"Defending God"

5 - Bible Facts About Satan and Spiritualism

Witchcraft is increasing in power and influence. Sometimes it is called channeling. It is extremely important that we understand the terrible danger in dabbling with this!

There are evil angels who try to destroy our peace and happiness, tempt us to sin, and keep us out of heaven. We must be aware of their devices and be strong in the Lord to resist them. How did sin begin? Is there a devil, and what is he like? How can we resist His advances? And what is his most dangerous method of entrapment?

THE TRUTH ABOUT SATAN

1. Who was the first sinner?

1 John 3:8—"He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning."

Ezekiel 18:4—"The soul that sinneth, it shall die."

Here we have the name of the original sinner. In Revelation, he is referred to as "the great dragon . . that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan" (Rev 12:9). Isaiah refers to him as Lucifer, son of the morning" (Isa 14:12). The time of his sin is "in the beginning." This was sometime near the Creation, as recorded in the first chapter of Genesis.

Lucifer was created. The prophet, Ezekiel, presenting Satan under the symbol of the king of Tyrus, presents God as speaking to him of "the day that thou was created" (Eze 28:13).

Christ is the Creator; for God "created all things by Jesus Christ" (Eph 3:9). "For by Him (Christ) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him" (Col 1:16).

Thus Christ created the good angel who later made a devil out of himself.

2. Where was Lucifer created?

Luke 10:18—"I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven."

Undoubtedly, Lucifer was created in heaven.

Ezekiel 28:14—"Thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire."

3. What special gifts did Lucifer possess?

Ezekiel 28:12—"Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty."

Lucifer was the wisest of the angels. In addition, he was "perfect in beauty." Apparently, Lucifer was also given an unusually beautiful voice. "The workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created" (Eze 28:13). "Tabret" means strings or chords. Apparently, Lucifer’s vocal chords were remarkable.

4. What position did Lucifer occupy in heaven?

Ezekiel 28:14"Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so."

In the earthly tabernacle, the two covering cherubim were by the ark of the covenant, which symbolized the throne of God. Therefore, in heaven, Lucifer once stood by God’s throne.

5. How did sin begin?

Ezekiel 28:15—"Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee."

Sin is without reason or excuse. To excuse it is to defend it. Lucifer chose to sin, and his act will ultimately lead to the destruction of many. God cannot be charged with the origin of sin.

6. How did Satan begin his rebellion in heaven?

Here were the five steps down:

Ezekiel 28:17—"Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty. Thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness."

Isaiah 14:13-14"For thou hast said in thine heart . . 1 will exalt my throne above the stars of God . . I will be like the most High."

Through pride, selfishness, and jealousy, Lucifer corrupted himself into a devil. Lucifer, the light bearer, became Satan, the adversary. He began to question the government and character of God. Satan had to resort to lying to do this. Like many today, he said God’s law cannot be obeyed. Because of pride, he became filled with hatred.

John 8:44—"He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it."

A third of the angels were fascinated with his talk and united with Satan. Then he and his angels made war in heaven. They were determined to kill and conquer their way to rulership.

Revelation 12:7—"There was war in heaven: Michael and His angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels."

Revelation 12:9—"The great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."

Proverbs 16:18—"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."

2 Peter 2:4—"God spared not the angels that sinned."

7. What is Satan doing now, on earth, before he and his followers are finally destroyed?

The devil is determined to tempt, harass, and destroy. He wants to take as many souls as possible down to ruin with him.

Revelation 12:13—"And when the dragon [Satan] saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman [the true church]."

Satan especially wants to destroy those who love God and try to obey Him.

Revelation 12:17—"And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."

8. What is the future of Satan, the fallen angel?

Isaiah 14:12—"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!"

Satan, who ruined so many, will himself eventually be destroyed.

Ezekiel 28:16—"Thou hast sinned; therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire."

When Satan is finally destroyed, his followers will perish with him.

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12—"Because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."

9. Who alone is able to destroy the devil?

Hebrews 2:14—"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil."

Jesus Christ, who died to redeem those who would come to Him in repentance and putting away of their sins, will be the one who will destroy Satan.

10. How will Satan and his followers finally be destroyed?

Matthew 25:41—"Then shall He [Christ] say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels."

At the end of time, Christ will destroy Satan and his followers.

Malachi 4:1"And the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch." Satan is the root; his followers are the branches. That hellfire will consume them, and they will be gone forever.

11. How can we resist Satan’s devices?

1 Peter 5:8-9—"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; whom resist stedfast in the faith."

12. When Satan tried to tempt Him, what was Christ’s weapon?

"It is written" (Matt 4:4). We should study the Bible, obey it, and we will find it a powerful defense against the enemy. In the strength of Christ, we should obey the commands and claim the promises.

