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God’s Secrets, June 16
1 Samuel 28:3-25
It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath
put in his own power.
Acts 1:7
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The witch of Endor had made agreement with Satan to follow his directions
in all things; and he would perform wonders and miracles for her, and would
reveal to her the most secret things, if she would yield herself unreservedly to be
controlled by his Satanic majesty. This she had done
By the prediction of Saul’s doom, given through the woman of Endor, Satan
planned to ensnare the people of Israel. He hoped that they would be inspired
with confidence in the sorceress, and would be led to consult her. Thus they
would turn from God as their counselor and would place themselves under the
guidance of Satan. The lure by which spiritualism attracts the multitudes is
its pretended power to draw aside the veil from the future and reveal to men
what God has hidden. God has in His word opened before us the great events of
the future—all that it is essential for us to know—and He has given us a safe
guide for our feet amid all its perils; but it is Satan’s purpose to destroy men’s
confidence in God, to make them dissatisfied with their condition in life, and to
lead them to seek a knowledge of what God has wisely veiled from them, and to
despise what He has revealed in His Holy Word.
There are many who become restless when they cannot know the definite
outcome of affairs. They cannot endure uncertainty, and in their impatience they
refuse to wait to see the salvation of God. Apprehended evils drive them nearly
distracted. They give way to their rebellious feelings, and run hither and thither
in passionate grief, seeking intelligence concerning that which has not been
revealed. If they would but trust in God, and watch unto prayer, they would find
divine consolation. Their spirit would be calmed by communion with God. The
weary and the heavy-laden would find rest unto their souls if they would only
go to Jesus; but when they neglect the means that God has ordained for their
comfort, and resort to other sources, hoping to learn what God has withheld,
they commit the error of Saul, and thereby gain only a knowledge of evil
[174]
27
Ibid., 1022
.
28
Patriarchs and Prophets, 686, 687
.
179