RAPOLOGY EXPLAINED by David Arnold

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Jul 21, 1853

RAPOLOGY EXPLAINED.

By David Arnold

Or the Origin, Character, Works, and Final Destiny of Satan and his Followers; and a Sketch of the Restitution.

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Tim. iii, 16, 17.

Although many profess to believe that the Bible is of divine inspiration, and is sufficient to thoroughly furnish the man of God with all needful instruction, for every good work; but few have thought of looking to their Bibles for an explanation of the mysterious operations that are being performed throughout the land, by Psychology, Mesmerism and the Spirit rappings or manifestations.

One very fruitful source of this lack of confidence in the Bible as a teacher, is, giving a spiritual interpretation to much of the Bible that should be taken in its simple, literal sense. This system of spiritualizing has clothed the plain statements of the divine record with a garb of mystery, and given rise to various and conflicting systems of error, and has produced an opinion almost universal, that the Bible is a mysterious book, while, in fact, the truth is conveyed in the most simple manner.

Spiritualism has commenced with the Supreme Ruler of the universe, and incorporated into its creed, that he is "without body or parts," while the Word shows that he is a person, has hands, feet, eyes, ears, a heart, &c., and that he handles, walks, sees, speaks, breathes and sits upon a throne. Moses tells us, in his record of the creation, that God created man in his own image. Now this was not, as spiritualizers tell us, in the image of his purity or holiness; for these are not tangible shapes or forms of which images can be created.—Paul also tells us [Heb. i, 3] that Christ is the express image of his Father's person.

O thou destroyer, what hast thou done thus to cover the earth with darkness, and the people with gross darkness? Thou hast not only made the Supreme appear altogether such an one as he is not; but thou hast placed or sung of a heaven "beyond the bounds of time and space," of "disembodied spirits," or of localities without a location, or forms without figure. Thou hast not only robbed God of his glory and identity, but heaven of its locality and beauty; angels of their bodies, (with which they visited Abraham, Lot and others—they ate, drank, walked and talked,) Christ of personality; the earth of its restitution and loveliness; the resurrection of its materiality; the city of the living God of its "foundation;" the Son of David of his Kingdom, and the saints of their everlasting inheritance.

In addition to this sacrilege, spiritualism has taken from Satan his personality, and given him an existence only in the shape of the carnal propensities of fallen man.

But that we may correctly understand this matter, let us cast off the mists of spiritualism, and examine, in the light of reason and revelation, the subject of Satan's origin, personality and station in heaven, self-exaltation and fall, character before and after his fall, his works, and final destiny as set forth in the Word.

First, his origin and personality.—The Prophet [Eze. xxviii, 15] speaks of a personage which he is pleased to call "Prince of Tyrus." He states, "thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." Verse 13 also speaks of a work done for him in the day he was created. As God is the creator of all things, this being was one of the "perfect" works of his all-wise skill. And we here learn that he remained perfect from the day of his creation, "until iniquity was found in him," and he became profane as stated in verse 16. Having power to sin, proves that he was created an intelligent moral actor, capable of keeping a law; for sin is a transgression of law.

Second, his station in heaven.—"Thou art the anointed Cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire." Verse 14. In verse 16 he is again called the "covering Cherub."

In the Sanctuary built by Moses, which Paul declares to be a pattern of things in the heavens, there was a Mercy-seat and above the Mercy-seat there stood two Cherubs or Cherubims, with their wings covering the Mercy-seat. Between these two Cherubims, God communed with Moses and the children of Israel. Ex. xxv, 22. Thus, "upon the holy mount of God," "in the midst of the stones of fire," in the antitypical, or heavenly Sanctuary, in the holy of holies, above the Mercy-seat, between the covering Cherubims—is the throne of God.

