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Fall of the House of Ahab
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God. Rebellious and unwilling to repent, Ahaziah died “according
to the word of the Lord which Elijah had spoken.”
Modern Satanic Forms of Worship
People today may not bow to heathen gods, yet thousands are
worshiping at Satan’s shrine as surely as did the king of Israel. The
spirit of idol worship is everywhere, although it has taken forms that
are more refined and attractive than when Ahaziah sent messengers
to the god of Ekron. Faith in the sure word of prophecy is decreasing,
and in its place superstition and satanic witchery are captivating the
minds of many. The mysteries of heathen worship are replaced by
the dark arts and wonders of spiritistic mediums. Thousands who
refuse to accept light from God’s Word welcome the disclosures of
these mediums. Many who shrink from the thought of consulting
spirit mediums are attracted by more pleasing forms of spiritism.
Others are led astray by Christian Science and by the mysticism of
Theosophy and other Oriental religions.
The apostles of nearly all forms of spiritism claim to have power
to heal. And many people go to these healers instead of trusting
in the living God and the skill of well-qualified physicians. The
mother, watching by the sickbed of her child, exclaims, “Is there no
physician who has power to restore my child?” Someone tells her
about the cures performed by some psychic, and she trusts her dear
one to his charge, placing the child as surely in the hand of Satan as
if he were standing by her side. In many cases the future life of the
child is controlled by a satanic power.
God had reason to be displeased at Ahaziah’s unfaithfulness.
What had He not done to inspire Israel with confidence in Him-
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self? Yet now the king of Israel, turning to ask for help from the
worst enemy of his people, proclaimed to the heathen that he had
more confidence in their idols than in the God of heaven. Men and
women dishonor Him when they turn from the Source of strength
and wisdom to ask help or counsel from the powers of darkness.
Those who give themselves up to the sorcery of Satan may boast
of receiving great benefit, but does this prove that their course is
wise or safe? What if life is prolonged? What if they do secure