Pharmakeia, Drugs, Sorcery and the End Times

In the New Testament the word pharmakeia occurs three times (Gal 5:19-21; Rev 9:21; 18:23). Each time, it is translated as ‘sorcery’ or ‘magic’ and it is something that is spoken of in negative terms.

Revelation 18:23 says “And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.”

The Greek word for sorceries in this verse is pharmakeia.

"Pharmakeia” according to Strong's Concordance is "the use of medicine, drugs, or spells." Thayer's Greek Lexicon includes "poisoning" here. Holy balls of fire, that's interesting given recent events! There are poisons deliberately being used in our water, food, medicine, clothing, beds, homes, vehicles.....

If we do some word substitution here:

“For by thy pharmakeia were ALL nations deceived."

We get:

"For by thy use of medicine, drugs, spells, or poisons were ALL nations deceived."