chapter three Spiritualism
Misunderstanding the state of the dead and embracing the false doctrine of soul immortality, an idea stemming from Greek philosophers Socrates and Plato, has paved the way for the rise of several particular deceptions which have found a home in Christianity.
One of these deceptions lies in the realm of spiritualism, which I’ll briefly cover here from one aspect and later regarding the church.
If we were to hold onto, somewhere within ourselves, that our deceased loved ones are now in heaven, despite the bible clearly teaching us that “the dead know nothing” (Eccl 9:5), then what a powerful tool of deception Satan’s angel’s may deploy masquerading as the same.
Please consider these words by Ellen G. White from her book The Great Controversy…
“The doctrine of man's consciousness in death, especially the belief that spirits of the dead return to minister to the living, has prepared the way for modern spiritualism. If the dead are admitted to the presence of God and holy angels, and privileged with knowledge far exceeding what they before possessed, why should they not return to the earth to enlighten and instruct the living?
If, as taught by popular theologians, spirits of the dead are hovering about their friends on earth, why should they not be permitted to communicate with them, to warn them against evil, or to comfort them in sorrow?
How can those who believe in man's consciousness in death reject what comes to them as divine light communicated by glorified spirits? Here is a channel regarded as sacred, through which Satan works for the accomplishment of his purposes. The fallen angels who do his bidding appear as messengers from the spirit world. While professing to bring the living into communication with the dead, the prince of evil exercises his bewitching influence upon their minds.
He has power to bring before men the appearance of their departed friends. The counterfeit is perfect; the familiar look, the words, the tone, are reproduced with marvellous distinctness. Many are comforted with the assurance that their loved ones are enjoying the bliss of heaven, and without suspicion of danger, they give ear “to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”
When they have been led to believe that the dead actually return to communicate with them, Satan causes those to appear who went into the grave unprepared. They claim to be happy in heaven and even to occupy exalted positions there, and thus the error is widely taught that no difference is made between the righteous and the wicked.
The pretended visitants from the world of spirits sometimes utter cautions and warnings which prove to be correct. Then, as confidence is gained, they present doctrines that directly undermine faith in the Scriptures. With an appearance of deep interest in the well-being of their friends on earth, they insinuate the most dangerous errors. The fact that they state some truths, and are able at times to foretell future events, gives to their statements an appearance of reliability; and their false teachings are accepted by the multitudes as readily, and believed as implicitly, as if they were the most sacred truths of the Bible.”(Great Controversy, chapter 34, v 551.2-552.1)
Within Satan’s deceptive plans, fallen angels masquerading as the deceased have indeed been deceiving many devout Christians, with ‘Our Lady of Fatima’ and the 1917 appearances of the “Virgin Mary” in Portugal, being a clear example.
In 1930, the Roman Catholic Church officially recognised these manifestations as “worthy of belief” (Britannica), elevating the Virgin Mary as a ministering spirit, contrary to the bible teaching us that Mary remains sleeping in death, “never again” having “a part in anything that happens under the sun” (Eccl 9:6).
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.” Ecclesiastes 9:10
Sadly, through the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, Mary, who remain sleeping in death until the “first resurrection” at Christ’s second coming (1Cor 15:23), has been elevated to become “co-redemptrix”, with the ritualistic ‘Hail Mary’ being a plead for her mediatory role in our redemption. Yet, this role is Christ’s alone, is it not?
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus...” 1 Timothy 2:5
It almost seems inconceivable how theologians throughout the Roman Catholic Church could get things so terribly wrong, until we look at things through a biblically-sound prophetic lens, to which we’ll be discussing a little later.
For now, I’d like to leave you with this question…
If a deceased loved one were to appear before you, a perfect likeness in every way, with loving tones and joyful tidings… would you lend them ear?
In an instance of time when our senses are telling us that all is well, will we open in dialogue knowing that to “enquire of the dead” is an “abomination” unto the Lord.
“For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.” Deuteronomy 18:12
Simply put, it’s an abomination to God for us to communicate with what appears to be our deceased loved ones because God knows that they are indeed deceiving spirits.
