STUDY No. 35.

WORMWOOD
Before examining a wide variety of seemingly controversial subjects in this Bible seminar we
will explore the meaning of a word with a cryptic meaning for most people. That is the word
Wormwood.
While wormwood was mentioned in a prior lesson, the concept and its relationship with
both false teachings and misleading religious doctrines makes it a subject for deeper
consideration before delving into an analysis of more than thirty popular religious doctrines
commonly taught in churches today.
Wormwood is a somewhat mysterious expression appearing only in ten places in most bibles.
In every instance it is used in a figurative sense to represent something that is bitter and
undesirable. In at least four of those instances it is something poisonous and life threatening.
At Revelation 8:12 it speaks of waters which when changed into wormwood cause men to die.
Revelation 8:11 AMP And the name of the star is Wormwood. A third part of the waters was changed into
wormwood, and many people died from using the water, because it had become bitter.

This verse provides a key to understanding what wormwood means in Bible terms.. It is by
first understanding what figurative water is that we begin to unlock the biblical mystery of
wormwood.
In Johns gospel book Jesus alluded to figurative water which he was going to provide as a lifegiving substance.
John 4:14 NAS but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water
that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life "

Jesus was not speaking of literal water in this instance. He was referring to the same water
mentioned at Revelations 8:11 and Revelations 22:17
Revelation 22:17 YLT And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come; and he who is hearing -- let him say,
Come; and he who is thirsting -- let him come; and he who is willing -- let him take the water of life
freely.
Revelations 8:11 DRB And the name of the star is called Wormwood. And the third part of the waters
became wormwood. And many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

Therefore the figurative water in those verses can be seen to correspond with Joh. 4:14, John
7:16 and John 12:49 and where water represented the teachings his father YHWH had
provided Jesus with.

John 4:14 NAS but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water
that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life "
John 7:16 YLT Jesus answered them and said, 'My teaching is not mine, but His who sent me;
John 12:49 NJB For I have not spoken of my own accord; but the Father who sent me commanded me
what to say and what to speak,

His fathers teachings as presented by Jesus Christ to the world of mankind are entirely
truthful and they hold life giving potential for those who exercise faith in them. When those
life giving waters (true teachings) are spiked with poisonous elements of falsehood it changes
their nature and they no longer are life-giving and may rather even be death dealing. These
waters, blending falsehood together with truth come to constitute wormwood in a Biblical
sense.
The prophetic fact that one third of all the water referred to at Rev. 8:11 became poisonous,
causing many people to die tells us wormwood, made up of a mixture of truth and deception
does not represent something tantamount to a rare occurrence. The verse alludes to a ratio of
two parts pure water and one part poison. This contaminates the pure water and turns it into a
polluted mixture which becomes poisonous to those who drink from it. This can only be seen
as a stratagem serving the interests of Gods arch enemy Satan the devil.
He is well aware of the God given truth that it only takes a little contaminant to affect a whole
mass. We can read Pauls words at Galatians 5:9 confirming this truth.
Galatians 5:9 BBE A little leaven makes a change in all the mass.

Consider an example of how great the effect one third of a pollutant can have on a mass of
truth. Biblical wormwood must be defined by how elements of spiritual deception can be
woven into Bible truth, and affect the accurate understanding of the whole mass of scriptural
truth.
When the Bible refers to Wormwood, it alludes to an extraordinary version of spiritual
poison. It is first of all, a substance very few people today easily recognize and are familiar
with. And those who may be acquainted with its meaning are largely ignorant as to the
magnitude of its spiritual ramifications and the implications these have.

UNDERSTANDING SPIRITUAL WORMWOOD

A literal definition of wormwood has certain characteristics which help us decipher its deeper
spiritual meaning. We learn more about the spiritual meaning by first going to its physical
meaning and digging out pertinent details. Thus, we can take clues as to the spiritual meaning
of wormwood by comparing the characteristics of literal wormwood.
First of all, wormwood (botanical Artemisia absinthium) has some beneficial medicinal
characteristics. As such, people have found it effective as an herbal treatment for certain
maladies throughout history. Also it is a prime ingredient in a highly intoxicating and