To the only living and true God, occupying this locality, David directs his prayer. Ps. lxxx, 1.—"Thou that dwellest between the Cherubims, shine forth." Also in his exalted contemplations of God and his wonderful works, he cries out, in view of his coming to judge the world, "The Lord reigneth, let the people tremble; he sitteth between the Cherubims; let the earth be moved." Ps. xcix, 1.—Then as God says what he means, and means what he says, he has a throne, high and lifted up, and did create an intelligent being, perfect in beauty, and perfect in his ways, one that "sealed up the sum, full of wisdom," from which no secret could be hidden, and did set him to be one of the anointed Cherubs that covered with his wings the burning throne of the Eternal. For an explanation of the "stones of fire," read Eze. i, where he saw the heavens opened, and saw visions of God. Thus, among the celestial beings that surrounded the throne, and filled the station allotted to each, his was clearly defined: his exalted station he filled to perfection, until iniquity was found in him; for he was perfect in his ways.

Third, his self-exaltation and fall.—Pride, or self-exaltation, was his sin. Verse 2. "Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a god, I sit in the seat of God, yet thou art a man, a created intelligence, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God." Verse 6. "Therefore thus saith the Lord God, because thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God, I will bring strangers upon thee." Here follows his doom in verse 17. "Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness; I will cast thee to the ground."

O, what a damning sin is self-exaltation! If it will cast to the ground one of the highest angels, what will it not do to bring down to the dust, those who are already fallen and are saying in their hearts, I am rich and increased in goods, and have need of nothing.

Fourth, his character, before and after his fall.—His character before his fall has been sufficiently delineated for the high and holy station to which he by his Creator was appointed; and the declaration before quoted, that he was "perfect in his ways until iniquity was found in him," shows that in point of character he approached, perhaps, as near to his Creator as a created being could.

And as sin is heinous in degree according to the amount of light sinned against, or this being having been endowed by his Creator with all those godlike attributes, in the highest degree, that an angelic being could possess, by sin became profane and was changed in character to the extreme reverse of what he was before. Thus by transgression he was transformed from one of the highest angels, perfect in beauty and character, to a demon possessing, in the extreme, all those infernal and diabolical attributes directly opposite to those he once possessed. Inspiration does not teach that this change of character did destroy his personality any more than transgression destroys the personality of man; but that this will be the final result of sin, we promise hereafter to show. Neither did it destroy his wisdom; but the 17th verse tells us it was corrupted.

Fifth, his works.—On this point, volumes might be written; for not only does the inspired record present a vast history of the desolating works of Satan, but the four elements which compose all things earthly, are deeply cursed through his satanic agency; for he is "the prince of the power of the air." Eph. ii, 2, and John xii, 31, calls him the "Prince of this world." Paul tells us, [Heb. ii, 14,] that the Devil hath the power of death; therefore wherever we open our eyes on this Satan-ruled and sin-cursed earth, we behold the desolating works of this fallen Angel. He is "the strong man armed," and were it not that there is "a stronger than he," that holds the balance of power in his own hands, and says thus far mayest thou go and no farther—death might reign triumphant o'er all nature's works. Not only is he the prince of the material world and has the power of physical death, but his power extends to the moral world, exerting his baneful influence over our mental faculties. Thus he works in the children of disobedience, bringing them under the law of sin and death.—But let us examine more closely the record of Satan's works, given by holy men, who wrote as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, while they gave a history of the doings of the Adversary anciently, in their day, and prophetically, in the last days.

The first introduction of Satan and his works we find in Moses' history of the creation. After infinite wisdom and power had brought out from chaos a world every way calculated to bless and perpetuate the existence of man, with every beast,

herb and tree, (except one,) adapted in the best possible manner to promote his happiness, with the tree of life whose fruit possessed the inherent quality of giving immortality to his existence, and placing him, the noblest of all his works, in dominion of the whole, reserving one special injunction or prohibition as a test of man's fidelity:—Satan "from whom no secret could be hidden," [Eze. xxviii, 3,] seeing the happy state in which these beings in the image of God were placed, with everything around them very good, sought to introduce sin among them and thus cause their fall as himself had fallen. This he accomplished by his "corrupted wisdom," through lying and deception. Thus his first work, subsequent to his fall, of which we have a record, resulted in the curse which transformed the once lovely earth and all that appertained to it, to one vast field of sorrow, pain and death; and this curse will remain, however much men may try to mitigate its severity, until the great restitution spoken of by all the holy prophets; and then Satan and all his works shall be destroyed.—To accomplish this destruction, Christ took upon him our natures and suffered death. Heb. ii, 14. Then also is accomplished that which is spoken by the Prophet, [Hosea, xiii, 14,] "O death! I will be thy plagues, O grave I will be thy destruction."

