Aztecs

The Aztec nation was established in Mexico around 1325 A.D. when they found the special sign given by their principle god Huitzilopochtli. When finding an eagle perched on a cactus with a snake dangling from it’s beak they settled on a marshy island in Lake Texcoco. Tenochtitlan became a great city by 1400. For a historical time line of Mexico which includes articles on the Aztecs go to http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/history.html.

The Aztecs worshipped about 1600 gods. Some of the more important gods were: Tlaloc the god of rain and fertility, Tezcatlipoca who controlled everyone’s fate and was perhaps the most powerful of all the gods, and Quetzalcoatl the nature god who was represented as a snake with a green feathered tail. But the principle god was Huitzilopochtli, the god of war who was an eternally angry god whose temper could only be satisfied by the offering of human blood.

According to Eyewitness Books, “The Aztecs believed that they lived in the era of the fifth sun and that one day the world would end violently. In order to postpone their destruction, men performed human sacrifices. Their duty was to feed the gods with human blood, thereby keeping the sun alive.” Early in their history human sacrifice was rare, but as the Aztecs grew more powerful their gods became increasingly demanding. Most of the victims were prisoners captured in war from local tribes. One of the main reasons the Aztecs waged war was to capture sacrificial victims. Today on November 2nd Mexicans celebrate “The Day of the Dead” by giving skull-shaped gifts and candies as a reminder of these bloody rituals.

Catholicism

Cortes arrived in the Aztec capital in 1519 in search of gold. Legend tells that he was welcomed as the god Quetzalcoatl who was believed to be a bearded white man who condemned human sacrifice. Although eventually rejected as a god Cortes managed to conquer the Aztecs in 1521. By 1524 monks arrived in Mexico to spread the Catholic religion. As priests also arrived some came who were power hungry, but many had taken vows of poverty and were outraged by the cruelty toward the Indians. The priests found the Indian people willing to listen and accept yet another god since they already believed in many gods.

In 1531 church tradition tells that the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe appeared to Juan Diego. The story goes that a woman appeared to Juan who was “as radiant as the sun.” She told him she wanted him to speak to the bishop and tell him she wanted a church built on Tepeyac hill where she had appeared. After two failed attempts to be heard, Mary gave Diego a sign. This sign was a rosebush growing on Tepeyac hill where only cactus had grown before. Juan presented the roses to the bishop in his tilma. Amazingly in the tilma was a beautifully painted picture of the woman who had appeared to him.

Today the Virgin of Guadalupe is a major factor in Mexican Catholicism. Over 10 million visit her shrine every year, making it the most popular in the world. Some worship her as the goddess Tonantzin who was worshipped by the Aztecs on this same hill. Juan Diego is revered in Mexico for bringing together the Aztec and Catholic spiritual beliefs.

Spiritual Warfare

Mexico as with any society is built upon the foundation of its spiritual roots. And with human sacrifice and worship of the Virgin of Guadalupe at its roots, there are powerful strongholds permeating their society. The blending of these two religions results in a hopeless eternity for millions of people. Even the modern world with all of its technology and sophistication cannot mask the darkness of spiritual bondage.

Prayer releases the Enemy’s grip as Alan Redpath has stated, “We will only advance in our evangelistic work as fast and as far as we advance on our knees. Prayer opens the channel between a soul and God; prayerlessness closes it. Prayer releases the grip of Satan’s power; prayerlessness increases it. That is why prayer is so exhausting and so vital. If we believed it, the prayer meeting would be as full as the church.”

Concerning the need to pray for those engaged in this battle David Wang encourages us, “The battle we face is a spiritual conflict. It must be fought and won by men and women of God who are willing to intercede for missionary families as they invade enemy territory held uncontested for centuries. Satan does not meekly give up his prey. He counterattacks fiercely in many unexpected ways. The missionary must have intercessors who stand alongside, praying on a regular and systematic basis.”

MEXICO STRONGHOLDS SURVEY

The Question: “From your perspective what are the Enemy's greatest strongholds in Mexico?”

