The Spirit of Molech: Alive and Well?

By: Pastor Tim Howard, M.A.H.S.

It is hard to determine what is true today and what is not. Recently, the news media has forced the world to learn more about the life of Jeffrey Epstein. With the release of thousands of documents related to Epstein and government investigations, we still do not know what is true and what is not. Just because documents were released does not mean those documents were not originally created as a distraction or even as false information. Then there are the pictures—thousands of them. Pictures do not lie, unless they are altered or created by artificial intelligence. Even though facts can be uncertain, we must still examine the data before us and recognize the possibility that much of what Epstein is accused of may be true.

Nothing New

As the book of Ecclesiastes tells us, “There is nothing new under the sun.” The horror we read about and hear from those with firsthand accounts of the alleged atrocities that occurred on Epstein’s island or at other locations connected to him is not new to human history. What Epstein and his associates have been accused of has been occurring for thousands of years. It is truly shocking that these events could happen in our own time and in our own country. These are the kinds of things we assume only happened long ago or in distant places. Yet here, on the soil of the United States of America, these tragic events could have been happening—and according to the available information, likely were happening.

We often think of evil spiritual influence as affecting individuals one at a time, causing them to commit evil acts. However, as I wrote in my paper The Source and Means of Evil, spiritual influence can operate on a much larger scale than a few demonic spirits influencing one or two people. Evil exists at a spiritual level, and its goal is urgent. It represents a direct opposition to God and His plan to dwell with His people forever. Evil beings are intent on destroying God’s plan and harming His people.

The methods of evil influence are not confined to individuals. Evil weaves itself into the systems of society. It draws individuals into systems that demand loyalty, promise secrecy, and offer to indulge sin while keeping it hidden.

These systems include influential and elite individuals across the world. They exist in Hollywood, in all forms of government, within Christian institutions, the sports world, universities, and beyond. These are people who have entertained our children on television, performed music on stage, and filled our history books with stories of their impact on society. The system is so deep and so complex that no one person can fully control or manipulate it. Participants can no longer hide their involvement in child sacrifice or sexual sins against children—it has become too vast. Only evil powers guide such systems, and those who wish to keep their sins hidden must continually “feed the gods.” They must give their lives over to these false gods and become pawns in a sinister system of sin and idol worship.

Who Is Epstein?

Jeffrey Epstein was a wealthy financier who entertained elite individuals from around the globe. Government investigations allege that he operated an extensive sex-trafficking network involving minors. He used wealth, prestige, and elite access to shield himself from accountability. He facilitated abuse that benefited and involved powerful individuals. His network of contacts was enormous, and his influence over powerful people appeared almost inhuman. It is reasonable to conclude that powers and principalities were working through him. At one point, he may have been one of the most powerful men in the world, even though most people did not know who he was. It is possible that he influenced elections, decisions made by world leaders, and governmental policies.

As stated earlier, this type of sinful behavior is not new. Moses warned the children of Israel not to give their children over to these evil spirits, referred to as gods or idols:

"You shall not give any of your children to offer them to Molech, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD." (Lev 18:21 ESV)

The Old Testament also speaks of the Valley of Slaughter:

“For the sons of Judah have done evil in my sight, declares the LORD. They have set their detestable things in the house that is called by my name, to defile it. And they have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, which I did not command, nor did it come into my mind.” (Jer 7:30–31 ESV)

Who Is Molech?

Molech was one of the gods associated with these detestable actions. He was a false god whose attributes and character bear striking similarities to Jeffrey Epstein. False gods and idols were widespread in the ancient world. Many societies believed in multiple gods who governed different aspects of life, such as fertility, harvest, or the sun. When people constructed a graven image of a god, they did so believing the god would inhabit the image. The evil spirits—the evil sons of God and their minions—gladly responded to humanity’s desire for idol worship. While the image itself was inanimate, the spiritual force behind it was real. This provided an effective means for the enemies of God to influence people toward destruction.

Molech was more than an image; he represented a system of worship and evil action. Molech operated through complex structures, seeking to entangle humanity in deep sin by influencing society through political, financial, and educational systems.

Molech’s influence was strong among the gods. He was used to influence parents to sacrifice their children in exchange for prosperity, protection, or political stability. Archaeological findings and ancient texts reveal that worship of Molech was connected to state power, priesthoods, and ruling classes. Molech’s theology was simple: give what is most precious, and the god will grant success. What should have been unthinkable became ritualized, justified, and defended. Molech worship reversed God’s created order. Children were meant to be protected, not consumed through sacrifice or sexual exploitation. Power was meant to serve life, not devour it. Worship was meant to restore humanity, not dehumanize it.

The Likeness of Epstein

The similarities between Epstein’s actions and Molech worship are striking. They mirror one another so closely that it is reasonable to believe the spirit of Molech is still at work today. Molech persuaded people to sacrifice their children so elites could secure power and favor. Epstein exploited minors so powerful adults could indulge, compromise, or control others. In both cases, innocence became the currency that drew elites into participation. Once involved, their lives and reputations were bound to the system.

