Spiritualism

What is spiritualism defined to be?

“A belief that departed spirits hold intercourse with mortals by means of physical phenomena, as by rapping, or during abnormal mental states, as in trances, or the like, commonly manifested through a medium; spiritism.” – Webster.

Spiritism: “The theory that mediumistic phenomena are caused by spirits of the dead.”

- Webster.

Note  - The word spiritualism (or spiritism) is not found in the Bible, but there is general accord that spiritualism is based on the belief in the natural immortality of man, and that the spirit that leaves the fleshly body at death can and does return to communicate with the living through “the medium” and “the control.”

Spiritism in Bible Times

Did this belief exist in ancient times?  

“Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 19:31.  (See also 1 Chronicles 10:13,14.)

How does God regard sorcerers?

“So I will come near you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers, and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me,” says the Lord Almighty.” Malachi 3:5.

What does He say of the teachings of enchanters and sorcerers?

“So do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your interpreters of dreams, your mediums or your sorcerers who tell you, ‘You will not serve the king of Babylon.’ They prophesy lies to you that will only serve to remove you far from your lands; I will banish you and you will perish.” Jeremiah 27:9, 10.

Before their entrance into Canaan, what instruction did Moses give Israel concerning these things?

“Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or cast spells, or who is a medium or spiritists or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord, and because of these detestable practices of the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 18: 10-13.

Under the theocracy of Israel, what was the law concerning witches and those who had familiar spirits?

“Do not allow a sorceress to live.” Exodus 22:18. ‘A man or woman who is a medium or spiritists among you must be put to death. You are to stone them; their blood will be on their own heads.’” Leviticus 20:27. 

With what does Paul class witchcraft, and what does he say to those who are guilty of such things?

“Idolatry and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissentions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Galatians 5:20, 21.    

What does one do if asked to inquire of a familiar spirit?

“When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living.”

Isaiah 8:19.   

Should we allow ourselves to be influenced by signs or wonders performed by those who would try to lead us away from God and His law?

“If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a miraculous sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, “Let us follow other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,” you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commandments and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.” Deuteronomy 13:1-4. 

Communication With The Dead

How much do the dead know of what is going on among men?

“You overpower him once for all, and he is gone; you change his countenance and send him away. If his sons are honored, he does not know it; they are brought low, he does not see it.” Job 14:20, 21.

Do the dead know anything?

“For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward; and even the memory of them is forgotten.” Ecclesiastes 9:5. “When the spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.” Psalm 146:4.

What scripture forever precludes the idea that the dead back to earth to communicate with the living?

“Their love, their hate and their jealousy have long since vanished; never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 9:6. 

Deception In The Last Days

What will be one characteristic of the last days?

“The Spirit clearly says that in the later times some will abandon their faith and follow deceiving spirits and thing taught by demons.” 1 Timothy 4:1.

How does Satan deceive the people?

“And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”

 2 Corinthians 11:14.    

What role do his angels assume?

“It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” Verse 15.

Will Satan and his agents attempt to counterfeit the coming of Christ, and work signs and wonders to confirm their pretentious claims? 

“At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is Christ!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false Christ’s and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect – if that were possible, See, I have told you ahead of time.” Matthew 24:23,24.   

Note – “As the crowning act in the great dram of deception, Satan himself will personate Christ. The church has long professed to look to the Savior’s advent as the consummation of her hopes. Now the great deceiver will make it appear that Christ has come. In different parts of the earth, Satan will manifest himself among men as a majestic being of dazzling brightness, and about 15 feet in stature resembling the description of the Son of God given by John in the Revelation. The glory that surrounds him is unsurpassed by anything that mortal eyes have yet beheld. The shout of triumph rings out in the air, ‘Christ has come! Christ has come!’ The people prostrate themselves in adoration before him, while he lifts up his hands, and pronounces a blessing upon them, as Christ blessed His disciples when He was upon the earth. His voice will be soft and subdued, yet full of melody. In gentle, compassionate tones he presents some of the same gracious, heavenly truths that the Savior uttered….

“But the people of God will not be misled. The teachings of this false Christ are not in accordance with the Scriptures…

“And, furthermore, Satan is not permitted to counterfeit the manner of Christ advent. The Savior warned his people against deception upon this point, and has clearly foretold the manner of His Second Coming. ‘There shall be false christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect… If they say unto you, look! He is in the desert do not go out. For as the lightening comes out of the east, and shines even unto the west; so will also the coming of the Son of Man be.’ This coming, there is no possibility of counterfeiting. It will be universally known – witnessed by the whole world.” E.G. White, The Great Controversy, pp. 624, 625.

What will be one of the last great signs performed by this means, to fasten men in deception?

“And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived.” 

Revelation 13:13, 14.   

What scripture shows that Satan is to work with special powers and deceptive wonders just before Christ’s second coming?

“The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 2 Thessalonians 2:9,10. (See also Revelation 12:12.) 

While many will be deceived by these wonders, and accept of the false christs that appear, what will those say who have maintained their love for the truth, and patiently waited for the return of Christ?

“Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.” Isaiah 25:9.  

What warning has been given us through the Apostle Peter?

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8.

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