Total Responding To Survey: (36)

Organizations & Groups Surveyed: (19)
Berea Ministries, Bethany International Missions, Brethren Assemblies,
Biblical Ministries Worldwide, Calvary Chapel, Central American Mission,
Christian Reformed World Missions; CrossWorld, Gospel Fellowship Mission, Partners in Christ, MBI, Mexican Nationals, New Life Community Church, T.I.M.E. for Christ, The Prayer Foundation, The Evangelical Alliance Mission, United World Mission, WEC International, Youth With A Mission

Ephesians 6:11,12,18 (ESV) - Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places…praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

Catholicism/Church Traditions/Works-Based Religion (24)
• “Catholicism in general seems to be the major stronghold.”
• “The Enemy uses the power, history and influence of the Church in the society to hold people captive to regional religious practices and Catholic sacraments to keep the people dependant upon and faithful to the church.”
• “…a big stronghold in Mexico is a religious spirit, which is as prevalent in the evangelical church as anywhere.”
• “TRADITIONS are chains for these people.”
• “Traditional Catholicism makes it hard to get converts…”
• “…if they enter into another religion they are…being disloyal…”
• “Salvation comes through the church rather than a relationship with Jesus Christ.”
• “Many don't read the Bible for themselves in this culture therefore they accept the lies.”
• “…the greatest stronghold is religion…If you go to Mexico City and go to the Virgin of Guadalupe church you see people crawling sometimes for miles to be able to receive forgiveness and penitence in their life.”
• “…Satan truly has a strong hold here in Mexico that is supported by the Catholic church.”
• “What I saw was an enslavement to religion and sensuality.”
• “Is Catholicism in Mexico a religion or a culture?”

Worship of the Virgin of Guadalupe/idolatry (14)
• “I'd say right away that the cult of the Virgin Mary is the worst.”
• “To see people crawling on their knees trying to gain favor from Mary is enough to break even the hardest Christian heart. To see priests bow to Mary and ignore Jesus brings one to the point of anger. To see the precious indigenous people offering the sacrifice of first fruits to the feet of Mary is enough to drive a person to tears.”
• “…VERY STRONG in Mexico is…idolatry...”
• “There are also times that the statues of Jesus will shed tears or blood to get attention of the people, but it’s all idol worship.”
• “…one of the greatest strongholds of the devil in Mexico is the worship of those whom they call "los santos".
• “…(idols) have got a hold on people…steeped in paganistic belief…”
• “…the "Virgin of Guadalupe" has a strong hold on the heart of Mexicans.”
• “…December 12th… is the day to honor the "Virgin of Guadalupe". Several million people a year will walk to Mexico City to the cathedral of Guadalupe to pay homage. Many will crawl on their hands and knees the last few miles or blocks to gain merit.”
• “It's a sad day when you see how many are following her rather than our Lord.”

Witchcraft/Occultism/Paganism/Superstition (9)
• “in the villages there is a lot of ‘Santerismo’ or Devil worship.”
• “ ‘Curanderos’, female or male witch-doctors, are not just users of natural medicine…Such "curers" can be paid to put a curse on someone you don't like.
• “There has been a move to revive the old pagan worship and customs. Even in the educational system…”
• “…preserving the traditions centered around the Day of the Dead…That helps keep the ties with the spirit world or the under world and is conditioning children not only to be loyal to the syncretistic Catholicism but to have an open mind to links with the spirit world.”
• “There is such a focus on death and spirits.”
• “…the traditions and customs of Mexico are so much a carry over from the human sacrifices and spiritism of the Aztecs that it is really sad.”

Alcoholism (7)
• “Heavy drinking is expected among men...”
• “Many individuals are bound by drinking problems…”

Drugs/Trafficking (6)
• “…many are hooked on Crystal Methane. It is a cheap drug that keeps the high for days…horrible addiction.”
• “I’ve walked the streets and seen kids huffing paint.”

Materialism/Jobs (6)
• “…so involved in making a living…getting ahead…”

Breakdown of the marriages/family (5)
• “Families are under attack and often disintegrated…”
• “…it is accepted customary for married men to have girlfriends outside of marriage.”
• “…it is very acceptable for a married man to have a mistress.”
• “…many Mexican men having two households (his wife serves as his ‘mother’ while the mistress is his ‘lover’)”

Immorality/Pornography (4)
• “The advertisement is more blatant with the flesh here…”
• The sexual revolution was readily embraced in Mexico…So much pornography and so little of the Word of God. This has taken its toll also on Christian homes, pastors and missionaries.”

Cults (3)
• “You will either be following them or they will be following you.”

Family Influence in Relationships/Leaving Family (3)

Apathy & Ignorance (2)
• “They will show up at church, became a part but have no passion about it.”
• “Ellos no leen la Biblia.” (“They do not read the Bible”)

Corruption at many levels of government (2)

Economics/Poverty (2)

Low value placed on truth and integrity (2)

Business (1)

Discipleship Lacking (1)

Fatalism (1)

Fear (1)

Fighting between churches and denominations (1)

Ignorance (1)
• “Ellos no leen la Biblia.”
• “They do not read the Bible”

Kidnappings (1)

Machismo (1)

Pentecostalism (1)

Searching for identity (1)

Self-Esteem (1)

Spirit of Conquest, Domination, Defeat, Violation (1)
• “Human life is held at a very low value."

Teen Suicide (1)