Molech could not force people to act against their will. Evil spirits do not possess the power to force obedience. Molech required human participation. He had priests to guide worship and secure designated places for sacrifice. Their role was not only to direct worship but also to normalize sin. Epstein likewise depended on people on the ground—enablers, recruiters, institutional silence, and protection. This required planning and widespread cooperation. Those invited to Epstein’s places of “worship” were often unaware they were also being used to secure his power.

Every evil system has a goal which included locking participants in...forever. In ancient times, kings tolerated Molech worship because it provided political leverage and perceived stability. In Epstein’s case, the system permitted him to commit heinous acts while drawing others into similar behavior. Participation ensured silence, and silence sustained the system. Epstein was useful to powerful people, and they were useful to him.

Molech is an ancient idol whose name means “king.” He was the chief deity of the Ammonites and worshiped among the Phoenicians. His persona was shaped by rebellious spiritual beings for the purpose of destroying God’s people and severing their relationship with Him. Molech represents a timeless structure of exploitation. His methods are subtle and often remain hidden until boundaries are exceeded and God intervenes. When that happens, the depth of evil becomes visible to society.

Why does God allow this?

Scripture teaches that rebellious spiritual beings have a limited time to act before their ultimate destruction. During this time, their evil deeds reveal the consequences of life without God and point people toward salvation through Jesus Christ.

"And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth." (Isa 24:21–22 KJV)

It was time for Epstein’s evil deeds to be exposed. Countless people were harmed, and many were silenced. There are more victims and more connections than we currently know. Not everyone who spoke with Epstein or visited him participated in evil, but the reality is that much of the world was affected by his influence. The spirit of Molech was at work long before Epstein, building a system over time. His actions crossed boundaries and threatened national sovereignty. Too many people lived (and still do) under the influence of this evil and drew others into it. What may have begun on an island or ranch has now expanded as biblical sin becomes normalized across the world.

What can we do?

Now that we know the evil is bigger than Jeffery Epstein, now that we know this is a spiritual battle in the heavenlies, what do we do?

Don’t Panic - Jesus is on the throne

And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Mat 28:18 ESV)

Good and evil do not compete as if they are of even power. It’s not a competition between two equal sides. A winner has already been named. Good (God) let’s evil operate on the earth for a time so people will see how much they need to be rescued from it (through Jesus). Evil powers are real, but they are defeated rulers awaiting judgment. While they are here, they have limited power and limited access to people. They cannot make people do things. The only authority they have is the authority people give them.

"He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him." (Col 2:15 ESV)

Know the nature of the battle

"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." (Eph 6:12 ESV)

These evil spirits gain strength and influence when truth is obscured, injustice is normalized, innocence is unprotected, and shame silences victims.

Know how to stand against the enemy

Avoid evil

"Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them." (Eph 5:11 ESV)

Refuse lies, reject assumptions, separate emotions from truth, know what good is. Darkness thrives on confusion, truth collapses it.

Protect the vulnerable

"Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." (Psa 82:3-4 ESV)

Protecting children and defending the powerless is direct warfare with the evil principalities. Fighting evil is not done with physical weapons, it is done with Godly truth.

Refuse moral compromise

…and give no opportunity to the devil. (Eph 4:27 ESV)

The influence of Molech can be dismantled by being faithful to God’s word. Being faithful with sexual integrity, financial honesty, truthful words, and distain for sin will actively fight against the evil of the spirit of Molech.

Pray

Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Mat 6:9-10 ESV)

When we pray, we are not begging God to see the evil. We pray to see God’s will on earth. Prayer aligns earth with heaven, holds of chaos, and calls judgment upon evil.

Be You and No One Else

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

"Do not allow yourself to become what God hates. Do not allow outrage to replace love. The enemy wins if we do. God’s way is simple: truth without hatred, justice without vengeance, and courage without arrogance." (Rom 12:21 ESV)

God’s Plan for the evil sons of God

God’s plan for those who are responsible for evil on the earth is destruction and replacement. The evil sons of God will be destroyed and replaced by the family of God established by Jesus Christ. This means you and me (if we are true believers).

"…so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places." ([Eph 3:10 ESV)

The body of Christ, the church, should be a preview of the world the evil powers are losing. The church should be different than the world the spirit of Molech (and others) are creating through their evil influence. True believers in Christ fight against this evil with spiritually healthy families, honest leadership, the protection of children, and a strong desire for holiness.

Conclusion

Evil will not stop as long as we are on this earth in its current state. God was not haphazard when He decided to allow evil to roam the earth for a while. He knows what He is doing. It is so important to Him that as many people as possible spend eternity with Him. The revelation of evil convinces people they need to be rescued and the only way is Jesus.

God did not leave us as weakened, helpless children to withstand all of this evil. He gave us everything we need to stand against it. It is up to us to choose to not foster evil or become a part of it in any way. This takes the discernment of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. We have everything we need to overcome, we just have to do it. We have to rely on God to tell us what is good and what’s not (through His Word) instead of allowing society to tell us the next new thing.

The hope and prayer is that this presentation of detestable evil, right in our backyard, will open the eyes of people to the reality of spiritual warfare and it’s complex web of sin and destruction...and the need for Christ. If you didn’t believe before, maybe you should now.