p. 5 | The Scriptures Our Safeguard by Claude E. Eldridge

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 23, 1911

The Scriptures Our Safeguard

By Claude E. Eldridge

CLAUDE E. ELDRIDGE

We must know the Scriptures of truth if we would escape the delusions of the last days. This knowledge we shall need to be safe from the delusions of Spiritualism. This fearful snare of satanic cunning is already entangling many of the most brilliant and well-educated men and women of the day; and its manifestations are so frequent and wide-spread as to occasion little more than passing comment.

While it is true, generally speaking, that Spiritualism is accepted as a matter of course, we may say, We don’t believe a word of it. Suppose a spirit should appear to you, and in familiar voice and manner profess to be one of your dear friends who has died. Suppose this apparent friend should declare that the Sabbath had been changed, and seek to excite your sympathy by working miracles; what would you do? But, you may argue, such a thing is ridiculous! Listen to the testimony of the servant of the Lord:—

“Satan will have power to bring before us the appearance of forms purporting to be our relatives or friends now sleeping in Jesus. It will be made to appear as if these friends were present; the words that they uttered while here, with which we were familiar, will be spoken, and the same tone of voice that they had while living, will fall upon the ear. All this is to deceive the saints, and to ensnare them into the belief of this delusion. I saw that the saints must get a thorough understanding of present truth, which they will be obliged to maintain from the Scriptures. They must understand the state of the dead; for the spirits of devils will yet appear to them, professing to be beloved friends and relatives, who will declare to them that the Sabbath has been changed, also other unscriptural doctrines. They will do all in their power to excite sympathy, and will work miracles before them, to confirm what they declare. The people of God must be prepared to withstand these spirits with the Bible truth that the dead know not anything, and that they who appear to them are the spirits of devils. . . . We must seek wisdom from on high that we may stand in this day of error and delusion. We must examine well the foundation of our hope, for we shall have to give a reason for it from the Scriptures. This delusion will spread, and we shall have to contend with it face to face; and unless we are prepared for it, we shall be ensnared and overcome.”—“Early Writings,” pages 87, 88.

Are we prepared for this? Have we such a knowledge of Bible truth as to enable us to meet this delusion?

For half a century this people has heard about the “latter rain” of the Spirit of God, and yet how many of us will recognize it when it comes? God has promised to pour out his Spirit upon “all flesh.” Do you suppose that all will recognize it, and respond to it? I tell you, No. How was it when Jesus prayed, “Father, glorify thy name,” and there came a voice saying, “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again,”—how was it that on that occasion some “said that it thundered”? Why did they think it was thunder?—Because they had not become familiar with God’s voice. And so “in the time of the latter rain,” when God is pouring out his Spirit, some will fail to recognize it. Shall we be among those who call it thunder, or shall we be among those who have had ears to hear, who have studied the Scriptures, and read therein “what the Spirit saith unto the churches,” and are familiar with his voice, and are able to recognize the day of our visitation? God grant that we may be among “the wise,” who “shall understand.” And yet, if we are, some of us will have to begin a new experience.

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus is the Word. Just as truly as our physical nature demands daily food, just so truly does our spiritual experience require daily nourishment. “Jesus said . . . I am the bread of life.” If we are to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord,” Jesus, the “Bread of Life,” the living Word, must continuously enter into our lives.

Boulder, Colo.