Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire

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This is Harry's fourth year at Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft, a year in which Harry, now portrayed as fourteen, finds himself under the most carefully planned attack by Lord Voldemort. Unlike the first three books, the story begins by focusing on Lord Voldemort, who is hiding out in his fathers old home. His father, Tom Riddle, was murdered by Voldemort.

The occult imagery and symbolism deepen, as does the mood of this book, as J.K. Rowling stated would happen. Each book would get successively darker---it's a method of initiation into the occult. Rather than focusing on the same elements that appear in all the books, such as the curriculum, various divination, spell casting, ghosts/demons, elemental spirits, to try to avoid some of the repetition, this review/guide will attempt to focus on the themes and newer elements and characters. By far the longest book, 636 pages in the hardcover copy at my disposal, it needs a brief synopsis. The book revolves around a Triwizard Championship and much new witchcraft as well as more murder, including that of a missing Bertha Jorkins.

The story setting begins in the study of Voldemort's late father's house, in front of a roaring fireplace. Wormtail, aka the rat animagus of the last book who escaped Harry and Sirius, is now a servant of Lord Voldemort who waits on his hideous master. Voldemort, who has lost his regular physical body and functions only in a weak, disgusting undead demonic form, has a twelve foot snake as his guide and source of life.

As the story opens, Voldemort and Wormtail are discussing how they are going to use an upcoming Triwizard Championship Tournament to get access to Harry Potter so they can kill him. Lord Voldemort devised a plan in which he would be able to physically attack Harry through this tournament and kill him. As he was discussing this plan with Wormtail, the snake communicates/talks to Voldemort, the same language that Harry is capable of, that the old gardener had been listening to their conversation. They invite him into the room and kill him with a Killing Curse.

Voldemort's snake, which has a trifurcated face, is called Nagini. "Nagini" is the female form of "Naga," a group of serpent gods in India. According to mythology, Vishnu slept on a Naga when creating the world, and it was said that the Nagas would ultimately destroy the world with fire. It is related to the Phoenix.

In the occult, snakes are guardians of the springs of life and immortality, and also those superior riches of the spirit that are symbolized by hidden treasure. [Burns, p. 126] Occultist Manley Palmer Hall, stated, "the serpent is the symbol and prototype of the Universal savior, who redeems the world by giving creation the knowledge of good and evil." [Burns p 131]

Voldemort must drink the snakes poison to gain strength, which comes from the concept that serpents, the symbol of Satan, as saviors offer immortality or the Elixir of life. Rowling has been very busy incorporating actual occult theology into her books.

The use of occult color symbolism increases, particularly with the color green, which becomes predominate in acts of witchcraft. For example, when Voldemort killed the gardener, Frank, in the first chapter, he did so with a Killing Curse, with a green light flashing out of Voldemort's wand.

p. 20 After the gardener is killed, the story goes directly to Harry, two hundred miles away, who is abruptly awakened when the lightening bolt scar between his eyes suddenly begins to hurt and burn like fire. Harry sees Lord Voldemort, Wormtail, the huge snake, the murder of the old gardener, and Voldemort's plan to kill him as a terrifying psychic vision or dream, or some might say remote viewing. Again very real, current witchcraft which comes from familiar spirits.

Chapter Two, "The Scar", brings again to the forefront, Harry's "curse scar." The very nature of the symbol, the lightning bolt, while known as a Satanic S, actually holds the same occult meaning as the Tau cross," which was the emblem of 'generative power, or eternal transmigrating life...The Tau is the Thoth, the Teut, the Teutates of the Druids....the tau cross is actually the symbol of the pagan slain and risen god, Tammuz (Ezekiel 8:13-14). It is a symbol for just another counterfeit Masonic 'Christ.' " Himmler incorporated the lightning bolt or Satanic S into the Gestapo after finding that it was part of the ancient Runes--"{letters of witchcraft.} [Burns p. 249-250] A Dictionary of Symbols states, 'the thunderbolt is held to be an emblem of sovereignty...It is related to the glance from the third eye of Shiva...the destroyer of all material forms...."[Burns p. 251]

Since many children have been applying this symbol to their foreheads to be just like Harry, we can see that it is more than just a thing of imagination. It is preparation for young and old to receive the Mark of the Beast, either in their forehead or in their right arm.

Revelation 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

Sirius Black, who escaped the Dementors in the last book, and who is Harry's godfather, is again one of the more important characters in this book. He is constantly on guard against those who would want to harm Harry and is able to shape-shift into a big black dog in order to conceal himself and protect Harry. Sirius is another name for Satan and hell.

