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In the ancient Near East, many nations worshiped a demon-god named Moloch. Supplicants would gather around massive horned humanoid statues meant to represent this Moloch. The statues had compartments in their torsos or outstretched arms, as well as fires lit inside or around the statues. Devotees of this demon-god would then place their infant children into those compartments or arms so that the little ones would be burned alive (Jeremiah 7:31, 2 Kings 16:3, Deuteronomy 12:31). Others would play drums to drown out the sounds of their piercing screams. Why would parents willingly sacrifice their children to demon-gods (Psalm 106:37-38, Revelation 9:20)? Because they believed that Moloch would provide them with prosperity in exchange for the bloody sacrifices. Today the worship of Moloch is alive and well in the United States, with innumerable devotees sacrificing millions of babies to this demon-god. But instead of massive bronze statues, the instruments of child sacrifice are stainless steel forceps or synthetic poison pills. These modern tools are treated like instruments of medicine, but they serve the same purpose: the murder of an innocent image-bearer of God by none other than his or her own parents, also for blatantly selfish and foolish reasons. Abortion is child sacrifice. Parents in the United States murder their babies for the sake of convenience, prosperity, and wealth in the exact same way as those in the ancient Near East. There is nothing new under the sun. Yet there is a glorious hope in the face of this darkness. His name is Jesus Christ. He died on the cross, rose from the dead, ascended into Heaven, reigns from the right hand of the Father, and will return to judge the living and the dead. He builds his Church, against which the gates of Hell will not prevail (Matthew 16:18). Recall that gates are defensive and not offensive weapons: the Church has indeed been waging war against the forces of darkness for the past two millennia, steadily winning more victories for her King. Every godless society throughout the ages has practiced child sacrifice. But these practices have been upended around the world, slowly but surely, as the Church boldly proclaims the gospel of Jesus Christ, who came to destroy the works of the Devil (1 John 3:8) and plunder the house of the Strongman (Matthew 12:29). The only reason that abortion has reemerged in the United States is our national apostasy and rebellion against the Lord. We are watching ancient evils return as we forsake the true God and seek out the minions of Satan. Yet more and more Christians are now laboring against child sacrifice, exhorting the magistrates to wield the sword of justice against evildoers and proclaiming the gospel to our wicked culture. Abortion is child sacrifice, which God deeply hates and will judge eternally in Hell. But those who confess their sins and repent will receive ample forgiveness. Jesus, after all, came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). Even if you have sacrificed your child, he will eagerly offer pardon if you repent and place your trust in him! May our culture turn away from the worship of demon-gods and the shedding of innocent blood, which provoke death and divine judgment. May the civil authorities punish the paid medical assassins and selfish parents who prey on the innocent. May God pour out his Holy Spirit and forgive countless sinners, including those very same medical assassins and selfish parents, rendering them trophies of his grace. May the Church be a faithful and true light of gospel witness against the darkness. May child sacrifice via abortion be swiftly abolished to the honor of King Jesus.