When darkness is invoked in broad daylight: The final apostasy, the return of Babylon, and the urgent call to rapture readiness

Oct 09, 2026

On October 6, 2026, an extraordinary incident occurred during an official meeting of the Ottumwa City Council in Iowa, United States. Matthew Dalbey, a former council member associated with The Satanic Temple, delivered an opening invocation addressing a “Dark Father,” encouraging the embrace of a Luciferian impulse associated with the Tree of Knowledge, and concluding with the declaration, “Hail Satan.” Pastor Rick Bick subsequently objected, describing the invocation as a curse upon the city, before Mayor Benjamin Foote called for a moment of silence (Codjoe, 2026). Although the city’s invocation policy permits diverse religious and philosophical expressions, and The Satanic Temple officially identifies as nontheistic, the incident raises serious questions about the normalization of imagery and ideas fundamentally opposed to biblical Christianity. It would be inaccurate to claim that the city officially endorsed Satanism, but equally unwise for Christians to dismiss the spiritual significance of the words spoken.

The deeper concern is not merely that Satanic symbolism appeared in a public institution, but that contemporary society increasingly presents rebellion against divine authority as intellectual liberation and spiritual enlightenment. The apostle Paul warned that people would reject sound doctrine and embrace teachings that accommodate their desires (2 Timothy 4:3–4). Yet this warning should first awaken the Church to its own spiritual condition. We cannot condemn public expressions of darkness while tolerating false doctrine, immorality, greed, and prayerlessness within Christian communities. The greatest tragedy would be to recognize the darkness surrounding us while remaining unprepared for the return of Jesus Christ.

Original Video: Ottumwa City Council Meeting, October 6, 2026

The invocation begins at approximately 00:23, and the discussion following it continues to approximately 03:36. Watch the original recording published on the City of Ottumwa’s official YouTube channel

2. Daniel 2:43: Demonic Iron, Human Clay, and the Final Rebellion

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel 2:31–45 reveals successive earthly kingdoms culminating in feet composed of iron mixed with clay. Daniel identifies iron with a kingdom possessing extraordinary crushing strength, capable of breaking and shattering other kingdoms (Daniel 2:40). Beyond this immediate political meaning, a deeper prophetic interpretation may be considered: iron symbolizes the crushing and coercive operation of demonic power, while clay represents humanity, formed from the dust of the ground by God (Genesis 2:7; Isaiah 64:8). Within this reading, the mixture illustrates rebellious spiritual powers attempting to exercise dominion through humanity, corrupt God’s created order, and consolidate a final civilization opposed to its Creator.

This interpretation finds broader theological support in passages describing spiritual powers operating behind earthly authorities. Daniel 10:13–21 reveals spiritual conflict associated with earthly kingdoms, while Revelation 13:1–8 explicitly portrays the dragon empowering the Beast. Nevertheless, Daniel does not directly identify iron as a demon or establish that the mixture involves literal biological hybridization. The demonic-human interpretation is therefore a proposed prophetic reading informed by the wider biblical account of spiritual rebellion. Its significance lies in the possibility of a final alignment between fallen human authority and demonic influence. Yet Daniel declares that this mixture cannot achieve lasting unity and that God will establish an everlasting kingdom that destroys every rebellious earthly power (Daniel 2:43–45). Whatever the final manifestation of this rebellion, neither demonic power nor human ambition can withstand the kingdom of Jesus Christ.

3. Alice Bailey’s Externalisation Agenda and the Coming Religious Deception

The writings of Alice A. Bailey offer a revealing example of a spiritual worldview that anticipates humanity’s transformation through forces other than the biblical God. In The Externalisation of the Hierarchy, Bailey (1957) described the anticipated public manifestation of a purported hierarchy of advanced spiritual beings and referred to a significant gathering expected in 2025. In The Reappearance of the Christ, she envisioned a new world religion integrating supposedly universal truths from different religious traditions (Bailey, 1948). These expectations are documented in her original publications, although there is no established evidence that supernatural masters actually assembled in 2025 or that contemporary governments secretly operate under their authority.

