The Spiritual Peril of Joining Secret Societies and Worldly Confederacies

Joining or uniting with secret societies and worldly confederacies is a peril to the soul because these organizations are part of a larger confederacy of evil working under the direction of a power from beneath4MR 85.2+2.

The Nature of These Confederacies

The world is a stage where inhabitants are preparing for the final act of a great drama, and Satan is working with all deceivableness in those who bind themselves together in secret societies6BC 1106.2+1. These confederacies of evil are not just social or business groups; they are agencies that the Lord will not much longer tolerate, as they reflect the corrupting sentiments of Satan himself4MR 85.2+1. Those who yield to the passion for such confederation are unknowingly working out the plans of the enemyChS 50.1+1.

The Danger to Spiritual Perception

• Blunted Perception: Connection with such associations, like Free Masonry, absorbs time and blunts spiritual perception, making it impossible to serve both God and mammon14MR 8.2+1.

• Unholy Associations: These societies often include atheists, infidels, and winebibbers, and associating with them causes a person to become one with them in spirit14MR 10.2+1.

• Loss of Freedom: Fraud runs through these secret associations, and no one can be bound up with them and remain a free man before God2SM 131.1+1.

• Spiritual Ruin: Advancing in these orders for the sake of worldly honor is a snare that leads to the ruin of the soul20MR 167.4+1.

Separation and the Seal of God

Those who stand under the blood-stained banner of Prince Immanuel must not be united with Free Masons or any secret organization2SM 140.1+1. The seal of the living God will not be placed upon anyone who maintains such a connection after the light of truth has reached them2SM 140.1+2. God calls His people to a distinct existence, separate from the idolatry and apostasy of the world 2 Corinthians 6:17-1816MR 188.3. Friendship with the world in these ways is considered enmity with God James 4:4.

Final Warnings and Safety

As the close of time approaches, the "mystery of iniquity" will figure largely in earth's history, involving ruling powers and inhabitants who bind themselves into secret societies8MR 322.1. The only safety is to put away the ambition to make a league with the world and to preserve our individuality by refusing to unite with secret societies or trades unions7T 84.3+2. Rather than depending on the strength of earthly organizations, we must look constantly to Christ for instructionLLM 543.1+1. The confederacy of evil will eventually be broken in pieces and destroyed by the Lord Isaiah 8:9-10+19LtMs, Ms 92, 1894, par. 14.