The prophet's dictionary guide to the supernatural

children who in turn gave mortals license to interact on the heavenly plain. From this notion arose the institution of occultism where divination, magic, sorcery, and astrology reigned. The powers for these arts was believed to be bestowed by the children of the gods who were also referred to as heroes—half deity and half human. They made up the host of familiar spirits that aligned themselves to families and passed on their superior wisdom and knowledge of eternity to the mortals of earth. Prophecy was perfected under these circumstances as an institution that no nation could dream of doing without. The king was chosen by some aspect of it —augury, omen, and divination. Some means of receiving a word or sign from the silent (yet potent) agents of the spirit world was resorted to before major decisions were made or critical actions taken. The military, the palace, the courts, and every community had its share of prophetic voices of varying levels and degrees to inquire of the gods on important matters. The Old Testament from beginning to end chronicles these events as told by the Lord Himself. The Amorites, one of ancient Israel’s chronic nemeses, are mentioned repeatedly, as they were the original inhabitants of Jerusalem. The Sumerians constituted ancient Shinar, it is believed. Ur of Chaldea is a region of Babylon, old and new. Second Kings 21 is one of the most extensive statements on the worship and views of these ancient cultures. Study bold words for more information. 156. Babylonian Whore—The term literally applies to the ancient world’s “mistress of the nations” and refers to the last days’ city of whoredom and harlotry judged by the Lord as an abomination in Revelation. As a large commercial center, the city (spiritually a woman with children), was responsible for the fall of the entire world through idolatry and fornication. It was a center of cult prostitution on the physical and spherical plane. Pornography, adultery, incest, and every other sexual and social abomination were in the culture of this land. Also, the Babylonian whore saturated society with witchcraft, sorcery, and false spirituality. Making these ancient religious art forms and worship commercially profitable, she even proliferated guilds that instituted and professionalized them in the normal course of business. Certain rituals and prayers were offered up by these professional groups to assure the success and prosperity of its membership. See Nahum 3:1–6 where she is called the mistress of Baal and thus of the same stream as ancient Jezebel. This word from the prophet describes one who sells nations to sin, sorcery, and magic along with their children. Homosexuals, harlots, and idolatry are the social standards of the era. Revelation 17:1–8.