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Testimonies for the Church Volume 1
has directions from these spirits to make special moves and is flattered
with the hope of success. Another receives directions which differ
widely from those given to the first. Sometimes those who follow the
directions given obtain a victory, but more frequently they meet with
defeat.
The spirits sometimes give these leading men an account of events
to transpire in battles in which they are about to engage, and of in-
dividuals who will fall in the battle. Sometimes it is found to be as
these spirits foretold, and this strengthens the faith of the believers in
spiritual manifestations. And again it is found that correct information
has not been given, but the deceiving spirits make some explanation,
which is received. The deception upon minds is so great that many
fail to perceive the lying spirits which are leading them on to certain
destruction.
The great leading rebel general, Satan, is acquainted with the
transactions of this war, and he directs his angels to assume the form
of dead generals, to imitate their manners, and exhibit their peculiar
traits of character. And leaders in the army really believe that the spirits
of their friends and of dead warriors, the fathers of the Revolutionary
War, are guiding them. If they were not under the strongest fascinating
deception, they would begin to think that the warriors in heaven (?) did
not manifest good and successful generalship, or had forgotten their
famed earthly skill.
Instead of the leading men in this war trusting in the God of Israel,
and directing their armies to trust in the only One who can deliver
them from their enemies, the majority inquire of the prince of devils
and trust in him.
Deuteronomy 32:16-22
. Said the angel: “How can
God prosper such a people? If they would look to and trust in Him; if
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they would only come where He could help them, according to His
own glory, He would readily do it.”
I saw that God would not give the Northern army wholly into the
hands of a rebellious people, to be utterly destroyed by their enemies.
I was referred to
Deuteronomy 32:26-30
: “I said, I would scatter them
into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from
among men: were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their
adversaries should behave themselves strangely, and lest they should
say, Our hand is high, and the Lord hath not done all this. For they are
a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them.