Clearly the message of this film was supposed to be how God, the angels and Jesus Christ fight and how the Devil and his minions do their best to keep people from Jesus Christ.
However, that is all implied and would only be known by someone who was familiar with Christianity.
And someone familiar with Christianity (and more than I wish I knew from personal experience with the devils or demons), I feel this movie failed deeply in giving a true message.
First of all, the protagonist's father was a pastor, talked about "the Blood" and committed suicide because he LOST the battle. That would never happen without a whole different angle of the story showing how his father had "turned on" God. The power of the blood of Jesus by calling on His name can and will work to defeat the Enemy. This film made strong implications that God and Satan are equals and that neither can easily win the fight. The fact is, once a person takes on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:12-18 in King James Bible) there is NO CONTEST.
Second, one of the "givens" in the storyline is that it is a good thing and a "spiritual talent" to be able to see the spirit world. In the film the late father and protagonist son had this "gift." I am not enough of an expert to say I know 100% -- but I am convinced that 99.999% of the time (at minimum) being able to see fallen angels, etc. in the spirit world is NOT a gift that is God-given. It is however something Satan gives some but not all of his slaves (humans). And personally I think that is rather a blessing that God spares us that except in very special instances seen in the Bible.
Thirdly, while the movie shows people doing rituals in the black arts it never shows Christians praying, worshiping, loving and walking a Christian walk.
All a person can really "learn" from this film is that divination is a dangerous practice that allows evil spirits a level of control over one's life (good), but so much is left out on how to take the opposite track that I find the film very disappointing. Even the "protecting angels" were very "off." I could see putting "angels" for the dark side in the relationships God's angels had here -- but the way they were shown as so frequently confused and ineffective, (the angels of God), that just wasn't true.
Oh, and using a "bleeding tree" really grossed me out. Obviously a reference to Jesus shedding his blood on the tree (cross), Jesus does NOT hang on the cross in perpetuity so that we can all go there and mop up some healing blood. YUCK. No. He suffered, died and resurrected. He is currently at the right hand of the Father and is already named King of Kings. "Bleeding tree" my foot -- (although sad to say I think certain sects of religions that call themselves Christian perpetuate the idea of some kind of eternal crucifixion).
Creative, but no. Just no. Although it was interesting to watch -- and I thought several of the actors were very good -- I will not want to watch it again, nor would I recommend it to anyone since it really makes a mess of how things really work on some very key points.
I do hope to see more films with better clarity from this filmmaker, IF it will be based more on the biblical (and actual) truths.
However, that is all implied and would only be known by someone who was familiar with Christianity.
And someone familiar with Christianity (and more than I wish I knew from personal experience with the devils or demons), I feel this movie failed deeply in giving a true message.
First of all, the protagonist's father was a pastor, talked about "the Blood" and committed suicide because he LOST the battle. That would never happen without a whole different angle of the story showing how his father had "turned on" God. The power of the blood of Jesus by calling on His name can and will work to defeat the Enemy. This film made strong implications that God and Satan are equals and that neither can easily win the fight. The fact is, once a person takes on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:12-18 in King James Bible) there is NO CONTEST.
Second, one of the "givens" in the storyline is that it is a good thing and a "spiritual talent" to be able to see the spirit world. In the film the late father and protagonist son had this "gift." I am not enough of an expert to say I know 100% -- but I am convinced that 99.999% of the time (at minimum) being able to see fallen angels, etc. in the spirit world is NOT a gift that is God-given. It is however something Satan gives some but not all of his slaves (humans). And personally I think that is rather a blessing that God spares us that except in very special instances seen in the Bible.
Thirdly, while the movie shows people doing rituals in the black arts it never shows Christians praying, worshiping, loving and walking a Christian walk.
All a person can really "learn" from this film is that divination is a dangerous practice that allows evil spirits a level of control over one's life (good), but so much is left out on how to take the opposite track that I find the film very disappointing. Even the "protecting angels" were very "off." I could see putting "angels" for the dark side in the relationships God's angels had here -- but the way they were shown as so frequently confused and ineffective, (the angels of God), that just wasn't true.
Oh, and using a "bleeding tree" really grossed me out. Obviously a reference to Jesus shedding his blood on the tree (cross), Jesus does NOT hang on the cross in perpetuity so that we can all go there and mop up some healing blood. YUCK. No. He suffered, died and resurrected. He is currently at the right hand of the Father and is already named King of Kings. "Bleeding tree" my foot -- (although sad to say I think certain sects of religions that call themselves Christian perpetuate the idea of some kind of eternal crucifixion).
Creative, but no. Just no. Although it was interesting to watch -- and I thought several of the actors were very good -- I will not want to watch it again, nor would I recommend it to anyone since it really makes a mess of how things really work on some very key points.
I do hope to see more films with better clarity from this filmmaker, IF it will be based more on the biblical (and actual) truths.