Spiritualism in Prophecy: Rev. 16 and the Coming Deception by Joseph Harvey Waggoner

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 27, 1874

Spiritualism in Prophecy: Rev. 16 and the Coming Deception

By Joseph Harvey Waggoner

Spiritualism.—No. 11.

Rev. 16 presents a view of spiritualism yet in the future. The spirits of devils working miracles are there described as coming out of the mouth of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet, which is the two-horned beast. Compare Rev. 13:11-17 and chapter 19:20. As the Saviour says the mouth speaks “out of the abundance of the heart,” we think this prophecy cannot be fulfilled until these evil spirits have found their way into the very hearts of the great powers of earth represented by the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet or two-horned beast. That they are even now working their way into the hearts of these powers is well known. Most of the royal houses of Europe have had to do more or less with American mediums, and many connected with these houses are known to be favorable to spiritualism. In America, the popular current has been setting in that direction. True, in the higher circles the system has received a temporary backset by the course of Mrs. Woodhull, and others; but when we consider that the writings of Davis, Dr. Child, Dr. Hare, Warren Chase, and the like, have always been popular among spiritualists, we see no reason why they should long startle at the utterances of Mrs. Woodhull, or the avowals of Moses Hull. Take the best among their authors, or those of the highest tone and the most moral seeming, and they lead to the same result; to a denial of the Bible, of the Judgment, and of human responsibility. Where such teachings are accepted, there is nothing to restrain from going to the most extravagant lengths in lawlessness.

Coming out of the mouth of the dragon, &c., evidently signifies that these evil spirits will be indorsed by these powers, so that the governments referred to will then be guided by their teachings even as individuals now are. When that comes to pass, as it doubtless will, then will be fulfilled the prediction of N. P. Tallmadge, that spiritualism will become popular, and then no human power can resist it. And when the wicked governments of the world sustain spiritualism, it is plain to foresee that the churches, which are becoming more and more worldly, will bow to the pressure of popular feeling, and accept its “lying wonders” as “the true power of God.” This might be averted if the body of professors of religion had not so strong prejudice against the doctrine of the second advent of the Lord. Though the return of the Saviour was the ardent hope of the early Christians, and constantly held up in the New Testament as “the blessed hope,” and though spiritualism is known to be both infidel and immoral in its doctrines and its practices, the majority of church members in the land would rather be known as favoring spiritualism than Adventism. Their feelings and sympathies are more in harmony with the former than with the latter. Therefore they cannot successfully oppose spiritualism, but must readily fall into its snares; because they cannot prove its nature by the Scriptures without admitting that we are in the last days, which their pride and prejudice will not permit them to do. The reproach of the truth is more than they can bear; they choose the side which leads to ease and worldly honor. The solemn reverence of worship is exchanged for the giddy rounds of pleasure; the prayer-meeting is neglected for the festival; formality usurps the place of the power of godliness.

In such a condition, the church is not prepared to heed the warning voice of the Master. The duty to watch and pray is forgotten, while the professed servants of the Lord give themselves to eating and drinking. Instead of sounding an alarm, the watchman says, My Lord delayeth his coming. Instead of a “city set on a hill,” to be the light of the world, and the praise of the Lord, they have become “the city of confusion,” a part of the family of the “Babylon” of the Apocalypse. And their present leaning toward spiritualism, with their pride and love of the world, make them an easy prey to these seducing spirits, and thus the way is prepared for the fulfillment of Rev. 18:1, 2: “And after these things I saw another angel come down from Heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” And another voice is heard from Heaven, saying, “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”

The last of these plagues ushers in the battle of the great day of the Lord. To the battle of that day, the nations will be gathered when these spirits of devils go forth from the mouth of the dragon, and of the beast, and of the false prophet. Though the great, the rich, the powerful of this world, aided by the “prince of the power of the air” and his legions, engage together in this conflict, the result is not doubtful. They fight against the Infinite One, and they shall fall before him. Thus the Scriptures speak of it:—“And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, AND WITH HIM THE FALSE PROPHET THAT WROUGHT MIRACLES BEFORE HIM, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshiped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.” Rev. 19:11, 14, 15, 19, 20.