Lord Voldemort placed his own man as a duplicate to a professor at Hogwarts. Breaking various spells and rules, this professor ensured that Harry would enter and win the Triwizard Championship so he would be able to touch the trophy, which has become a gateway to Voldemort. Through much symbolism and imagery, Harry reaches the trophy with Cedric Diggory. Harry tells Cedric that if they both touch the trophy at the same instant, they would be co-champions. As they simultaneously touch the trophy, both are instantly transported into a graveyard, where both Wormtail and Lord Voldemort are waiting. Voldemort intends to use Harry's blood in a most satanic ritual and special spell that will give him his physical body back. He then plans to kill Harry with a more powerful Killing Curse. When Voldemort sees Cedric accompanying Harry, he kills Cedric instantly.

The setup for the next book comes in the final pages where it is shown that because Lord Voldemort has risen to full power, the 'good witches' under Dumbledores leadership must unite and prepare to battle to the end. Part of the strategy is to form alliances with the Giants, and other similar groups, and the idea is set forward that because the Dementors are actually from the dark side, they, as well as the prisoners of Azkaban, will join Voldemort. It will be presented as what many wish to perceive as good versus evil. Again, the very idea is a false and unbiblical premise.

Those who say they have enjoyed the witchcraft, murder, grotesque imagery and violence of these books have forgotten such Scriptures as: Psalm 11:5 "The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth."

p. 23--reinforces the imagery that the Dursley's as Muggles hated and despised magic and Harry. p. 24 "everyone in the hidden wizarding world knew his name."

Reinforces the concept that witchcraft and the occult thrives on secrecy and hidden knowledge.

p. 75 Message--suggestive thought to pursue information and consider it normal and acceptable to practice witchcraft worldwide. "...how many witches and wizards there must be in the world; he had never really though much about those in other countries. "

Since witchcraft and shaman studies are resulting due to Potter information, children will find out that there is a massive amount of occult information and unlimited witchcraft groups, including Shaman world conferences.

Harry, with the Weasley's attends the Quidditch World Cup which is played in a hidden Stadium. Care is taken that Muggles won't see the constant arrival of strangers apparating at The Portkeys--which is the name of chapter six. Those Muggles that are privy have their memories adjusted with a spell.

Imagery--gold is used much as is purple, indicating royalty and wealth due to sorcery.

p. 93 Veela--'beautiful women"---"Veela were women, the most beautiful women Harry had ever seen, except that they weren't -- they couldn't be -- human. This puzzled Harry for a moment while he tried to guess what exactly they could be; what could make their skin shine moon-bright like that, or their white-gold hair fan out behind them without wind ... The Veela had started to dance, and Harry's mind had gone completely and blissfully blank ... As the Veela danced faster and faster, wild, half-formed thoughts started chasing through Harry's dazed mind. He wanted to do something very impressive right now. Jumping from the box into the stadium seemed a good idea ..."

Veela or Vila---a female spirit of Eastern European folklore, based on the similar mythical creatures called Sirens. They were half-bird, half-women creatures and anybody who heard their song could not resist them. "Eastern Slavic wind and storm spirits, capable of calling forth whirlwinds, hailstorms and rain. Depending on their habitats, people speak of land, water, wood and cloud vilas. These female spirits appear in the form of a swan, horse or wolf or, if in human form, as beautiful women, winged and with long hair. They posses eternal youth and are usually friendly towards humans. In Slovakia they are the souls of deceased girls. "[ Encyclopedia Mythica]

Another source states "Veela are ghosts of unbaptised women or virgins that are doomed to remain on earth. They often dance in circles and any human who sees them will be forced to join the circle, dancing to his death."

Which is how they are portrayed throughout the book. Veela creatures could place controlling thoughts in a man's mind, but they had no control over the mind of a woman.

Sirens" from "Greek Mythology -- "group of sea nymphs who, by their sweet singing, lured sailors to their destruction;. a dangerously seductive woman, a temptress".

Nymphs are elemental spirits/demons-- female nature spirits inhabiting woodlands, trees, waters.

In the Quidditch Match, Rowling discloses that the Veela are really vindictive demons. After getting suddenly angry, the Veela began throwing fistfuls of fire at the other side in the match. As Harry watched, their beautiful female features dramatically changed. "Harry saw that they didn't look remotely beautiful now. On the contrary, their faces were elongating into sharp, cruel-beaked birds, and long, scaly wings were bursting from their shoulders."

p. 94-95 Leprechauns appear and make a rainbow, giant shamrock and shower the crowd with leprechaun gold coins, which disappear after a specified time.

Leprechauns are nature spirits or demons. Shamrocks promote the superstition of "luck"

p. 106 --Mr Weasley cautions the boys to not tell their mother they'd been gambling. Mr Weasley is presented as less strict and more willing to break the rules, and be more fun than the mom. A common stereotyping.

p. 114 Imagery---the figurine of Krum the Quidditch player comes alive and walks around.

