Modern Satanism 4: Counterfeit Systems and Luciferian Agendas, The Illuminati, Freemasonry, and False Religious Systems
***Note, This was Written to be Delivered in 2 Segments***
May 11, 2025
Dr. Bradford Reaves
CrossWay Christian Fellowship
Ephesians 5:11-13
11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, (Ephesians 5:11-13)
What if I told you that the most powerful, respectable, deeply embedded systems in our world today are not just broken… they’re spiritually distorted? We’re not just battling bad ideas or dealing with moral decline. We are up against a coordinated, ancient, supernatural agenda — a Luciferian framework hiding in plain sight. And no, this isn’t about putting on a tinfoil hat or binging conspiracy videos on YouTube. I’m talking about real spiritual warfare that walks in the halls of power, culture, religion, and in some cases the Church itself.
As Pastor Billy Crone often says, “If you think the devil’s going to show up in a red suit with horns and a pitchfork, you’re already deceived.”
And Pastor Tom Hughes is right when he says, “The Antichrist system isn’t coming — it’s already being built.”
We’ve been lulled into thinking that Satan only operates in the shadows, when in reality, he’s setting up shop in boardrooms, seminaries, global councils, and religious movements. We think the globalist agenda is sometime in the future, when in reality it is being assembled under our nos es and he’s doing it with a smile, a logo, and sometimes even a steeple.
We are a church that is Awake, Aware, and Awaiting. But you can’t fight what you refuse to face, and you can’t expose what you won’t first recognize. It’s easy to pretend the darkness isn’t there — but that doesn’t make it any less real, especially when it is influencing the American Church. A Beast system is rising. A great delusion is underway. And if the church doesn’t wise up and speak out, we risk blessing what God has already judged. So today, we will obey Ephesians 5 and expose the unfruitful works of darkness — Freemasonry, Illuminati agendas, and counterfeit religions — and we will do it with the Word of God, the light of truth, and hearts that are alert and sober in these final days.
I. The Blueprint of Counterfeit Systems
Before we start naming names—Freemasonry, the Illuminati, Bohemian Grove, or apostate religious movements—we need to understand something crucial: there is a common thread running through all of them. These are not random movements or isolated ideologies. They are different faces of the same ancient rebellion. Behind every counterfeit system is a counterfeit spirit—the spirit of antichrist.
and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. (1 John 4:3)
From Babel to Babylon, from Nimrod to Nero, from the mystery religions of Egypt to modern global elitism, Satan has always sought to mimic God’s Kingdom with a shadow government of his own. Pastor Brandon Holthaus rightly teaches that Satan doesn’t create—he counterfeits.
Tom Hughes would say, “These global systems are not accidental—they are intentional and prophetically aligned.”
And Billy Crone goes further: “These aren’t just corrupt systems. They are spiritually charged machines meant to usher in a final kingdom that replaces Christ with Antichrist.”
So before we dive into specific systems, let’s look at the blueprint—the operating system that ties them all together.
A. Babel – The Original Prototype
Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” (Genesis 11:4)
The Tower of Babel was not just about height — it was a spiritual statement of demonic rebellion. This was the first counterfeit system — one language, one government, one religion, without God. This system was built on human pride, centralized power, and a Luciferian goal of self-exaltation. Nimrod, the founder of Babel, is the first biblical type of the Antichrist — a mighty hunter against the Lord (cf. Genesis 10:8–10). His empire foreshadowed future systems of rebellion.
B. The Statue of Man’s Kingdoms
From the moment Nimrod established Babel, mankind has been on a relentless mission to build its own kingdom without God. Genesis 11 shows us the first united world system — centralized government, defiant spirituality, and technological ambition — all rooted in rebellion. It was Satan’s first attempt at a one-world order through human pride and godless unity. Fast forward to Daniel, and we see the same spirit at work again. The statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream isn’t just a timeline of empires — it’s the unfolding architecture of that same Babylonian rebellion. What began in Babel finds its future in Babylon, its feet in iron and clay, and its fall in the crushing return of Christ.
