The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 440

The European Union in Prophecy
34. Can Our Dead Speak to Us?
The ministration of holy angels, as presented in the Scriptures, is a truth most
comforting and precious to every follower of Christ. But the Bible teaching upon this
point has been obscured and perverted by the errors of popular theology. The doctrine
of natural immortality, first borrowed from the pagan philosophy, and in the darkness
of the great apostasy incorporated into the Christian faith, has supplanted the truth,
so plainly taught in Scripture, that "the dead know not anything." Multitudes have
come to believe that it is spirits of the dead who are the "ministering spirits, sent forth
to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation." And this notwithstanding the
testimony of Scripture to the existence of heavenly angels, and their connection with
the history of man, before the death of a human being.
The doctrine of man's consciousness in death, especially the belief that spirits of
the dead return to minister to the living, has prepared the way for modern
spiritualism. If the dead are admitted to the presence of God and holy angels, and
privileged with knowledge far exceeding what they before possessed, why should they
not return to the earth to enlighten and instruct the living? If, as taught by popular
theologians, spirits of the dead are hovering about their friends on earth, why should
they not be permitted to communicate with them, to warn them against evil, or to
comfort them in sorrow? How can those who believe in man's consciousness in death
reject what comes to them as divine light communicated by glorified spirits? Here is
a channel regarded as sacred, through which Satan works for the accomplishment of
his purposes. The fallen angels who do his bidding appear as messengers from the
spirit world. While professing to bring the living into communication with the dead,
the prince of evil exercises his bewitching influence upon their minds.
He has power to bring before men the appearance of their departed friends. The
counterfeit is perfect; the familiar look, the words, the tone, are reproduced with
marvellous distinctness. Many are comforted with the assurance that their loved ones
are enjoying the bliss of heaven, and without suspicion of danger, they give ear "to
seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." When they have been led to believe that the
dead actually return to communicate with them, Satan causes those to appear who
went into the grave unprepared. They claim to be happy in heaven and even to occupy
exalted positions there, and thus the error is widely taught that no difference is made
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