It All Started With A Deck of Cards
Posted 02-02-2015 at 09:31 AM by NT Fellowship
Born into military families with nominal Christian influence, my wife and I thought a friendly game of Cribbage or Lee Rummy (our own version of wild-card Rummy) was good clean fun. Little did we realize we were using ancient tools of divination!
Originating in Persia and Egypt, the playing card was first claimed by the wealthy, who could afford the individually-painted cards. Cards depicted key rulers of the time, symbols of fortune and lettering from pagan cultures. The deck produced today by modern card companies was designed by French artists during The Holy Roman German Empire. During the 1400’s the kingdom of Germany (which ruled over England and Holland) united with the empire of Egypt (which ruled over Spain and Italy). Two suits from each domain were chosen: Hearts and Spades from Germany, and Diamonds and Clubs from Egypt. Uses for the deck of cards include(d) secret messages, military strategy foretelling, financial and romantic alliances, a religious rosary, and, of course, gambling. Hardly the makings of Christian entertainment!
Playing cards, just like the Tarot, are still used for fortune-telling. Witches and psychics do not have to stretch to use the simple playing card; as its meanings are already provided.
When we threw out the deck, it provoked other research. Dice and Dominoes are also ancient tools of divination, as well as the Egyptian game Mancala. Out they went!
“But I’m not using them for witchcraft!”, someone objects.
Friend, do we take what was created for evil, is still used for evil, and then say we can use it for good, expecting God’s blessing? He does not give us that option, but commands us to be rid of it!
Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them (Jer 10:2). ...Neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times (Lev 19:26). There shall not be found among you*any one*that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire,*or*that useth divination,*or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things*are*an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God. For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so*to do (Deu 18:10-14). Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Gal 5:19-21). But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death (Rev 21:8).
Originating in Persia and Egypt, the playing card was first claimed by the wealthy, who could afford the individually-painted cards. Cards depicted key rulers of the time, symbols of fortune and lettering from pagan cultures. The deck produced today by modern card companies was designed by French artists during The Holy Roman German Empire. During the 1400’s the kingdom of Germany (which ruled over England and Holland) united with the empire of Egypt (which ruled over Spain and Italy). Two suits from each domain were chosen: Hearts and Spades from Germany, and Diamonds and Clubs from Egypt. Uses for the deck of cards include(d) secret messages, military strategy foretelling, financial and romantic alliances, a religious rosary, and, of course, gambling. Hardly the makings of Christian entertainment!
Playing cards, just like the Tarot, are still used for fortune-telling. Witches and psychics do not have to stretch to use the simple playing card; as its meanings are already provided.
When we threw out the deck, it provoked other research. Dice and Dominoes are also ancient tools of divination, as well as the Egyptian game Mancala. Out they went!
“But I’m not using them for witchcraft!”, someone objects.
Friend, do we take what was created for evil, is still used for evil, and then say we can use it for good, expecting God’s blessing? He does not give us that option, but commands us to be rid of it!
Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them (Jer 10:2). ...Neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times (Lev 19:26). There shall not be found among you*any one*that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire,*or*that useth divination,*or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things*are*an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God. For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so*to do (Deu 18:10-14). Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Gal 5:19-21). But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death (Rev 21:8).
Total Comments 0