The greater danger lies in the theological content of this proposed spiritual transformation. Bailey’s portrayal of Christ within an evolutionary spiritual hierarchy contradicts the apostolic revelation of Jesus as the eternal Son of God, the unique mediator, and the only Savior of humanity (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). As Sangwa (2025) examines, New Age syncretism presents serious challenges to biblical Christianity by redefining Christ, revelation, and salvation. Jesus warned that false messiahs and prophets would deceive many, while Paul cautioned that Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light (Matthew 24:23–25; 2 Corinthians 11:13–15). Christians must therefore examine every spiritual message against Scripture, recognizing that the most dangerous deception may not openly reject Christ but redefine Him while preserving His name.

4. The Nephilim and the Final Days of Noah and Sodom

The mysterious account of the Nephilim in Genesis 6:1–4 describes extraordinary figures associated with the world preceding the Flood. An ancient interpretation identifies the sons of God as rebellious heavenly beings who transgressed divinely established boundaries, although other interpretations understand them as human lineages or rulers. Related passages describe the judgment of sinful angels (Jude 6–7; 2 Peter 2:4–5). Whatever interpretation is adopted, Genesis unmistakably portrays a civilization overwhelmed by wickedness, violence, and corruption. The Nephilim narrative consequently invites theological reflection upon the relationship between extraordinary power, spiritual rebellion, and the violation of God’s created order, without establishing that modern rulers possess supernatural bloodlines or that biological hybridization must recur before Christ’s return.

Jesus warned that the circumstances surrounding His coming would resemble the days of Noah and Lot (Matthew 24:37–39; Luke 17:28–30). People continued eating, drinking, marrying, buying, selling, and building until judgment arrived unexpectedly. The broader biblical accounts describe societies characterized by violence, sexual wrongdoing, arrogance, and neglect of the vulnerable (Genesis 6:5–13; Ezekiel 16:49–50). These parallels do not justify identifying a particular modern society as the literal final Sodom, but they warn that a civilization can appear prosperous and progressive while becoming profoundly alienated from God. The greatest danger is not merely the presence of extraordinary wickedness, but humanity’s growing ability to normalize it while remaining indifferent to approaching judgment.

5. Babylon the Great: The Final Convergence of False Worship, Power, and Wealth

Babylon represents a recurring biblical pattern of human greatness pursued independently of God. At Babel, humanity sought collective security and recognition through rebellion against divine purposes (Genesis 11:1–9). Under Nebuchadnezzar, imperial power became an instrument of compulsory worship, as illustrated by the golden image and the courageous refusal of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to bow (Daniel 3). In Revelation 17–18, Babylon the Great embodies religious unfaithfulness, political corruption, economic extravagance, persecution, and opposition to God. Within a futurist interpretation, these images anticipate the culmination of rebellious civilization under a final system in which false worship, political power, and economic interests converge.

The relationship between allegiance and economic participation becomes particularly troubling in Revelation 13:11–17, where the Beast’s system connects deceptive worship with restrictions on buying and selling. Although modern digital and financial infrastructures can make extensive forms of control possible, Scripture does not authorize us to identify every technological innovation as the mark of the Beast. The decisive issue remains worship and obedience. Babylon’s influence may also penetrate churches when spiritual fidelity is sacrificed for wealth, political influence, or public prestige. God’s command to come out of Babylon (Revelation 18:4) therefore demands separation from idolatry and corruption without necessarily requiring withdrawal from responsible participation in society. As Sangwa (2024) emphasizes, believers must reject the spiritual compromises of Babylon while remaining faithful witnesses to Christ.

6. The Great Apostasy: When the Church Becomes Comfortable with Darkness

The biblical warnings concerning end-time apostasy confront not only openly anti-Christian movements but also individuals and institutions professing Christianity. Paul warned that some would depart from the faith by embracing deceptive spirits and doctrines associated with demons (1 Timothy 4:1–2). He further connected rebellion, deception, and the man of lawlessness with events surrounding the day of the Lord (2 Thessalonians 2:1–12). Apostasy becomes particularly dangerous when churches retain Christian vocabulary while abandoning biblical truth, replacing repentance with self-affirmation, minimizing Christ’s atoning sacrifice, or subordinating Scripture to changing cultural expectations. Such compromise is more serious than ordinary theological disagreement because it undermines the essential content of the apostolic Gospel.

