p. 756 | In League with Death

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Dec 5, 1916

FromSigns of the Times, December 5, 1916

In League with Death

By K. C. Russell; W. R. Uchtmann

“All who believe that the soul never dies are committed to this deception—spiritualism—and will ultimately be swept into the vortex.”

By K. C. RUSSELL

THE belief that the soul does not die, and that when people appear to die, they are only entering upon a higher sphere, is the real basis for the belief that the living can communicate with the spirits of the dead. The Bible plainly teaches that the dead are unconscious between death and the resurrection. In Ps. 146: 3, 4, the Lord commands: “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.” Certainly when our thoughts perish, there can be no consciousness.

Again in Eccl. 9: 5, we are told that “the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.”

Satan was the originator of the first lie, when he said to Eve in the Garden of Eden, “Ye shall not surely die;” and those who now teach that there is no such thing as death, saying that what seems to be death is but transition, are really repeating the falsehood the devil told in the beginning.

Are Spirit Miracles Trickeries?

The question may be asked by some, Is all which purports to be phenomenal concerning the spirits of the dead, mere trickery, or is there something supernatural about it? Without doubt, much that claims to be supernatural is a humbug; but any one who has given the question careful thought knows that there is something supernatural regarding spiritism, and that therefore it cannot be accounted for from natural causes.

Many think that Satan is not able to do things that are supernatural and miraculous; but such is not the case, for the Bible plainly teaches that the devil can perform miracles. In 2 Thess. 2: 9, the Lord says that just preceding His return to this earth the second time, Satan will work “with all power and signs and lying wonders.” In Rev. 13: 14, He says that the devil will deceive “them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do.” Again in Rev. 16: 14, we are told that the devil will perform miracles.

Since the spirits of the dead do not return, how can the supernatural things be accounted for that are performed through spiritualist mediums? The Bible plainly teaches that the devil, aided by the fallen angels, is bringing his crowning deceptions to bear upon those who have lost loved ones, by claiming to bring messages from the spirit world, and frequently personifying some departed friend so perfectly in looks and in accent of the voice as to appear to be in every particular like our own dear one who was snatched from us by death.

In 2 Cor. 11: 14, we read, “Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” If Satan is able to transform himself into an angel of light, how much easier it would be for him to transform himself into a form that would resemble a human being!

Ancient Witchcraft Revived

The communion with the so-called spirits of the dead is ancient witchcraft revived. In former days, the Lord punished those who had any part in the deceptive things. See Lev. 19: 31; 20: 6, 27; Deut. 18: 10, 11. Perhaps the most striking example of God’s displeasure toward those who indulged in these forbidden practices was the case of King Saul. 1 Chron. 10: 13 says of him, “So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, even against the word of the Lord, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it.”

There are many people who consider themselves immune from the bewitching influence of necromancy and witchcraft; but the facts are that all who believe that the soul never dies are committed to this deception, and are liable to be swept into the vortex.

The Bible teaches, in both the Old and the New Testament, that the purpose of Christ’s second coming at the end of the world, is to raise the sleeping dead to life and immortality, and to translate the living righteous.

The inspired apostle Paul says, in 1 Thess. 4: 16, 17: “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

The evidences are multiplying which tell us that the day is hastening when we shall meet the loved and loving; for our Lord will soon come to open the mossy old graves, and His angels will gather His people from one end of the earth to the other. They will then be taken to those mansions which He is now preparing for those who love Him. They have not received their reward at death.

The Law of God and the Rod of Moses

By W. R. UCHTMANN

AFTER Israel had been afflicted four hundred years, the Lord raised up Moses. From the burning bush came the voice which revealed to him his life work; namely, to deliver Israel from heathen bondage, and bring them safely to the promised land. The rod in his hand was to be used as a symbol of divine power. When he threw it to the ground, in obedience to God’s voice, it turned into a serpent; but when he lifted it again, it became a rod in his hand. Here God reveals a great principle. The serpent stands for sin and Satan. As sin is the transgressing of the law, the rod is the symbol of royalty and right. It is the dignity of law. Consequently, if the royal law is thrown down, it becomes sin in the person who thus rejects it. See Neh. 9: 26; 1 Kings 14: 9. To reject the law is to reject God.

This throws light on John 3: 14: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.” Our Lord stood for the broken law, sin. It was lifted up in the person of Christ, who “became sin for us.” Through His death, resurrection, and present intercession above, He restores the law in the heart of every true believer. This is also the leading thought advanced in the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper, demonstrated in the cup, representing the blood of the new covenant. Compare Matt. 26: 27, 28 with Heb. 10: 15-17.

As Pharaoh refused to release Israel, Moses used the same rod to bring ten severe judgments upon all Egypt, until the king was glad to let them go where they would be free to keep the law of God. But soon after they left, the army of Egypt followed them, until they came to the Red Sea. The rod was once more used, by divine direction, to open the sea, and all Israel crossed dry-shod. The enemy presumed to follow; and Moses was told to stretch his rod over the waters, which destroyed the enemy forever. The rod that proved salvation to God’s people, became death to the Egyptians. Thus the same law that, kept by the remnant, will be a great blessing to them, will be a curse to the law-breaker, or sinner. Rom. 8: 1-8.

God’s royal law will once more be magnified, and this time before modern Egypt, the world of unbelievers. The feast of tabernacles of ancient Israel was a time when, for seven days, the law was read. Neh. 8: 18. In Zechariah 14, we learn that the city of God will descend on the Mount of Olives at the end of the thousand years. (Compare Revelation 21.) Christ, with His kingly scepter, will then be King of all the earth. Zech. 14: 9. The wicked dead will be raised; and according to Rev. 20: 7, 8, Satan will once more deceive them to renew the battle against the law of God, for which the city will then stand. There is no doubt that they will have time allowed them to prepare to take the city of God. Some students think there will be a hundred years. In this time, the unbelievers will be compelled to fulfill Phil. 2: 10, 11, when every knee shall bow, and every tongue “confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Zech. 14: 16-21. Satan with all his hosts will confess that Christ is Lord, and at that time Jerusalem will be made a cup of trembling round about. Zech. 12: 2. But Satan will finally gather his multitudes against the city; and the record says, “Fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.” Rev. 20: 9. This will be an everlasting end to sin and Satan, for he will never be any more. Ezek. 28: 19. The royal reign of Jesus, so long foretold in Gen. 49: 10, will be set up in this earth forever. Therefore we can now sing in faith, believing, “We’ll crown Him Lord of all.” Truly the law of the Lord is perfect.