Chapter Nine--The Dark Mark---Voldemort decided to make his presence known at the Quidditch World Cup through the means of a mark known to all the witches. A distraction involving masked wizards levitating and controlling some 'muggles, a crowd forms into a riot, trampling through the huge campground, with the witches destroying and burning what was in their way. The kids are told to go hide in the woods, so the 'good witches' can help the Ministry of Magic bring order to the riot.

p. 115-116 "... without warning, the silence was rent by a voice unlike any they had heard in the wood; and it uttered, not a panicked shout but what sounded like a spell. 'MORSMORDRE!' And something vast, green, and glittering erupted from the patch of darkness Harry's eyes had been struggling to penetrate; it flew up over the treetops and into the sky ... it was a colossal skull, comprised of what looked like emerald stars, with a serpent protruding from his mouth like a tongue... it rose higher and higher, blazing in a haze of greenish smoke, etched against the black sky like a new constellation. Suddenly, the wood all around them erupted with screams.... It's the Dark Mark...You-Know-Who's sign!"

p.126-128-- Mr. Weasley explains that the Dark Mark is "You-Know-Who's symbol" which hasn't been seen for thirteen years, and the purpose of it has always been " "You-Know Who and his followers sent the Dark Mark into the air whenever they killed...What are Death Eaters? It's what You-Know-Who supporters called themselves....Half the Muggle killings back when You-Know-Who was in power were done for fun...."

Harry recounted when Professor Trelawney was demonically possessed. During the incident, the voice not hers vowed, "The Dark Lord will rise again, greater and more terrible than ever before ..."

p. 147-148---different witchcraft schools are discussed and it is revealed there are schools that emphasize dark arts--the implication is that dark arts are actually acceptable. The discussion turns to how the schools remain hidden.

Dumbledore introduces Mad-Eye Moody as the New Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. He arrives in a thunderstorm.

p. 163-164--Imagery---"The lightening had thrown the man's face into sharp relief, and it was a face unlike any Harry had ever seen ... Every inch of skin seemed to be scarred. The mouth looked like a diagonal gash, and a large chunk of the nose was missing. But it was the man's eyes that made him frightening. One of them was small, dark and beady. The other was large, round as a coin, and a vivid, electric blue. The blue eye was moving ceaselessly without blinking, and was rolling up, down, and from side to side, quite independently of the normal eye -- and then it rolled right over, pointing into the back of the man's head, so that all they could see was whiteness."

"May I introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?" said Dumbledore brightly into the silence. "Professor Moody."

p.165-166 The Triwizard Tournament --'established seven hundred years ago as a friendly competition between the three largest wizard schools--Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. A champion from each school is selected and the three champions have to compete in three witchcraft tasks. The death toll got too high, which is why the tournament was discontinued until then. An age restriction of seventeen or older was placed on the contenders. Ron's brothers immediately set to work to try to circumvent the rules. The Goblet of Fire is the 'impartial judge' which will pick the contestants.

p. 176-178 -Divination class with Trelawney---Rowling again presents Trelawney as a joke, yet weaves in actual occult practices and messages--- "My Inner Eye sees..." "...consider the stars...The movements of the planets and the mysterious portents they reveal only to those who understand the steps of the celestial dance. Human destiny may be deciphered by the planetary rays, which intermingle..."... " I was saying, my dear, that you were clearly born under the baleful influence of Saturn..."Saturn, dear, the planet, Saturn!...Saturn was surely in a position of power in the heavens at the moment of your birth...your dark hair...your mean stature...tragic losses so young in life...you were born in mid-winter?' "No...I was born in July.

Saturn in the occult is Satan. Set (the Egyptian god of evil), Shiva, Baal or Moloch and Saturn are identical in meaning. Various sources refer to it as 'god of time', the Tempter, Lord of Death and so on. The Bible condemns Baal worship, Moloch worship, as well as astrology and all witchcraft and occult leanings.

p. 181 "It seemed Moody's rolling eye was magical and could see out of the back of his head."

