satan's "light" does not necessarily have to appear in angelic form. Even the simplest sensation of enlightenment could have come from an ungodly source. Not surprisingly, then, "light" is a cornerstone of New Age teaching as well.
NEW AGERS
New Agers, in fact, refer to themselves as "light-workers." Warren Smith, former New Ager and author of Deceived on Purpose, has described one particular experience he had with New Age "light." In his book, The Light That Was Dark, Smith explained what happened during one particular psychic reading: "It was toward the end of the reading that I first noticed the whirling sensation over my head. I tried to ignore it, but it wouldn't go away. It was a strange but not unpleasant feeling that seemed to flutter and vibrate and even tingle above me. I was startled when Bonnie picked up on it. 'Are you aware that there is a ball of light over your head?. . . You are being shown that you have a lot of help on the other side.'"22 A best-selling book of the '90s, "Embraced by the Light" by Betty J. Eadie, describes the good and loving feelings which often accompany mystical experiences with the "light."23 It is also important to note that New Agers consider this "light" their source of life as well as their god, hence, their frequent usage of the term, "God-Light" or "Life-Light." New Age Mystic Alice Bailey describes the "light" in this manner, "To this light the mystics testify, and it is this light into which they enter, and which enters into them, revealing the light which is latent and drawing it forth to potency. . . . This is the outstanding fact of scientific mysticism. God is light. . . ."24 On the slopes of Mt. Shasta California, Guy Ballard, leader of the "I Am" cult, encountered a spirit guide known as the ascended master, St.Germain. Ballard says this spirit mentor gave him a "liquid-light" to drink explaining that the liquid was as pure as life itself, coming directly from the "universal supply."25
ANOTHER JESUS
Neale Donald Walsch, New Age author of Conversations with God, describes his encounter with "god" as "some invisible force" which caused his hand to write on its own. This phenomenon is actually an occult channeling practice known as "automatic handwriting," where one yields his mind to a demonic voice. Of course, Scripture completely forbids any such practice, but Walsch unfortunately did not heed the warning, thus believing the voice he heard was God. "He was amazed when 'God' immediately answered his letter by speaking to him through an inner voice. That night, and in subsequent conversations, Walsch wrote down all of the dictated answers to his questions."26 Even more disturbing is that one year after the events of September 11th, 2001, Walsch published another book, The New Revelations, which directly attacked the Saving Power of Jesus. Walsch's "god" put Salvation into the hands of man. "Walsch explained that 'God' was proposing a post-September 11th 'PEACE Plan' that would help to bring the world's widely varying religions and belief systems closer together. . . Walsch's 'god' warned: 'Yet let me make something clear. The era of the Single Savior is over. What is needed now is joint action, combined effort, collective co-creation.'"27 Marianne Williamson, another well-recognized New Ager largely promoted by Oprah Winfrey, wrote a book entitled Reflections on Love. Williamson's book was based on A Course In Miracles by Helen Schucman, an Associate professor of Medical Psychology at Columbia University. Schucman had also experienced "god" through an inner voice, and this voice actually claimed to be Jesus! Schucman began, "receiving channeled messages from a speaker who would later identify himself as Jesus Christ. The messages began with the words, 'Please take notes,' this is not optional. So Helen Schucman, an atheist Jewish psychologist, began writing and for the next ten years the voice is said to have dictated 'in an inaudible voice' over 500,000 words contained in the three volumes." And apparently the "Jesus" of "The Course" was not impressed with Christianity; in fact, it was his mission to change it completely. "The primary reason for the Course is the 'Correcting of the errors of Christianity. . . . To foster spiritual development through the study and practice of, A Course In Miracles, a set of three books channeled by Jesus . . . to teach the Course's reinterpretation of traditional Christian principles such as sin, suffering, forgiveness, Atonement, and the meaning of the Crucifixion. . . ."28 Another prominent New Age teacher, Barbara Marx Hubbard, experienced the "light" in an intense vision she said occurred while she was in a dreamlike state. ". . . she could see the earth and its people were now surrounded by a radiant light. She watched as the whole planet was 'aligned' in 'a magnetic field of love' and lifted up by the brilliant light. Widespread healings took place as individuals experienced the merging of their own 'inner light' with the bright light that was surrounding them. A tremendous force emanating from the light sent powerful currents of joyful energy 'rippling' through the body of humanity. The world celebrated as all the Earth was born again." And, unfortunately, Hubbard also came to believe that this "light" was Christ giving her an alternative to the Armageddon scenario found in Biblical prophecy. ". . . in 1979, she had a revelation that the presence in her 1966 vision had been 'Christ' . . . Hubbard's 'Christ' teaches that the violent Armageddon script described in the Bible does not have to happen, that it is only a 'possible' future, emphasizing that a more 'positive' future can and will manifest when humanity-without exception-openly declares its 'oneness' with him and all creation."29 This is an outright attack on Christianity; there is no alternative to God's Word. All of it has come to pass and will continue to come to pass. "Think not that I am come to destroy the Law, or the Prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till Heaven and Earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law, till all be fulfilled" (Mat. 5:17-18). And furthermore, it is the antichrist who Daniel identifies as having a false plan of peace. ". . . he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many" (Dan. 8:25).
