The devil has come to Los Angeles. That's the first line in Fox's demonic new prime time television series that tells the story of the “original fallen angel.”
“Bored and unhappy as the lord of hell, Lucifer Morningstar has abandoned his throne and retired to L.A., where he owns Lux, an upscale nightclub,” the show's description reads. “Charming, charismatic and devilishly handsome, Lucifer is enjoying his retirement, indulging in a few of his favorite things—wine, women and song—when a beautiful pop star is brutally murdered outside of Lux.”
The blurb goes on the explain that for the first time in roughly 10 billion years, Lucifer feels something awaken deep within him as a result of this murder.
“Compassion? Sympathy? The very thought disturbs him—as well as his best friend and confidante, Mazikeen aka Maze, a fierce demon in the form of a beautiful young woman,” the producers explain. “The murder attracts the attention of LAPD homicide detective Chloe Dancer, who initially is dismissive of Lucifer. But she becomes intrigued by his talent for drawing out people's secrets and his desire to dispense justice, doling out punishment to those who deserve it.”
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As they work together to solve the pop star's murder, the producers explain, Lucifer is struck by Chloe's inherent goodness. Fascinated by her apparent purity, Lucifer begins to wonder if there's hope for his own soul yet.
“At the same time, God's emissary, the angel Amenadiel, has been sent to Los Angeles to convince Lucifer to return to the underworld,” the blurb concludes. “Can the devil incarnate be tempted toward the side of good, or will his original calling pull him back toward evil?”
Many Will Be Deceived
No, this is not a joke. There's nothing even remotely funny about it. This not only violates Scripture on several levels, it glorifies Satan, depicts graphic acts of violence and features half-naked women. Ultimately, it proves that Paul the apostle didn't call Satan the prince of the power of the air for nothing (see Eph. 2:2). In Lucifer, we see Satan portrayed as a protagonist and an angel from the Lord presented as an antagonist.
And we haven't seen the last of it. Satan will work through charming, charismatic false Christs and false prophets in the last days who will rise up and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect (see Matt. 24:24). Paul spoke of the Antichrist, the lawless one, with “all power, signs and lying wonders” (2 Thess. 2:9-10). People will buy into it because they aren't lovers of the truth and because God will send them a strong delusion, so that they will believe the lie (see 2 Thess. 2:11-12).
Glorifying the demonic is certainly nothing new in Hollywood (read: Poltergeist, The Exorcist, Rosemary's Baby, A Nightmare on Elm Street and The Omen, to name a few). But to see Satan portrayed as a magnetic personality on prime time TV when children are watching is shocking.
I like how Jan Markell, founder and president of Olive Tree Ministries and host of Understanding the Times, put it: “The world was this evil during the days of Noah but they didn't have the entertainment world glorifying it. We know what the consequences of the evil of Noah's day were. The last days are compared to the days of Noah. Need I say more? The devil can roar all he wants. He knows his time is short. But he is making good use of his time.”
Is the Antichrist Among Us Now?
Markell ends with this final thought: “Is Antichrist's reign on earth so close that this paves the way?”
As I've stated time and again, before the Antichrist, Satan, comes on the scene, we will see more and more antichrist spirits rising to push Jesus out of the mainstream. Like John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus' first coming, these demonic forerunners have been voices crying in the wilderness for years, preparing the way for Satan himself with deceiving agendas that target the confused, hurt and lost.
Indeed, the antichrist agenda will become bolder, and it will grow darker in the days ahead. But despite the doom and gloom, Jesus is still Lord. Our job is to let our light shine, speak the truth of the gospel in love, and keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, so that we can rescue people from the kingdom of darkness and escape the prophesied great falling away among the saints. Remember the words of Christ: “I must do the works of Him who sent Me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work (John 9:4). Amen.
Jennifer LeClaire is senior editor of Charisma. She is also director of Awakening House of Prayer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and author of several books, including The Next Great Move of God: An Appeal to Heaven for Spiritual Awakening; Mornings With the Holy Spirit, Listening Daily to the Still, Small Voice of God; The Making of a Prophet and Satan's Deadly Trio: Defeating the Deceptions of Jezebel, Religion and Witchcraft. You can visit her website here. You can also join Jennifer on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.
