The Bible against Modern Spiritualism.
By J. B. Frisbie
A RIGHT understanding of the Scriptures is the only safeguard against modern Spiritualism. The Bible teaches on the one hand that "the dead know not anything;" that "in that very day (when they die) their thoughts perish." Eccl. ix, 4-6; Ps. cxlvi, 4. On the other hand, it teaches that "the spirits of devils, working miracles, are to 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. xvi, 14. 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. iv, 1; 2 Thess. ii, 9-13. We know that many suppose that the Bible teaches the immortality of the soul. But in vain will they look for it in that inspired book. It is not there! There is but one source of immortality to be traced in the Bible, which is as follows: God only hath it; 186Tim. vi, 16. Christ brought it to light in the gospel; 2 Tim. i, 10. It is to be sought for; Rom. ii, 7. And to be put on in the resurrection of the saints; 1 Cor. xv, 53-54. There is no testimony to be found in the Bible that there is any reward, knowledge, happiness or misery of departed spirits between death and the resurrection. Those texts generally brought to prove that point are barely inferential. We believe with Spiritualists that the communications they receive are from intelligent, unseen spirits. But we disagree in this one fact: while they believe it is the departed spirits of the dead, we believe it to be evil angels that have sinned and fallen from Heaven. God's angels are under commandments; Ps. ciii, 20. Sin is the transgression of the law; 1 John iii, 4. God spared not the angels that sinned; 2 Pet. ii, 4. The Devil and his angels were cast out of Heaven to the earth; Rev. xii, 7-9. Jesus said, I behold Satan as lightning fall from Heaven. He never could have fallen from Heaven if he was never there. God gave directions to his ancient Israel, saying, Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God; Lev. xix, 31. So Saul, the king of Israel, died for his transgression 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; and inquired not of the Lord, therefore he slew him, &c.; 1 Chron. x, 13-14. Then inquiring of those spirits in old times was not inquiring of the Lord, notwithstanding the spirit professed to be the prophet Samuel. It was called, also, the abomination of the heathen; Deut. xviii, 9-14. For this cause, God had those heathen destroyed out of the land. Whether modern Spiritualism is any better than ancient Spiritualism may be seen when we try them by the law and the testimony. If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them; Isa. viii, 19-20. We have tried them and proved them liars, as of old; John viii, 44.