Concerning those engaged in this work of deception and witchcraft, the faithful and true Witness has testified, showing what their destiny shall be. Speaking by the prophet Malachi, he says: “And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers,” &c.

Judge Edmonds and Mr. Woodman say that the fact that these things were forbidden in the past dispensation is no evidence that they are now wrong; thus carrying the idea that the Scriptures of the New Testament do not condemn such things. But Paul to the Galatians classes witchcraft with murder, adultery, &c., as works of the flesh, saying that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God; also he said Elymas the sorcerer was full of all subtilty and all mischief, a child of the devil. And we find in the book of Revelation, the fate of such is placed in contrast with the glorious future state of the blessed. “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.” Rev. 21:7, 8. Again, the same contrast is presented in the following words: “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” Rev. 22:14, 15.

When we consider how short a time has elapsed since the rise of spiritualism in the United States, how rapid has been its growth in the numbers of its adherents, and how speedily it has passed from a professed love of truth and morality to the lowest depths of grossness and sensuality, it is enough to appall the stoutest heart. From such elements of evil, what may we not expect in the future?

And we would say to the reader that a knowledge of the facts concerning this monstrous delusion, or mere intellectual conviction of the truth as it is revealed in God’s word, will never shield you from the power of these deceptions. We have some notable instances in our mind of persons who well understood the subject so far as argument and proof are concerned, who fell a prey to its wiles by falling under its satanic influence. The “spirit of truth,” the Holy Spirit of God, with earnest devotion to his cause, a sincere, self-denying piety, will alone shield from the spirit and power of the enemy. Paul exhorted his brethren “to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might,” that they might stand against the wiles of the devil. For, said he, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Eph. 6:10-12.

In our own strength we can never successfully meet these powers of darkness. God, who “knoweth our frame, he remembereth that we are dust,” has, in great mercy provided help for us. And while the world is plunging headlong into darkness and ruin, the word of God points out a shield, perfect and invincible. A message is sent forth to restore our feet to “the old paths,” to keep us steadfast in the way of right. The fear of God has almost departed from the earth. Men, professing to be philosophers and reformers, boldly blaspheme his name, and deny his authority, and defy his power. They scoff at the gospel of his Son, and revile the precious blood shed for their redemption.

True worship recognizes the unity of the Father and the Son; acknowledges our obligation to obey the law of God, the Judge of all, and our dependence upon the Lord Jesus as the only way of life for the sinner. And thus says the angel of Rev. 14:9, 12, “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”

The keeping of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus is the line of separation between those who escape the plagues of God’s wrath, and those who are deceived by the lying wonders of the last days and thereby led to worship the beast and his image. This message of warning is now going forth, and men are being tested by it. It is rising in power, and increasing in strength and influence. Unconscious of its importance, because “the god of this world blinds the minds of those that believe not,” men are deciding for the Judgment; are fixing their destiny in the light of the last message. When it has finished its work, the Son of man will appear on the white cloud to reap the harvest of the earth.

Reader, as you stand related to God’s truth here, so you will stand before the God of truth in the Judgment. As all will “be judged by the law” in that day; Rom. 2:12, 16; as “God will bring every work into Judgment” as viewed in the light of “his commandments,” if we would know how we shall appear in the Judgment we must measure ourselves by the commandments by which our characters will be determined. Not, however, as we view ourselves in the light of our selfish natures, or by the judgment of sinful men, but as measured by God’s own view of the holiness of his law, and the infinity of his justice. Let these thoughts show us our insufficiency in the sight of God, and lead us with sincere repentance and humble faith, to lay hold on the only means of help: the blessed “Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world.”

J. H. Waggoner.