And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him?
—Rev. 13:4
3973 One Million Americans
Satan worship and all forms of the occult are evident everywhere. It is estimated that there are at least one million Americans who dabble in some form of Black Magic.
In New Jersey, a young man was drowned by a group of his friends at his request, because he believed that a violent end would put him in command of forty legions of demons.
3974 Black Pope Of America
Anton S. La Vey has been called to his delight “America’s Black Pope.” He is the titular head of the First Church of Satan. He openly practices black magic, and says that there is a demon inside man that must be exercised not exorcised. On some campuses, it is reported, the paperback Satanic Bible by Anton La Vey is outselling the Bible.
3975 First Satanic Wedding
In 1967 Anton La Vey of the Church of Satan in San Francisco, performed the first satanic marriage. The newlyweds told reporters their marriage was “conceived not in heaven but in hell.” A nude woman lay upon the altar and guests threw black rice at the couple.
3976 Church of Satan
San Francisco has its Church of Satan. It is located in a middle-class neighborhood, and has a reputation of orgy and mad perversity. It shows interested outsiders a film called “Satanist,” which purportedly reflects the church’s rituals—black-robed men and women conducting a black mass with a nude woman on the altar.
Members proclaim their hate and lust, and the leader, Anton La Vey blesses them, saying, “May all your lustful thoughts reach fruition. Hail Satan!” A trouserless man is flagellated on a coffin lid; then a coffin opens to reveal a nude girl; the man descends into the coffin, and it is closed—or almost closed, for it is now a bit crowded.
Candidates for membership in the Church of Satan are screened by seven black-hooded members in a candle-lit basement decorated with human skulls. The church claims 7,000 fee-paying members. The satanic high priest, La Vey, claims that his religion is one of indulgence and controlled selfishness.
—Christian Victory
3977 Sex Masses In Church
Satan worshipers have broken into churches in Oakland Park, Florida, a half dozen times and performed what police term “sexual black masses.” The liturgical churches have been most frequently hit, but the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church was also vandalized by someone who signed the guest book “Satan.” Following the masses, the participants seemed bent upon wrecking furniture and ornaments in the sanctuary.
—Pastor’s Manual
3978 Vandalizing Churches
Members of a secret teenage fraternity professing devotion to Satan were blamed for four incidents of vandalism at churches in Norman, Oklahoma, during nine months’ time.
Police said the boys were members of a secret fraternity called the “Covenant of the 73rd Demon.” They said members were dedicated to vandalizing local churches to prove their loyalty to the devil.
The incidents included turning crosses upside down, ripping Bibles apart, spilling baptismal water and generally ransacking the church premises. Officers said some property also was stolen.
3979 Baby Looks Middle-Aged
A woman on two occasions subscribed herself to the devil. When she became pregnant in the first year of her marriage she subscribed the unborn child to the devil as well. When the child was born it showed early signs of senility. Today although the child is only eight years old it has already lost a lot of its hair and has developed wrinkles on its face like a woman of 50. The mother herself possesses mediumistic abilities. She has said in a trance that there are four devils in her. She has fits in which she is as strong as a bear.
—Kurt Koch
3980 The Devil’s Code
In the Royal Library at Stockholm is a literary curiosity called the “Devil’s Code.” The story of its origin is as follows:
A poor monk, condemned to death, was told that his sentence would be commuted if he could copy the whole of the code in a single night. His judges knew the task was impossible. But he quickly saw that he could not save his life by his own exertions, and afraid of the cruel and certain death, he invoked the aid of the Prince of Pandemonium, who appeared at the summons, and promised to help the affrighted man if he would surrender his soul. The bond was made, and in the morning the task was completed. Hence the Devil’s Code.
3981 Dr. Faustus’ Wish Came True
Marlowe’s drama, Dr. Faustus, tells the story of the man who sold his soul to the devil, signing the contract with his own blood, in return for which he was to have everything he wants in this life. During the twenty-four years, Faustus had a big time, gratifying every wish for wealth, power, wisdom, and pleasure. He even saw a vision of the famous, or notorious, Helen of Troy, whose beauty sent many men to war and death.
At last the time was up. Still not satisfied, Faustus hoped he may have an eleventh-hour repentance, but it was not to be. As the clock strucked twelve a horde of devils came to carry off the screaming victim.
Alas, many are selling out for much less than Dr. Faustus did.
3982 Willed To The Devil
A Finnish infidel died and left his farm willed to the devil. The courts, after deliberating on such a ridiculous set of circumstances, decided the best way to carry out the wishes of the infidel was to permit the farmland to grow up in weeds and briars, to allow the house and barn to remain unpainted and to rot down, and to permit the soil to erode and wash away. The court said, “The best way to let Satan have it is to do nothing.
—The Bible Friend
See also: Satan ; Rev. 2:24; 9:20.