The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 554
still carries on his warfare against God, begun in heaven and for nearly
six thousand years continued upon the earth.
Many endeavor to account for spiritual manifestations by attributing
them wholly to fraud and sleight of hand on the part of the medium.
But while it is true that the results of trickery have often been palmed
off as genuine manifestations, there have been, also, marked exhibitions
of supernatural power. The mysterious rapping with which modern
spiritualism began was not the result of human trickery or cunning,
but was the direct work of evil angels, who thus introduced one of the
most successful of soul-destroying delusions. Many will be ensnared
through the belief that spiritualism is a merely human imposture; when
brought face to face with manifestations which they cannot but regard as
supernatural, they will be deceived, and will be led to accept them as the
great power of God.
These persons overlook the testimony of the Scriptures concerning
the wonders wrought by Satan and his agents. It was by satanic aid
that Pharaoh’s magicians were enabled to counterfeit the work of God.
Paul testifies that before the second advent of Christ there will be
similar manifestations of satanic power. 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 the apostle John, describing the
miracle-working power that will be manifested in the last days, declares:
“He doeth great wonders, 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 the 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 have power to do, not
which they pretend to do.
The prince of darkness, who has so long bent the powers of his
mastermind to the work of deception, skillfully adapts his temptations
to men of all classes and conditions. To
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