If the dead are completely insensate, with whom or what do spiritualist mediums communicate? Every honest person will admit that at least some of these phenomena are fraudulent; but others cannot be explained as such. There obviously is some supernatural power connected with spiritualism.
What does the Bible teach on this point?
peace and truth
THE BASIS OF SPIRITUALISM.
Spiritualism originated with Satan’s first lie to Eve-“‘You will not surely die’” (Gen 3:4). His words were the first sermon on the immortality of the soul. Today, throughout the world, religions of all sorts unwittingly repeat this error. For many,the divine sentence that “the soul who sins shall die.”
And today we have popular preachers rebelling against the Word and making it out to mean “the soul that sins will not surely die. (we are all sinners). (Rom 3:23). Ezekiel 18:20 has been reversed to say “the soul, even though it sins, shall live eternally and go straight to heaven before the resurrection.” (…………) The reference brackets are empty for that sentence because there is not a single verse in the Bible to prove this dogma of the popular churches.
This erroneous doctrine of natural immortality has led to belief of consciousness in death. Even though the Bible says
“the dead know not anything.” (Eccl 9:4-6)
As we have seen, these positions of our most admired preachers, priests, pastors, etc directly contradict the Biblical teaching on this subject. These new age spiritualistic beliefs were incorporated into the Christian faith from pagan philosophy. Particularly that of Plato-during the time of the great apostasy. See Eph 2:19-22. These beliefs became the prevailing view within Christianity and continue to be the dominant view today.
Belief that the dead are conscious has prepared many Christians to accept modern-day spiritualism in all of its forms and guises. If the dead are alive and in the presence of God, why could they not return to earth as ministering spirits? (Heb 1:14). And if they can, why not try to communicate with them to receive their counsel and instruction, to avoid misfortune, or to receive comfort in sorrow?
Building on this line of reasoning, Satan and his angels (Rev 12:4,Rev 12:9) have established a channel of communication with the spirit world of the devil through which they can accomplish their deception. Through such means as spiritualistic seances, (Gen 3:4) they impersonate departed loved ones, bringing supposed comfort and assurance to the living. At times they predict future events,which, when proved to be accurate, seems to give them credibility. Then the dangerous heresies they proclaim take on the aura of authenticity, even though they contradict the Bible and God’s law. Having removed the barriers against evil, Satan has free rein to deceive and to lead people away from God and to certain evils that God has condemned in His Word.
WARNING AGAINST SPIRITUALISM.
No one need be deceived by spiritualism. The Bible clearly exposes its claims as false. As we have seen, the Bible tells us that the dead do not know anything, that they lay unconscious in the grave. The Bible also strongly forbids any attempt to communicate with the dead or the spirit world. It says that those who claim to communicate with the dead, as spiritualistic mediums do today, are actually communicating with “familiar spirits” (Deut 18:10-11) that are “spirits of devils.” that actually work real miracles that we will believe if we do not accept what the Bible says on this point. (Rev 16:4).
What if someone you know who died came to you all of a sudden and said they did not in fact die? The Lord said these activities were abominations, and that those who perpetrated them were to be punished. (Lev 19:31; Lev 20:27; Deu 18:10-11).
Isaiah expressed well the gross error of spiritualism:
“When they say to you, ‘Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,’ should not a people seek their God?
Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isa 8:19-20).
There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that uses divination, an observer of clouds, or a fortune-teller, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or one who calls to the dead.(Deut 18:10-11)
Only the teachings of the Bible can safeguard Christians against this overwhelming deception that will test every person on the planet. The first lie (Gen 3:4)will be the last lie upon which everyone will be tested. (Rev 3:10)
MANIFESTATIONS OF SPIRITUALISM.
The Bible records a number of spiritualistic activities-from the magicians of Pharaoh and the magicians, astrologers, and sorcerers of Nineveh and Babylon to the witches and mediums of Israel-and condemns them all. The Bible even says that “rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft.” (1 Sam 15:23).