In a moment of hunger, pushing aside the desires of temptation, Jesus stood on the Word declaring that “it is written” - will we do the same? ✞-------------------------------------
One of these deceptions lies in the realm of spiritualism, which I’ll briefly cover here from one aspect and later regarding the church.
If we were to hold onto, somewhere within ourselves, that our deceased loved ones are now in heaven, despite the bible clearly teaching us that “the dead know nothing” (Eccl 9:5), then what a powerful tool of deception Satan’s angel’s may deploy masquerading as the same.
Please consider these words by Ellen G. White from her book The Great Controversy…
“The doctrine of man's consciousness in death, especially the belief that spirits of the dead return to minister to the living, has prepared the way for modern spiritualism. If the dead are admitted to the presence of God and holy angels, and privileged with knowledge far exceeding what they before possessed, why should they not return to the earth to enlighten and instruct the living?
If, as taught by popular theologians, spirits of the dead are hovering about their friends on earth, why should they not be permitted to communicate with them, to warn them against evil, or to comfort them in sorrow?
How can those who believe in man's consciousness in death reject what comes to them as divine light communicated by glorified spirits? Here is a channel regarded as sacred, through which Satan works for the accomplishment of his purposes. The fallen angels who do his bidding appear as messengers from the spirit world. While professing to bring the living into communication with the dead, the prince of evil exercises his bewitching influence upon their minds.
He has power to bring before men the appearance of their departed friends. The counterfeit is perfect; the familiar look, the words, the tone, are reproduced with marvellous distinctness. Many are comforted with the assurance that their loved ones are enjoying the bliss of heaven, and without suspicion of danger, they give ear “to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”
When they have been led to believe that the dead actually return to communicate with them, Satan causes those to appear who went into the grave unprepared. They claim to be happy in heaven and even to occupy exalted positions there, and thus the error is widely taught that no difference is made between the righteous and the wicked.
The pretended visitants from the world of spirits sometimes utter cautions and warnings which prove to be correct. Then, as confidence is gained, they present doctrines that directly undermine faith in the Scriptures. With an appearance of deep interest in the well-being of their friends on earth, they insinuate the most dangerous errors. The fact that they state some truths, and are able at times to foretell future events, gives to their statements an appearance of reliability; and their false teachings are accepted by the multitudes as readily, and believed as implicitly, as if they were the most sacred truths of the Bible.”(Great Controversy, chapter 34, v 551.2-552.1)
Within Satan’s deceptive plans, fallen angels masquerading as the deceased have indeed been deceiving many devout Christians, with ‘Our Lady of Fatima’ and the 1917 appearances of the “Virgin Mary” in Portugal, being a clear example.
In 1930, the Roman Catholic Church officially recognised these manifestations as “worthy of belief” (Britannica), elevating the Virgin Mary as a ministering spirit, contrary to the bible teaching us that Mary remains sleeping in death, “never again” having “a part in anything that happens under the sun” (Eccl 9:6).
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.” Ecclesiastes 9:10
Sadly, through the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, Mary, who remain sleeping in death until the “first resurrection” at Christ’s second coming (1Cor 15:23), has been elevated to become “co-redemptrix”, with the ritualistic ‘Hail Mary’ being a plead for her mediatory role in our redemption. Yet, this role is Christ’s alone, is it not?
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus...” 1 Timothy 2:5
It almost seems inconceivable how theologians throughout the Roman Catholic Church could get things so terribly wrong, until we look at things through a biblically-sound prophetic lens, to which we’ll be discussing a little later.
For now, I’d like to leave you with this question…
If a deceased loved one were to appear before you, a perfect likeness in every way, with loving tones and joyful tidings… would you lend them ear?
In an instance of time when our senses are telling us that all is well, will we open in dialogue knowing that to “enquire of the dead” is an “abomination” unto the Lord.
“For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.” Deuteronomy 18:12
Simply put, it’s an abomination to God for us to communicate with what appears to be our deceased loved ones because God knows that they are indeed deceiving spirits.
In a moment of hunger, pushing aside the desires of temptation, Jesus stood on the Word declaring that “it is written” - will we do the same? ✞-------------------------------------