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| Event 1 - Final Signs |
| Dangers of Spiritualism |
Key Text
"And
there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom:
and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with
his face toward the ground;" Genesis 19:1
"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained
angels unawares." Hebrews 13:2
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The ministration of holy angels, as presented in the Scriptures, is a truth
most comforting and precious to every follower of Christ. But the Bible
teaching upon this point has been obscured and perverted by the errors of
popular theology. The doctrine of natural immortality, first borrowed from
the pagan philosophy, and in the darkness of the great apostasy incorporated
into the Christian faith, has supplanted the truth, so plainly taught in
Scripture, that "the dead know not anything." Multitudes have
come to believe that it is spirits of the dead who are the "ministering
spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation." And
this notwithstanding the testimony of Scripture to the existence of heavenly
angels, and their connection with the history of man, before the death of
a human being.
The doctrine of man's consciousness in death, especially the belief that spirits
of the dead return to minister to the living, has prepared the way for modern
spiritualism. If the dead are admitted to the presence of God and holy angels,
and privileged with knowledge far exceeding what they before possessed, why should
they not return to the earth to enlighten and instruct the living? If, as taught
by popular theologians, spirits of the dead are hovering about their friends
on earth, why should they not be permitted to communicate with them, to warn
them against evil, or to comfort them in sorrow? How can those who believe in
man's consciousness in death reject what comes to them as divine light communicated
by glorified spirits? Here is a channel regarded as sacred, through which Satan
works for the accomplishment of his purposes. The fallen angels who do his bidding
appear as messengers from the spirit world. While professing to bring the living
into communication with the dead, the prince of evil exercises his bewitching
influence upon their minds.
He has power to bring before men the appearance of their departed friends. The
counterfeit is perfect; the familiar look, the words, the tone, are reproduced
with marvelous distinctness. Many are comforted with the assurance that their
loved ones are enjoying the bliss of heaven, and without suspicion of danger,
they give ear "to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils."
Key Text
"And
when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have
familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that
mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for
the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony:
if they speak not according to this word, it is because
there is no light in them. " Isaiah 8:19-20 |
When they have been led to believe that the dead actually return
to communicate with them, Satan causes those to appear who
went into the grave unprepared. They claim to be happy in heaven
and even to occupy exalted positions there, and thus the error
is widely taught that no difference is made between the righteous
and the wicked. The pretended visitants from the world of spirits
sometimes utter cautions and warnings which prove to be correct.
Then, as confidence is gained, they present doctrines that
directly undermine faith in the Scriptures. With an appearance
of deep interest in the well-being of their friends on earth,
they insinuate the most dangerous errors. The fact that they
state some truths, and are able at times to foretell future
events, gives to their statements an appearance of reliability;
and their false teachings are accepted by the multitudes as
readily, and believed as implicitly, as if they were the most
sacred truths of the Bible. The law of God is set aside, the
Spirit of grace despised, the blood of the covenant counted
an unholy thing. The spirits deny the deity of Christ and place
even the Creator on a level with themselves. Thus under a new
disguise the great rebel still carries on his warfare against
God, begun in heaven and for nearly six thousand years continued
upon the earth.
Many endeavor to account for spiritual manifestations by attributing them wholly
to fraud and sleight of hand on the part of the medium. But while it is true
that the results of trickery have often been palmed off as genuine manifestations,
there have been, also, marked exhibitions of supernatural power. The mysterious
rapping with which modern spiritualism began was not the result of human trickery
or cunning, but was the direct work of evil angels, who thus introduced one of
the most successful of soul-destroying delusions. Many will be ensnared through
the belief that spiritualism is a merely human imposture; when brought face to
face with manifestations which they cannot but regard as supernatural, they will
be deceived, and will be led to accept them as the great power of God.
These persons overlook the testimony of the Scriptures concerning
the wonders wrought by Satan and his agents. It was by satanic
aid that Pharaoh's magicians were enabled to counterfeit the work of
God. Paul testifies that before the second advent of Christ there will
be similar manifestations of satanic power. The coming of the Lord
is to be preceded by "the working of Satan with all power and
signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness." 2
Thessalonians 2:9,10. And the apostle John, describing the miracle-working
power that will be manifested in the last days, declares: "He
doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on
the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the
earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do." Revelation
13:13, 14. No mere impostures are here foretold. Men are deceived by
the miracles which Satan's agents have power to do, not which they
pretend to do.