THE DEADLY POWER OF SPIRITUALISM

13. What is that great power of evil which we wrestle against?

Ephesians 6:12—"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness [margin: wicked spirits] in high places."

14. What is Satan himself called?

"The god of this world" (2 Cor 4:4). "The prince of this world" (John 14:30). "The prince of the power of the air" (Eph 2:2).

15. How numerous are Satan’s angels?

Mark 5:9—"And He asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion; for we are many."

A Roman legion, at that time, consisted of about 5,000 men.

16. What agency does Satan especially use to entrap and destroy souls?

Leviticus 19:31—"Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them; I am the Lord your God."

"Spiritualism: A belief that departed spirits hold communion with mortals by means of physical phenomena, as by rapping or, during abnormal mental states, as in trances or the like, commonly manifested through a medium; spiritism" (Webster’s Dictionary). "Spiritism: The theory that mediumistic phenomena are caused by spirits of the dead" (Webster).

17. God warns us to have nothing to do with spiritualists.

Malachi 3:5—"And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers."

The "channeling" of our own time is essentially the same as modern spiritualism, which is nothing more than ancient necromancy—pretended communication with the dead, but actually contact with, and guidance by, devils.

Jeremiah 27:9-10"Therefore hearken not ye to . . your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers . . for they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land."

Deuteronomy 18:10-13—"There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord; and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God."

We are to have nothing to do with that which is an abomination to the Lord. The devils give a little truth, mixed with a lot of lies, to catch someone’s attention, so they can then capture and ruin him.

Galatians 5:20-21—"Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance . . I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

18. What is the basic lie upon which spiritualism is based?

God told Adam and Eve that, if they sinned and disobeyed Him, they would surely die.

Genesis 2:17—"Thou shalt surely die."

But Satan lied. He told Eve that, if she sinned, she would live forever.

Genesis 3:4—"Ye shall not surely die."

Spiritualism is based on Satan’s lie, that the dead are still alive, conscious, and able to return and speak to us.

19. What is the true state of the dead?

Ecclesiastes 9:5—"For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing."

Psalm 146:4—"His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; In that very day his thoughts perish."

Job 14:20-21—"Thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away. His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them."

Never again do the dead return to earth to take part in our lives.

Ecclesiastes 9:6—"Also their love, and the hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion forever in any thing that is done under the sun."

20. When mediums bring us spirits impersonating our departed loved ones, what should we call them?

Revelation 16:14—"For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles."

21. How can we test the spirits, to know what they really are?

1 John 4:1—"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God."

We are told to test the spirits, but against what standard are we to test them?

The test we are to apply is the Word of God and His law—the Ten Commandments. If they speak not according to this Word, we are not to hear them. Spirit mediums are licentious, and their spirits speak lies. We are to have nothing to do with them.

Isaiah 8:19-20—"And 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? [instead of] 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."

The mediums and psychics will want you to forsake the God of heaven and His holy Bible—and go after other gods. This will be a sign to you.

Deuteronomy 13:1-4—"If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear Him, and keep His commandments, and obey His voice."

22. What warning is given us that this terrible deception will especially exist in the last days?

1 Timothy 4:1—"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils."

We, who live in the last days, must be especially on guard. It is imperative that we study God’s Word daily, pray, and plead for His guidance and protection.

23. How will Satan deceive men in these last days?

2 Corinthians 11:14-15—"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness."

Satan will work great wonders through his special agents. Yet those men will deny basic Bible truths about the plan of redemption and the importance of obedience to God’s Word.

Matthew 24:23-24—"Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."

Satan will also, in the sight of men, bring down fire from the skies.

Revelation 13:13-14—"And 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 means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live."

Beware! beware! Satan’s devices captivate those willing to consider them. If any man comes to you with a message, purportedly from God, but which is not in the law or the testimony—flee from him.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-10—"Whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish."

24. While many will be deceived by these wonders, the faithful will trust in God, obey His Inspired Writings, and look for Christ’s return.

Isaiah 25:9—"And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation."

ADDITIONAL FACTS

Modern spiritualism is disguised under many names: parapsychology, channeling, occult sciences, clairvoyance, spiritism, witchcraft, wizardry, spiritual healing, hypnosis, magnetic healing, yoga, mind dynamics, biofeedback training, psychic phenomena, etc.

Upon first encountering it, people sense that a superhuman power is present; and, fascinated, they dabble with it—until they are controlled by a will stronger than their own. You do not want anything to do with it!

A young man had lost both his mother and sister by death, and he was encouraged by a friend to visit a spirit medium. She told him his "departed ones" wanted to communicate with him. Soon he was regularly having visits with apparitions, purporting to be his mother and his sister. This continued on for several years.