NEW AGE LIGHT
These occult and completely anti-Christian dealings with New Age "light" are attacking the modern Church from the inside as well. For instance, one particular form of so-called Christian counseling developed by Dr. Ed Smith is termed "Theophostic" counseling and/or "Theophosic Prayer Ministry." Smith created the word, "Theophostic" from two Greek words - "Theos," meaning "God" and "Phos" meaning "light." Similar to the psychological models of "inner healing," Theophostic Counseling claims to heal one of harmful memories by bringing "light" directly into the memory.30 Another "pastor" bringing New Age "light" into the church (and whose writings have been endorsed by Rick Warren) is Leonard Sweet. He has stated, "A surprisingly central feature of all the world's religions is the language of light in communicating the divine and symbolizing the union of the human with the divine: Muhammad's light-filled cave, Moses' burning bush, Paul's blinding light, Fox's 'inner light,' Krishna's Lord of Light, Bohme's light-filled cobbler shop, Plotinus' fire experiences, Bodhisattvas with the flow of Kundalini's fire erupting from their fontanelles, and so on." He also acknowledges New Agers for helping him find the "New Light" which he actually believes to have enhanced his Christianity: "I have followed those 'New Light leaders' . . . [S]ome of those who led [me] into new light are: . . . Matthew Fox, Richard Mouw, Rowan Williams. . . . "31 In The Destiny of the Nations, Alice Bailey even defined the New Age concept of Christmas: ". . . Spiritually the Christmas season is about the light, the promise of the Divine, and the birth of the Christ Consciousness in the human heart inaugurating an era of right human relations. This energy remains ever with us, 'The Christ in you, the hope of glory' . . . During the 2000 years since Pisces has seen the spreading of the light. Aquarius will see the rising of the light with Christ as the eternal symbol of both these great impulses. Humanity will move from the birth stages of the light within to the lifting of the life light in sacrifice, as we become the Risen Ones. . . ."32
A FALSE BIBLE
The New Age Mess "Bible" has also taken every opportunity to distort any Biblical reference to light, rewording it to fit New Age doctrines. We will not attempt to print all the Scriptures from "The Mess" Bible pertaining to this, but here are a couple of examples.
Psalms 8:5
King James Version:
For Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Message Version:
Yet we've so narrowly missed being gods, bright with Eden's dawn light.
Psalms 27:1
King James Version:
The LORD is my Light and my Salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the Strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Message Version:
Light, space, zest - that's God. So, with him on my side I'm fearless, afraid of no one and nothing.
It is important to note, as well, that many pagan religions worship a "sun-god" and believe his "rays of light" to be the life-giving source for the Earth and its inhabitants. The ancient Babylonian sun-god cult has actually infiltrated nearly all false religions to this day. Islam has an interesting twist to this story. "Allah," the god of Islam, is said to be the moon-god who was married to the sun-goddess. The symbol of the crescent moon is prominent in Muslim culture.
Acts 2:28
King James Version:
Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; Thou shalt make me full of joy with Thy countenance. Message Version:
You've got my feet on the life-path, with your face shining sun-joy all around.
Acts 26:23
King James Version:
That Christ should suffer, and that He should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. Message Version:
One, the Messiah must die; two, raised from the dead, he would be the first rays of God's daylight shining on people far and near, people both godless and God-fearing.
In the next few examples we see the use of the term "golden circle." Circles have always been an integral part of paganism and witchcraft and thus, the New Age as well. The circle has been used as a symbol of the universe, to enforce the appearance of demons, and to symbolize phallic sun-god worship in freemasonry. Also, rather than making Christ the "Head" as the Bible teaches, the New Age tends to refer to Him as the "center" of something, like a circle. 33
Revelation 2:1
King James Version:
Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks. Message Version:
Write this to Ephesus, to the Angel of the church. The One with Seven Stars in his right-fist grip, striding through the golden seven-lights' circle, speaks.
Revelation 2:5
King James Version:
Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Message Version:
Do you have any idea how far you've fallen? A Lucifer fall! Turn back! Recover your dear early love. No time to waste, for I'm well on my way to removing your light from the golden circle.
To see full list of references used please refer to article here http://www.francesandfriends.com/Spirits-of-Light
Frances Swaggart is the wife of Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart and the host of the popular radio show Frances and Friends heard on the SonLife Radio Network. You can listen to her live on her website at http://www.francesandfriends.com