Passing, for brevity's sake, over the history of his works with the antediluvians and the patriarchs, we will notice his works in Egypt at the time of the Exodus.

When the Lord wrought through Moses and produced miracles to shew Pharaoh that his commission was from God, Satan also wrought through the magicians, Jannes and Jambres, producing the same miracles to harden Pharaoh's heart, and thus counteract and hinder the work of deliverance for God's people.

Now Moses had no power of himself, neither had Jannes and Jambres, to thus change and counteract the fixed laws of nature; and had they not been delegated with higher powers than human beings possess, the inanimate rod would have remained inanimate still, instead of turning to an animate serpent. Here then is a clear exhibition of two powers, neither electric, magnetic or human, diametrically opposite one to the other, and both reversing nature's fixed laws, thus producing effects purely miraculous.

Now what powers are these that are thus exhibited through human mediums? All will admit that one is divine, consequently the opposite is satanic. Thus the point is clearly demonstrated that Satan does possess power independent of the natural laws of magnetism and electricity to perform miracles.

Another portion of inspired history of the works of Satan, showing his personality and power is recorded in the book of Job.

When the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, Satan (the Adversary, margin) came also among them. And the Lord said unto Satan, whence comest thou? His reply was, from going to and fro in the earth and from walking up and down in it. Job is then the subject of their conversation and Satan receives permission to go and strip him of all his children and earthly possessions to test his fidelity to God. This he accomplishes first, by causing a company of Sabeans to take away his servants and cattle; second, he caused a great fire to fall from heaven (see margin) and burn up his sheep and the servants that tended them; third, he caused three bands of Chaldeans to take away all his camels and slay the servants with the sword; fourth, he raised a whirlwind and smote the house where his children were feasting, and it fell and killed them all. Thus Satan accomplishes his work of making Job childless and pennyless.

Satan's work was still farther manifest in this trial of Job, wherein he was made an example of suffering and patience for those who should afterwards live godly. The adversary is now permitted to afflict his person, and, through the power of Satan, he is transformed from a healthy man, to one covered with boils from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet, and in this extremity, his wife and three friends (his last remaining earthly consolation) turn and reproach him.

Sufficient has already been shown to convince any candid reader that Satan possesses a power, when permitted to act, that far surpasses any human power, even to bring down fire from heaven, and change and counteract the laws of nature as best suits his purpose. But to make the point clear beyond a doubt, I will cite you to other works performed by him anciently, through the "Medium" of human agency.

God told ancient Israel that there should not be found among them "any 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 to the Lord."—Deut. xviii, 10-12. Here is a catalogue of some of the works of Satan through human "Mediums," one of which is, holding pretended communications with the dead! See Webster's definition of necromancy. By this power the witch of Endor wrought to bring the appearance of Samuel before Saul, when God had left him, and would not answer him neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. So men in these days after they have rejected the ways of the Lord and his saving, sanctifying truth, they seek, as did Saul, unto familiar spirits, and to commune with the dead, as though they could communicate more truth than the words of inspiration, which is able to "thoroughly furnish us unto all good works."

Thus Satan's works were clearly manifest in the days of Saul, nearly three thousand years after he deceived our first parents in Eden. As we follow the inspired history along down the track of time, we find in Zechariah's day, which was some five hundred years later, Satan stood at the right hand of the high priest to be his adversary, (margin,) and the Lord there rebuked him.

When the Messiah was on earth, a large share of his labor was spent in counteracting and resisting the works of Satan. The apostles, also, found Satan ever ready to work against them in their labors of love for fallen man. A reference to a few passages of the many recorded in the New Testament, of Satan's works, are sufficient to convince any candid reader of his existence in the days of the apostles. Matt. iv, 8-11. He came to Christ, presented his temptations by plausible arguments and fair promises, was resisted, rebuked, and fled. In Matt. xvii, 18, is recorded another instance where Christ rebuked him and he departed. Luke ix, 42. Jesus said to the unbelieving Jews, who sought to kill him, "Ye are of your father the Devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do; he was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth; because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it." John viii, 44. Paul, in 1 Thess. ii, 18, says:—"Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us." When Christ appeared to Paul on his way to Damascus, he told him he "had appeared to him to make him a minister to the Gentiles, to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light—and from the power of Satan unto God." Acts xxvi. Paul also in his second epistle to the Corinthians, ii, 11, speaks of Satan's getting the "advantage" and of his devices, [xi, 14, 15,] of his being transformed into an angel of light, and his ministers as the ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works. Christ said this sign should follow them that believe. "In my name shall they cast out devils."

