The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 560
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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