Key Text
"And
no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel
of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers
also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness;
whose end shall be according to their works." 2
Corinthians 11:14-15
"Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan:
for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him
only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold,
angels came and ministered unto him." Matthew 4:10-11 |
The prince of darkness, who has so long bent the powers of his mastermind to
the work of deception, skillfully adapts his temptations to men of all classes
and conditions. To persons of culture and refinement he presents spiritualism
in its more refined and intellectual aspects, and thus succeeds in drawing many
into his snare. The wisdom which spiritualism imparts is that described by the
apostle James, which "descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual,
devilish." James 3:15. This, however, the great deceiver conceals when concealment
will best suit his purpose. He who could appear clothed with the brightness of
the heavenly seraphs before Christ in the wilderness of temptation, comes to
men in the most attractive manner as an angel of light. He appeals to the reason
by the presentation of elevating themes; he delights the fancy with enrapturing
scenes; and he enlists the affections by his eloquent portrayals of love and
charity. He excites the imagination to lofty flights, leading men to take so
great pride in their own wisdom that in their hearts they despise the Eternal
One. That mighty being who could take the world's Redeemer to an exceedingly
high mountain and bring before Him all the kingdoms of the earth and the glory
of them, will present his temptations to men in a manner to pervert the senses
of all who are not shielded by divine power.
Satan beguiles men now as he beguiled Eve in Eden by flattery, by kindling a
desire to obtain forbidden knowledge, by exciting ambition for self-exaltation.
It was cherishing these evils that caused his fall, and through them he aims
to compass the ruin of men. "Ye shall be as gods," he declares, "knowing
good and evil." Genesis 3:5. Spiritualism teaches "that man is the
creature of progression; that it is his destiny from his birth to progress, even
to eternity, toward the Godhead." And again: "Each mind will judge
itself and not another." "The judgment will be right, because it is
the judgment of self. . . . The throne is within you." Said a spiritualistic
teacher, as the "spiritual consciousness" awoke within him: "My
fellow men, all were unfallen demigods." And another declares: "Any
just and perfect being is Christ."
Thus, in place of the righteousness and perfection of the infinite
God, the true object of adoration; in place of the perfect
righteousness of His law, the true standard of human attainment,
Satan has substituted the sinful, erring nature of man himself
as the only object of adoration, the only rule of judgment,
or standard of character. This is progress, not upward, but
downward.
Key Text
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are
true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things
are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever
things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good
report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any
praise, think on these things." Philippians
4:8 |
It is a law both of the intellectual and the spiritual nature that by beholding
we become changed. The mind gradually adapts itself to the subjects upon which
it is allowed to dwell. It becomes assimilated to that which it is accustomed
to love and reverence. Man will never rise higher than his standard of purity
or goodness or truth. If self is his loftiest ideal, he will never attain to
anything more exalted. Rather, he will constantly sink lower and lower. The grace
of God alone has power to exalt man. Left to himself, his course must inevitably
be downward.
To the self-indulgent, the pleasure-loving, the sensual, spiritualism presents
itself under a less subtle disguise than to the more refined and intellectual;
in its grosser forms they find that which is in harmony with their inclinations.
Satan studies every indication of the frailty of human nature, he marks the sins
which each individual is inclined to commit, and then he takes care that opportunities
shall not be wanting to gratify the tendency to evil. He tempts men to excess
in that which is in itself lawful, causing them, through intemperance, to weaken
physical, mental, and moral power. He has destroyed and is destroying thousands
through the indulgence of the passions, thus brutalizing the entire nature of
man. And to complete his work, he declares, through the spirits that "true
knowledge places man above all law;" that "whatever is, is right;" that "God
doth not condemn;" and that "all sins which are committed are innocent." When
the people are thus led to believe that desire is the highest law, that liberty
is license, and that man is accountable only to himself, who can wonder that
corruption and depravity teem on every hand? Multitudes eagerly accept teachings
that leave them at liberty to obey the promptings of the carnal heart. The reins
of self-control are laid upon the neck of lust, the powers of mind and soul are
made subject to the animal propensities, and Satan exultingly sweeps into his
net thousands who profess to be followers of Christ.
But none need be deceived by the lying claims of spiritualism. God has given
the world sufficient light to enable them to discover the snare. As already shown,
the theory which forms the very foundation of spiritualism is at war with the
plainest statements of Scripture. The Bible declares that the dead know not anything,
that their thoughts have perished; they have no part in anything that is done
under the sun; they know nothing of the joys or sorrows of those who were dearest
to them on earth.