29 To you, O king, as you lay in bed came thoughts of what would be after this, and he who reveals mysteries made known to you what is to be. 30 But as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your mind. 31 “You saw, O king, and behold, a great image. This image, mighty and of exceeding brightness, stood before you, and its appearance was frightening. 32 The head of this image was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its middle and thighs of bronze, 33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. 34 As you looked, a stone was cut out by no human hand, and it struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold, all together were broken in pieces, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, so that not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.
Daniel’s vision outlines four successive empires: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. Each is a world-dominating system, culminating in ten toes (revived empire) foreshadowing of the Beast system of Revelation. These kingdoms look glorious on the outside but are d destined for destruction by the stone not cut by human hands (Christ).
So what does Daniel’s vision have to do with luciferian systems? Everything. Daniel’s statue wasn’t just about ancient empires. It was a prophetic blueprint of Satan’s global strategy culminating in a system that Revelation calls the Beast. Each empire represented a counterfeit kingdom built on conquest, pride, and rebellion against God. They were the best man could build — and they all collapsed. The ten toes represent a revived global order, a coalition of powers that will give rise to the Antichrist. We are watching the full infrastructure of that system being built in real time as it has been assembled for many decades.
• Global government agendas
• Transhumanist ambitions
• Economic surveillance
• Spiritual rebellion parading as progress
Today’s movements that promise liberation, identity, and power, but deliver bondage, confusion, and destruction. This matters because the same satanic spirit that powered Babylon and Rome is the same spirit behind today’s ideologies — media manipulation, cultural perversion, political corruption, spiritual deception. We’re not just battling modern problems — we are confronting an ancient principality disguised in new packaging on a global scale. Remember, Christ will shatter the entire system and establish a Kingdom that will never be destroyed. Until then, we expose the system, stand for truth, and prepare the way.
C. Mystery Babylon – Religion + Commerce + Control
4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. 5 And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.” 6 And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. When I saw her, I marveled greatly. (Revelation 17:4–6)
Mystery Babylon is not just a city—it’s a spiritual system of False religion (Rev. 17), Economic control (Rev. 18), and Political manipulation (Rev. 13). This is Babel 2.0 — the final form of rebellion before Christ returns and it will be fueled by the man-made power of quantum AI that is being put into service right now.
D. The Mystery of Lawlessness
7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. (2 Thessalonians 2:7)
Satan doesn’t invent new schemes—he rebrands old ones. From the days of Nimrod to Nebuchadnezzar, Caesar to globalist Luciferians today (yes, they do call themselves Luciferians) the goal is always the same: Global control, Spiritual deception, and Worship of self over submission to God.
Why talk about ancient towers, prophetic beasts, and mystery religions in 2025? Because these aren’t just stories in your Bible. They’re demonic strategies playing out in real time right before our eyes and once to begin to understand how they’ve been getting set up under the guise of religion, you won’t be able to unsee it.
The same spirit that stirred Babel is working in boardrooms, pulpits, capitol buildings, and now also digital platforms. This isn’t history—it’s headlines. And if the Church doesn’t wake up, we’ll mistake the emerging Beast system for benevolence, and Babylon’s lies for light. Many already have! You see, the reason I’m preaching this is simple: God is calling His for His people to discernment and to come out from among them. (Revelation 18:4) If we don’t understand the enemy’s architecture, we’ll accidentally participate in what God is preparing to judge. And it starts closer than you think. One of the most globally influential counterfeit systems—respected in business, charity, and even some churches—is something many write off as harmless tradition, Free Masonry.
II. FREEMASONRY – THE RELIGION OF LUCIFER IN DISGUISE
Freemasonry presents itself as harmless — a gentlemen’s club, a moral society, a philanthropic brotherhood of tradesmen. It shows up in parades, charity drives, and community service events. But what most don’t realize is that beneath the handshake and apron lies a spiritual system steeped in secrecy, symbols, and satanism.
As Pastor Billy Crone warns: “Freemasonry is not just a club — it is a religion. And not just any religion [it is] a Luciferian one that blasphemes Christ, rewrites truth, and seduces men through pride and secrecy.” The truth is, Freemasonry has quietly influenced world governments, judicial systems, and even seminaries — all while claiming moral neutrality. But the Bible is clear: “What fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?” (2 Cor 6:14). If you peel back the Masonic curtain, you don’t find Jesus — you find overt satanic worship at it’s deepest and darkest levels.
