As visitors to Boston many times over many years, Eileen and I have centered much of our activity around the Marriott Copley. It’s a beautiful spot right on the harbor, and close to many things we enjoy, like the Italian food in the North End. Eileen graduated from college in Boston, and most of her family live in that neck of the woods, so the city has been an important part of our lives. It’s also central to American history, and we’ve enjoyed taking a number of people to New England to experience not just the natural beauty but the historical landmarks.
As you might imagine, I was disturbed to learn of “SatanCon 2023” that took place right there at the Marriott the last week of April. I dug in just a little to see if I could find some photos, and the one I’m including here is as unsettling as you might expect. This is Minister Rose D’Arc leading an “Unbaptism Ceremony,” apparently in celebration of the Satanic Temple’s tenth anniversary. Pulling from a couple of news sources, I’ll note simply that there were some protests surrounding the event, and also among the crowd some followers of Jesus attempting to share the good news of Christ against the dark backdrop of the spiritual lostness that the conference represents.
This group is not the same as “the Church of Satan,” which we’ve heard about for years, but USA Today called the gathering in Boston “the largest group of Satanists” in history. It was sold out. The group is politically active, and politically “progressive,” and they pride themselves on giving people a connection to “organized religion” without forcing them to support religious leaders with whom they disagree. The theme was “Hexennacht in Boston.” (The H-word is German for “witches’ night”.) I found on their website that the Satanic Temple dedicated “this edition” of their event to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, who they say denied them from delivering a satanic invocation at Boston City Hall. And I intend to end my coverage of the group and the event with that remark, because I don’t want to give them any more exposure than is necessary for this blog posting. And I’m sure you’ve already read enough to turn your stomach.
What are you and I to make of this growing movement? Though we might be tempted to write it off as a bunch of costumed “crazies,” I would urge you not to miss the larger point. Because the Word of God actually predicts what might be the spiritual reality underlying what I’ll call the satanist surge of 2023. Specifically, I’ll refer you to 1 Timothy 4:1-2, where the Apostle Paul warns: Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared.” Whenever I see upside-down crosses and other attempts to “undo” Christianity, I can’t help thinking about the dangers of apostasy which we find in the New Testament. 1 John 2:19 reminds us that professing Christians can abandon the Lord. This might be a surprise to us, but it is no surprise to God: They went out from us, but they were not of us: for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. Those, friends, are sobering words for sobering times.
I think it’s safe to say that some apostates will simply fall away from their profession of faith, and from their outward expressions of worshiping Christ, but I think that we should also expect that some will become blatant worshipers of the demonic. I’m not saying this to frighten you, but to remind all of us that we who are the church must stay vigilant about the faith of our own souls. I think it’s also safe to say that the Bible warns us that, as time marches on toward Christ’s return, you and I can expect a climate marked by more and more widespread spiritual confusion. And I don’t think it’s much of a stretch to say that we’re already seeing some signs of that downward spiral.
Never forget: Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), though our enemy and God’s prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Jesus warned us (Matthew 24:12-13) of an increase in lawlessness and a growing coldness (lovelessness)that will come upon the earth. I believe that I’m personally observing an uptick in those realities even as I write these words, so my heart longs to fortify us in gospel strength and resolve. We need grace for this hour. We need truth for this hour. We need Christ for this hour.
And I don’t want you to miss the fact that, in that very same passage of Scripture, our faithful and sovereign Lord also promises: the one who endures to the end will be saved. Friends, that’s a steadfast word for a slippery day. Not only that, but Christ has given us His own abiding presence and power for the task before us (1 John 4:4): He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world! In Christ, you and I are never alone. Our hope of persevering all the way to the finish line is our confident knowledge that Christ will persevere through us (Philippians 1:6).
Though sometimes we still kick and scream to get our own way, you and I are in the very best of hands. We can pray, as Jesus taught us, “Deliver us from evil,” knowing that our Father will move heaven and earth to make that happen. Even now, He is protecting and sustaining us in about a billion ways that we can’t even imagine. He is faithful and good. Martin Luther nailed it (pun fully intended) …
“A mighty fortress is our God.”
Pastor Charles
Leave a Reply