Recall the “familiar spirit” seance that the witch of Endor conjured for Saul. Scripture says, “When Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets” (1 Sam 28:6). God, then, had nothing to do with what happened at Endor. Saul was deceived by a demon impersonating the dead prophet Samuel; he never saw the real Samuel. The witch saw the form of an old man while Saul only “perceived” or concluded that it was Samuel. (1 Sam 28:14).
If we are to believe that that apparition truly was Samuel, we must be prepared to believe that witches, wizards,necromancers, sorcerers, spiritualists, or mediums can call the righteous dead from wherever they go when they die. We must also then accept that the godly Samuel existed in a conscious state in the earth, because the old man ascended “out of the earth” (1 Sam 28:13). This seance apparently brought Saul despair, not hope. The next day Saul committed suicide (1 Sam 31:4). Yet the so-called “Samuel” had predicted that on that day Saul and his sons would be with him (1 Sam 28:19). If he were correct, we would have to conclude that after death the disobedient Saul and the righteous Samuel dwelt together!
Instead, we must conclude that an evil angel brought about the deceptive events that occurred at this seance.
BIBLE PROPHECY AND SPIRITUALISM
The Final Delusion.
In the past the manifestations of spiritualism were confined to the realm of the occult, but more recently spiritualism has taken on a much more “Christian” appearance so that it might deceive the Christian world better. In professing to accept Christ and the Bible, spiritualism has become an extremely dangerous enemy to believers. Its effects are very subtle and deceptive. Through the influence of spiritualism “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, so called, is dwelt upon as the chief attribute of God, but it is degraded to a cheap, weak sentimentalism, making little distinction between good and evil. (Ezekiel 22:26 , Acts 15:9). God’s justice, His denunciations of sin, the requirements of His holy law, are all kept out of sight by such teachings that God condemns. The people are taught to regard the Decalogue as a dead letter while pleasing, bewitching fables captivate the senses and lead people to reject the Bible as the foundation of their faith. Through this means right and wrong become relative and each person, or situation, or culture becomes it’s own norm as to what is “truth.” (Judges 17:6, Judges 21:25, Deut 12:8, Prov 12:15, Prov 21:2). In essence each person becomes their own god, fulfilling Satan’s promise that “ye shall be as gods” and “ye shall NOT surely die.” (Gen 3:5, KJV ).
Before us is “the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.” (Rev 3:10). Satan is about to use great signs and miracles in his final effort to deceive the world. These will be real miracles! They wont be fake magic. Speaking of this masterful delusion, John said:
“I saw three unclean spirits like frogs. They are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty” (Rev 16:13-14; Rev 13:13-14).
Only those who are kept by the power of God,(1 Pet 1:5) having their minds fortifed with the truths of Scripture, accepting it as their only authority, will be able to escape. All others have no protection and will be swept away by this delusion.
THE FIRST AND SECOND DEATHS.
The second death is the final punishment of unrepentant sinners all whose names are not written is the book of life-that takes place at the end of the 1000 years (see Rev 21:1-5). From this death there is no resurrection. With the destruction of Satan and the unrighteous, sin is eradicated and death itself is “the last enemy to be destroyed.” (1 Cor 15:26; Rev 20:14; Rev 21:8).
Christ has given the assurance that everyone “‘who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death’” (Rev 2:11). Based on what Scripture has designated the second death, we can assume that the first death is what every person-except those who are translated-experiences as a result of Adam’s transgression. It is the normal outworking on humanity of the degenerative effects of sin.
