Psychic Showdown
Intro A recent gallup poll showed that nearly 75% of Americans believe in the paranormal. From psychic healings, to communication with the dead to clairvoyance millions of Americans are turning to psychics and astrologers. I’ll be back in a moment with the prophetic perspective on the psychic showdown. Message Hello, this is Cody Francis with Prophetic Perspectives. The phenomenon that we have seen explode in our time is nothing new. Although astrology, psychics and mediums have come out of woodwork, they have been around for thousands of years. They have left the dingy, dark attics and have developed into a multi-million dollar business blaring on the media and talk shows. Hollywood made everyone in the country familiar with ETs, UFOs, “the sixth sense” and others. Politicians and stars have glamorized contacting the dead and horoscopes and the belief and experimentation continues to grow, especially in the younger generations. As we look at this phenomenon, we are led to ask, Is it an enlightment to society or a blithering curse? Of course, the most important question is, What is the prophetic perspective? What does the Bible say? Today we are going to turn back a couple thousand years ago to a psychic showdown and see what it reveals about this phenomenon today. We will be looking at showdown and countdown of one of the greatest prophetic passages in the Bible. Outline I. The Showdown A. Young man taken captive to Babylon 1. Why study Daniel? a. Jesus said to understand – Matt. 24:15 b. For our time – Dan. 12:4 2. Faithful small tests a. Diet – Dan. 1 b. Faithful least, also much – Luke 16:10 B. Nebuchadnezzar – mysterious dream 1. Awakes & is troubled – Dan. 2:1 2. Calls counselors – Dan. 2:2-4 3. Dream forgotten – Dan. 2:5, 6 4. Sees through scheming – Dan. 2:8, 9 5. Counselors claim unreasonable – Dan. 2:10, 11 C. Showdown – Execute them all – Dan. 2:12 1. Proven unreliable – death to all 2. Daniel comes upon the scene – Dan. 2:13 II. The Countdown A. Countdown for Daniel’s life 1. Asked for time – Dan. 2:16 2. Clock was ticking, no answer first to fall 3. Daniel turned to another source a. King’s counselors looked into the stars, the palms, anywhere else b. Daniel went to the God of heaven – Dan. 2:18 4. Daniel comes to King calm & confident a. Psychic’s totally unable to answer – Dan. 2:27 b. God in heaven foretell secret things – Dan. 2:28 1) Deep & secret things, He can reveal – Dan. 2:22 2) Daniel relates mysterious dream – Dan. 2:31 a) Next week study exactly what this dream means for us b) Don’t miss – for our time! c) Dream is the countdown of history & into eternity B. Bible reveals & psychic showdown, miserably failed 1. Unable to predict past, let alone future 2. Same today a. Guesswork now & then b. Primarily failing again & again c. Makes millions, but not truth 3. Bible repeatedly warns against a. Deut. 18:10-12 – interpreter of omens an abomination b. Isaiah 47:13, 14 – astrologers, stargazers, burn them c. NT – fortuneteller bringing much profit; possessed, Paul cast spirit out d. Isaiah 8:19 – should not a people seek their God C. Bible reveals God of heaven who triumphed unequaled in this showdown 1. Daniel was in deep trouble, as we sometimes are a. Are you in danger? – an answer b. Uncertain about future? – guidance c. In the pickle of your life? – deliverance 2. God in heaven wants to deliver you a. Turn to Him w/all your heart as Daniel did? b. Commit your problem to One who knows & tells the future today?
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