addictive drink known as Absinthe. By the end of the nineteenth century Absinthe was banned
in many countries. It has since been allowed in a weaker form in some of those nations.
This gives wormwood a form of legitimacy, even making it desirable to many persons.
However, it is the harmful side effects of larger doses which provide us with the reason the
Bible depicts it as a poison. In addition to causing intoxication, a mild mental aberration, it
can cause epileptic-like convulsions and kidney failure. Also, wormwood oil (a component of
wormwood) contains a neuro-toxin called alpha-thujone, which has been associated with
bizarre and psychotic behavior including many reports of violence, hallucinations, and just
pure madness in connection with its ingestion. Wormwood symbolizes deception created by
mixing falsehood with truth into a widely acceptable intoxicating cocktail.
Side effects of a wormwood ingredient. (alpha-thujone) fit the figurative spiritual side effects
of a special kind of deception characterized as wormwood. Literal wormwood provides us
with clues to the most fundamental results of this type of deception.
It is something that can be mistaken as beneficial when ultimately it is harmful, and has
undesirable side effects which are fundamentally destructive.
Therein lies the special effectiveness of wormwood as a power for deception. It represents
deception of a highly sophisticated nature, addictive, difficult to overcome and equally difficult
to recognize. It is a type of deception contributing to a persistent mental condition which is
described at 2nd Thessalonians as a power of deceit in some bibles and a strong delusion in
others.
2 Thessalonians 2:11 BBE And for this cause, God will give them up to the power of deceit and they will
put their faith in what is false
2 Thessalonians 2:11 NKJ And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should
believe the lie,

Still other Bible versions describe this as an operation of error, a strong deluding
influence, a deceiving power or a working of error.
Wormwood plays an important part in the delusion referred to at 2 Thess. 2:11, making a
correct understanding of its biblical implication imperative.
While wormwood is referred to in the Bible in ten places, however perhaps the most
significant one, is at Revelations 8:11.
Revelation 8:11 NJB this was the star called Wormwood and a third of all water turned to wormwood,
so that many people died; the water had become so bitter.

When something or someone is given a name in the Bible it usually points to something about
the character or nature of that which is named. In this instance the star referred to a spirit
called Wormwood which infected the waters and turned them into a poisonous mixture
from which many people died.
Thus, a spirit of deception called Wormwood can be seen to be present in a mixture of truth
and falsehood effectively employed by the forces of evil. This wormwood is ingested by large

numbers of believers as a delusion that God allows them to have. It is indeed a tool of
deception of the highest nature, sponsored by a master deceiver against Gods own people.
The effectiveness of wormwood as a tool of deception lies in it being associated with two
thirds of truthfulness, making it quite difficult to detect. Figuratively the truth forms an
enticing outer layer on both sides of a sandwich filled with an enticingly pleasing blend of a
poisonous filing. This makes it something people want to take a figurative bite from. They
dont realize the harm such poisoned food threatens until the effects become fatal and more
often than not it may be too late.
As a result wormwood can be seen as a major contributor to the strong delusion mentioned
at 2Thess. 2:11 and which YHWH allows to persist in the minds of un-believers and those who
oppose his kingdom sovereignty.
2 Thessalonians 2:11 AMP Therefore God sends upon them a misleading influence, a working of error
and a strong delusion to make them believe what is false,

The word delusion is an interesting translation for the Greek word G4106 pla,nh plane
{plan'-ay}
1) a wandering, a straying about
1a) one led astray from the right way, roams hither and thither
2) metaph.
2a) mental straying
2a1) error, wrong opinion relative to morals or religion
2b) error which shows itself in action, a wrong mode of acting
2c) error, that which leads into error, deceit or fraud
Related to <5579> yeu/doj (pseudos) Meaning: a falsehood, untruth, lie
Our parts in Delusion
A common language dictionary adds an additional dimension to the word delusion in
rendering it as; A false belief held despite strong evidence against It, implying a certain
level of self-deception by ignoring evidence to the contrary
This aspect of self-deception places a share of responsibility upon the one being deceived as
well as the deceiver who is Satan, (the father of the lie) who perpetrates the deception.
John 8:44 ESV You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a
murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him.
When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Revelation 12:9 NKJ So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan,
who deceives the whole world; . . .

TOOLS for DEALING WITH SPIRITUAL WORMWOOD

Wormwood is the poison which triggers the delusion God allows opponents who have. The
delusion is triggered by an insufficient love for truth which keeps them captive to such
delusions.
2 Thess 2:10 [The wicked under Satans power] use every kind of wicked deceit on
those who will perish. They will perish because they did not welcome and love the truth
so as to be saved .GNB
Ungodly delusions can be overcome with the tools YHWH provides to people who love truth
and wish to resist the wiles of his enemies. The foremost tangible (discernable, accessible) tools
God has provided us with for the purpose of counteracting Satans Spirit of deception are his
own inspired word, the Holy Bible (Matt. 4:4, 2 Joh 17:3,Tim. 3:16, Heb. 4:12), and His Holy
Spirit.
GODs WORD of TRUTH (a tool for Combatting Spiritual Deception)
Mat 4:4 GNB But Jesus answered, "The scripture says, 'Human beings cannot live on bread alone,
but need every word that God speaks.
John 17:3 AMP And this is eternal life: [it means] to know (to perceive, recognize, become
acquainted with, and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus
[as the] Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent.
2 Tim. 3:16 GNB All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error,
correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living,
Heb. 4:12 MKJV For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword,
piercing even to the dividing apart of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of
the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Through Gods own inspired word we are able to learn who he is, what he intends for us and
how we can attain the hope for everlasting life he has set before us.
GODs SPIRIT OF TRUTH; (a second tool for Combatting Spiritual Deception)
The Spirit of Truth is essentially a manifestation of Gods own spirit and nature which is itself
intrinsic with truth. The spirit of truth is also intrinsic to our human nature. No constructive
human progress has ever been made aside from employment of truth. Whether it is truth in
science, mathematics, physics, astronomy, medicine, philosophy or religion. Gods truth is
present in every reality connected with these.
A natural predilection for truth is something instinctive to us when we are born. We use this
instinct to make progress and personally develop as human beings.
Despite being confronted by a relentless onslaught by forces who oppose truth, a pragmatic
respect for it remains in all of us. Even in the minds of those who have been fully overcome by
the spirit of deception, truth burns as an ember not to be ignored if human progress is to occur