We will now examine some of the works of Satan, given to us prophetically, to be manifest just before the coming of Christ, and the binding of Satan. 2 Thess. ii, 8-12. Paul here speaks of the coming of the Lord, and that his coming is not till after Satan works with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness, in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause, (because they have not received and loved the truth,) God shall send (or leave) them (to) strong delusions, that they should believe a lie; that they all might be damned, who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Now let us carefully examine the order of events, as given by inspiration, for our special instruction in these last days. First, a wicked is revealed, (made manifest by his works,) whose destiny is destruction by the coming of the Lord. But before the Lord's coming thus to destroy that "wicked," Satan, that same fallen Angel, (of whose works we are now treating,) will work in them who have rejected the truth, with all power and signs and lying wonders, and all deceivableness of unrighteousness, and those in whom he thus works shall perish, and the express cause of their strong delusions and final destruction, is, their previous rejection of the truth.

Here then the whole mystery of Psychology, animal magnetism and the spirit manifestations, by writing, rapping &c., is explained. He that wrought anciently through the magicians of Egypt, to turn a rod to a serpent, can in these last days through modern magicians, or mediums, perform the same wonders. This power when spoken of anciently, was called Egyptian magic, but modernly it bears the title of Psychology. He that could anciently, through witchcraft, bring before Saul the appearance of Samuel, the prophet, can also in these days, work through the rejecters of truth, to bring out in a multitude of forms, pretended communications from, and actual appearances of, the dead. He that could afflict a righteous Job, has not lost his power (when permitted) to afflict in these days, and also to withdraw his afflicting hand and heal when it best suits his deceptive purpose. He that is "wiser than Daniel," "that seals up the sum, full of wisdom," "from whom no secret can be hidden," can reveal secrets, disclose wonders, discern thoughts, foretell future events, and unlock the forgotten memories of the dead. Eccl. ix, 5, 6.

In the passage under consideration, in Thessalonians, there are three points worthy of note, yea, four of special attention. First, the time when Satan is thus to work. Second, the cause of his being permitted to thus deceive. Third, the effect or result of this deceptive work of Satan. Fourth, the event that will follow and terminate his work.

First, the time.—"Inspiration fixes the time for the manifestation of these 'wonders' just previous to the coming of Christ, and immediately following the preaching of some important truth, which men will reject. Between these two events, as sure as the inspired word, Satan is to work with all power and signs and lying wonders. That he is now thus working, none will fail to see, when they read in almost every day's mail, of the various manifestations of his work, in almost every part of the land. We will here give an extract from a paper published in New York, weekly, called, the Spiritual Telegraph. March 26th, 1853.

PROGRESS.

"It will be five years on Thursday next, since the Fox family were first alarmed by the rappings to such a degree, as to make it known to their neighbors, and ask their assistance in solving the mystery.

Now every state in the Union, and Canada, and all parts of the civilized world, has been made acquainted with the Spiritual manifestations. The Mediums of the United States, embrace every class of society, and number their tens of thousands, and the firm believers are not less than half a million." Thus the strong delusion works.

Second, why is he permitted thus to deceive mankind at this point of time more than before? Verse 11, shows: "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusions." The willful rejection of the plain truths of the Bible, as set forth by the first angel of Rev. xiv, 6, proclaiming the hour of God's judgment come, or the Advent near, left such rejecters in a condition where the truths of the Bible could not affect them. Therefore, God gave them up to strong delusions, to believe a lie because they believed not the truth; and Satan is permitted to work through them as they have yielded themselves to serve him. And Satan is ready

to "work with all power," "because he knoweth that he hath but a short time." [Rev. xii, 12.] O that men would search their Bibles, and know, as well as Satan, that they have but a short time to work.