A. Albert Pike’s Writings – Lucifer as Light-Bearer
Albert Pike, the only Confederate general honored with a statue in Washington D.C. (until it was torn down in 2020), was also the Sovereign Grand Commander of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in the 19th century. In his magnum opus Morals and Dogma (1871), Pike wrote: “Lucifer, the Light-bearer! Strange and mysterious name to give to the Spirit of Darkness! Lucifer, the Son of the Morning! Is it he who bears the Light…? Doubt it not!” — Albert Pike, Morals and Dogma, p. 321
B. 33rd Degree Oath – Swearing to Secret Darkness
In the 33rd degree initiation rite (Scottish Rite), a Mason swears an oath that includes allegiance to secrecy above all else, even above civil law or religious obligation. The ritual includes this chilling phrase: “The mysteries of Masonry are to be kept under penalty of having my body severed and buried… should I ever reveal the secrets entrusted to me.” This grotesque oath, paired with secrecy and blood symbolism, has no place in Christian conduct (Matthew 5:37). The deeper you go in Freemasonry, the further the rituals lean into dark mimicry of Christian sacraments and pagan initiation rites, including elements of death, rebirth, and hidden illumination.
C. Masonic Altars – The Absence of Christ
Freemasonry claims to be a universal brotherhood that allows men of all faiths. However, the name of Jesus is strictly prohibited in Masonic prayers and rituals. When Scripture is used, it is often the KJV — but the Bible is placed on an altar next to the Quran, Hindu Vedas, or other “sacred texts” depending on the member’s background. This rejection of the exclusivity of Christ (John 14:6) reveals that Masonry at its core is a syncretistic, anti-Christ system. It offers spiritualism without submission to the Lordship of Jesus.
Recently, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Freemasonry is leading a vital struggle for the benefit of humanity. Speaking at the Grande Loge de France in Paris, Macron remarked that the Freemasons' insignia has long been the focus of conspiracy theories. Macron encouraged Freemasons to take pride in their support for the euthanasia bill, calling it “the battle that matters.”
D. In United States Symbols
Many people don’t realize how deeply Freemasonry is woven into the fabric of our nation’s capital. George Washington himself was a high-ranking Freemason, and his influence — along with that of other Masonic Founding Fathers — is etched into the very layout and architecture of Washington, D.C. The street grid forms Masonic symbols, including the square and compass, pentagrams, and even alignments with celestial events — all deliberate.
Perhaps the most striking example is found inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda — a fresco titled “The Apotheosis of Washington.” The word apotheosis means “to elevate to divine status.” In that image, Washington is literally portrayed as a god, ascending into heaven, surrounded by Roman deities. It’s not patriotic — it’s blasphemous. This isn’t just symbolism. This reflects the core of Masonic belief — not the worship of Jesus Christ, but of man becoming divine. It’s Luciferian at its root, echoing Satan’s original lie in Eden: “You will be like God.”
E. Key Doctrines and Practices (Exposed):
1. The “Great Architect of the Universe” (GAOTU)
Sounds neutral, but Freemasonry denies the exclusivity of Jesus Christ. Any “deity” will do — Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, or Christian. This is spiritual universalism, not biblical faith.
2. The Lodge Bible
Masons place their hands on Scripture, but it is equal to the Qur’an, Vedas, or any “Volume of Sacred Law.” Blatant syncretism condemned by Deuteronomy 13:1–5.
3. Initiation Rites and Oaths
Blindfolded initiation resembles occult rituals. Masons take blood oaths under penalty of death if secrets are revealed. Jesus said in Matthew 5:37, “Let your yes be yes…” — swearing secret oaths is demonic in origin (cf. James 5:12).
4. Worship of Lucifer (Advanced Levels)
Albert Pike, in Morals and Dogma: “Lucifer, the Light Bearer… doubt it not!” Pike is a revered figure in Scottish Rite Masonry — his statue stood in Washington, D.C., until 2020. 33rd-degree Masons are taught that Lucifer is a source of enlightenment — just like the Serpent in Eden.