"In esoteric or occult terms, the right eye represents Osiris (the male) and the left eye represents Isis (the female). A single eye, indistinguishable as left or right, represents the All-Seeing Eye (Horus Hawk from Egypt)." " The All-Seeing Eye, is "the emblem of Osiris, the creator...The Open Eye of Egypt represented Osiris. In India Siva is represented by an eye." "A symbol fo the omniscient and watchful providence of God. It is a very ancient symbol and is supposed by some to be a relic of the primitive sun-worship." [Burns p. 373, 357]

Chapter Fourteen is called the Unforgivable Curses---which means that supposedly all other curses, hexes and spells are acceptable in witchcraft. Except to curse is to want to cause harm--therefore it is another false premise to suggest that there are rules regulating how much harm one can do if one wants to curse another.

p. 187-Message----Moody talking about Curses.--'Now according to the Ministry of Magic, I'm supposed to teach you counter-curses and leave it at that. I'm not supposed to show you what illegal Dark curses look like until you're in your sixth year. You're not supposed to be old enough to deal with it 'til them. But Professor Dumbledore's got a higher opinion of your nerves... and I say the sooner you know what you're up against the better. How are you supposed to defend yourself against something you've never seen?...

In order to have total control over someone or something else, it would have to be through demonic possession.

p. 189-190 Cruciatus Curse --torture and pain--"... pointing his wand at the spider said, 'Engorio!' the spider swelled. It was now larger than a tarantula ... Moody raised his wand again, pointed it at the spider, and muttered, 'Crucio!' At once, the spider's legs bent in upon its body; it rolled over and began to twitch horribly, rocking from side to side. No sound came from it, but Harry was sure that if it could have given voice, it would have been screaming. Moody did not remove his wand, and the spider started to shudder and jerk more violently ... Moody raised his wand. The spider's legs relaxed, but it continued to twitch. 'Reducio,' Moody muttered and the spider shrank back to its proper size. 'Pain', said Moody softly. 'You don't need thumbscrews or knives to torture someone if you can perform the Cruciatus Curse'."

How is causing pain and torture--and enjoying reading about it in these books--at all edifying?

p. 190 -192 Avada Kedavra --killing curse----"...the last and the worst. Avada Kedavra...the killing curse.' He put his hand into the glass jar, and almost as though it knew what was coming, the third spider scuttled frantically around the bottom of the jar, trying to evade Moody's fingers, but he trapped it, and placed it upon the desktop ... Moody raised his wand, and Harry felt a sudden thrill of foreboding. 'Avada Kedavra!', Moody roared. There was a flash of blinding green light , and a rushing sound, as though a vast, invisible something was soaring through the air -- instantaneously the spider rolled over onto its back, unmarked, but unmistakably dead. Several of the girls stifled cries ... Moody swept the dead spider off the desk onto the floor."

Rowling then has Harry rethink the murders of his parents and how they died, and attributes his hearing his parents voices to when the Dementors were trying to possess his soul.

Back to Moody, --" 'Not nice', he said calmly. 'Not pleasant. And there's no counter-curse. There's no blocking it. Only one person known to me has ever survived it, and he's sitting right in front of me [meaning Harry] ... Aveda Kedavra's a curse that needs a powerful bit of magic behind it ... Now, if there's no counter-curse, why am I showing it to you? Because you've got to know! You've got to appreciate what the worst is. You don't want to find yourself in a situation where you're facing it. CONSTANT VIGILANCE!', he roared, and the whole class jumped again...Those three curses are known as the Unforgivable Curses...The use of any one of them on a fellow human being is enough to earn a life sentence in Azkaban..."

Notice, although the world of witchcraft is presented as something different and unique, another world and there is a constant distinction made about Muggles, Rowling humanizes the witchcraft to belong to humans. Meaning it's not just a fantasy otherworld, but curses, pain and murder can be applied to them.

p. 206 Imagery ---Professor Snape, "was forcing them to research antidotes. They took this one seriously, as he had hinted that he might be poisoning one of them before Christmas to see if their antidote worked."

p. 223-224 Imagery and Symbolism---The Goblet of Fire is the demonic entity which is the impartial judge that chooses the Champion of each school for the Triwizard Tournament. Dumbledore introduces it, "...say a few words before we bring in the casket... a great wooden chest encrusted with jewels... the Champions will be chosen by an impartial selector...the Goblet of Fire.' Dumbledore now took his wand and tapped three times upon the top of the casket. The lid creaked slowly open...pulled out a large, roughly hewn wooden cup...full to the brim with dancing, blue-white flames.... I will be drawing an Age Line around the Goblet of Fire once it has been placed in the Entrance Hall. Nobody under the age of seventeen will be able to cross this line..."

p. 238 Aside from the blue-white flames, discussed previously, a circle drawn around something in witchcraft is said to become more powerful when it encircles another occult symbol. When the students have entered their names a ceremony is held which allows the Goblet to spew out the names of the three chosen students. However, Harry's name, which was mysteriously submitted, is also spewed out of the flames. The implications are that he or someone else, somehow, through great magic, overcame Dumbledore's age line and witchcraft and that of the Goblet in order to enter. Although underage, the 'impartial judge's' decision cannot be overridden. The implication is that this Goblet demon is powerful and not to be questioned.

p. 252 Ron and Harry fight---Ron is jealous of Harry and they stop talking to each other. p. 262, Harry and Malfoy angry and fight, throwing curses at each other. p. 263 Uncontrolled anger, Harry wants to curse Snape.

p. 264 -Snape had them prepare poison antidotes--so they could test one on none other than Harry.