Third, the result of this deceptive work of Satan will be that all who persist in rejecting the sanctifying truths of the first, second and third angels' messages, which immediately precede the coming of Christ on the white cloud, [Rev. xiv, 6-15,] will be left to believe the lies and deceptions of Satan, and thus be fitted for the pouring out of the seven last plagues which "fill up the wrath of God."-Rev. xv, 1.

Fourth, the events that will follow and terminate this work of Satan, will be the desolation of the earth by the vials of wrath, the coming of Christ to gather those who have made the "Lord their refuge," and "truth their shield and buckler," and the righteous dead. Then Satan will be bound for one thousand years, and "shall deceive the nations no more till the thousand years are fulfilled."

The Revelator, after seeing the twelve hundred sixty years of papal reign, represented by a seven headed, ten horned, forty-two month beast, sees another beast, representing another government, having two horns like a lamb, but speaking like a dragon. Under the reign of this beast, or government, great wonders were to be performed, even to make fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and they were to be deceived by means of those miracles performed under the reign of this dragon-mouthed beast.

John also saw, [Rev. xvi, 13, 14,] three unclean spirits; and he declares them to be "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."

Thus Satan with his legions of fallen angels, or spirits of Devils, is working through Psychology, Mesmerism, and the so-called spirit manifestations, to "deceive the whole world," and if possible the very elect, and blind their minds to the truths of the three angels' messages which are calculated to sanctify and prepare a people for translation at the coming of Christ, when he will gather the wheat into his garner, which is now ripening by the third and last message of mercy that men will ever hear in this state of probation.

At the close of this message, "he that is holy will be holy still," and "he that is filthy, will be filthy still," and Satan's work of deception, that has been carried on so successfully for six thousand years, with fallen man, will close, and a "seal will be set upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years (of earth's desolation) are fulfilled; and after that he must be loosed a little season, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.—And they went up on the breadth of the earth, (have part in the second resurrection,) and compassed the camp of the saints about and the beloved city."

Here John has a view at the end of Peter's thousand-year day of judgment, in which "the saints judge the world," [1 Cor. vi, 2,] when Christ will come, and all the saints with him, to execute the judgments written. Zech. xiv, 5; Ps. cxlix, 9; Jude 15. At that day Christ sets his feet upon the mount of Olives, and there is formed a very great valley or plain; the city "which hath foundations" then "cometh down from God out of heaven," and "the tabernacle of God is with men."—Here the wicked, who have now come up on the breadth of the earth, compass the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city, and by the deception of Satan, wage war against "him that sitteth on the horse, and his army." Here, also, is the scene described in Rev. i, 7, "and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him, [the Roman soldiers,] and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him." Then comes the mighty, the awful, the final conflict between him that "hath the power of death," and him that "shall destroy the Devil, and all his works." Thus we are brought definitely to the last work of the Arch-deceiver of mankind, and also to the sixth and last division of our subject, viz: The final destiny of Satan.

On this point we need occupy but a little space more than to quote those passages which make the subject very clear; for they are so definite that a child may comprehend them.

The first prophecy concerning Satan's final doom, is recorded in Gen. iii, 15. "The seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's head." Subsequent prophecy teaches that Christ was manifest to destroy the Devil and all his works. The nature or manner of that destruction, the following passages will teach. Eze. xxviii, 17-19. "I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities; . . . therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee; it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. All they that know thee among the people, shall be astonished at thee; thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more." Mal. iv, 1, 3. "For behold the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. And ye [the righteous] shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts."

Rev. xx, 10. "And the Devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are. Verse 13. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell (the grave, margin) delivered up the dead which were in them; and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell (the grave) were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life, was cast into the lake of fire." From the above quotations, two points are clearly brought to view, and confirmed by threefold testimony.

First, that Satan and all that are proud and do wickedly, will be destroyed by fire. This point is also confirmed by the following passages. Rev. xxi, 8. "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." Chap. xx, 9. "And fire come down from heaven, and devoured them." Chap. xix, 20. "Those both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone." Isa. xxxiii, 12. "And the people shall be as the burnings of lime; as thorns cut up shall they be burned in the fire."—Isa. ix, 19. "And the people shall be as the fuel of the fire."