Fearful sights of a supernatural character will soon be revealed in the heavens, in token of the power of miracle-working demons. The spirits of devils will go forth to the kings of the earth and to the whole world, to fasten them in deception, and urge them on to unite with Satan in his last struggle against the government of heaven. By these agencies, rulers and subjects will be alike deceived. Persons will arise pretending to be Christ Himself, and claiming the title and worship which belong to the world’s Redeemer. They will perform wonderful miracles of healing and will profess to have revelations from heaven contradicting the testimony of the Scriptures. {DD 41.3}
THE CROWNING DECEPTION
For such ones are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. Did not even Satan marvelously transform himself into an angel of light? Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works. (2 Cor 11:13-15)
As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will personate Christ. The church has long professed to look to the Savior’s advent as the consummation of her hopes. Now the great deceiver will make it appear that Christ has come. In different parts of the earth, Satan will manifest himself among men as a majestic being of dazzling brightness, resembling the description of the Son of God given by John in the Revelation. Revelation 1:13-15. The glory that surrounds him is unsurpassed by anything that mortal eyes have yet beheld. The shout of triumph rings out upon the air:
“Christ has come! Christ has come!”
The people prostrate themselves in adoration before him, while he lifts up his hands and pronounces a blessing upon them, as Christ blessed His disciples when He was upon the earth. His voice is soft and subdued, yet full of melody. In gentle, compassionate tones he presents some of the same gracious, heavenly truths which the Savior uttered; he heals the diseases of the people, and then, in his assumed character of Christ, he claims to have changed the Sabbath to Sunday, and commands all to hallow the day which he has blessed. He declares that those who persist in keeping holy the seventh day are blaspheming his name by refusing to listen to his angels sent to them with light and truth. This is the strong, almost overmastering delusion. Like the Samaritans who were deceived by Simon Magus, the multitudes, from the least to the greatest, give heed to these sorceries, saying: This is “the great power of God.” Acts 8:10. {DD 41.4}
But the people of God will not be misled. The teachings of this false christ are not in accordance with the Scriptures. His blessing is pronounced upon the worshipers of the beast and his image, the very class upon whom the Bible declares that God’s unmingled wrath shall be poured out. {DD 42.1}
Some time ago when I was selling Bible books door to door, I had an appointment with a lady to study the prophecies of Daniel and The Revelation. When the day came to do this visit, I knocked on the door and waited. After what seemed like forever, she answered the door and asked me to come in. It was obvious that she was very distressed and had been crying. As it turned out, she had just lost her two young daughters just two weeks ago, in a nasty car accident. I even started crying because it was really a horrible thing.
But when I asked her what upsets her the most, this is exactly what she said:
“Now I will never get to see my girls again. They are gone forever.”
I told her at some point that we don’t need to study prophecy today, lets just look at something you might find encouraging. When I told her about the Hope of the resurrection,she and I both had tears again. She was just so happy to hear that she would see her girls again, and that she didnt have to worry about them already being in heaven and crying because they miss their Mom, and because they can see her crying and screaming in spiritual anguish and moral outrage. Like the passage says:
“I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”(1 Thes 4:13)
In the meantime, let us be assured by the following point:
Bible prophecy eventually leads to the point where sin and sinners no longer exist and it is my prayer that all who are reading this will be included in that number.
Satan came as an angel of light in the wilderness of temptation to deceive Christ; and he does not come to man in a hideous form, as he is sometimes represented, but as an angel of light. He will come personating Jesus Christ, working mighty miracles; and men will fall down and worship him as Jesus Christ. We shall be commanded to worship this being, whom the world will glorify as Christ. What shall we do? Tell them that Christ has warned us against just such a foe, who is man’s worst enemy, yet who claims to be God; and that when Christ shall make His appearance, it will be with power and great glory, accompanied by ten thousand times ten thousand angels and thousands of thousands; and that when He shall come, we shall know His voice (RH Dec. 18, 1888). {6BC 1105.11}
AN UNFAILING TEST. (Mat 7:15; 2 Thes 2:7-12.) Satan has come down in these last days to work with all deceivabelness of unrighteousness in them that perish. His satanic majesty works miracles in the sight of false prophets, in the sight of men, claiming that he is indeed Christ Himself. Satan gives his power to those who are aiding him in his deceptions; therefore those who claim to have the great power of God can only be discerned by the great detector, the law of Jehovah. The Lord tells us if it were possible they would deceive the very elect. The sheep’s clothing seems so real, so genuine, that the wolf can be discerned only as we go to God’s great moral standard and there find that they are transgressors of the law of Jehovah {6BC 1106.1}
PREPARING FOR THE FINAL ACT
This world is like a theater. The actors, the inhabitants of the world, are preparing to act their part in the last great drama. God is lost sight of. There is no unity of purpose, except as parties of men confederate to gain their ends. God is looking on. His purposes in regard to His rebellious subjects will be fulfilled. The world has not been given into the hands of men, though God is permitting the elements of confusion and disorder to bear sway for a season. A power from beneath is working to bring about the last great scenes in the drama–Satan coming as Christ, and working with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in those who are binding themselves together in secret societies. Those who are yielding to the passion for confederation are working out the plans of the enemy. The cause will be followed by the effect (Letter 141, 1902). {6BC 1106.2}
The apostle John in vision heard a loud voice in heaven exclaiming:
“Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Revelation 12:12.
