Sharing The Hope of Christ With The World
Twilight: Is It Just A Story?
“I’m the world’s most dangerous predator. Everything about me invites you in… I’m designed to kill… I wanted to kill you. I’ve never wanted a human’s blood so much in my life… Your scent, it’s like a drug to me. You’re like my own personal brand of heroin.”
So says the handsome vampire, Edward Cullen, to his star-struck 17-year-old lover, Bella Swan, in the blockbuster Twilight series. What’s the deal with Twilight anyway? Vampires are just fiction, right? Actually…
How it Began
It all started one dark night – June 1, 2003 to be exact – when a virtually unknown Arizona stay-at-home mom named Stephenie Meyer had a mysterious dream. On her official website, Meyer reports, “I woke up (on that June 2nd) from a very vivid dream. In my dream, two people were having an intense conversation in a meadow in the woods. One of these people was just your average girl. The other person was fantastically beautiful, sparkly, and a vampire. They were discussing the difficulties inherent in the facts that A) they were falling in love with each other while B) the vampire was particularly attracted to the scent of her blood, and was having a difficult time restraining himself from killing her immediately.”*
This dream was so compelling that when Meyer awoke she wrote like a woman struck by lightning. In a relatively short time, to her family’s great surprise, her compulsive writing not only landed her a lucrative publishing contract (she’s now very wealthy), produced four full-length vampire-romance novels (The Twilight Saga), but has even resulted in making each book into a movie. Twilight is so hot. It’s bigger than Harry Potter. It all seems so… mysterious and supernatural. Is it?
Is it possible that invisible forces are working behind the scenes? Let’s find out. Here’s something creepy. Whether you realize it or not, countless teenagers have not only become fascinated by vampire novels and movies, but interest in drinking real blood is soaring too. Just do a Google search for Sean Hannity’s report, “Night Neighbors: Members of America’s Vampire Subculture Could Be Living Right Under Your Nose,” or the ABC News story, “Real Life Vampires: Who Are They?” You’ll be amazed at what you find. It’s the truth. Real vampirism has sprung out of the coffin, and real people are really experimenting with drinking real blood. It’s a dark trend.
Ancient Warnings
Do you know what the Bible says about swallowing blood? First of all, the practice is plainly forbidden (Lev. 17:10; Acts 15:20). Secondly, it’s tied in with the mystical world of occultism. God warned His ancient people: “You shall not eat anything with the blood, nor shall you practice divination or soothsaying” (Leviticus 19:26, NKJV, emphasis added). “Divination” and “soothsaying” are occult practices. Thus blood swallowing and occultism are linked together, and for good reason. In Bible days, blood drinkers often practiced sorcery, and the same camaraderie exists today. In Twilight, Edward Cullen has psychic abilities, can read minds, and is even a member of “The Olympic Coven.” “Coven” is a witchcraft term. It’s the same old story.
When one delves deeply into the Bible’s sacred pages the truth about a great war emerges. Unknown to most, an unseen battle now rages between God and a fallen angel, “Lucifer,” and at its heart is a message about blood. Nearly two thousand years ago on a fateful Thursday night, a Man named Jesus Christ distributed the juice of crushed grapes to His disciples inside a tiny room in Jerusalem. He alone understood the full meaning of the sweet elixir. “This is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28, emphasis added). Jesus wasn’t passing around real human blood, but grape juice that represented His pending sacrifice for the sins of the world.
The next day, He was dead, crucified between two thieves. As He hung on that cross, drop- by-drop, His blood soaked the wood of the tree supporting His beaten body. What does it all mean? The Bible explains the mystery: “…Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3, emphasis added). The last book of the Bible identifies those who beat an invisible foe. Don’t miss it: “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb [Jesus Christ]…” (Revelation 12:11, emphasis added). What this means is that we “sinners” (who have broken God’s law) can yet enter heaven through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who is God’s Son, and through the merits of that royal substance that He shed on the cross. The Devil knows this, and he hates the blood of Christ. That’s why he gave Stephanie Meyer that dream, and that’s why he is mesmerizing our generation with witchcraft, vampirism, and even real blood drinking. “Anything to lure sinners away from the blood of Jesus Christ!” he whispers slyly. Based on the stellar popularity of Twilight, his strategy has become a satanic success.
Blood Transfusion
Twilight’s appeal is twofold. First, it’s a captivating tale about vampires and werewolves; and second, it’s a heart-stirring love story about Edward and Bella. In Robert Coleman’s book, Written in Blood, a young boy named Johnny conquered a deadly disease. Unfortunately, his little sister Mary caught it, and was nearing death. “She needs a blood transfusion or she’ll die,” the family doctor told the parents, “and Johnny’s blood is perfect because he has already overcome the disease.” All eyes then turned to the lad. “Will you give your blood?” his parents asked tearfully. Johnny hesitated. His lower lip trembled. “Sure,” he finally whispered, “She’s my sister.” Then they raced to the hospital. In the operating room, Johnny and Mary lay next to each other on separate beds. Johnny’s body was healthy, while Mary lay pale and faint. Neither spoke. When their eyes met, the boy grinned. Tubes were connected, a needle was inserted into Johnny’s arm, and the red liquid began to flow. When the transfusion was over, Johnny broke the silence, and with a shaky voice asked the doctor, “When do I die?” Only then did the doctor realize why the child’s lips trembled when he agreed to the donation. He thought he was offering his life for his sister. Yet he was willing to do it because he loved her, and the giving of his own blood was the ultimate proof of it.
Your Choice
Dear reader, someone else wants to capture your heart today. His name is Jesus Christ. Vampires take blood, but He shed His blood for you. Three days later, He rose from the dead. Believe me, His love is better than that of vampires, including Edward’s. His blood alone can save our souls. Now is the time to repent of our sins and trust in Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). In these last days before He returns (John 14:3), don’t let Lucifer divert your heart to the wrong blood.