F. Symbolism Everywhere
All-seeing eye, compass and square, pillars of Boaz and Jachin — all lifted from occult Kabbalah, Egyptian mysticism, and gnostic traditions. Many of these appear in U.S. government buildings, currency, and architecture, even in the street layout of our nation’s capitol.
Billy Crone: “Freemasonry has done more to infiltrate Christianity from the inside than most cults have done from the outside.”
Freemasonry replaces the Gospel with good works, universalism, and secrecy. It blasphemes Christ by equating Him with pagan gods. It draws men in with pride, secrecy, and the promise of “illumination.” It promotes a religious counterfeit system that fits perfectly into the architecture of Mystery Babylon.
21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. (1 Corinthians 10:21)
Freemasonry is not just a relic of the past. It is a living monument to Lucifer’s oldest lie: that you can ascend without God. And while Freemasonry may appear polished and polite, the deeper you go, the more you find a dark spiritual undercurrent pulling men away from truth. But Freemasonry is just one branch of the counterfeit tree. Coming next: we expose a more shadowy system, whispered about in documentaries and dismissed by the media—the Illuminati and Bohemian Grove—where the elites gather, not just to govern, but to worship.
III. THE ILLUMINATI – THE ELITE’S DARK RELIGION
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” (Psalm 2:2–3)
1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk.” (Revelation 17:1–2)
The Illuminati isn’t just a meme. It’s the blueprint of Satan’s elite-level deception — a secretive network of world influencers driven by ancient occult power, not just politics.
Tom Hughes says, “What the Bible calls Babylon, the world calls progress.” Bohemian Grove isn’t satire it’s a real place where U.S. presidents and global power brokers gather to perform occult rituals under a 40-foot owl named Molech. (Yes, that Molech — the child-sacrifice god of the Old Testament.) The question isn’t, “Is this real?”
A. From Enlightenment Rebellion to Modern Control
The Illuminati originated in 1776 under Adam Weishaupt, a Bavarian professor who sought to liberate society from religious and moral constraints, especially biblical Christianity. It was a movement of radical enlightenment, promoting human reason over divine revelation, self-deification over submission, and global unity through elite governance. Though disbanded publicly by 1785, the philosophy never died—it evolved, went underground, and infiltrated institutions instead of fighting them directly.
Weishaupt’s stated goals were not just philosophical—they were tactical: infiltrate education, media, governments, and even religious systems to subtly shift worldviews. His model was Gnostic at its core—promising “hidden knowledge” for the elite few, while keeping the masses docile through entertainment, consumerism, and misinformation.
Fast-forward to today, and you don’t need a secret handshake to see its fingerprints. The idea of an “Illuminati” is often dismissed as fringe or conspiracy, but that’s exactly how Satan operates—through deception and ridicule. The reality is, there are global elites—in politics, media, finance, and technology—who share the same anti-God, pro-self agenda the Illuminati first codified.
Hollywood elites and music industry icons regularly reference “selling their souls,” use occult symbols, and promote themes of anti-authority, hyper-sexualization, and personal divinity—all rooted in Illuminist thinking.
Technocrats at the World Economic Forum and leaders like Yuval Noah Harari openly speak of replacing God with algorithms and reshaping humanity through transhumanism and surveillance capitalism.
In government, calls for a “New World Order” are no longer whispered—they’re declared from global stages. Leaders from the UN, IMF, and even some within the U.S. political establishment champion a world governed not by sovereign nations, but by centralized systems of control.
Freemasonry, once a fraternal order, overlaps ideologically with Illuminati thought—using spiritual language but denying Christ’s lordship, promoting enlightenment through works rather than grace.
So is there a shadowy council in a dark room pulling all the strings? Maybe not. But is there a spiritual and ideological system—empowered by principalities and powers (Ephesians 6:12)—that is intentionally working to undermine God’s truth and deceive the nations? Absolutely. And that’s the point. Satan doesn’t care if people think the Illuminati is real or not—he only cares that its goals are accomplished: Replace God. Exalt man. Control minds. Enslave souls.
