Make-believe Heaven
“And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts” (Revelation 9:20-21).
This passage is part of the prophecy of last days events foretold in the Revelation. At this point some of the horrors of that time had already fallen, but it had not caused those left alive to turn from their evildoing. Listed with the idolatry murder and other things that brought God’s displeasure is the sin of sorcery. The word sorcery is translated from the Greek word pharmakia. We recognize this root in our English word pharmacy. This is confirmed by scholars who tell us it is the word for medicine, and for drugs. Now the context for the use of the word in the Bible is not healing or health care but the practice of the dark arts of sorcery and witchcraft.
The use of a word for drugs in reference to the black arts makes it clear that it is not referring to wholesome herbs or healing medicines but, as history confirms, to mind altering drugs. Apparently, an altered state of consciousness was useful in bringing men under the influence of the evil spirit world. A healthy mind is a defence given by God for the human soul.
I remember also from high school the book “Brave New World” (which I do not recommend) that in the horrible socialist society he imagined, everybody was nevertheless kept under control and “happy” by regular use of a gram of mindaltering drug. It was easy to control those under the influence.
Excuse me if I do not see it as a great leap forward for Canada to legalize pot. I see people being encouraged to surrender up the use of their minds which were given them by God for self-preservation, and especially to know and worship Him. I see young people being deceived and enabled to damage themselves for life on a level we have never seen before. When I was in Grade 8, an RCMP officer visited our school to warn us about the effects of pot. “Reader’s Digest” used to feature articles warning of it. We have heard for years the great dangers of smoke upon our lungs. What message is being sent to the children now as our laws and our leaders countenance this brave new world of stoners?
We recoil in horror from the ruined lives on skid row hooked on a creepy ecstasy from addictive drugs even though their lives and families and health are all in shambles. How can it be good in any way to encourage anyone down this road in the least degree?