“Midnight Mass”, a miniseries released on Netflix 24 September 2021, is an exceptionally well-written horror story about a church in America that is led astray by a demon (ref. 1).
The demon is expressed in the story through the metaphor of a vampire – a creature with bat-like wings that thirsts for human blood, and that burns in sun light (ref. 2).
Of course, in reality, vampires don’t exist. But demons do.
In Midnight Mass (2021), the vampire corrupts a church by turning the priest. Similarly, in these last days, demons have corrupted many a congregation of Christians (ref. 2), and often, the way that they have done this is by taking over the priest or the pastor.
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Matthew 7:15-16
Whenever a priest or a pastor falls spiritually, a great portion of the congregation under him, if not his entire congregation, eventually also falls. The Bible warns that in these last days, there will be those that shall depart from the faith, giving heed to “seducing spirits”, and “doctrines of devils”.
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils
1 Timothy 4:1
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2 Timothy 4:3-4
In the story of Midnight Mass, Father Paul Hill, who is Monsignor Pruitt, is attacked by a vampire while inside a cave, and at this moment of tribulation when he has to choose between remaining faithful to Jesus Christ and becoming a servant of evil, he mistakenly chooses the latter, telling himself and later others as well that evil is good (ref. 3).
The story reveals to the audience that Monsignor Pruitt regards the vampire as an angel rather than a demon. He even likens the blood of the vampire that is offered to him to the stigmata and to the blood of Christ as in the Eucharist. He does all this by handling the word of God deceitfully (ref. 2 Corinthians 4:2) and by wresting scripture in a blasphemous way (ref. 2 Peter 3:16), confusing good and evil.
Leviticus and Deuteronomy are clear that the righteous are not to eat the blood of any manner of flesh.
For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off.
Leviticus 17:14
Plus, it should be obvious that a blood-thirsty vampire that needs to kill humans in order to live is something evil rather than good.
Midnight Mass (2021) is striking because there is truth to it. There are many men of the cloth around today who actually think evil is good, and good is evil. The writer and director Mike Flanagan even describes Midnight Mass as a “parable” (ref. 4).
In time to come, when captured by the enemy and faced with a choice like Monsignor Pruitt’s, a Christian must remain steadfast in the faith and believe in the resurrection.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
Mark 8:35-36
To be sure, there is some subtle propaganda in Midnight Mass (2021) from the other side, as is the case for almost all movies and Netflix series nowadays. In this story, there is an elaborate, scientific monologue at the end from an atheist, a scene that proselytises to the audience that God is not real. Also, in the end, the one that saves the day, as it were, happens to be a Muslim rather than a Christian let alone Christ. Nevertheless, Midnight Mass (2021) is still worth watching if only to see how a demon and also misguided Christians might spin the words of scripture to deceive and lead astray many.
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Matthew 7:13-15
Singing hymns, appearing pious, professing holiness – all of that is worth nothing if at the hour of tribulation one chooses the wrong side.
From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs, even glory to the righteous. But I said, My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me! the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously.
Isaiah 24:16
To tell this story of a demon twisting the words of the Bible, one must know a lot of the Bible. Here, the writers of Midnight Mass do not disappoint.
The story has seven episodes, or chapters, namely Genesis, Psalms, Proverbs, Lamentations, Gospel, Acts of the Apostles, Revelation.
It is interesting that this story about vampires that eat flesh and can be destroyed by sun light contains Psalms 27:1-3. In his day, David was pursued by evil, and he was at that time saved by the LORD, who is the light.
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
Psalms 27:1-3
In Midnight Mass (2021), there is even a sermon about God’s army: soldiers of Christ (ref. 2 Timothy 2:3) serving the kingdom of God and fighting a war.
Only someone who has read the word of God, or a demon on the opposing side, can know these things. For these two are two opponents on the same battlefield.
References:
1. “Midnight Mass Teaser”, youtube.com/watch?v=89UV8vmWXlY
2. “A Taste for Blood. The Angel of Midnight Mass”, youtube.com/watch?v=GexsWAcrmSg
3. “Midnight Mass Angel”, youtube.com/watch?v=_CBOJvDNjTs
4. “Making Midnight Mass”, youtube.com/watch?v=gknt09SYXm0