Question from a reader:

I came across an old paper I had about the Illuminati, and I was hoping for your thoughts. Please don’t send me articles about the Illuminati because sometimes I get way too consumed into a downward spiral and away from Christ. I just wanted your thoughts and if you think it is truthful.

Answer from Stephanie Anderson, EPM staff:

You mentioned that reading about this subject causes you to get “way too consumed into a downward spiral and away from Christ.” I think this is insightful, and I’d like to suggest that the Holy Spirit may be prompting you to reexamine your focus. If something pulls you away from Jesus, something is off.

I have known people who invest a lot of time reading things like this on the internet or in books, and in my experience, it does not yield any good “fruit” in their lives. It often leads to confusion and distraction from what God says matters most. God wants you to know the truth—as given to us in His Word—and for the truth to set you free (John 8:32). He wants you to build your life on Him, the rock, a solid foundation for life (Matthew 7:24-25) and to invest your life in what truly matters for eternity. 

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3). God has given you all the information you need to know about salvation, living for Him, and history’s ultimate end.

Here are some questions I’d encourage you to consider:

• Can I really prove this information beyond a shadow of doubt, and all the exact details? (Who really can?)
• Even if it could be proven, what am I supposed to do with this information?
• How am I supposed to act on it, according to God’s Word?
• Is knowing/focusing on this information necessary for me to be a better Christ-follower, member of my church, parent, child, spouse, friend, etc.?
• Even if I knew all this information was perfectly true, is there realistically anything I can do about it?
• Is studying/reading about this God’s will for my life? (How does it line up with what He’s revealed in His Word?)

The conclusion of your article says, “If we and our children are to suffer and die prematurely, at least we know the real reason. That is a privilege not granted to millions of our ancestors.”

It seems to me the purpose of this information is to be one of the few “in the know” but it’s acknowledged that there’s not much else we can do with the information (except be worried and upset about what’s happening in the world, and perhaps share our thoughts with others and buy books from those who’ve written on this subject).

Another big question to ask is, who do we believe ultimately controls history, and holds each of our lives? (Hint: it’s not any created being, human or otherwise. And this is such GOOD news.)

The conclusion of the article also states, “God and Satan made a wager for the soul of man. If God wins, man revels in the glory of his Divine Birthright. If Satan wins, man is destroyed. In a nutshell, this is the religious nature of politics.”

This is not true. God has not made a wager with Satan; instead, from the beginning, God promised to crush his head—a fatal blow (Genesis 3:15). On the cross, Jesus “disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (Colossians 2:15). Satan’s defeat is guaranteed and absolutely sure. There is no “if.” As Randy writes, “We should never believe that anyone can thwart God’s ultimate plan.”

We know how the story of history ends! And it ends with Christ’s final triumph over Satan and God’s eternal reign forevermore: “Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power” (1 Corinthians 15:24).

And until then, we have the wonderful promise that absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of Christ: “neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers…” (Romans 8:38). If we know Jesus as Savior, our lives, and those of our families, are held securely in His hands. Psalm 31:15 says, “My times are in your hand.” The CSB translates it, “The course of my life is in your power.” No matter what happens to us this side of eternity, we know that we are absolutely secure in Jesus, and He will bring those who love Him safely into His eternal kingdom (2 Timothy 4:18).What is most valuable—our eternal relationship with Jesus—can never be lost.  

Of course, we know that Satan is active in this world, and that either consciously or unconsciously, there are many people who serve him and his purposes. This is not surprising information to us! Scripture tells us, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). God has told us what we need to know so that “we are not unaware of [Satan’s] schemes” (2 Corinthians 3:11).

God has also told us how to put on our spiritual armor. Here’s what Ephesians 6 says:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak (vv. 10-20).

We highly encourage you to stop studying this subject. Instead, turn to God’s Word. Read the Bible, and ask Jesus to reveal Himself through it to you. Also, read good books about faith in Jesus. Randy has many recommendations here. Serve and get plugged into your local church. If you’re not yet part of one, consider joining a small group Bible study. Get excited about what God is doing in your local community; everywhere His light is piercing through the darkness of this world, and we are invited to join Him in spreading His good news. Again, we know how the story ends!

I’ll close with Paul’s words in Romans 16:20: “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”

Photo: Unsplash