Here we have an experiment for children--drink some poison and see if the antidote works.

p. 266 Rita Skeeter --the lying and inaccurate reporter, uses Quick quotes quill, which demonstrates automatic writing, not only writing on it's own, but writing it's own words rather than what is said. Automatic writing is accomplished through demonic control.

p. 286 Hagrid shows Harry what the first test is--each must battle a different dragon by getting past it and grabbing it's golden egg.

p. 300 Moody counsels Harry on the first test, "...Cheating's a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and always has been".

2 Corinthians 8:21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

p. 316---Symbolism----the golden egg from the dragon holds the clue for the next test. They have to figure out how to open their egg, which makes a horrific noise, in order to solve the clue and be ready for the next test.

Dragons, the symbol of Satan, are viewed in the occult as protectors of treasure. The egg, which according to the occult, can also be called the cosmic egg or world egg, is a "symbol of the totality of creative forces--it is thought to have been present at the primeval beginning, when it floated on the primeval waters and issued from itself the entire world and the elements, or initially at least heaven and earth" It is also a symbol of perfection. " In alchemy, the philosophical egg played an important role as a symbol of PRIMA MATERIA, from which the philosophical fire hatched the PHILOSOPHER'S Stone." [Burns p. 115]

Rowling introduces the reader to the awkwardness of going to a dance, first dates and sensuality, by having the students participate in a Yule Ball.

p. 374--Hagrid who is a giant is discussed-- "[Giants], they're just vicious...they're like trolls...they just like killing..."

There is more promotion of students going to the bar and drinking butterbeer. Odd that this should be a recurring theme, when parents and teachers supposedly don't want their children drinking and it's illegal.

p. 399--Harry takes the egg into the bath with him and is told by the ghost/demon/ Moaning Myrtle to open it underwater. The clue is then revealed to him.

Again we have communication with familiar spirits and the aspect of them being willing to help.

p. 426--Dobby the elf helps Harry. In fact there's many helpful demons portrayed in the stories.

.p. 429--Imagery and Symbolism---Harry eats Gillyweed which makes him have gills and flippers underwater. The second task is to rescue Ron, who's been kidnapped, from beneath the lake; each of the others also must rescue an important person in their lives.

p. 430 --Imagery--grindylows--water demons, grab him and he is able to escape with a spell.

p. 432 Imagery " the merpeople had greyish skins and long wild, dark green hair. Their eyes were yellow, as were their broken teeth..."

Chapter Twenty-Seven--Padfoot Returns ---Padfoot is the name of Sirius when he shape-shifts into the black dog. Called Grims, death omens and phantoms, a website article about Phantom Black Dogs states http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/folklore/black_dogs.html >:

p. 457--Demon possession--referring to Voldemort--"you know he can control people so that they do terrible things without being able to stop themselves..."

p. 459 Imagery---Sirius was talking to Harry about the conditions inside the Azkaban prison. "Most go mad in there, and plenty stop eating in the end. They lose the will to live. You could always tell when a death is coming, because the Dementors could sense it, they got excited."

Proverbs 8:35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

p. 478 Symbolism----The third task involves traversing a huge Maze or labyrinth, loaded with all manner of symbolism and occultism.

"The LABYRINTH "was made to conform to the idea of a FIVE POINTED STAR, WITHIN A COMPLETE CIRCLE..."CIRCLES AROUND THE PENTAGRAM represents the totality of all intelligence, It is the SIGN FOR THE GOD AND GODDESS, the fullness of cosmic intelligence." Albert Pike mentions that a LABYRINTH "WAS BUILT IN HONOR OF THE SUN..." Some labyrinths were designed with the purpose of luring devils into them so that they might never escape...."the word labyrinth is " From the Latin labor + intus. 'into': the place of entering into labor, birth or rebirth. At sacred sites...a maze...to be used in initiations..." [Burns p. 319-321]

p.500--Message----recurring message about astrology and divination---"planetary divination...to examine the effects of Mars...."

p. 500-501--Harry has a psychic dream in Trelawney's class. He sees and hears Voldemort tormenting Wormtail. His scar begins to hurt as if on fire and he awakens laying on the floor with his scar in pain. He lies and says he didn't see or hear anything.

p. 506-508--Imagery and Symbolism---The chapter is called the Pensieve which is the article described as ---"a shallow stone basin lay there, with odd carvings around the edge; runes and symbols...silvery light was coming from the basins contents...a bright whitish silver, and it was moving ceaselessly...the silvery stuff became transparent: it looked like glass. He looked down into it ...--and saw an enormous room..." Harry then enters the room in what appears to be a depiction of astral projection, but in real witchcraft would be a demon providing knowledge of past events. p. 518 Dumbledore tells Harry that his thoughts are what he has seen, that the basin collects them and sorts them.

