'Great Controversy-
Chapter XXXIV- Spiritualism -- Continued….
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. The prince of darkness, who has so
long bent the powers of his master-mind 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. 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
“whatsoever 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.
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; 1
Corinthians 10:20; Revelation 16:14.]
Num 25:1 And
Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the
daughters of Moab.
Num 25:2 And
they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did
eat, and bowed down to their gods.
Num 25:3 And
Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled
against Israel.
Psa 106:28
They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.
1Co 10:20 But
I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils,
and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with
devils.
Rev 16:14 For
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.
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.]
Lev 19:31
Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be
defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.
Lev 20:27 A
man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall
surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be
upon them.
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, “Every one 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.]
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 nearly forty 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 watch care
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. 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,” [Revelation 3:10.] 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 the 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. 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 master-piece 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.”
[Revelation16:13,14.]
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.]
