Chapter
117
Spiritualism
[ Back ] [ Up ] [ Next ]
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.
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.
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." Jer.
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. 18:10-13) (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,
21.
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." 1 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." Deut. 13:4.
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." Eccl. 9:6.
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." 1 Tim. 4:1.
How will Satan
deceive the people?
"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of
light." 2 Cor. 11:14.
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." 2 Cor. 11:15.
Will Satan try
to counterfeit 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.
|