Shiny surfaces are portals or gates to the otherworld for divination in witchcraft. Demons provide the information.

p. 509--Imagery---In Harry's divination into the past he sees and feels---"Harry's insides went cold. The Dementors -- tall, hooded creatures whose faces were concealed -- were gliding slowly toward the chair in the center of the room, each grasping one of the man's arms with their dead and rotten-looking hands."

p. 521-522 Dumbledore, regarding Harry's scar hurting---"...both when Lord Voldemort is near you, and when he is feeling a particularly strong surge of hatred."

p. 522 Messages---"[Voldemort] hasn't got a body, has he?"..."The year of Voldemort's ascent to power...were marked with disappearances..."

Demons don't have bodies, and just as Voldemort is looking to inhabit a body, that is precisely what they do. A person who has no body is dead, and is either in hell or heaven. Only demons masquerade to be a person's spirit.

Revelation 9:11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.

p. 541---Rowling has Harry's power increased enough so that when a Dementor materializes he is able to call up the patronus stag without hesitation. The Dementor was from the "shape-shifter" Boggart, mentioned previously.

p. 546---Imagery and symbolism---Harry has to get past a "live" sphinx---According to some, the Sphinx is described as: The body of a lion with the head of a king or god, the sphinx has come to symbolize strength and wisdom. It also represented the sky-god Horus.. In the Potter book, the head is that of a woman, which means it is depicting Greek occultism.

From the Occultopedia---"From Egypt the idea of the sphinx spread to the Syrians and Phoenicians and finally to the Greeks. These peoples gave the creature the head and bust of a woman. They added an eagle's wings to represent majesty and a long serpent's tail to indicate wiliness. In later Greek literature the sphinx was no monster, but a beautiful, wise, and mysterious woman. According to a legend this monster put a riddle to all those who passed by and devoured those who failed to guess it. After many had died in this way, the Theban hero Oedipus answered the riddle correctly and so caused the monster's death...." http://www.occultopedia.com/g/greece.htm

Harry does answer the riddle and is allowed to pass, only to battle a giant spider, again an occult symbol.

p. 552-553 Chapter Thirty-Two is called 'Flesh, Blood and Bone" and begins with the transporting of Harry and Cedric, who simultaneously touch the Triwizard Trophy, to a graveyard where Voldemort and Wormtail wait for Harry. When Cedric is spotted, Voldemort gives the command to Kill him and Wormtail curses him with the killing curse. Harry has been overcome with pain in his scar because of Voldemort's presence and hatred.

Imagery---"...Cedric was lying spread eagled on the ground...He was dead...Harry stared into Cedric's face, at his open grey eyes, blank and expressionless as the windows of a deserted mouth, at his half-open mouth..."

I can't help but wonder what young children think as these images are brought to their minds.

p. 554 Imagery---Harry is taken by Wormtail, who conjures ropes and "tying him from neck to ankles to the headstone...he struggled and the man hit him--hit him with a hand that had a finger missing..."

p. 554-555 --Imagery and symbolism---Wormtail was carrying Voldemort's demon spirit in his robes, which appears to move as a physical entity.

Voldemort is reptilian, "snakelike", and a demonic creature which looks like Satan himself. Relating it to the possible face of a child is grotesque and the image of a cauldron big enough for a man implies human sacrifice. Large Cauldrons have been used in various witchcraft practices over the years, particularly with the worship of false gods and goddesses.

p. 556-557 Imagery and symbolism--- Wormtail then begins to chant the following horrific and satanic ritualistic words which are designed to create Voldemort a body again. Creating a body--which only God can do-- and becoming immortal are the goals of those who would be 'god.'

The grave on which Harry was tied opens and a fine trickle of Voldemort's fathers bone dust rose into the air, and descended into the cauldron. Grave robbing and witchcraft.

Wormtail then took a silver dagger and cut off his right arm, and dropped it into the cauldron. "...He gripped the dagger very tightly in his left hand and swung it upwards...Harry...could not block the scream that pierced the night...He heard something fall to the ground...then a sickening splash...the potion had turned a burning red, the light of it shone through Harry's closed eyelids..." Red rooms and accessories are used when carrying out satanic rituals. Blood red is significant in that blood sacrifice is wickedly deemed necessary for some rituals.