Second, that destruction is an entire and eternal extinction of being: "And never shalt thou be any more." "It shall leave them neither root nor branch." "This is the second death."—Eternal, without a second resurrection.) To confirm this point, read Ps. xxxvii, 10. "For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be."—Verse 20. "But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away." 2 Thess. i, 9. "Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from (or by) the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power." Isa. xliii, 17. "They shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow." Ps. ix, 5, 6. "Thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever. O thou enemy! destructions are come to a perpetual end." Obadiah 16. "And they shall be as though they had not been." Isa. x, 25. "For yet a little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction."

Thus we see that Satan, who was created and exalted to be the covering Cherub in the holiest place in the universe of God, by pride, became profane, and with others, "who kept not their first estate," fell, and left the habitation of holiness, and are termed in scripture, the Devil and his angels; and that the Devil, with his angels, has been the great first cause of all the evil, of what ever shape or name, that ever has or will exist in this once pure and lovely, but now cursed world.

And that Satan and his angels are the direct cause, by an influence or power they exert over human mediums, of all the witchcraft, divination, enchantment and necromancy, that has, does, or will exist on the earth.

We also learn by the inspired word, that just before the earth is made desolate by the vials of God's wrath, Satan will exert a more powerful influence over the rejecters of the warning truths of the Bible, than ever before; and that for this heinous sin of rejecting the light of truth, God will give them up to strong delusions.

We further learn that after the expiration of the thousand-year day of judgment, and earth's desolation, and Satan's bondage, he is again released from his confinement, and plays off his last work of deception upon the resurrected host of the wicked, causing them to engage with him in the final great battle of Armageddon, which results in the total extinction of Satan and his unnumbered host, save the ashes that are left from the mighty burning. Thus the great tree having the Devil for the root, and all his followers for the branches, is consumed root and branch, and "thou shalt diligently consider their place, and it shall not be." And the same eternal "fire that comes down from God out of heaven, and devours them," and they suffer its vengeance as did the Sodomites, also melts the elements with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein are burned up.

This is the day that Isaiah speaks of, when God will punish the kings of the earth upon the earth; also, that he will recompense in the earth, the wicked and the sinner. Hence the conclusion is irresistible, that the lake of fire, and the hell, into which all the nations shall be cast who forget God, is the earth when it is melted with fervent heat; and this fire shall not be quenched, until it consumes every thing in the four elements, except their original composition, which in itself is indestructible.—Thus the fire, having consumed all that is combustible, ceases, and is not quenched. Then of the four elements thus reduced to their original state, we look for new heavens (atmospheric heavens) and new earth wherein shall dwell righteousness.—Then is brought about the great restitution, spoken of by all the holy prophets since the world began. Then the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf, and the young lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth (restored) shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. "Then the kingdom, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High." Then shall the "meek inherit the earth, and delight themselves in the abundance of peace." Then, truly, the lake of fire, by the glorious restitution, is transformed to the new earth, where the righteous go forth and tread down the ashes of the wicked under the soles of their feet; and instead of sending forth the ceaseless and eternal wailings and imprecations of the damned, (according to the popular theology,) it is the everlasting inheritance of Abraham and his children, and the tabernacle of God is there, and God dwells there with them, and all tears are wiped from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away. O, glorious restitution! "Roll swift around ye wheels of time, and bring the welcome day."

Thus we have passed, briefly and hastily, over this vast subject which might profitably fill volumes had we time and ability to write out its connection; but we cease for the present, hoping this faint sketch will be the means, in the hands of God, of leading some honest souls from the dark, bewildering blight of spiritualism, to escape from this snare of the Devil, and secure, while there is a

brief space of time and mercy left, an inheritance in the earth restored, and a right to the tree of life, by keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

And now dear reader, let not the cares of this life, nor the vast amount of prejudice that exists in the public mind, and possibly in your own, against this subject, divert you from a close examination of these truths. Neither let your mind be drawn away by the fallacious statement, that these wonderful works are produced by electricity or magnetism; for it is not in the power of man to show a connection between these operations, and the fixed natural laws of magnetism and electricity.

Ye have a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed.

Fulton, Oswego Co., N. Y., June, 1853.