The Church must nevertheless examine itself before condemning the world. Religious activity, theological education, institutional expansion, and impressive public ministries cannot substitute for genuine conversion and holiness. Christ warned the church in Sardis that it possessed a reputation for spiritual life while remaining spiritually dead (Revelation 3:1–3). The same warning should humble today’s Christian leaders, scholars, pastors, and congregations. We may recognize Satanic symbolism in public institutions while overlooking greed, immorality, manipulation, false teaching, and prayerlessness within our own communities. The Church must not become so occupied with identifying the Antichrist’s kingdom that it neglects obedience to Christ, its rightful King.

7. Rapture Readiness: The Most Urgent Responsibility of the Church

Amid these troubling developments, Scripture directs believers toward the blessed hope of Christ’s return. Paul teaches that the Lord will descend from heaven, the dead in Christ will rise, and living believers will be caught up together with them to meet Him (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18). He further describes the transformation of believers from mortality to immortality (1 Corinthians 15:51–53). Within the pre-tribulational interpretation affirmed here, the Rapture precedes the Great Tribulation, emphasizing God’s promised deliverance of His Church from the coming divine wrath (1 Thessalonians 1:10; Revelation 3:10). Although Christians differ regarding prophetic chronology, the certainty of Christ’s return and the responsibility to remain watchful are unmistakable.

Yet readiness cannot be reduced to prophetic knowledge or speculation about dates. Jesus declared that His followers do not know the precise day or hour of His coming (Matthew 24:36). Neither the Ottumwa invocation nor Bailey’s expectations concerning 2025 provides a biblical basis for calculating the Rapture. Genuine preparedness begins with salvation by grace through faith and is demonstrated through repentance, holiness, perseverance, and faithful service (Ephesians 2:8–10). Paul’s teaching connects the grace that saves believers with the godly lives they are called to live while awaiting Christ’s appearing (Titus 2:11–14). Thus, Rapture readiness is not measured by how much we know about the final rebellion, but by whether we genuinely belong to Jesus Christ and remain faithful to Him.

8. The Midnight Cry: A Final Appeal to the Sleeping Church

The parable of the ten virgins presents a solemn warning about the danger of outward religious association without genuine preparedness (Matthew 25:1–13). All ten expected the bridegroom, but only five were prepared when he arrived. This should awaken every professing Christian to serious self-examination. We may study Daniel’s iron and clay, investigate Alice Bailey’s externalisation agenda, discuss the Nephilim, expose Babylon’s deception, and anticipate the rise of the Antichrist, yet remain spiritually unprepared to meet the Lord. Prophetic knowledge without genuine faith and repentance cannot save. Public denunciation of Satan cannot substitute for personal submission to Christ, and religious involvement cannot replace the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.

Dear brothers and sisters, the urgency of the hour demands more than temporary outrage over disturbing public events. It calls for renewed commitment to Scripture, repentance from known sin, restoration of prayer, faithfulness in marriage and family, doctrinal purity, compassionate service, and courageous proclamation of the Gospel. Christian leaders must return to the centrality of Christ rather than personal recognition, while believers must resist the temptation to exchange eternal priorities for temporary prosperity and cultural acceptance. The Lord who warned about the days of Noah and Lot also commanded His followers to remain alert, because His coming will occur at a time they do not expect (Matthew 24:42–44). We must therefore live faithfully today rather than assume that tomorrow will provide another opportunity for repentance.

Nevertheless, the final message of biblical prophecy is not the triumph of darkness but the victory of Jesus Christ. Babylon will fall, rebellious earthly powers will be judged, and the Lamb will overcome His enemies because He is Lord of lords and King of kings (Revelation 17:14). Our hope does not rest upon the defeat of a particular contemporary institution or the accuracy of our predictions, but upon the crucified and risen Savior who will establish His everlasting kingdom. The Church must therefore confront deception without hatred, proclaim truth without exaggeration, and remain vigilant without surrendering to fear.

Beloved Church, do not wait until the door is shut. Do not become so fascinated by the signs of the times that you neglect the Savior to whom they direct our attention. If you have not trusted Jesus Christ, repent and believe the Gospel while the invitation of salvation remains before you (Romans 10:9–13). If you belong to Him, remain steadfast, keep your spiritual lamp burning, and serve Him faithfully. The Bridegroom will come, and no earthly or demonic power can prevent His appearing. May He find us not merely knowledgeable about the last days, but genuinely redeemed, spiritually awake, and faithfully awaiting His return. Come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20)

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