Wormtail then took the silver dagger in his remaining hand, and cut a large gash in Harry's arm, causing a large stream of blood to run down the arm. "...He felt its point penetrate the crook of his right arm, and blood seeping down the sleeve of his torn robes...fumbled in his pocket for a glass phial and held it to Harry's cut, so that a dribble of blood fell into it...."

Wormtail collected Harry's blood in a glass vial and poured it into the boiling cauldron. "The liquid within turned, instantly, a blinding white...so blindingly bright that it turned all else to velvety blackness..."

If this imagery and symbolism isn't enough to convince parents that this is not only not of God, nor conforming to His Word, but unsuitable for Christians at the very least, then there's likely not much else that will convince, other than the Holy Spirit convicting hearts.

p. 559 Chapter Thirty-Eight is titled The Death Eaters and continues with Voldemort still admiring his body----"His hands were like large, pale spiders, his long white fingers caressed his own chest, his arms, his face; the red eyes, whose pupils were slits, like a cat's, gleamed still more brightly through the darkness ... He took not the slightest notice of Wormtail, who lay twitching and bleeding on the ground, nor of the great snake, which had slithered back into sight and was circling Harry again, hissing."

Voldemort finds the Dark Mark ---a skull with a snake protruding from its mouth---on Wormtails left arm, and presses the "brand" to call his followers to himself. After Voldemort initiates the dark mark it turns jet-black.

Harry is overcome with pain from his own scar. Voldemort recounts murdering his father and Harry's parents and glad of it. Voldemort's witches start apparating from every direction, answering his wicked demonic call.

p. 561---Their leader was back in full power, and the wizards are arriving, "...Apparating. All of them were hooded and masked. And one by one they moved forwards...slowly cautiously, as though they could hardly believe their eyes. Voldemort stood in silence, waiting for them. Then one of the Death Eaters fell to his knees, crawled towards Voldemort, and kissed the hem of his black robes. 'Master...master...' he murmured. The Death Eaters behind him did the same; each of them approaching Voldemort on his knees, and kissing his robes, before backing away and standing up, forming a silent circle....thirteen years since we last met. Yet you answer my call as though it was yesterday...we are still united under the Dark Mark, then!..." They also call him 'My Lord.'

What is taking place is devil worship. Voldemort came to power after a Satanic ritual. His followers form a circle, important in witchcraft, and worship him and call him master. That is clearly not of God. Deuteronomy 32:17 They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not."

Exodus 34:14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:

p. 563---Imagery and message ----" 'Master!' he shrieked, 'Master forgive me! Forgive us all ... Get up, Avery', said Voldemort softly. 'Stand up. You ask for forgiveness? I do not forgive. I do not forget." Voldemort then rewards Wormtail be creating a new hand and arm for him.

Isn't one of the most important concepts in Christianity and salvation forgiveness, starting with God forgiving our sins because Jesus died on the cross? And our sins are removed as far as the east is from the west--and remembered no more by God Himself.

When Lord Voldemort believed he was going to be victorious over Harry Potter and be able to kill him, he was planning his complete comeback and victory over Hogwart's and those who won't join them. He states the Dementors will join them, giants, " an army of creatures whom all fear." When he came to Lucius Malfoy, the father of Draco, he discussed the specific plan he had in mind for him.

p. 564---" 'Lucius, my slippery friend', he whispered, halting before him. 'I am told that you have not renounced the old ways, though to the world you present a respectable face. You are still ready to take the lead in a spot of Muggle-torture, I believe?' "

Lord Voldemort described how he was able to place his man in Hogwart's School. He recounts the pain when his curse backfired because of Harry's mother and the result was, p. 566-567

The Bible says that when the soul leaves the body, the body dies. Voldemort is admitting to being a demonic spirit, who possesses who and what he wants to further his ends.

---Voldemort recounts how he captured the witch Bertha Jorkins, and then killed her. "... the means I used to break the Memory Charm upon her were powerful, and when I had extracted all useful information from her, her mind and body were both damaged beyond repair. She had now served her purpose. I could not possess her. I disposed of her."

p. 569---Voldemort takes pleasure in torturing Harry and then describes how Wormtail, through sorcery, was used to concoct a potion to create a body that Voldemort could inhabit, "...while awaiting the essential ingredients for true rebirth... a spell or two...a little help from my dear Nagini...a potion concocted from unicorn blood and the snake venom...I was willing to embrace mortal life again, before chasing immortal..."

