the great controversy-第140章
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the Saviour of the world he makes to be no more than a common man。 And as
the Roman guard that watched the tomb of Jesus spread the lying report which
the priests and elders put into their mouths to disprove His resurrection；
so do the believers in spiritual manifestations try to make it appear that
there is nothing miraculous in the circumstances of our Saviour's life。
After thus seeking to put Jesus in the background； they call attention to
their own miracles； declaring that these far exceed the works of Christ。
It is true that spiritualism is now changing its form and； veiling some of
its more objectionable features； is assuming
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a Christian guise。 But its utterances from the platform and the press have
been before the public for many years； and in these its real character
stands revealed。 These teachings cannot be denied or hidden。
Even in its present form； so far from being more worthy of toleration than
formerly； it is really a more dangerous； because a more subtle； deception。
While it formerly denounced Christ and the Bible； it now professes to accept
both。 But the Bible is interpreted in a manner that is pleasing to the
unrenewed heart； while its solemn and vital truths are made of no effect。
Love is dwelt upon as the chief attribute of God； but it is degraded to a
weak sentimentalism； making little distinction between good and evil。 God's
justice； His denunciations of sin； the requirements of His holy law； are all
kept out of sight。 The people are taught to regard the Decalogue as a dead
letter。 Pleasing； bewitching fables captivate the senses and lead men to
reject the Bible as the foundation of their faith。 Christ is as verily
denied as before； but Satan has so blinded the eyes of the people that the
deception is not discerned。
There are few who have any just conception of the deceptive power of
spiritualism and the danger of coming under its influence。 Many tamper with
it merely to gratify their curiosity。 They have no real faith in it and
would be filled with horror at the thought of yielding themselves to the
spirits' control。 But they venture upon the forbidden ground； and the mighty
destroyer exercises his power upon them against their will。 Let them once be
induced to submit their minds to his direction； and he holds them captive。
It is impossible； in their own strength； to break away from the bewitching；
alluring spell。 Nothing but the power of God； granted in answer to the
earnest prayer of faith； can deliver these ensnared souls。
All who indulge sinful traits of character； or willfully cherish a known
sin； are inviting the temptations of Satan。
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They separate themselves from God and from the watchcare of His angels； as
the evil one presents his deceptions； they are without defense and fall an
easy prey。 Those who thus place themselves in his power little realize where
their course will end。 Having achieved their overthrow； the tempter will
employ them as his agents to lure others to ruin。
Says the prophet Isaiah： 〃When they shall say unto you； Seek unto them that
have familiar spirits； and unto wizards that peep； and that mutter： should
not a people seek unto their God？ for the living to the dead？ To the law and
to the testimony： if they speak not according to this word； it is because
there is no light in them。〃 Isaiah 8：19； 20。 If men had been willing to
receive the truth so plainly stated in the Scriptures concerning the nature
of man and the state of the dead； they would see in the claims and
manifestations of spiritualism the working of Satan with power and signs and
lying wonders。 But rather than yield the liberty so agreeable to the carnal
heart； and renounce the sins which they love； multitudes close their eyes to
the light and walk straight on； regardless of warnings； while Satan weaves
his snares about them； and they become his prey。 〃Because they received not
the love of the truth； that they might be saved；〃 therefore 〃God shall send
them strong delusion； that they should believe a lie。〃 2 Thessalonians 2：10；
11。
Those who oppose the teachings of spiritualism are assailing； not men alone；
but Satan and his angels。 They have entered upon a contest against
principalities and powers and wicked spirits in high places。 Satan will not
yield one inch of ground except as he is driven back by the power of
heavenly messengers。 The people of God should be able to meet him； as did
our Saviour； with the words： 〃It is written。〃 Satan can quote Scripture now
as in the days of Christ； and he will pervert its teachings to sustain his
delusions。 Those who would stand in this time of peril must understand for
themselves the testimony of the Scriptures。
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Many will be confronted by the spirits of devils personating beloved
relatives or friends and declaring the most dangerous heresies。 These
visitants will appeal to our tenderest sympathies and will work miracles to
sustain their pretensions。 We must be prepared to withstand them with the
Bible truth that the dead know not anything and that they who thus appear
are the spirits of devils。
Just before us is 〃the hour of temptation； which shall come upon all the
world； to try them that dwell upon the earth。〃 Revelation 3：10。 All whose
faith is not firmly established upon the word of God will be deceived and
overcome。 Satan 〃works with all deceivableness of unrighteousness〃 to gain
control of the children of men； and his deceptions will continually
increase。 But he can gain his object only as men voluntarily yield to his
temptations。 Those who are earnestly seeking a knowledge of the truth and
are striving to purify their souls through obedience； thus doing what they
can to prepare for the conflict； will find； in the God of truth； a sure
defense。 〃Because thou hast kept the word of My patience； I also will keep
thee〃 （verse 10）； is the Saviour's promise。 He would sooner send every angel
out of heaven to protect His people than leave one soul that trusts in Him
to be overcome by Satan。
The prophet Isaiah brings to view the fearful deception which will come upon
the wicked； causing them to count themselves secure from the judgments of
God： 〃We have made a covenant with death； and with hell are we at agreement；
when the overflowing scourge shall pass through； it shall not come unto us：
for we have made lies our refuge； and under falsehood have we hid
ourselves。〃 Isaiah 28：15。 In the class here described are included those who
in their stubborn impenitence comfort themselves with the assurance that
there is to be no punishment for the sinner； that all mankind； it matters
not how corrupt； are to be exalted to heaven； to become as the angels of
God。 But still more emphatically
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are those making a covenant with death and an agreement with hell； who
renounce the truths which Heaven has provided as a defense for the righteous
in the day of trouble； and accept the refuge of lies offered by Satan in its
steadthe delusive pretensions of spiritualism。
Marvelous beyond expression is the blindness of the people of this
generation。 Thousands reject the word of God as unworthy of belief and with
eager confidence receive the deceptions of Satan。 Skeptics and scoffers
denounce the bigotry of those who contend for the faith of prophets and
apostles； and they divert themselves by holding up to ridicule the solemn
declarations of the Scriptures concerning Christ and the plan of salvation；
and the retribution to be visited upon the rejecters of the truth。 They
affect great pity for minds so narrow； weak； and superstitious as to
acknowledge the claims of God and obey the requirements of His law。 They
manifest as much assurance as if； indeed； they had made a covenant with
death and an agreement with hell as if they had erected an impassable；
impenetrable barrier between themselves and the vengeance of God。 Nothing
can arouse their fears。 So fully have they yielded to the tempter； so
closely are they united with him； and so thoroughly imbued with his spirit；
that they have no power and no inclination to br
