p. 259 | THE SIN OF WITCHCRAFT by John Nevins Andrews

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 10, 1880

THE SIN OF WITCHCRAFT.

By John Nevins Andrews

(Concluded.)

VII. What are we to expect from this great satanic manifestation in the closing scenes of this dispensation?

That modern spiritualism is not slandered when represented as a continuation of ancient witchcraft is shown by two facts: 1. The Old Testament shows that the practice of witchcraft in the days of ancient Israel was precisely the same as the work of modern spiritualism. 2. Spiritualists do not deny, but frankly acknowledge, the identity of modern spirit mediums and ancient dealers with familiar spirits. Before we ask what Satan is to do in the final display of his utmost power, let us consider what he has done already in the revival of this mystery of iniquity. From an obscure beginning in Western New York, nearly thirty years since, spiritualism has extended itself over the whole earth, and gained a foothold in every district of which we have any knowledge. It is already the religion of many millions of the human family. Its success has been the result of two things. 1. Its wonders; 2. Its doctrines. Its wonders are the wonders of ancient witchcraft in enabling men to converse with the dead. Its doctrines deserve notice. Among the most important are these:-

That the Bible is full of errors, and not worthy of our confidence.
That the moral law is of no authority as a standard of moral character.
That there is no difference between right and wrong; for whatever is, is right; and no such thing as sin exists.
That there is no need of salvation through Jesus Christ, but every man is his own Christ.
That there is no resurrection of the dead; no future Judgment, and no final account.
That the God of the Old Testament is the spirit of a dead man.
That all men compose a part of God; or, all men in death become so many separate deities.
That the souls of men are immortal, and at death, enter a higher sphere.

These principles are not always openly avowed in plain terms, but are dealt out as the hearer can bear them. But when men have become established in this system, the spirits do not hesitate to avow the "doctrines of devils" in the plainest terms. It is probable that, like Mormonism, a large share of the success that attends this wonderful satanic manifestation is due to its teachings and practices in regard to the seventh commandment. The morals of ancient witchcraft may be seen by comparing Deut. 18:9-14; Lev. 18:24-30. Perhaps modern spiritualism cannot be worse; but it is certainly not one degree purer. There are thousands of people now standing in the outer courts of this infernal diabolism, who are comparatively unaware of what exists in its sanctuary. Would to God that they could be warned before they drink deeper of this strong delusion.

The future of this system of ruinous delusion and mighty satanic wonders is given in the prophetic Scriptures. Of the period immediately preceeding the second advent of Jesus Christ, Paul speaks thus:-

2 Thess. 2:9-12: "Whose coming is after the working of Satan 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 God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie; that they all might be damned who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness."

A short space of time in the close of this dispensation bears the dread appellation of the hour of temptation:-

Rev. 3:10: "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth."

These spirits have an important part to act preparatory to the battle of the great day of God Almighty:-

Rev. 16:13, 14: "And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 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 the great day of God Almighty."

The false prophet, out of whose mouth one of the unclean spirits goes forth, is the same as the two-horned beast. Rev. 13:11. This fact gives us a clue to the agency by which the two-horned beast is to perform its astonishing miracles in the coming hour of temptation.

Rev. 13:13, 14: "And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live."

At a period of time not very far distant in the future, this mighty satanic delusion will have absolute control of those who have not made Christ their portion, and his truth their shield and buckler.

VIII. What is furnished us as a safeguard against this deception?

The prophet points us to this in the words of the text: "To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Our safeguard from satanic delusion is the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Those who heed this warning will be able to escape the tempter's power; those who do not heed it will be carried away by it. This certainly indicates that when the grand struggle shall arrive, men will be found gathered into just two classes: 1. Commandment-keepers; 2. Spiritualists.

If we treat the law of God as Isaiah bids us, we shall not only acknowledge its authority, but we shall have its holy principles written in our hearts. Then we shall be able to appreciate the vileness of this satanic doctrine, and ever be on our guard against it. And if we regard the testimony of Jesus Christ, which is the spirit of prophecy, Rev. 19:10, we shall understand how great a difference there is between the teachings of the Holy Spirit and the doctrines of devils.

J. N. A.