Occult “Eagle Spirituality” Manifests in Popular “Prophetic” Ministries
source: The Berean Call
http://www.thebereancall.org/node/2682/print
As demonstrated by native American culture and indigenous people groups worldwide, animal worship has long been a means of contacting and interacting with deceiving spirits. Equally pleased to appear in human or animal form, they often take willing participants on exciting out-of-body experiences or communicate “secret knowledge.”
Modern shamans (who are as apt to wear suits as loin cloths) market seminars where everyday people can “encounter” their personal “power animal.” In public schools, children are encouraged to use their “imagination” and “dreams” for astral travel. Occult relaxation and visualization techniques are reinforced by literature such as the Harry Potter books and Scholastic’s “Animorphs” series, in which hero-children transform into creatures with special powers and abilities.
Fictionalized in popular games and movies, these techniques are based on ancient occult practices that, once widely banned, now flourish virtually unchecked. According to answers.com, “a familiar spirit…obeys a witch, conjurer, or other users of the supernatural, and serves and helps that person….If they look like ordinary animals, they can be used to spy….These spirits [also]…inspire artists and writers.”
Many new age writers and occult practitioners have been assisted or encouraged by animals they perceive as “familiars.” As Patrick Ryan, author of The Eagle’s Call: A Journey of Body, Mind, and Spirit recounts,
When I was writing this book…an eagle often circled the building in which I lived, visiting many times….When I was…doubting my direction, a coyote also came to visit….Across the street, it looked toward me as if encouraging me on….So, led by the spirit of coyote, eagle and the many other guides of the universe, I was able to complete this tale. Its primary message is about following the call of my body, mind and spirit.
Romans 1:18-32 gives a clear account of man’s “call of his body and mind”-a rejection of God in favor of nature worship: “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things” (Rom 1:22-23).
Perhaps in part due to the reverence of “animal spirits” by ancient pagan cultures, animals continue to play a significant symbolic role in our world today. School and professional sports teams adopt animal names such as the panthers, tigers, lions, bears, wolves, or eagles-based on popular significance of animal traits. Consumers even purchase “animal” car models and athletic shoes marketed for their perceived attributes of speed and power.
So, what’s the fuss? Is animal symbology inherently evil? No, even Scripture makes generous use of animals as symbols-from love poems in The Song of Songs to comforting analogies of the Lord: “hide me under the shadow of thy wings” (Ps 17:8b) et al.
Take the eagle, for example. Revered as a national symbol by various countries, Scripture makes several positive references to the eagle. One of the most popular verses cited for encouragement is “they shall mount up with wings like eagles…” (Is 40:31). Many are comforted by the eagle as a symbol of patriotism and American heritage (which is often equated with Christianity). Fewer though, take note of passages that portray the eagle in a negative light, or realize that the eagle doubles as a Masonic symbol of the phoenix, representing “rebirth through fire” in occult mythology.
In addition to its being an “unclean” animal, Scripture also contains a number of negative references to the eagle (“They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey” (Job 9:26). Obadiah even contains a reference to Edom as an eagle, apparently as a type of Lucifer: “The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground? Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord” (Ob 1:3-4).
So why do the neo-prophets and apostles of today use the eagle as a symbol of choice? Many “prophetic” ministries associate eagles with tremendous natural vision and observable qualities of “rising above;” but like shamans and seers-ancient and modern-they err in assigning to eagles spiritual qualities. An occult website declares the eagle’s role is that of an “illuminating force” that rises on the east wind, whose gift is that of “seeing hidden spiritual truths” and “whose strength is by its connection to spirit guides.” The website advises: “One who flies with the Eagle has a responsibility…to operate from Higher Intent, to develop the latent abilities of Illumination, and then freely share this Illumination with Others.” In other words, a seer who channels the eagle is to “impart” this knowledge and “gifting” to others.
