Royalty and Ruin

Modern Satanic Forms of Worship

People today may not bow to heathen gods, yet thousands are worshiping at Satan’s shrine as surely as did the king of Israel. The spirit of idol worship is everywhere, although it has taken forms that are more refined and attractive than when Ahaziah sent messengers to the god of Ekron. Faith in the sure word of prophecy is decreasing, and in its place superstition and satanic witchery are captivating the minds of many. The mysteries of heathen worship are replaced by the dark arts and wonders of spiritistic mediums. Thousands who refuse to accept light from God’s Word welcome the disclosures of these mediums. Many who shrink from the thought of consulting spirit mediums are attracted by more pleasing forms of spiritism. Others are led astray by Christian Science and by the mysticism of Theosophy and other Oriental religions. RR 75.4

The apostles of nearly all forms of spiritism claim to have power to heal. And many people go to these healers instead of trusting in the living God and the skill of well-qualified physicians. The mother, watching by the sickbed of her child, exclaims, “Is there no physician who has power to restore my child?” Someone tells her about the cures performed by some psychic, and she trusts her dear one to his charge, placing the child as surely in the hand of Satan as if he were standing by her side. In many cases the future life of the child is controlled by a satanic power. RR 75.5

God had reason to be displeased at Ahaziah’s unfaithfulness. What had He not done to inspire Israel with confidence in Himself? Yet now the king of Israel, turning to ask for help from the worst enemy of his people, proclaimed to the heathen that he had more confidence in their idols than in the God of heaven. Men and women dishonor Him when they turn from the Source of strength and wisdom to ask help or counsel from the powers of darkness. RR 75.6

Those who give themselves up to the sorcery of Satan may boast of receiving great benefit, but does this prove that their course is wise or safe? What if life is prolonged? What if they do secure temporal gain? In the end, will it pay to disregard the will of God? All such apparent gain will prove at last to be a complete loss. RR 76.1

Ahaziah was followed as king by Jehoram, his brother, who reigned for twelve years. Throughout these years Jezebel was still living and continued to exercise her evil influence over the nation. Jehoram “did evil in the sight of the Lord, but not like his father and mother; for he put away the sacred pillar of Baal that his father had made. Nevertheless he persisted in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who had made Israel sin; he did not depart from them.” 2 Kings 3:2, 3. RR 76.2

During Jehoram’s reign over Israel Jehoshaphat died, and his son, also named Jehoram, ascended the throne of Judah. By his marriage with the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, Jehoram of Judah was closely connected with the king of Israel and followed after Baal “just as the house of Ahab had done.” “Moreover he ... caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit harlotry, and led Judah astray.” 2 Chronicles 21:6, 11. RR 76.3

God did not permit the king of Judah to continue his terrible apostasy without rebuke. The prophet Elijah could not remain silent while Judah was following the same course that had brought the northern kingdom nearly to ruin. The prophet sent Jehoram of Judah a written communication, in which the wicked king read the awful words: RR 76.4

“Thus says the Lord God of your father David: Because you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father, ... but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and have made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the harlot, ... and also have killed your brothers, those of your father’s household, who were better than yourself, behold, the Lord will strike your people with a serious affliction—your children, your wives, and all your possessions; and you will become very sick.” RR 76.5

In fulfillment of this prophecy “the Lord stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines and the Arabians. ... And they ... carried away all the possessions that were found in the king’s house, and also his sons and his wives, so that there was not a son left to him except Jehoahaz [Ahaziah, Azariah], the youngest of his sons. RR 76.6

“After all this the Lord struck him in his intestines with an incurable disease. Then it happened in the course of time, after the end of two years, ... he died in severe pain.” “Then Ahaziah [Jehoahaz] his son reigned in his place.” Verses 12-19; 2 Kings 8:24. RR 76.7

Ahaziah ruled only one year, and during this time, influenced by his mother Athaliah, who “advised him to do wickedly,” “he did evil in the sight of the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 22:3, 4. Jezebel, his grandmother, was still living, and he allied himself boldly with Jehoram of Israel, his uncle. RR 77.1

The surviving members of the house of Ahab were indeed “his counselors, to his ruin.” 2 Chronicles 22:4, NRSV. While Ahaziah was visiting his uncle at Jezreel, God directed the prophet Elisha to send one of the sons of the prophets to Ramoth Gilead to anoint Jehu king of Israel. At that time the combined forces of Judah and Israel were engaged in a military campaign against the Syrians. Jehoram had been wounded in battle and had returned to Jezreel, leaving Jehu in charge of the armies. The messenger of Elisha solemnly gave Jehu a special commission from heaven: “You shall strike down the house of Ahab your master, that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the Lord. ... For the whole house of Ahab shall perish.” 2 Kings 9:6-8. RR 77.2