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Chapter 34—Who Are the “Spirits” in
Spiritualism?
The doctrine of natural immortality, first borrowed from pagan
philosophy and in the darkness of the great apostasy incorporated
into the Christian faith, has supplanted the truth that “the dead know
not anything.”
Ecclesiastes 9:5
. Multitudes believe that the spirits of
the dead are the “ministering spirits sent forth to minister for them
who shall be heirs of salvation.”
Hebrews 1:14
.
The belief that spirits of the dead return to minister to the living
has prepared the way for modern spiritualism. If the dead are priv-
ileged with knowledge far exceeding what they before possessed,
why not return to earth and instruct the living? If spirits of the dead
hover about their friends on earth, why not communicate with them?
How can those who believe in man’s consciousness in death reject
“divine light” communicated by glorified spirits? Here is a channel
regarded as sacred through which Satan works. Fallen angels appear
as messengers from the spirit world.
The prince of evil has power to bring before men the appearance
of departed friends. The counterfeit is perfect, reproduced with
marvelous distinctness. Many are comforted with the assurance that
their loved ones are enjoying heaven. Without suspicion of danger,
they give ear “to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”
1 Timothy
4:1
.
Those who went into the grave unprepared claim to be happy
and to occupy exalted positions in heaven. Pretended visitants from
the world of spirits sometimes utter warnings which prove to be
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correct. Then, as confidence is gained, they present doctrines that
undermine the Scriptures. The fact that they state some truths and at
times foretell future events gives an appearance of reliability, and
their false teachings are accepted. The law of God is set aside, the
Spirit of grace despised. The spirits deny the deity of Christ and
place the Creator on a level with themselves.
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