The Illuminati’s influence didn’t end with Adam Weishaupt—it morphed and rebranded through other elite societies. One of the most infamous today is Skull and Bones, founded in 1832 at Yale University. This society has long been shrouded in secrecy, but its influence is very public.
Presidents, Supreme Court justices, intelligence leaders, and Wall Street moguls have all emerged from its ranks—including George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, and John Kerry—all of whom have been notoriously tight-lipped about their membership. What happens in the “Tomb” (their windowless headquarters) stays hidden. But the agenda is clear: form a tight-knit power structure of globalist elites trained to steer the direction of finance, policy, media, and diplomacy.
B. The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)
Influential in shaping foreign policy and economic integration with a one-world framework. Their office was moved to just down the street in Washington DC from the
At a CFR event in 2009, then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made this statement: (video) “I am delighted to be here in these new headquarters. I have been often to the mother ship in New York City, but it’s good to have an outpost of the Council right here down the street from the State Department. We get a lot of advice from the Council, so this will mean I won’t have as far to go to be told what we should be doing and how we should think about the future.”
Joe Biden, speaking at a CFR event in 2017, recalled a time during the Obama administration when he said: “I asked President Obama, ‘Who should I go to for advice on this?’ and he said, ‘Go to the Council.’” This reinforced perceptions that CFR serves as a central hub for foreign policy consensus-building in Washington.
In 2013, a video surfaced where then-Vice President Joe Biden, speaking at a Council on Foreign Relations event, joked, “I work for Richard [Haass, then-president of CFR]. We get our orders from the CFR.” While possibly tongue-in-cheek, it underscores what many insiders and analysts have warned for decades: real power often lies not in elected halls but in unelected rooms.
The CFR, which has advised every president since FDR, drafts foreign policy white papers that become U.S. strategy. And yet, most Americans have no idea who they are. When unelected global elites determine policy behind closed doors, we should remember the words of Revelation 17:13: “These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast.”
This is not just political—this is spiritual warfare. And the Church must not remain silent as the architecture of global control takes shape.
C. Bohemian Grove: Rituals of the Elite
Location: California redwoods. Attendees: U.S. presidents, world bankers, tech moguls like the Bushes, Colin Powell, Dick Cheney, Peter Thiel, Jeff Bezos, and many in the WEF. While Bohemian Grove is primarily a playground for political, financial, and military elites, there have been notable Hollywood figures involved, especially as entertainment providers, insiders, or fringe members of the elite social web. It’s not the Oscars—it’s more like a covert globalist campout with pagan undertones. That includes, George Clooney, Oprah Winfrey, Jay-Z, Beyonce, and Lady Gaga who are also known for their frequent use of occult symbolism in their entertainment.
Ritual: “The Cremation of Care” — mock child sacrifice to a 40-foot idol of Molech (Leviticus 18:21).
Pastor Billy Crone: “They’re not playing dress-up. They’re invoking powers.” There is often Public denial, private obsession — symbols on currency (all-seeing eye, unfinished pyramid). Frequent themes in Hollywood, music industry, awards shows (ritualistic imagery, masked ceremonies).
Secret societies like Skull and Bones recruit future leaders at the college level. Brandon Holthaus: “This is Revelation-level deception cloaked in entertainment.” You’re not crazy for noticing the symbols, the secrecy, the synchronized lies. These aren’t disconnected dots — they’re nodes in a spiritual network designed to deceive the world into worshiping the Beast.
But what if the most dangerous system of all… isn’t hidden? What if it’s right on your Christian bookstore shelf, broadcast from pulpits, and trending on Instagram?
Yes, there are long-standing claims and theories that link the Illuminati to the Federal Reserve, though these connections are not proven through official documentation but rather arise from patterns of influence, secrecy, and the centralized control of global finance. Here’s a concise breakdown of the perceived connections:
D. The Illuminati and Control of Global Finance
The original Illuminati, founded in 1776 by Adam Weishaupt, had a stated goal: to dismantle monarchies and religious institutions, and to gain influence through infiltration—especially of institutions like governments, banks, and educational systems. Many conspiracy researchers believe that although the historical Illuminati was disbanded, its ideals persist through secret societies and elite networks—especially those involved in international finance.
