OCCULT VIEW

I consider the Bible to be an occult scripture.  How so?  Isn’t the Bible supposed to be the exact opposite of anything occult?   I could refer to the Kabbalah or the bible code concept.  Christianity has been the inspiration for mysticism of all varieties.   Occultism has strong foundations in Christianity. 

As an example, here are two versions of the tarot card “Judgment”.  Its imagery is clearly taken from the Christian idea of the resurrection of the dead on the Day of Judgment.  Their meaning is not quite that.  The angel at the top could be interpreted as spiritual guidance from Above, or as our own higher self, the part of us connected to the Universe, often called our higher guardian angel.  Whichever, it is calling on us towards the path to enlightenment and becoming one with the Universe.  Of note is that one character at the bottom who has their back turned to us.  This represents our self in the scene, seeking inspiration, face turned toward the event.  This card invites our direct participation. 

However, with the idea of an Occult Bible, I am referring to something else. First is the definition of “occult”.  Occult is defined as dealing with the supernatural, with spiritual agencies, about matters that are beyond human comprehension, and concerning secret and hidden knowledge. Occult literally means, “hidden or concealed”.   That is the Bible from my perspective…dealing with deep spiritual and supernatural concepts in a cryptic, indirect way.

People assume the Bible is clear-cut in how it defines God and the nature of reality.  I personally don’t see it that way.  I see the Bible as mysterious with multiple layers of meaning.  The first glance is often the incorrect glance.  An example could be how Genesis explains the creation in seven days.  This can’t be literal (first glance).   If we look deeper, we see glimpses of the scientific evolution of the universe described in metaphors.  “Let there be light” can be viewed as starting with the Big Bang, and then a step-by-step process of cosmic evolution all the way down to human life…first plants, then sea life, then dinosaurs/birds, then mammals and finally humans.  It is not described as a simultaneous creation.  There might even be metaphors of what existed before the Big Bang…if only cosmologists had an open mind to consider the possibility. 

Which leads to the most occult document of all…the bible’s book of Revelations.  Thoughts of Revelations lead directly to bible prophecy.  Talk about cryptic!  A lot of people have stumbled in trying to understand Revelations.  As a young guy I’d listen to a TV preacher named Charles Taylor discuss his view of biblical prophecy.  Over the years he gave updates, and I recall him putting great importance on the European Union.  He considered how the emerging 10-nation European Economic Union would transform into a 10-nation world power governed by the Antichrist.  Sounded good at the time.  Except now the European Union has 27 states!  Other proponents of Biblical prophecy like Hal Lindsay also laid big eggs.   Nostradamus had a better track record then these modern sages. 

Therefore, I fearlessly jump into where these others sages tread! I will give my two cents on eschatology.  I think the secret of understanding Revelations is in verse 8:8, the “Second Trumpet”.  It states that “something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea”.  Most of Revelations’ plagues that befall mankind sound remarkably like the byproduct of an asteroid hitting the earth producing an extinction level event on par with what caused the extinction of the dinosaurs.  There are vivid verses that visually describe the sky darkened by the debris hurling into the sky and falling down burning much of the planet.  Looked at from this perspective, the verses make chilling sense.  After this disaster will follow the collapse of civilization and all that entails.

When can we expect this to happen?  I sure hope not in my lifetime!  A lot of Christians believe in something called the “rapture”.   This means that before this asteroid slams into the earth, all proper born-again Christians who follow the correct theology will vanish into heaven, leaving behind all the rest of us to endure the end of the world.  “Proper” Christians have nothing to fear and actually look forward to the end of the world. 

Personally, I don’t think God plays favorites.  Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Jews, Catholics, pagans, or agnostics don’t deserve to be “left behind” while right wing Christians get to watch us from heaven while we handle the asteroid collision.  What is up with that theology?   I call it Chicken Theology.  Maybe “end times” preaching is too scary without a rapture? 

I will make my one true prediction concerning bible prophecy and the end of the world.  When that time comes, “proper” Christians will be stuck here on earth with the rest of us.  After the asteroid strikes, some Christians will be watching the event on TV and thinking, ”where the heck was the rapture?”  If the end of the world ever does transpire and we all remain in it together, it will mean that God really does not play favorites, favoring one theology over another.  And I will be proven right!  But I’d really, REALLY prefer not to have that last chance to say, “I told you so”.

Not a good day