Ancient Gods in Modern Times

by Wendy Leoni

I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me. Isaiah 45:5

How often have you sat back and thought about how the Israelites could have worshipped other gods once they knew who the one true God was? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob more than proved Himself over and over again, yet His own chosen people continually got sidetracked by what these other gods had to offer. Let’s take a look at a few ancient gods and some of their characteristics:

Isis was an Egyptian goddess that married her brother Osiris. Her brother/husband was killed and dismembered by another sibling of theirs. Isis and some of the other Egyptian gods found all of Osiris’s body parts and reassembled him. She brought him back to life by reciting magical spells among other things, and after he came back to life he could only live on in the underworld.

Brahma was the supreme god of ancient Hinduism. Brahma is attributed with creation, and was said to have been born by creating himself in a golden egg that was in a lotus. Yoga and meditation seem to have heavy ties in this religion.

Kali was a Hindu goddess that seems to be associated with death, chaos, and doomsday events. She seems to need constant calming from her anger and destruction, by her counterpart gods.

Baal was an ancient Canaanite fertility god that seemed to also be associated with storms. Asherah was also associated with him. His name means ‘owner’ or ‘lord,’ and the Canaanites believed that worshiping him would produce crops agriculturally and children in humanity. This is the same god that Elijah had the showdown with on Mount Carmel. In ancient times, Baal worship included cutting oneself until blood flowed, dancing frantically and loudly around alters to him, and worship to him seemed to be rooted in sensuality, perversion, and prostitution. During the days that Jezebel had power, Baal worship exploded due to her influence. She had 450 Baal priests and 400 Asherah priests that aided her in this (see also: 1 Kings 18:16-45)

The blood of the innocent filled the land and parents sacrificed their own children on his altars. For they have forsaken Me and made this a place of foreign gods; they have burned incense in it to gods that neither they nor their ancestors nor the kings of Judah ever knew, and they have filled this place with the blood of the innocent. They have built the high places of Baal to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal-something I did not command or mention, nor did it enter my mind Jeremiah 19: 4-5

Baal seems to be able to deceive his followers subversively, even causing them to prophesy about a reality that was a lie. 

Among the prophets of Samaria I saw this repulsive thing: They prophesied by Baal and led my people Israel astray. And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen something horrible: they commit adultery and live a lie. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that not one of them turns from their wickedness. They are all like Sodom to me; and the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah Jeremiah 23: 13-14

I mention these 4 (out of many) specifically, because anyone can start to see the evidence of their footprint in our culture today, and specifically right here in America if we know what we are looking for. We have been just as deceived as the ancient Israelites. Let’s take a look at what these ancient gods influence might “look” like today. 

Margaret Murray lived from 1863-1963. She spent some of her childhood in India, then went to Britain and Germany. In 1902 Margret went to Egypt and was a part of an archeological dig that uncovered a temple dedicated to Osiris. She later went on to write folklore and became heavily involved in feminism and witchcraft. The Wiccan religion has heavy ties in her teachings. We can see the influence of the mystical nature of the Hinduism and Egyptian practices in this particular religion. Today, in our culture this seems to have exploded with popular movies, and shows on children’s networks. All of these shows portray witchcraft in a good, positive, and lighthearted way, and make us feel like maybe it isn’t as bad as the Bible has spoken of it. 

We literally see terror groups in the Middle East that have named themselves after the Egyptian god Isis. They flew a plane into our towers on 9/11 and are responsible for countless amounts of beheadings and torture overseas. Those that serve him have taken on the same characteristics as the god they are named after, and feel that they will receive great rewards in the afterlife if they commit a great act of terror and die while doing it.

On August 1, 2015 the image of Kali appeared on the Empire State building. Not long after, a Presidential election happened that caused chaos and confusion in America. A shift seemed to happen in this country that caused many people to start to question the reality of what they believe.

On Jan 4, 2021 a minister that prayed during the swearing in of the 117th Congress prayed to the god Brahma and ended the prayer with Amen and A woman. Specific channels regularly air shows that include deep meditative practices, chanting, and centering based on self.

For ties to Baal we see things that are a lot more subversive, just like it was in Israel. How many have ever heard of cutting? It’s a psychological practice that some do to relieve emotional pain and stress. It’s prevalent in our younger generation. Rave’s are parties that go on in our younger generation involving crazy dancing, sex, drugs, etc. These events can last for days and are held in underground locations. Abortions are offered in places all over the US, and in some areas, all the way up to birth. Last year and this year, we have seen underground child and human trafficking rings busted up in MULTIPLE states. Some of these people arrested were sexually abusing children and babies. The controlling nature of our government, workplaces, and relationships is rampant. We hear about people being controlled by narcissistic personality types. We have psychics that have their own TV shows and their broadcasts reach millions. Prostitution, gender confusion, and homosexuality is probably more prevalent in our society than they saw in Sodom and Gomorrah. You can buy shoes with human blood in the soles and wear jewelry with human blood around your neck now. You can buy statues of ancient gods online for less than you would spend on a tank of gas, and have them delivered to your house. Our food is being manipulated genetically to deter pests and disease. Sick and horrific images are easily accessible to our children at the click of a button, and THEORIES about how the universe was formed, what is affecting our climate, and what actually happened in history are taught in our classrooms are as truth. Disgusting sexual and murderous images and sculptures are called art. 