Central Banking and One-World Currency
Illuminati-related theories often cite the goal of a one-world government and economy, and controlling the world’s reserve currency is a major step. The Federal Reserve, by controlling the U.S. dollar—used in over 60% of global transactions—has been viewed as a global puppet master. Critics argue this system allows for engineered recessions, wealth redistribution to elites, and financial dependency—all features compatible with Illuminati-like goals.
Creation of the Federal Reserve (1913)
The Federal Reserve System was established through the Federal Reserve Act of 1913, passed quietly two days before Christmas with minimal congressional oversight. Critics point to this as a deeply shadowy move, made under the influence of banking elites. Here’s where the connections deepen:
Jekyll Island Meeting (1910): A secret gathering of the most powerful bankers and financiers—Paul Warburg (Kuhn, Loeb & Co.), J.P. Morgan associates, and others—crafted the plan that would become the Federal Reserve. Warburg, notably, was a Rothschild associate, and the Rothschilds are frequently tied to Illuminati theories due to their massive influence on global finance.
The Federal Reserve is not a government agency; it’s a private banking system with government oversight. This unique structure has fueled the belief that it operates with unaccountable control over U.S. monetary policy—an Illuminati-like concept of centralized unseen power.
IV. FALSE RELIGIOUS SYSTEMS – THE GREAT DECEPTION IN THE CHURCH
3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God…. 9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, 9-12)
Now we’ve seen how Satan builds the system — through Freemasonry, secret societies, political elites, and media-driven deception. But here’s the chilling truth: all of it was meant to culminate in one final front — the pulpit. Satan’s goal isn’t just to rule the nations. He wants to rule religion.
Tom Hughes says, “The Antichrist doesn’t just come with an army. He comes with a message — and the world’s going to think it’s godly.”
And as Billy Crone warns, “The most dangerous place for deception isn’t the government—it’s the church that refuses to preach truth.”
A. NAR – The New Apostolic Reformation
The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) is not just another flavor of charismatic Christianity — it’s a counterfeit movement with dangerous theological foundations. At its core, NAR teaches that modern-day apostles and prophets hold ongoing, authoritative revelation equal to or above Scripture. These self-appointed leaders claim divine strategies to transform society, take dominion over the seven “mountains” (government, media, education, etc.), and usher in a global Christian utopia before Christ returns. But here’s the danger: it’s the exact opposite of biblical prophecy. The Bible warns of a great falling away (2 Thess. 2:3), not a global Christian takeover. NAR replaces sound doctrine with emotional hype, repentance with personal empowerment, and the Gospel of Christ with a gospel of glory, power, and signs. As Pastor Brandon Holthaus puts it, “NAR doesn’t prepare people for persecution or deception — it sets them up for it.” And that’s precisely why this movement is spiritually toxic: it primes millions to follow a false christ, expecting revival and dominion, but receiving delusion instead.
9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, (2 Thessalonians 2:9)
B. Kingdom Now / Dominion Theology
Kingdom Now theology teaches that the Church will establish God’s kingdom on earth before Jesus returns — taking dominion over politics, media, education, and culture to “prepare the world” for Christ. It sounds bold and victorious, but it’s biblically backwards. Scripture makes it clear: Jesus doesn’t return after we fix the world — He returns to judge it (Revelation 19). Kingdom Now doctrine ignores the reality of the Tribulation, denies the rise of the Antichrist, and erases the urgency of the Rapture and Second Coming. As Tom Hughes says, “Kingdom Now is the spiritual anesthesia that puts the Church to sleep while the Beast system rises.” This theology shifts focus from evangelism to activism, from watching for Christ to working for power. But here’s the danger: if you’re expecting Jesus to walk through the front door of a Christianized government, you might just fall for the Antichrist when he does instead. Kingdom Now sets the stage for believers to be deceived by the wrong kingdom with the wrong king.