A number of prominent ministries use the eagle as a corporate symbol, and most of these do so quite innocently. But research into the testimony of a young prophetess associated with C. Peter Wagner’s self-titled New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) raises great concern. (The NAR, a blended resurrection of several modern heresies-kingom-dominionism, manifest sons of God, new breed, et al.-is spreading like wildfire through a growing number of charismatic and evangelical churches.) Here is just one example of cause for alarm:
Sharnael Wolverton…was called to the ministry at an early age….During [an]
incredible period of seeking intimacy with [God] she encountered many dreams,
visions, visitations and divine appointments leading to the birthing of Swiftfire Ministries….One divine appointment…was with Bob Jones, who introduced her to a golden eagle named “Swift.” “Swift is sent forth to those in order to carry the purposes of God swiftly.” Another encounter was with Patricia King of Extreme Prophetic, who had also been introduced to Swift.
This admission by a professing Christian “minister” is nothing short of astounding! Aside from this startling testimony, most followers of these seers (and even skeptics) would not think twice about the recurring “eagle” motif on the websites of Sharnael Wolverton (swiftfire.org), Bob Jones (bobjones.org/itinerary), and Patricia King (extremeprophetic.com). But with the knowledge that Bob Jones (a proven false prophet who was removed from ministry in 1991 for sexual misconduct) “introduced” at least two prominent neo-apostolic women to a demonic entity that manifests as an eagle (whom all three know as Swift) the “birds of a feather” mascots they share take on far greater significance.
Other “apostolic-prophetic” leaders who often teach with or promote Bob Jones also use the symbol of an eagle in their ministry logo: Paul Keith Davis, Rick Joyner, Bobby Conner, Cindy Jacobs, and others. Does this mean they also have the spirit of Swift to help them “carry out the purposes of God?” Not necessarily-but the connection between “eagle spirits,” shamans, and today’s neo-prophetic seers is unmistakable. This is the New Spirituality.
Though his mystical teaching remains unchanged, none of Jones’ co-ministers or spiritual offspring seem to mind that his misconduct involved giving private “hands-on” readings to young women-disrobed to “stand naked before the Lord”-or that he was rebuked for other occultish practices. Ironically, he is revered as a spiritual grandfather among today’s rising stars of the Third Wave (neo-apostolic) movement, promoted largely by the much-hyped pseudo-prophetic website, “The Elijah List.”
But, Jones is in good company. Many of his disciples, as well as the “apostles” and “prophets” who endorse or teach with him, claim to have met and talked with angels, with the Lord, and with saints of the past (the forbidden practice of necromancy); and, they all take great pride in teaching others how to have angelic encounters and “third heaven visions.”
Undoubtedly believing they are working divine signs and wonders, could they instead be “deceived and deceiving others” (2 Tim 3:13)? As God’s word declares, “There shall not be found among you any one…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 these things are an abomination unto the Lord” (Deut 18:10-11).
-Mark Dinsmore
5 comments
June 10, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Sandy
Good post Kim.
You know when I think of “prophets” I always think of the prophet Nathan who was with David. I know there were many in the OT but to me Nathan is so overlooked. Nathan was so down to earth with David. Sometimes I think if people would look for the qualities in Nathan for their “prophets” they would not be so mislead.
Some of these modern day “prophets” use many things to state a prophecy. I have seen prophecies containing animals, story book creatures, reptiles, etc… I am sorry I just do not buy it.
If people would only learn to seek God for themselves, they would be so much better off. It is true, when we do this, sometimes it seems as if we wait for an eternity for Him to answer us, but never in my life have I ever had to go to another to give me God’s answer for me. God speaks to us all through His Holy Spirit.
It seems as if people want the answers in someone else anymore, and that is not where their answers lie. They want all the hull-a-ba-loo to go with it. God said, “He never changes.” So God never changes the way He does things. Some always want something new from God, but He wants us to trust.
