I was one of several people who were being brought into a dark, mysterious place. The people who had arrived before me were acting strangely. Each of the newcomers were handed an old bible that had previously belonged to the mysterious leader of that group but none of the newcomers knew who that leader was (the other people there appeared to know). Each bible represented a different year that the previous owner had used it.
The one I had been given was from the 1970s (1972?). It reeked of cigarette smoke. It had writings and papers tucked inside. Also tucked inside the cover was a personalized check for over $600 (but it was an amount that included both dollar and cents). I understood that each bible contained a check for a different amount.
It felt as though the old bible they handed me had been cursed by the leader of a coven of witches and by accepting the check, the receiver would be indebted and connected to them in some way. Upon waking, I was reminded of the need for caution when a stranger gives you a “gift”.
In addition, I think that it was a warning to be careful about false teachers who claim to be Christians.
Also, in the last two decades, Christian teachings and practices have taken on bits of witchcraft unknowingly: trying to control people and circumstances; using words to direct happenings and choices; intimidating and driving fear into people to disable. Manipulation.
So it's not necessarily an outside force working its way in, (gotta go)
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Sorry for the "gotta go" -- lots of interruptions around here.
Cigarettes, lol yes more smoking back in those days, indoors. Bible smelling seems they're trying to hide their sins but the telltale signs make evident.
I don't know if the money struck you as positive blessing or a payoff. I keep hearing ways preachers network with each other, write off donations to each other, pay each other to sit in front row for celebrity-look, share sermons so only one person does the research.
There are also corporate donations, and rumors of political pressure on 501c3's to redirect their messages. Generations of leaders teaching each other tricks of the trade; developing new ones.
Owned by previous leader, seems to conjure up idolatry of known names, along with lack of discernment by followers. Believers relying on charlatans to do the reading for them. Certain churches elevating pastoral couple as kings.
Brotherhood, exclusive mens club.
Maybe you had a totally different impression of the dream, more positive... but to me, it strikes me as generations of corruption, feeding more corruption. Internally. Although there have been leaders known to bring in pagan influencers.
https://william-branham.org/site/research/people/john_alexander_dowie
A decade+ ago, a popular evangelist was shown visiting a [guru] in India, seemingly to learn how to use kundalini for healing services. Pastors trying to prove their merit and grow their churches, often give in to devices that deny God's power to work among their congregations.
Interesting. Just yesterday I was offered a sage bundle by an acquaintance. I refused politely, but then it was offered to my daughter who is a nominal Christian. I took it to dispose of it. This sage bundle was bought on a reservation from a women immersed in her cultural spirit guide religion. These sage bundles are "blessed" by the medicine man/woman.