Key Text
"Regard not them that
have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to
be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God. " Leviticus
19:31 |
Furthermore, God has expressly forbidden all pretended communication with departed
spirits. In the days of the Hebrews there was a class of people who claimed,
as do the spiritualists of today, to hold communication with the dead. But the "familiar
spirits," as these visitants from other worlds were called, are declared
by the Bible to be "the spirits of devils." (Compare Numbers 25:1-3;
Psalm 106:28; I Corinthians 10:20; Revelation 16:14.) The work of dealing with
familiar spirits was pronounced an abomination to the Lord, and was solemnly
forbidden under penalty of death. Leviticus 19:31; 20:27. The very name of witchcraft
is now held in contempt. The claim that men can hold intercourse with evil spirits
is regarded as a fable of the Dark Ages. But spiritualism, which numbers its
converts by hundreds of thousands, yea, by millions, which has made its way into
scientific circles, which has invaded churches, and has found favor in legislative
bodies, and even in the courts of kings-- this mammoth deception is but a revival,
in a new disguise, of the witchcraft condemned and prohibited of old.
If there were no other evidence of the real character of spiritualism, it should
be enough for the Christian that the spirits make no difference between righteousness
and sin, between the noblest and purest of the apostles of Christ and the most
corrupt of the servants of Satan. By representing the basest of men as in heaven,
and highly exalted there, Satan says to the world: "No matter how wicked
you are; no matter whether you believe or disbelieve God and the Bible. Live
as you please; heaven is your home." The spiritualist teachers virtually
declare: "Everyone that doeth evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and
He delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?" Malachi 2:17.
Saith the word of God: "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil;
that put darkness for light, and light for darkness." Isaiah 5:20.
Key Text
"As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that
goeth down to the grave shall come up no more. He shall return no more
to his house, neither shall his place know him any more." Job
7:9-10 |
The apostles, as personated by these lying spirits, are made to contradict what
they wrote at the dictation of the Holy Spirit when on earth. They deny the divine
origin of the Bible, and thus tear away the foundation of the Christian's hope
and put out the light that reveals the way to heaven. Satan is making the world
believe that the Bible is a mere fiction, or at least a book suited to the infancy
of the race, but now to be lightly regarded, or cast aside as obsolete. And to
take the place of the word of God he holds out spiritual manifestations. Here
is a channel wholly under his control; by this means he can make the world believe
what he will. The Book that is to judge him and his followers he puts in the
shade, just where he wants it; the Saviour of the world he makes to be no more
than a common man. And as the Roman guard that watched the tomb of Jesus spread
the lying report which the priests and elders put into their mouths to disprove
His resurrection, so do the believers in spiritual manifestations try to make
it appear that there is nothing miraculous in the circumstances of our Saviour's
life. After thus seeking to put Jesus in the background, they call attention
to their own miracles, declaring that these far exceed the works of Christ.
It is true that spiritualism is now changing its form and, veiling some of its
more objectionable features, is assuming a Christian guise. But its utterances
from the platform and the press have been before the public for many years, and
in these its real character stands revealed. These teachings cannot be denied
or hidden.
Even in its present form, so far from being more worthy of toleration than formerly,
it is really a more dangerous, because a more subtle, deception. While it formerly
denounced Christ and the Bible, it now professes to accept both. But the Bible
is interpreted in a manner that is pleasing to the unrenewed heart, while its
solemn and vital truths are made of no effect. Love is dwelt upon as the chief
attribute of God, but it is degraded to a weak sentimentalism, making little
distinction between good and evil. God's justice, His denunciations of sin, the
requirements of His holy law, are all kept out of sight. The people are taught
to regard the Decalogue as a dead letter. Pleasing, bewitching fables captivate
the senses and lead men to reject the Bible as the foundation of their faith.
Christ is as verily denied as before; but Satan has so blinded the eyes of the
people that the deception is not discerned.
There are few who have any just conception of the deceptive
power of spiritualism and the danger of coming under its influence.
Many tamper with it merely to gratify their curiosity. They have no real faith
in it and would be filled with horror at the thought of yielding themselves to
the spirits' control. But they venture upon the forbidden ground, and the mighty
destroyer exercises his power upon them against their will. Let them once
be induced to submit their minds to his direction, and he holds
them captive. It is impossible, in their own strength, to break away from the
bewitching, alluring spell. Nothing but the power of God, granted in answer to
the earnest prayer of faith, can deliver these ensnared souls.
All who indulge sinful traits of character, or willfully cherish a known sin,
are inviting the temptations of Satan. They separate themselves from God and
from the watchcare of His angels; as the evil one presents his deceptions, they
are without defense and fall an easy prey. Those who thus place themselves in
his power little realize where their course will end. Having achieved their overthrow,
the tempter will employ them as his agents to lure others to ruin.