God will never mislead us and I think another thing that is overlooked a lot, is all things must glorify Him, and not man. I see a whole lot of people holding some of these “prophets” almost in a diety state, and then when they fall, these people are crushed and injured. The thing of it is, God will never fall and we will never be crushed in trusting Him.
Very good post and information. God Bless
July 1, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Mark Clifford
I must say that I agree to a point with your comments and article written above. Yes we need to have great dscernment in this day and age so as not to be misled by familiar spirits and doctrines of demons. However i must also stress that we must be very careful not to categorise people into that of witches, wizards etc. If we do not understand the gift of a person, or if we ourselves are not called to be prophets, or evangelists, pastors etc then we might just find ourselves on the wrong end of the stick so to speak, as we will be guilty of speaking against God. This happened in the book of Acts – Gamliel gave warning to this.
Scripture clearly tells us to judge the fruit not the person, if in doubt pray for them that the Spirit of Truth may come upon them, or, ask the Father to show you if perhaps you’re missing something.
Animals are a creation of Almighty God and are used as symbols, and that alone, of His great workings. The kingdom of darkness is great usurper of this.
In closing i add that we ought always to lean upon the Word of God and the Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth. Becareful how we judge lest we ourselves be judged with the same judgement. These are precious souls and need our prayers and intercessions.
Love In Jesus
Mark Clifford
July 2, 2009 at 8:04 am
cheryl U.
Hi Mark,
The Apostle Paul “judged people”. He often named people’s names and said what they were guilty of. I’m not sure how this whole idea that we can’t in any way judge people got started in today’s church.
July 2, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Kim
We cannot judge a persons salvation, or necessarily know their motives, but indeed we can judge their fruit. We are told in Matthew 7 when the entire chapter is read to “not give dogs what is sacred,” and to “watch out for false prophets…by their fruit you will recognize them.” If we are to recognize false prophets and false fruit we have to use our minds. Jesus then says “everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice….” Puts them into practice. I like that.
I had never put much thought into Gamaliel before. The most common interpretation is his neutrality. He cannot himself determine that the apostles are from God. (but he was honored by men). He allowed the disciples to go free but he also allowed them to be flogged first.
“We should not be too ready to credit Gamaliel with having uttered an invariable principle . . . the Gamaliel principle is not a reliable index to what is from God and what is not.” (Stott)
The teaching i get from this chapter is that even though the disciples were greatly humiliated from a beating allowed by a man who could not determine the truth, they continued to rejoice and “ceased not teaching.”
What encouragement this is to us when we face trials and persecution. If we are not being persecuted we are probably not speaking the true gospel as it it laid out in Acts 5:29-32.
And what truth Mark said when stating that we need to pray and intercede for others. None of us know it all, least of all me.
July 25, 2009 at 8:39 am
IWanthetruth
Deuteromony 18:
“Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, inteprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord…”
also…
Deut 29:29
29″The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
Definition of Occult = hidden (knowledge, secret revelations, etc.) from ordinary persons; mystical…
Many of these people who claim to have “secret knowledge” are basically involved in the occult. They are imitating the things of the pagan world. They are adding the title of Christian to it but never the less it is of pagan, occultic origin. God forbids it. He commands His children to stay away from it. The things that He has revealed are given to us in the scriptures. They (scripture) are sufficient for life. These people who claim to have th”secret knowledge” are in al reality Shamins
Let’s look at Deut 18 closer…
9″When you come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you,(J) you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. 10There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who(L) practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer 11or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, 12 for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD. And because of these abominations the LORD your God is driving them out before you. 13You shall be blameless before the LORD your God, 14for these nations, which you are about to dispossess, listen to fortune-tellers and to diviners. But as for you, the LORD your God has not allowed you to do this.
What are we to learn? Not to follow the abominsbler practices. We are of another Kingdom, the Kingdom of God and soon, the King, Jesus Christ, will return to rule and reign. We are not to be of this world. We must seperate our selves from the practices of the pagan world.