Legion is a legion of lies

A new movie is released this month called Legion. "After God loses faith in humanity, the archangel Michael is the only one standing between mankind and the apocalypse. This time using angels as the act of Biblical judgment, God's wrath descends on Earth to exterminate the world's population. In a desperate, last-chance gambit, Michael leads a group of strangers to a small New Mexico diner to protect a young waitress who may be pregnant with Christ in his second coming."

Another synopsis says: "An out-of-the-way diner becomes the unlikely battleground for the survival of the human race. When God loses faith in humankind, he sends his legion of angels to bring on the Apocalypse. Humanity's only hope lies in a group of strangers trapped in a desert diner with the Archangel Michael."

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. (1 Tim 4:1 NIV) What better demonic doctrine than one that teaches that God abandons humanity? That the holy angels rebel against God? That Christ is being born again, as if the first time didn't take? That God would kill His own child? That an angel needs to correct God's poor decision?

Not surprisingly, the director doesn't believe in satan and doesn't believe in hell. But it is equally obvious that satan believes in him.

Michael is mentioned five times in the bible. He gave a message to Daniel (Daniel 10:13,21;12:1). He contends with the devil (Jude 1:9). He fights with the dragon (Revelation 12:7). But these five verses tell us much about the character of the angel Michael. In the Daniel verses, Michael reveals that he is the chief of princes, that he fights the invisible principalities and that despite being a chief prince of God, he can be delayed by strong demons.

In Jude we learn that although Michael is an archangel (archaggelos or chief angel) he so fully submits to God that he refuses even to utter a direct word of rebuke against satan.

In Revelation we see that Michael fights satan in satan's rebellion against God's holy kingdom. It is Michael that prevailed for God, and satan is fallen down out of heaven, forever.

In "Legion", however, the Word is perverted. There are names we are familiar with; God, Michael, Gabriel, but they are corrupted from the truth to a lie. In one exchange, Michael and Gabriel are talking,

"Michael: I knew He'd send you, Gabriel. You were always so eager to please Him."  Gabriel: "Unlike you... the rebellious son."

In fact, the rebellious angel is Lucifer, not Michael. (Isaiah 14:12-15) The fallen angels (and demons and vampires) are not heroes. And Michael certainly isn't fallen. He is a loyal servant of God till the end (Rev 12).

It is interesting the movie creators chose the name legion. Legion is also in the bible referenced in context of demons in Mark 5:9  "And He was asking him, "What is your name?" And he said to Him, "My name is Legion; for we are many." How many? A Roman Legion was upwards of 6000 men. However in the movie the bible is turned upside down again. 'Fallen angel' Michael, is disobeying God but for good reasons, which makes it OK. He is 'saving' us humans whom God has 'lost faith' in. Michael battles the 'legion of death' (God's holy angels) who are coming to earth (obeying God's will) to exterminate humanity (cleanse the world of sin) by executing God's wrath (poor decision on God's part.) The good angels doing God's will are the bad guys and the rebelling angel (Michael) is the good guy. See? Bible perverted again.

These kind of movies invariably have the phrase somewhere in the trailer or the tagline "our only hope" as in our only hope being something other than Jesus - which is yet another doctrine of demons. But the truth is Psalm 62:5 "My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him." Mature Christians know that apart from Jesus there is no hope. But these movies are not targeted to mature Christian adults. 

These many movies, books, and tv programs pollute the youth. This is no accident. While young adults are the movie industry's best customers and those under 30 make up the majority of the target demographic, not coincidentally, church youth are the most at-risk of apostasy. They are leaving the church in droves. A major study by American Research Group found that nearly 40 percent of the surveyed twentysomethings first had doubts about the Bible in middle school. Another 43.7 percent said they first doubted that all of the accounts and stories in the Bible are true during their high school years. Media that continually hammer falsity into our youths' hearts and minds are cementing the doubts that satan germinates. Who can withstand such a constant onslaught? The sad proof is that our youth cannot and are not.

Ken Ham and Britt Beemer wrote a book based on that research, "Already Gone: Why your kids will quit church and what you can do to stop it," finds church youth already are "lost" in their hearts and minds in middle and high school – not in college as many assume. The hemorrhaging from church is by youths who have regularly attended church and Sunday School all their lives. Satan will "deceive even the elect if possible." (Mt 24:24). It not coincidence that the movie battleground is being fought through the field of youth, who are going to these demonic movies in droves. Who can fail to be swayed by what they see and what they hear over and over and over and over... "A lie told often enough becomes the truth." Demons are good. Vampires are misunderstood. The bible was written by men. Our only hope lies in global warming/men/working together...

What can you do? If you are a parent then do not allow your teens to see these movies or tv programs. If they are young adults, then have a talk with them about the implications of allowing doctrines of demons into their mind. If you are a Youth Pastor then you are undoubtedly aware of the treacherousness of today's culture and its poisonous effects on youth. We all can pray, and we should be doing that. We know that there is a battle going on, and our youth are in satan's cross-hairs.

Meanwhile, also slated for release this month, is The Book of Eli, "A post-apocalyptic tale, in which a lone man fights his way across America in order to protect a sacred book that holds the secrets to saving humankind. a lone hero, Eli guards the Book of Eli, which provides knowledge that could redeem society. The trailer opens with... "They say the war tore a hole in the sky...only a few survived. Our only hope is in my hands...the Book of Eli."

Fight for these kids! Satan sure as hell is!