One of RAMBAM's most radical teachings, and the main reason that his books were burned in Europe, is the Parable of the Island. He writes that there is an island, in the center of which is a palace, where a great King dwells. The people in other places are unaware of the existence of the island, let alone of the palace or the King. There are those who live on the island, but are unconcerned with the palace or King. There are those who have come to the palace, but only circle it, never finding the entrance. Only a few find the entrance, and get to know the King. RAMBAM explains his parable. Those in other lands, who know nothing of the island, palace, or King, are the pagans. Those on the island, unconcerned with the King, are the Christians and Muslims, who know of the King, but are ignorant of where and how he can be found. Those who circle the palace, are the Torah scholars (!!!). Those who enter are the philosophers. Besides seeing philosophy as greater than Torah, RAMBAM actually sees Paradise as open only to those who have sought G-d by means of philosophical insight. (I in no way accept the claim of some, that when RAMBAM says "philosophy", he actually means "Kabbalah". Anyone familiar with his letters and responsa can readily see that this is not the case. Claims that at the end of his life, he discovered "true Kabbalah", have no evidence to back this up.) This is totally in line with RAMBAM's cut and dry understanding of Judaism. Any reality other than G-d is false, even those realities mentioned in the Written and Oral Torah (like angels and demons) must be seen as metaphors. On the other hand, there is a fascinating comment in the Talmud, on the prophecy of Malachi (1:11):

But my name is honored by people of other nations from morning till night. All around the world they offer sweet incense and pure offerings in honor of my name. For my name is great among the nations," says the L-RD of Heaven's Armies.

While it is true that most Christian translations see this as a prophecy of a future situation, the rabbis understood this literally as a present reality.They ask: "What?! Is G-d worshiped everywhere?! By pagans?! Yes! They call Him the G-d of gods!" Every polytheistic system has at its core, a belief in a power above the gods. In Homer, when Zeus needs to know what will happen, he weighs Fate (Moira). In essence, all people's prayers and sacrifice are directed, ultimately, to G-d. Their grave mistake is to worship and personify His manifestations in Nature, rather than G-d himself. In this is their idolatry. In Kabbalah, the common term "Elohim Acherim" (other gods) is interpreted as "Externalities of G-d". They see the power in the wind, the sun, the sea; but they fail to understand that these are manifestations of His power, not separate entities. But, unlike RAMBAM's parable, they are seeking G-d. I am reminded of the 1980 song "Looking for love in all the wrong places, looking for love in too many faces". For the Talmud and Kabbalah, that would be the definition of paganism. Therefore, it is unreasonable to say that the pagan prophets and priests are worthless and powerless, it is just that they are missing the main point. There is a most interesting story in the Zohar, about a rabbi who visited the "Lands of the East" (India?), and discovered books nearly identical to Kabbalah. When he consulted his teacher about these books, he said "Yes. They are VERY close. But the subtle differences between them and Torah make a HUGE difference." So, for the Talmudist and Kabbalist, it is not that there aren't mysterious powers in the world, but following them would mean never really finding G-d. (Maimonists and other "rationalists" would find these ideas profoundly disturbing.) Yes, the Truth is indeed "out there".