WHAT is Spiritualism defined to be?
“A belief in the frequent communication of intelligence from the world of
spirits, by means of physical phenomena, commonly manifested through a person of special susceptibility, called a medium.”— Webster.
“The very central truth of Spiritualism is the power and possibility of spirit return, under certain conditions, to communicate with those in the material
form.”— N. F. Ravlin, Spiritualist lecturer, of California.
- Did this doctrine exist in ancient times?
“Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God.” Lev. 19:31.
“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.” -7. 7. Morse, in “Practical Occultism,” p. 85. - How does God regard sorcerers?
“And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against
the sorcerers.” Mal. 3: 5. - What does he call the sorcerers?
“Therefore hearken not ye to…your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers; for they prophesy a lie unto you to remove you far from your land.” Jeremiah 27: 9, 10. - What was the ancient law concerning witches, and those who had
familiar spirits?
“A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely
be put to death.” Lev. 20: 27; Deut. 18: 10-12; Ex. 22: 18. - With what is witchcraft classed by 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: 20-23. - 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 wizards that peep and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their
God?” Isa. 8: 19. - Is it possible to test every spirit?
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God.”
John 4: 1. - By what are we to try them?
“To the law and to the testimony if they speak not according to this word, it is
because there is no light in them.” Isa. 8: 20. - Should we have any confidence in signs or wonders presented by
those who would try to lead us away from God?
“And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying,
Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;
thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of
dreams; for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the
Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deut. 13: 2, 3. - What course should one pursue under these circumstances?
“Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.”
Verse 4. That is, one should have nothing to do with such work ; but rather
cling to the word of God. - We are directed to the “law and to the testimony,” by which to try these spirits that assert to be voices from the dead. After one dies, how much does he know of what is going on 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. - Does he know anything, or have any memory?
“For the living know that they shall die; but the dead know not anything, neither
have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.” Eccl.
9: 5. - What does the wise man add, that forever precludes the idea that
the dead come back to earth to communicate with the living?
“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.” Verse 6.
NOTE. —Not only does Spiritualism contradict the Bible in this particular, but it
embraces free-lovism, though all Spiritualists do not advocate it. It denies
the efficacy of the blood of Christ. The pagan idea of the transmigration of
souls is also largely advocated by its adherents. It is anti-Christ. - 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. - What will be characteristic of “last day” apostasies from the faith?
“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.” I Tim.
4 : I. That is, they will be inclined to accept the doctrines of Spiritualism. - How will Satan deceive the people?
“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” 2 Cor.
II:14. - What role will his agents assume before the end?
“Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers
of righteousness.” Verse 15. - Is it probable that Satan, with his agents, will try to personate 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. - After these signs and wonders are shown, what is immediately to
take place?
“The Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the
brightness of his coming; even him 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.” 2 Thess. 2: 8-10. - What will those say then, who have maintained their love for 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.
—Bible Readings for the Home Circle, 1899
Sunday Laws Are Coming 