Fearful are the scenes which call forth this exclamation from the heavenly voice. The wrath of Satan increases as his time grows short, and his work of deceit and destruction will reach its culmination in the time of trouble. {DD 41.2}
Fearful sights of a supernatural character will soon be revealed in the heavens, in token of the power of miracle-working demons. The spirits of devils will go forth to the kings of the earth and to the whole world, to fasten them in deception, and urge them on to unite with Satan in his last struggle against the government of heaven. By these agencies, rulers and subjects will be alike deceived. Persons will arise pretending to be Christ Himself, and claiming the title and worship which belong to the world’s Redeemer. They will perform wonderful miracles of healing and will profess to have revelations from heaven contradicting the testimony of the Scriptures. {DD 41.3}
THE CONTROVERSY ENDED
The chaos caused by sin will not last forever. Someday we will live as God intended—in peace, love, and happiness. Death and Sorrow will be banished forever. And best of all, you can be a part of that amazing new world! {DD 52.1}
“I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away.” Revelation 21:1. The fire that consumes the wicked purifies the earth. Every trace of the curse is swept away. No eternally burning hell will keep before the ransomed the fearful consequences of sin. {DD 60.3}
THE MARKS OF LOVE REMAIN
One reminder alone remains: Our Redeemer will ever bear the marks of His crucifixion. Upon His wounded head, upon His side, His hands and feet, are the only traces of the cruel work that sin has wrought. Says the prophet, beholding Christ in His glory: “He had bright beams coming out of His side: and there was the hiding of His power.” Habakkuk 3:4, margin. That pierced side whence flowed the crimson stream that reconciled man to God—there is the Savior’s glory, there “the hiding of His power.” “Mighty to save,” through the sacrifice of redemption, He was therefore strong to execute justice upon them that despised God’s mercy. And the tokens of His humiliation are His highest honor; through the eternal ages the wounds of Calvary will show forth His praise and declare His power. {DD 60.4}
IN THE CITY OF GOD
There shall be no night. None will need or desire repose. There will be no weariness in doing the will of God and offering praise to His name. We shall ever feel the freshness of the morning and shall never be far from its close. All the treasures of the universe will be open to the study of God’s redeemed. Unfettered by mortality, they wing their tireless fight to worlds afar—worlds that thrilled with sorrow at the spectacle of human woe and rang with songs of gladness at the tidings of a ransomed soul. (The Great Controversy, pg 673-678}
THE CONTROVERSY IS ENDED
And the years of eternity, as they roll, will bring richer and still more glorious revelations of God and of Christ. As knowledge is progressive, so will love, reverence, and happiness increase. The more men learn of God, the greater will be their admiration of His character. As Jesus opens before them the riches of redemption and the amazing achievements in the great controversy with Satan, the hearts of the ransomed thrill with more fervent devotion, and with more rapturous joy they sweep the harps of gold; and ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of voices unite to swell the mighty chorus of praise. {DD 62.3}
“And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” Revelation 5:13.
The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love. {DD 62.5}