Key Text
"For the living know
that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing,
neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of
them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred,
and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any
more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under
the sun. " Ecclesiastes
9:5-6 |
Says the prophet Isaiah: "When they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that
have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not
a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the
testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no
light in them." Isaiah 8:19, 20. If men had been willing to receive the
truth so plainly stated in the Scriptures concerning the nature of man and the
state of the dead, they would see in the claims and manifestations of spiritualism
the working of Satan with power and signs and lying wonders. But rather than
yield the liberty so agreeable to the carnal heart, and renounce the sins which
they love, multitudes close their eyes to the light and walk straight on, regardless
of warnings, while Satan weaves his snares about them, and they become his prey. "Because
they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved," therefore "God
shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie." 2 Thessalonians
2:10, 11.
Those who oppose the teachings of spiritualism are assailing, not men alone,
but Satan and his angels. They have entered upon a contest against principalities
and powers and wicked spirits in high places. Satan will not yield one inch of
ground except as he is driven back by the power of heavenly messengers. The people
of God should be able to meet him, as did our Saviour, with the words: "It
is written." Satan can quote Scripture now as in the days of Christ, and
he will pervert its teachings to sustain his delusions. Those who would stand
in this time of peril must understand for themselves the testimony of the Scriptures.
Many will be confronted by the spirits of devils personating beloved relatives
or friends and declaring the most dangerous heresies. These visitants will appeal
to our tenderest sympathies and will work miracles to sustain their pretensions.
We must be prepared to withstand them with the Bible truth that the dead know
not anything and that they who thus appear are the spirits of devils.
Just before us is "the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the
world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." Revelation 3:10. All whose
faith is not firmly established upon the word of God will be deceived and overcome.
Satan "works with all deceivableness of unrighteousness" to gain control
of the children of men, and his deceptions will continually increase. But he
can gain his object only as men voluntarily yield to his temptations. Those who
are earnestly seeking a knowledge of the truth and are striving to purify their
souls through obedience, thus doing what they can to prepare for the conflict,
will find, in the God of truth, a sure defense. "Because thou hast kept
the word of My patience, I also will keep thee" (verse 10), is the Saviour's
promise. He would sooner send every angel out of heaven to protect His people
than leave one soul that trusts in Him to be overcome by Satan.
The prophet Isaiah brings to view the fearful deception
which will come upon the wicked, causing them to count themselves
secure from the judgments of God: "We have made a covenant with death, and
with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through,
it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood
have we hid ourselves." Isaiah 28:15. In the class here described are included
those who in their stubborn impenitence comfort themselves with the assurance
that there is to be no punishment for the sinner; that all mankind, it matters
not how corrupt, are to be exalted to heaven, to become as the angels of God.
But still more emphatically are those making a covenant with death and an agreement
with hell, who renounce the truths which Heaven has provided as a defense for
the righteous in the day of trouble, and accept the refuge of lies offered by
Satan in its stead--the delusive pretensions of spiritualism.
Marvelous beyond expression is the blindness of the people of this generation.
Thousands reject the word of God as unworthy of belief and with eager confidence
receive the deceptions of Satan. Skeptics and scoffers denounce the bigotry of
those who contend for the faith of prophets and apostles, and they divert themselves
by holding up to ridicule the solemn declarations of the Scriptures concerning
Christ and the plan of salvation, and the retribution to be visited upon the
rejecters of the truth. They affect great pity for minds so narrow, weak, and
superstitious as to acknowledge the claims of God and obey the requirements of
His law. They manifest as much assurance as if, indeed, they had made a covenant
with death and an agreement with hell-- as if they had erected an impassable,
impenetrable barrier between themselves and the vengeance of God. Nothing can
arouse their fears. So fully have they yielded to the tempter, so closely are
they united with him, and so thoroughly imbued with his spirit, that they have
no power and no inclination to break away from his snare.
Key Text
"And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall
be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." Genesis
3:4-5 |
Satan has long been preparing for his final effort to deceive
the world. The foundation of his work was laid by the assurance
given to Eve in Eden: "Ye shall not surely die." "In the day ye
eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing
good and evil." Genesis 3:4, 5. Little by little he has prepared the way
for his masterpiece of deception in the development of spiritualism. He has not
yet reached the full accomplishment of his designs; but it will be reached in
the last remnant of time. Says the prophet: "I saw three unclean spirits
like frogs; . . . they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go
forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the
battle of that great day of God Almighty." Revelation 16:13, 14. Except
those who are kept by the power of God, through faith in His word, the whole
world will be swept into the ranks of this delusion. The people are fast being
lulled to a fatal security, to be awakened only by the outpouring of the wrath
of God.
Saith the Lord God: "Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness
to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters
shall overflow the hiding place. And your covenant with death shall be disannulled,
and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall
pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it." Isaiah 28:17, 18.
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A Parable Explained: