What Happened to Magic?

[VMaeLove]

The Bible has many examples of people other than Jesus doing things that are seeming not possible today. Why is that do you think?

 

[solid_core]

The Bible has many examples of people other than Jesus doing things that are seeming not possible today. Why is that do you think?

Satan was not cast out of heaven and defeated before Jesus' victory, so he had more power.

 

[Jude1:3Contendforthefaith]

Here you go OP :

The Reality of Sorcerers, Witches and Magic from Bible Scriptures and Church Fathers


.

 

[GaveMeJoy]

The Bible has many examples of people other than Jesus doing things that are seeming not possible today. Why is that do you think?

Demonic power and magic is very real in many parts of the world. In 3rd world countries like Africa and northern Thailand where animism and spirit based religions dominate, the devil uses his power overtly (witch doctors, curses, etc). In America his biggest weapon is disbelief in God and Satan, why would Satan show his hand here and in other post religious societies. He doesn’t want people to believe in spirits here, but in places where they already do as a culture he tries to subjugate them with it.

my recent podcast episode with a pastor from Malawi is about this concept

 

[VMaeLove]

There are many examples of magic that was not evil too? People doing miracle things for good as well. I understand there is some thing like magic in the world now, but it does not seem the same? Good and evil.

I wonder why and when it changed. I have not found an answer in the Bible yet.

 

[Halbhh]

The Bible has many examples of people other than Jesus doing things that are seeming not possible today. Why is that do you think?

This was an interesting moment --

8 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 9 “When Pharaoh says to you, ‘Perform a miracle,’ then say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,’ and it will become a snake.”

10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the Lord commanded. Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake.

11 Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: 12 Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs.
Exodus 7 NIV
------

Modern magicians are pretty impressive illusionists tho. David Copperfield for one. Of course, we all know modern magicians are doing illusionist tricks. But in the Old Testament are those doing illusionist tricks also, such as the "Egyptian magicians" just above.

 

[Halbhh]

The Bible has many examples of people other than Jesus doing things that are seeming not possible today. Why is that do you think?

Here's a different story that gets pretty fun to read!

"...You have abandoned the Lord’s commands and have followed the Baals. 19 Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”

20 So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”

But the people said nothing.

22 Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only one of the Lord’s prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. 23 Get two bulls for us. Let Baal’s prophets choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. 24 Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire—he is God.”

Then all the people said, “What you say is good.”

25 Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire.” 26 So they took the bull given them and prepared it.

Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. “Baal, answer us!” they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made.

27 At noon Elijah began to taunt them. “Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.” 28 So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. 29 Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention.

30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come here to me.” They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the Lord, which had been torn down. 31 Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, “Your name shall be Israel.” 32 With the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs of seed. 33 He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, “Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood.”

34 “Do it again,” he said, and they did it again.

“Do it a third time,” he ordered, and they did it the third time. 35 The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench.

36 At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. 37 Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”

38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench." ...
1 Kings 18 NIV

 

[HTacianas]

There are many examples of magic that was not evil too? People doing miracle things for good as well. I understand there is some thing like magic in the world now, but it does not seem the same? Good and evil.

I wonder why and when it changed. I have not found an answer in the Bible yet.

Using a specifiv example from the new testament as one answer to your question, look at the case of Simon Magus. He was known as a sorcerer who performed miracles. But his magic was more than likely the same we would consider a magician to perform today.

"Magic schools" existed in those days, especially in Egypt, where wannabe sorcerers could learn to perform "miracles". Things like making statues talk and building vending machines that dispensed water were two common tricks of the time. They were commonly used as proof of miracles in religious practices.

In the Talmud there is recorded what many claim to be an accusation that Jesus learned magic in Egypt to deceive people.

Simon Magus is believed to have apostacized and gone back to being a sorcerer. That's also the likely reason he offered Peter money to be given the power to bestow the Holy Spirit on others. He wanted to use the power to con other people.

 

[Halbhh]

The Bible has many examples of people other than Jesus doing things that are seeming not possible today. Why is that do you think?

So, as you see in the above 2 prominent examples, those others who are not prophets of God aren't doing real miracles (things illusionists could not do).

They had illusions, deceptions. The serious miracles (more than just little things) were from God, only, through the prophets or directly, such as in answer to prayers from individuals.

 

[Mathetes66]

Jesus had NOTHING to do with magic, sorcery & witchcraft! It is condemned in the Bible. But He DID do miracles & healings & casting out demons from people by the power of the Holy Spirit.

One must remember that Jesus' & the apostles' ministry for three years was in the Middle East only. It spread further into Europe & Asia through Paul's missionary journeys.

Today it is being done but not so as to be noticed as much, much of it in third world countries by missionaries. You might read true stories, for example, at the 'Jesus Film Project' in many third world countries.

Following Jesus (India) -

Jesus Film - and report of miracles

"JESUS" goes to Guatemala .....

THE JESUS FILM PROJECT

Jesus Film Project

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

The Bible has many examples of people other than Jesus doing things that are seeming not possible today. Why is that do you think?

People do the same things today, world wide. It is still sin/ magic/ evil/ transgressions when done by any other spirit or power instead of
in and by and from Yahweh.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

There are many examples of magic that was not evil too? People doing miracle things for good as well. I understand there is some thing like magic in the world now, but it does not seem the same? Good and evil.

I wonder why and when it changed. I have not found an answer in the Bible yet.

COOL! (I REJOICE ) to the Father in Heaven with Christ Jesus
IF
and as YOU SEEK IN THE BIBLE

Truth.

 

[Tone]

The Bible has many examples of people other than Jesus doing things that are seeming not possible today. Why is that do you think?

Any examples?

 

[ViaCrucis]

The Bible has many examples of people other than Jesus doing things that are seeming not possible today. Why is that do you think?

Do you have some examples of what you're referring to? God worked miracles (not magic) through many people, as mentioned in Scripture. But we shouldn't think that these were happening all the time, they are recorded precisely because they are unusual things that served God's particular purposes.

You mention magic, so I have to assume that this isn't what you're referring to. So what are you referring to by "magic" then? Human beings don't have super powers, either in ancient times or today--people are just people, and there's no such thing as magic.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Halbhh]

Jesus Film - and report of miracles

Very nice report! I'd heard some about that, but not all those details! Wonderful.

 

[VMaeLove]

Magic is a general term.

I dont have direct quote right now, but in genesis I read about joseph using a silver cup for divination. I know people claim to see the future today, not sure if it is real or not?
I also remember reading about a curse a priest would put on women to find out if they was not faithful and it would cause their thighs to expand and their stomach to disform... really weird. In numbers I think.

The examples above are good as well about moses, maybe it was just illusion and trick. Seems like weird things happened in that time that does not happen much today. Or in public.

 

[YesMe]

The real magic is a way to control the forces within your body and the forces outside your body, it is said that king Solomon was a master at controlling these forces, if you read some of his writings, you will find many fascinating things, for example, the silver cord, it's like a wire the connects your spirit to your body, when you die, the silver cord is broken.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

See the Biblical context:

What kind of divination did Joseph do in Genesis 44:5, 15? | GotQuestions.org

I dont have direct quote right now, but in genesis I read about joseph using a silver cup for divination.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

The real magic is a way to control the forces within your body and the forces outside your body, it is said that king Solomon was a master at controlling these forces, if you read some of his writings, you will find many fascinating things, for example, the silver cord, it's like a wire the connects your spirit to your body, when you die, the silver cord is broken.

No, I don't think so.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

A test, that Yahweh told them to do when a woman was suspected ....

I also remember reading about a curse a priest would put on women to find out if they was not faithful and it would cause their thighs to expand and their stomach to disform... really weird. In numbers I think.