Hidden Messages...

 Hidden Messages in Books?

Many of us grew up reading classic children’s books, enjoying their whimsical stories and imaginative worlds. However, it is crucial to exercise discernment when examining the deeper messages within these books, as some contain hidden spiritual deception. One such book is The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. While often seen as a simple fantasy tale, its underlying themes reflect the Theosophical beliefs of Baum and his connection to Helena Blavatsky, who openly sought to remove Christianity from the world.

The Hidden Message in The Wizard of Oz

1. The Great and Powerful Being Behind the Curtain Is a Lie – In biblical Christianity, the veil of the temple separated the people from the holy presence of God (Exodus 26:33, KJV). When Christ died, the veil was torn, signifying that mankind now had direct access to God (Matthew 27:51, KJV). However, in Oz, when the curtain is pulled back, there is no divine presence—only a weak, powerless man. This mirrors the Theosophical belief that religious authority is a deception and that traditional faith in God is misguided.

   • Exodus 26:33 (KJV) – "And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy."

   • Matthew 27:51 (KJV) – "And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent."

2. Self-Reliance vs. Trust in God – Throughout Oz, Dorothy and her friends discover that they never needed the Wizard’s help—they had the power within themselves all along. This is a direct contradiction to biblical truth. The Bible teaches that we must rely on God, not ourselves (Jeremiah 17:5-7, KJV). True wisdom and strength come from the Lord, not from within fallen humanity (Proverbs 3:5-6, KJV).

   • Jeremiah 17:5-7 (KJV) – "Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord."

   • Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV) – "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

3. Emerald City vs. New Jerusalem – In Revelation 21, the Bible describes the New Jerusalem, the holy city where God dwells with His people. The Emerald City in Oz is a false paradise, ruled by a deceptive and powerless man. Could this be an intentional mockery of the heavenly kingdom?

   • Revelation 21:2-3 (KJV) – "And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God."

The Influence of Theosophy and Helena Blavatsky

Baum was deeply involved in Theosophy, an esoteric belief system founded by Helena Blavatsky. Blavatsky was openly hostile toward Christianity, teaching that it was a distortion of true spiritual enlightenment and needed to be eradicated. She promoted ideas that align with Luciferian enlightenment—seeking to replace the God of the Bible with human divinity.

• 2 Corinthians 11:14 (KJV) – "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."

• Colossians 2:8 (KJV) – "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."

Baum praised Blavatsky’s teachings and incorporated these anti-Christian ideas into his writings. The core message of Oz—that power comes from within and that religious authority is a deception—aligns with Theosophy’s mission to replace Christianity with self-enlightenment.

A Target on the Young Minds

Some stories are designed to appeal to the young to influence them early. The enemy knows that by shaping young minds through seemingly innocent entertainment, he can plant seeds of doubt and rebellion against God’s Word. This aligns with Proverbs 22:6 (KJV), which instructs us to train children in the ways of the Lord so that they will not depart from it when they grow older. Parents and guardians must be vigilant about the media and books that shape the worldview of their children.

• Proverbs 22:6 (KJV) – "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Conclusion: A Deliberate Attack on Biblical Truth?

While The Wizard of Oz may seem like a harmless fairy tale, its underlying message aligns with Theosophy’s attempt to remove faith in God and replace it with human self-reliance. As believers, we must be discerning about the books, movies, and stories that shape our thinking, ensuring that we align with the truth of God’s Word rather than subtle spiritual deception.

• Ephesians 5:11 (KJV) – "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."

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

We are called to test everything against Scripture and reject anything that seeks to undermine the truth of God’s Kingdom. Let us be watchful and stand firm in the faith!

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8 (KJV)

By JK Woodall