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SPIRITUALISM

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Feb 21, 1906

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 8.

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SPIRITUALISM.

1. What is Modern Spiritualism?
The belief that disembodied spirits can and do communicate with the living.—Century Dictionary.
2. Did this belief exist in ancient times?
"There shall not be found among you any one . . . that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord." Deut. 18: 10-12. See Lev. 19: 31; Mal. 3: 5.
The phenomenal aspect of Modern Spiritualism reproduces all essential principles of the magic, witchcraft, and sorcery of the past. The same powers are involved, the same intelligences are operating. —J. J. Morse, in "Practical Occultism," p. 85.
3. With what is witchcraft classed by the apostle Paul?
"Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies; . . . I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Gal. 5: 20, 21.
4. What should one do if asked to inquire of a familiar spirit?
"And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits and unto the wizards that chirp and that mutter; should not a people seek unto their God? on behalf of the living should they seek unto the dead?" Isa. 8: 19.
"To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them." Verse 20.
5. What says the "law and the testimony" about the knowledge which the dead have of what is occurring among men?
"Thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away. His sons come to honor, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them." Job 14: 20, 21.
"For the living know that they shall die; but the dead know not anything. . . . Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun." Eccl. 9: 5, 6.
6. Then, when miracles are performed by spirits purporting to be those of our dead friends, to what may we attribute them?
"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." Rev. 16: 14.
7. What is one of the characteristics of last-day apostasies?
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." 1 Tim. 4: 1.
8. How will Satan deceive the people?
"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness." 2 Cor. 11: 14, 15.
9. Will Satan endeavor to counterfeit even the coming of Christ by signs and wonders?
"Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." Matt. 24: 23, 24.
10. After these signs and wonders are shown, what will take place?
"Whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of His mouth, and bring to naught by the manifestation of His coming; even he, whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved." 2 Thess. 2: 8-10.
11. What will be said by those who have rejected the deceptions of Satan, and maintained their love of the truth?
"And it shall be said in that day, Lo, THIS is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us; this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation." Isa. 25: 9.