UFOs and the Paranormal

UFOs and the Paranormal ―Jay Zinn

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in the latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.” ―1 Timothy 4:1

“By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. … this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.” ―1 John 4:2–3

FOR MANY PEOPLE, UFOs are exciting. They seem to offer the hope of contact with advanced beings from distant planets who might teach us, guide us, or even “save” us. But I believe something vastly different is going on—and it is far more serious.

To begin with, as noted in the second and third parts of this series on UFOs, think about what it would take for physical beings from another star system to visit us. They would have to travel at or beyond the speed of light, crossing vast distances almost instantly. Many UFO reports describe objects and beings that appear and disappear at will, pass through walls, and move faster than we can imagine. At that point, we are no longer talking about ordinary physical technology. We are dealing with something that seems to step outside normal space and time.

A number of respected UFO researchers—not necessarily Christians and not trying to prove a religious point—have noticed this “non‑physical” side of the phenomenon. Repeatedly, they have documented strange, psychic, or occult aspects to UFO encounters. UFOs and their occupants appear and vanish, walk through walls, and change shape, much like ghosts or spirits in traditional accounts. Messages given to abductees by so‑called “aliens” are strikingly similar to messages long reported by mediums, mystics, and occult practitioners. The overall effect of many encounters seems to be psychological and spiritual: a subtle manipulation or “conditioning” of human beliefs and consciousness.

Because of these patterns, a number of researchers have seen a connection between UFO experiences and what used to be called demonology. For centuries, reports of demonic encounters have described entities that can take on almost any form—angels of light, terrifying monsters, glowing‑eyed creatures, strange lights and shapes that appear and vanish. These stories include beings and objects that materialize and dematerialize, people hearing voices in their minds, and deep physical, emotional, and mental disturbances in those affected. When you compare this older literature on demonology—often written by clergy, scholars, and even some scientists—with modern UFO accounts, the overlap is remarkable. The symptoms and events described are often “similar” to what is reported today.

The most revealing clue of the UFO phenomena lies in the content of the messages delivered by these entities. Again and again, messages claimed to come from UFO beings promote occult practices, astrology, and New Age spirituality. They also encourage a moral outlook that clashes with biblical teaching. Most importantly, they consistently deny the truth and authority of the Bible and attack key Christian beliefs: the deity of Jesus Christ, the reality of heaven and hell, God’s judgment, and salvation by grace through Christ alone.

A good example of this is found in "The Urantia Book," a thick volume published in 1955, said to have been dictated by superhuman celestial beings to a human “contact personality.” Much of it is devoted to undermining core biblical doctrines—especially who Jesus is and what He did for us. And, like many occult texts, it is filled with scientific and historical errors and contradictions. This is not the voice of a superior civilization bringing higher truth; it looks far more like the same old demonic spiritual deception in a new costume.

Also discovered are many parallels between UFO phenomena and demonic activity. Both occur far more often at night or in darkness. Both are frequently accompanied by foul, “noxious” odors. Both involve impressive displays of seemingly supernatural power: for UFOs, impossible flight patterns and sudden right‑angle turns at enormous speeds; for demons, other paranormal feats reported in occult literature. Both produce books and “revelations” that resemble each other in tone, themes, and errors. In both areas, those who get deeply involved often face increased fear, mental disturbance, and, in some cases, bizarre and tragic deaths. Many documented cases describe people dying under strange circumstances following UFO encounters, in ways disturbingly similar to some occult and witchcraft tales.

It is also telling that a large number of people who report UFO encounters have a prior history of involvement with the occult—Ouija boards, witchcraft, channeling, and similar practices. From many testimonies and investigations, a clear pattern emerges: those who have “opened doors” to the occult are much more likely to experience these phenomena; those who have not are far less likely to do so.

That's why there is a notable claim from many Christian ministries and researchers: born‑again Christians, who trust in Jesus Christ and call on His name, that Christians are rarely subject to ongoing abductions or close encounters. And in cases where believers have cried out to Jesus during an encounter, the experience is often reported to stop immediately. Taken together, this strongly suggests that the phenomenon is spiritual in nature—and specifically demonic—rather than purely extraterrestrial and physical.

The Bible gives us a framework for understanding this type of demonic illusion. In 2 Thessalonians 2:9–12, the apostle Paul warns that in the last days, “the coming of the lawless one will be according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,” deceiving those who are perishing because they “did not receive the love of the truth.” As a result, God allows “a strong delusion” to come so that they will believe “the lie.” Today, that lie sounds very much like the messages often reported in UFO and New Age circles: that there is no God as revealed in the Bible; instead, there are advanced extraterrestrials—gods from other planets—who can bring us truth, salvation, and spiritual evolution without Jesus Christ.

Watching our culture get caught up in this, it is heartbreaking to see so many people—including some who once seemed grounded—reject what I believe is overwhelming evidence for the biblical God and yet, instead, place their hope in distant, unknown “aliens.” The old Garden of Eden desire to be “like God” without submitting to God is simply being repackaged in modern science‑fiction language.

So where does that leave us? I do believe there is an illusion of extraterrestrial life in the broad sense—people are seeing "something"—but not as physical visitors from another solar system. I believe these entities are spiritual, deceptive, and dangerous: demons posing as distant space travelers. The rising fascination with UFOs or UAPs and the idea of “alien salvation” is not harmless entertainment. It is part of an ongoing spiritual war for human minds and hearts.

If this deception is true, and I believe it is, then the only safe response is clear. We must turn away from false spiritualities and occult practices, no matter how attractive or sophisticated they appear. Instead, we are called to trust in Jesus Christ—His death for our sins, His resurrection from the dead, and His offer of forgiveness and new life by grace.

The Bible promises that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life, and that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. By believing in Christ, confessing Him as Lord, and calling on His name, a person can be forgiven, rescued from spiritual deception and demonic strongholds, and be prepared for His return. In a world filled with signs, wonders, and seductive lies—whether they arrive in a séance room or a flying saucer—He remains the only solid ground.

*Sources for further investigation:

John A. Keel―Operation Trojan Horse (1970, reissued in 1996).

Jacques Vallée―Messengers of Deception (1979); Dimensions (1988).

J. Allen Hynek―The UFO Experience (1972).

Gary Bates―Alien Intrusion: UFOs and the Evolution Connection (2004).

Lynn Catoe―UFOs and Related Subjects (1969).

John Ankerberg & John Weldon―The Facts on UFOs (1992).

Donna Higbee―New Abductee Trend (2003).

*I do not endorse everything these books may contain, but they are a good source for scientific research from people who have been experts in this field for a long time.