Voldemort then begins a duel with Harry. On p. 574, Voldemort is trying to use the Imperio curse which essentially means taking possession of Harry and controlling his movements and thoughts. Harry rejects the possession. Voldemort states, " I have never died." Harry's power and witchcraft match Voldemorts, meaning he is just as wicked as his foe. Levitation takes place in the battle and the Death Eaters form a circle around the duo, and they become encased in a golden web cage of light.

p. 576-577 Imagery and necromancy and familiar spirits--- As Harry was fighting Voldemort in this battle to the death, a sound suddenly filled the air, "a song of hope", the Phoenix Song. "And then an unearthly and beautiful sound filled the air... It was coming from every thread of the light-spun web vibrating around Harry and Voldemort. It was a sound Harry recognized, though he had heart it only once before in his life... phoenix song ... it was the sound connected to Dumbledore, and it was almost as though a friend was speaking in his ear... Don't break the connection. ...He concentrated every last particle of his mind upon forcing the bead back toward Voldemort, his ears full of phoenix song, his eyes furious, fixated ... Voldemort ... looked astonished and almost fearful."

p. 577-581--At the climax of the battle, after Harry overpowers Voldemort's wand, the apparitions of the people whom Voldemort killed with his wand, began to come out of the tip of his wand, coming out in the sequence of the most recently killed to the first one killed. First the 'spirit' of Cedric Diggory, then Frank Bryce, the old Gardener, Bertha Jorkins, and then Harry's father and mother.

These demonic apparitions scream as they come out of the wand and come alive and then urge Harry on, speaking to him in turn. His mother tells him when the wand connection is broken they will linger long enough to give him time to escape to the Triwizard trophy portkey, which will transport him back to Hogwarts. Cedric's ghost makes Harry promise to take his body back with him. When the connection is broken the demons close around Voldemort so he is unable to see Harry make a run for it. Harry manages to escape and is returned to Hogwarts.

The message again is that these 'ghosts' can communicate, are friends and will help in time of need. Children are being conditioned to think that the demonic is friendly, helpful and good, especially if it comes in a form recognizable and personable. Consider the implications.

2 Corinthians 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

p. 589 Moody, who was really Crouch, who had replaced Moody as a duplicate, is Voldemort's imposter and takes Harry and reveals how he got Harry to Voldemort. He then glowingly compares his life with Voldemort's, "...both of us had the pleasure...the very great pleasure...of killing our fathers, to ensure the continued rise of the Dark Order."

Visions of Hitler's youth or KKK come to mind at the thought of any one taking pride in murdering ones father to further the 'cause.'

p. 589-590---Dumbledore, Snape and McGonagall rescue Harry. Dumbledore's sorcery and presence is described--"Harry fully understood ...why people said Dumbledore was the only wizard Voldemort had ever feared. ...There was cold fury in every line of the ancient face; a sense of power radiated from Dumbledore as though giving off burning heat..."

p. p. 603, 606-607--Telling Dumbledore, Sirius and the others, Harry relives the horrible experiences of losing his parents to Voldemort, his battles with Voldemort for his life, and the emotional pain overwhelms him. The Phoenix Bird comes to Harry's rescue.

Once again, the Phoenix Bird--a symbol of the Antichrist --is presented as a hope and support, who provides spiritual and emotional deliverance and physical healing for Harry.

p. 610 -- Imagery----When Dumbledore started the process of sending Crouch to the Azkaban Prison, he discovered that the Minister of Magic had already called the Dementor Guards, and had allowed them to administer their fatal kiss. "Harry felt a chill in his stomach ... he knew what the dementor must have done. It had administered its fatal kiss to Barty Crouch. It had sucked his soul out through his mouth. He was worse than dead."

p. 616--Imagery and Symbolism--"Every Death eater had the sign burnt into him by the Dark Lord. It was a means of distinguishing each other and his means of summoning us to him..."

The implications and imagery of these books is horrific. As Christians we are to set an example by what we say and do. If we're not going to bother being Biblically obedient, weigh things according to the Word of God and compare the spiritual to the spiritual, what exactly are we portraying to others?

Romans 2: 7 "To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,"

1 Corinthians 2:13 "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man."

If one wishes to use the Potter books as a means of evangelism, as Connie Neal stated after promoting them as enjoyable, then why not simply say, that while the Philosopher's Stone and Voldemort's pursuit of immortality is based on the very real occult pursuit of gaining immortality through witchcraft and sorcery, we know that eternal life can only be obtained through accepting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. He is the author of eternal life, and it cannot be obtained through any other means, including witchcraft.

Hebrews 5:9 "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;"

John 10:27 "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."

One does not have to endorse these books, nor the witchcraft in them, in order to witness about Jesus Christ. There is no Scripture that would support or suggest that.

2 Timothy 2:19 "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart."

Copyright . All articles are the sole property of SeekGod.ca and Vicky Dillen. All Scripture King James Version unless otherwise stated.

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