Depression and anxiety affect 6.8 million adults. Every day 22 military veterans die by their own hand. Our children are even committing suicide at young ages. There is a psychological label for everything today. There is no personal responsibility. Drugs that affect our body chemistry and fog our minds are handed out like candy so that people feel that they can function daily. Medical professionals that have spent their lives learning about different conditions and the human body are finding new diseases and new medicines. Some of the medicines cause horrible conditions years down the road. 

While the events and shut downs of last year were definitely scary, and the virus that affected our nation was horrific, it revealed a lot of truths. 

At this time in America, we have a current political structure that is pushing an agenda that is opening up our borders and facilitating not only a border crisis, but possibly more human trafficking. Unchecked spending of American taxpayers money, is not only tolerated, but accepted. We are required to support programs with our tax dollars that should never have been enacted. Scammers and others operating under false pretenses are ramping up on social media as well as on our personal cell phones. The medical community can’t figure out from one day to the next how to keep the pandemic from exploding, and some have ridiculous and illogical suggestions as to how to keep it contained. We have seen multiple instances where we are learning that the news being reported to us has been either completely false, or has a manipulative spin on it and are not held accountable. People that claim to be of God and pastors that many have followed for years are being revealed to be corrupt to the core, and we did not recognize it. We are starting to see riots and lawlessness that began plaguing our country last year uptick with no accountability, and depending on who you talk to, the current administration may or may not have taken office under false pretenses. States and people have forgotten that they have power as individuals, and we see codependency at the state level with the federal government and at a personal level with unhealthy relationships. If this is what we see on the surface, what else is hidden deep below? All of this has crept in because, for years we have been asleep at the wheel.

If My people, who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear them from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place. For now I have chosen and sanctified this house that My name may be there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually. 2 Chronicles 7: 14-16

We are currently experiencing Satan’s anger and rage towards a Christian that is awake and alert. People are starting to believe prophecy again. They are starting to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in everything they do. Those that believe in Christ are starting to be obedient to God again. They are starting to talk about who God is openly, notice when He does something in their lives, and give Him credit for it. We are others give their own personal time and money back to their communities and making a lasting difference in each others lives. Deeper relationships are starting to form. We are seeing people open their Bible’s again and REALLY start seeking God. We are seeing others help complete strangers with no expectation, and we are seeing TRUE characters and hearts revealed in everyone. Some have begun fasting and truly repenting on behalf of the nation. We are seeing true Biblical heroes being born, and a Biblical church being born. We have seen that continually throughout these times in history, God always saves a remnant that have not been involved in the worship of false gods. 

Also anoint Jehu son of Nimishi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel-all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him. 1 Kings 19: 16-18

I am too ashamed and disgraced, my God to lift up my face to you, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached the heavens. From the days of our ancestors, until now, our guilt has been great. Because of our sins, we and our kings, and our priests have been subjected to the sword and captivity, to pillage and humiliation at the hand of foreign kings, as it is today. But now, for a brief moment, the Lord our God has been gracious in leaving us a remnant and giving us a firm place in His sanctuary, and so our God gives light to our eyes and a little relief in our bondage. Ezra 9: 6-8

I say all of this to shine a BRIGHT light on the root of our problem in this day and time. America is just as guilty of following false gods as ancient Israel was, and it seems to be a subject that many Christians won’t touch with a 10 foot pole. How can anyone turn from and repent of something that they don’t realize is happening? If we refuse to address the darkness it stays in darkness, and continues to operate there. 

Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent-the Lord detests them both. Proverbs 17: 15

Our country is desperately in need of the Jesus Christ that religion has not been offering for decades, but the CHURCH that has fallen away is experiencing a rebirth right before our eyes, and it’s not an institution or an affiliation. It is inclusive to anyone who wants to be a part of it. It will not turn anyone away based on tattoos, skin color, or how bad they think they were. It does not judge based on nationality. It will accept drug addicts, prostitutes, and those labeled as having mental disorders, and help them heal and rebuild their lives. It builds others up and helps others achieve what GOD intended for each person, and doesn’t tear down. It has a genuine concern for others to walk with Christ. It operates in an agape love with no strings attached, and I’m grateful to be a part of it.

Take the time to recognize what is going on around you. Open your eyes to what you may not have been able to see before. Understand that there is a bigger picture going on that involves an ancient battle. Question things, and look for what may be going on under the surface and bring it into the light of truth!