on any level. Yet we find the world around us is totally under control of one who is seen as an
opposer of truth and the originator of untruth. (John 5:19NIV John 8:44NRS)
Jesus Christ came as a solution and a savior, a helper and a comforter for the human family
suffering under domination of an unseen Baal (master or Lord). (see http://www.miningbibles-4-truth.com/baal-worship.html. For a deeper understanding of what godly truth
actually is, see http://www.mining-bibles-4-truth.com/what-is-truth---essay.html
Thus, the Spirit of truth which was designated scripturally as a (Paraclete or helper) stands
available to those who wish to embrace it in their efforts to overcome the works of deception in
their lives.
There is little doubt that tools which have been discussed as being beneficial in dealing with the
spirit of deception are also useful in combatting wormwood.
PSYCOLOGY and WORMWOOD
However, Wormwood has considerations which takes deception to a higher level making it
even more difficult to deal with and overcome. For Bible students the greatest difficulty in
dealing with Spiritual Wormwood lies in the fact that it is usually presented as Bible Truth by
those they have accepted as legitimate Bible teachers. In some instances they are even ones
who have even been helpful in dispelling other falsehoods, aside from ones they themselves are
promoting.
This presents complex challenges to us on a psychological level. First, there are natural
inclinations to resist change at work within each one of us. We all have a comfort zone and it
constantly puts pressure on us to maintain the status quo. Also, there is denial, a
psychological defense mechanism that helps persons avoid a potentially distressful truth. Then
there is "avoidance", which is another psychological term indicating that a person is doing all
they can to not deal with a given situation. . Denial may be one of the biggest ways we lie to
ourselves. While denial can be helpful to individuals under some circumstances, it often does
more harm than good. When we refuse to accept the truth and enable flawed behaviors and
relationships to persist in our lives, we harm ourselves and those around us as well.

OVERCOMING psychologically imbedded WORMWOOD

The best defense against any form of wormwood is unquestionably an open mind and Gods
inspired word, in its pure form. There is no other means available that is designed to work as
effectively as a complement with the Holy Spirit. The Bible is described within its own pages as
the sword of the spirit. (That is; as it was originally inspired by God). However, the forces of
evil (Gods enemies) have seen to it that reclaiming the Bible in the form God originally
presented it is not an easy task. It takes dedication, effort and faith in God. First, one needs to
make an effort to see that he or she understands the words as they were meant by the original
writers. Then, one must study what God has inspired to be preserved in his inspired word. And

perhaps most importantly they must exercise faith in God and his ability to communicate his
will to those he loves.
As such, this makes the way a person is willing to expend effort an excellent barometer by
which God can judge the faith and sincerity of someone who professes to be a believer. We have
his assurance that scripture as inspired of God, is alive and has power to pierce even the deep
things of soul and spirit. How a person reacts to the truth scripture reveals tells The Creator
much about their willingness to submit to his sovereignty.
Heb. 4:12 GNB The word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It cuts all the
way through, to where soul and spirit meet, to where joints and marrow come together. It judges the
desires and thoughts of the heart.

REVIEW QUESTIONS
See if you can answer these questions after reading the material in the study.
If not, the answers can be reviewed on the pages noted after the questions.
1. What symbolism can water be seen carry in the Bible?
2. What gives Wormwood a form of legitimacy?
3. What makes Wormwood a special kind of deception?
4. What part do we as individuals play in the delusion Wormwood inspires?
5. What are tools provided by God for dealing with Wormwood?
6. What is the Spirit of truth?
7. What psychological considerations attach to wormwood?
8. What is the best defense against psychologically imbedded wormwood?

P. 1.
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P. 5.
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P.6.

The next units in this seminar will show why we need to rely on Gods word and his spirit
rather than our own opinions or those of other men. If we embrace his word as the special
instrument provided by God for us to combat deception, his holy spirit (the spirit of truth) will
set us free from the deceptive world of the god of this system (John 14:17, 26. John 16:13 and
John 8:32)