C. Gnosticism (Ancient Lie, Modern Mask)
Gnosticism is the old serpent in a new suit — the belief that salvation or spiritual power comes through secret knowledge, hidden revelation, or mystical experiences. It denies the sufficiency of Christ and elevates spiritual elitism: “We have access to deeper truths that others don’t.” Today, Gnosticism sneaks into the Church through **inner healing cults, “soaking” prayer movements, new age-style Christianity, and even hyper-charismatic influencers who claim to visit heaven, talk with angels, or release “new mantles” from God. But Scripture is clear: “The secret things belong to the Lord” (Deut. 29:29) and the true Gospel is public, clear, and anchored in the Word. Pastor Brandon Holthaus warns, “Gnosticism teaches people to chase experiences instead of Christ, and it leads to demonic deception dressed as divine insight.” This movement undermines the authority of Scripture, divides the Church between “haves” and “have-nots,” and opens the door to doctrines of demons (1 Tim. 4:1) — all while claiming to be led by the Spirit. It’s not deeper truth — it’s deeper deception.
4. Preterism – The Prophetic Bypass
Preterism teaches that most—if not all—of biblical prophecy, including the events of Revelation and Matthew 24, was fulfilled in 70 A.D. with the destruction of the Jerusalem temple. On the surface, it may sound academic or harmless, but it carries devastating spiritual consequences. It strips away the future return of Christ in glory, minimizes the Antichrist, and neuters the prophetic voice of the Church in the last days. Preterism turns the book of Revelation into an outdated war report instead of a divine roadmap for the end times. As Brandon Holthaus boldly warns, “Preterism is the theological sedative Satan uses to silence watchmen and blind the Bride.” It tells believers there’s nothing to watch for, nothing to warn about, and nothing left to fulfill. But Jesus didn’t say, “Look back.” He said, “Watch!” (Mark 13:37). Preterism removes the urgency of the hour, dulls discernment, and leaves Christians spiritually asleep—exactly where the enemy wants them as the Beast system rises around them.
Brandon Holthaus: “Preterism is the theological anesthesia the enemy uses to put the Church to sleep.”
These systems blur the line between truth and lies, Christ and Antichrist, God’s Kingdom and Babylon’s empire. They replace repentance with relevance, sound doctrine with showmanship, and Scripture with slogans. And worst of all, they claim to speak for God while preparing people to follow the Beast.
5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. (2 Timothy 3:5)
The Illuminati doesn’t need to break down the church doors — they’ve been quietly installing false doctrine through compromised pulpits, celebrity pastors, and seductive spirituality for years. We are watching Mystery Babylon move into the sanctuary. False light is flooding the Church, and it’s preparing people — not for Christ — but for Antichrist.
Freemasonry, the Illuminati, Kingdom Now theology, the NAR, Gnosticism, Preterism — they may look different, sound different, and operate in different arenas, but they all serve the same agenda: to build a kingdom without the King. Each of these systems twists truth, elevates man, and subtly (or blatantly) dethrones Christ. From secret societies to stadium revivals, from elitist councils to celebrity preachers — the same ancient whisper echoes: “You will be like God” and that is the spirit of Antichrist.
These aren’t just false ideas — they are spiritual strongholds. They don’t just confuse the world — they are infiltrating the Church. And if we don’t stand firm on the Word of God, we risk being swept up in the great delusion that is already forming around us.
So I ask you today: Which kingdom are you living for? Have you been caught up in religious hype instead of humble obedience? Have you placed your hope in a better world, instead of a returning King? Have you been numbed by comfort, distracted by culture, or deceived by voices that sound spiritual but lead away from Scripture?
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27)
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23)
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)
Come out of Babylon, my people. That’s the call of Revelation 18:4. Come out of mixture. Come out of deception. Come out of systems built on pride, power, and performance.
Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; (Revelation 18:4)
Come home to the One who was pierced for your rebellion, who was crushed for your iniquity, who is coming again — not on a donkey, but on a white horse, with eyes of fire and a crown of many crowns. He is not coming to negotiate — He is coming to reign.
This is your moment. Not tomorrow. Not later. Now. Come out of the darkness. Drop the lies. Lay down the shame. Step out of Babylon and into the arms of the Savior who bled for you. There is still room at the cross. There is still victory in His name. But make no mistake — the counterfeit is rising. The hour is late. The deception is thick.
