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From Here to Forever
While it is true that the results of trickery have often been palmed
off as genuine manifestations, there have been, also, marked exhi-
bitions of supernatural power, the direct work of evil angels. Many
believe that spiritualism is merely human imposture. When brought
face to face with manifestations which they cannot but regard as
supernatural, they will be deceived and accept them as the great
power of God.
By satanic aid Pharaoh’s magicians counterfeited the work of
God. See
Exodus 7:10-12
. Paul testifies that the coming of the Lord
is to be preceded by “the working of Satan with all power and signs
and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness.”
2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10
. And John declares: “He doeth great won-
ders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth
in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by
means of those miracles which he had power to do.”
Revelation
13:13, 14
. No mere impostures are here foretold. Men are deceived
by the miracles which Satan’s agents do, not which they pretend to
do.
Satan’s Appeal to Intellectuals
To persons of culture and refinement the prince of darkness
presents spiritualism in its more refined and intellectual aspects. He
delights the fancy with enrapturing scenes and eloquent portrayals
of love and charity. He leads men to take so great pride in their own
wisdom that in their hearts they despise the Eternal One.
Satan beguiles men now as he beguiled Eve in Eden, by exciting
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ambition for self-exaltation. “Ye shall be as gods,” he declares,
“knowing good and evil.”
Genesis 3:5
. Spiritualism teaches “that
man is the creature of progression ... toward the Godhead.” And
again: “The judgment will be right, because it is the judgment of
self. ... The throne is within you.” And another declares: “Any just
and perfect being is Christ.”
Thus Satan has substituted the sinful nature of man himself as the
only rule of judgment. This is progress, not upward, but downward.
Man will never rise higher than his standard of purity or goodness. If
self is his loftiest ideal, he will never attain to anything more exalted.