Then he left for Australia, where he was converted to Christianity. Accepting the clear warnings of the Bible about spiritualism, he rejected it outright.

But he could not disentangle himself from the spirits. He asked for the help of a Christian friend. "I cannot get away from those spirits," he told him. "They wake me up three or four times in the night."

So, to provide him with prayerful support, his friend moved in with him; and, each night in separate beds, they slept in the same room.

Soon the strange beings entered the room, as usual, in the middle of the night. First, they would shake his bed, then they would start talking to him. They were usually semi-transparent in appearance. One, he said, looked and sounded exactly like his mother. She would tell him of her affection for him. He would say, "I don’t believe you," and turn his face the other way. The voice of his sister would come before him, saying that he was hurting his mother’s heart.

Then he would get up, switch on a light, and start reading in the Bible. Alter a few minutes of silence, the book would be snatched from his hands and thrown across the room, with the words, "You’ll read, will you?"

These were not beloved relatives, but devils,

Then he would go outside, take long walks, and discuss the situation with his friend. Eventually, the spirits stopped coming.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the famous Sherlock Homes mystery writer and one of the world’s leading spiritualists said this: "The organized spiritualist does not accept the atonement of Christ or the existence of sin" (Wanderings of a Spiritualist, p. 25). He predicted that spiritualism, when it has taken over the world, "will sweep the world and make it a better place in which to live. When it rules over all the world, it will banish the blood of Christ!" (Cosmopolitan, January 1918, p. 69).

A young engineering company salesman boarded a ship at Sydney, Australia. He was to spend two weeks in New Zealand on business. But, on the ship, he met Doyle, who was on a worldwide lecture trip, to stir up interest in spiritism.

The young man told his cabin mate, a preacher, that he was going to talk to Doyle the next day. Although warned that, if he did, he would be caught, the young man laughed and resolutely said he would never become a spiritualist.

But, on his return from the interview the next day, the young man seemed like a changed person. The lies of Doyle and his spirits had won over the young man.

"Doyle told me," he said, "all about several ancestors I know nothing about. He said, because they were powerful mediums, I will be too—if I will join him. And this I am going to do!"

He remained with Arthur Conan Doyle throughout the five-day trip. Arriving in New Zealand, he telegrammed both a resignation to his company and a good-bye to his family.

It is well-known that Kaiser Wilhelm II, Adolf Hitler, and Benito Mussolini conducted the two world wars through the continual guidance of spirit mediums. It was the advice of devils which resulted in the terribly murderous decisions which were made.

God will protect from the devils if you will yield your life to Him and trust and obey the Bible. But if you go seeking for the devils, you will be caught and captured.

A young Fijian woman living in Winembuka, about sixty miles from Suva, whose grandfather had been a devil priest, decided she would try to contact the power with whom he communed. This was to be just a bit of fun, or so she thought.

Unknown to her parents, she went to the edge of the village and tried to summon the spirits. Soon the villagers realized the woman was regularly doing it. Her parents, which were Christian, tried to dissuade her, but she would not listen to them. She said the being she spoke with appeared in the form of a great green snake. But it spoke as a person would.

Eventually, the meetings became so gruesome that she realized she would be destroyed if she continued. She was face to face with a terrible power.

One day, she totally turned her back on it—and refused to go out and talk to the snake. A few days later, she fell to the ground, possessed by demons. In desperation, her family sent for their minister. By the time he and two other ministers had arrived, the girl had been laying on the ground for three days without eating or drinking.

When they tried to speak to her, she would scream at them, as though she were a wild animal. The men prayed earnestly. Then they ordered the evil spirits to come out of her.

Immediately, she turned toward them and glared like a cornered animal. Then she dropped to the floor; and, stretching out full length with staring eyes and frothing mouth, she crawled across the room toward them, slithering like a snake. Then she stopped and went limp.

They bathed her face with water and she sat up. "Where am I, and why are you here?" she asked. Then they told her what had happened. Turning to her parents, she asked forgiveness for her defiance of their counsel. Then, all together, they thanked God for casting out the evil spirits.

Never, never have anything to do with any form of spiritualism!

We will conclude with this incident:

During World War II, a mother received word that her son was missing in action. Although warned by Christian friends not to do so, she went to a spirit medium in town where, each week, she spoke with her boy. They would sit on the couch together and both would share with one another stories from earlier years when they were together. Convinced that it was her dead son, returning to visit with her, soon she gave up Christianity and threw away her Bible.

Then one day, her boy came home! He had not died after all! The lying spirits had only appeared to present him to her in the séances.

Few things are more dangerous than making contact with evil spirits, and there are many ways in which this can be done. Cling to Jesus Christ as your Saviour and obey His Scriptures. There is no other way you can be safe in this life.

How thankful we can be that Christ is more powerful than the demons!

CONTINUE CHAPTER 6