Our opening text reads as follows,

"And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty." Rev. 16:13,14.

Why does the devil do that, go out to influence everybody to sin? The devil does that because he wants you the sinner to die for him - just the opposite what Jesus Christ did, he died for you so you can live. We are being told here that at the very end, spiritualism will play a role and that we want to study in this article.

We want to ask questions so we know the type of problem this is and to which extend it is present in this world.

In general we know from the Bible that spiritualism is based on lies. These lies say,

1. You shall not surely die and
   
2. You shall be as gods knowing good and evil.

Considering these points we shall see that all of spiritualism is mainly based on one or the other or both of these lies, which originate from the beginning of life on earth.

Other distinguishing aspects of spiritualism may be described as,

Blatant spiritualism and

Veiled spiritualism.

Blatant Spiritualism

Under the `blatant' spiritualism category we may think of going to a seance trying to communicate with the dead (Saul). The Bible clearly tells us not to do that for the dead cannot be reached that way, they are dead. It provides an avenue for Satanic powers to captivate people and entangle them among his followers. Those who understand the Bible teaching on the state of the dead know that.

A very popular form of blatant spiritualism is witchcraft and in particular certain - often very popular - books, magazines, movies and computer `entertainment' type items.

Veiled Spiritualism

We may subdivide this type of spiritualism in categories (I, II):

I. You shall not surely die.

a) Weak sentimentalism - because it says, "sins" (plural), is not so bad or serious after all.
That is essentially the same message as the category title. It is just presented in a more palatable form.

b) One may hear it said, `Oh, don't make such a big deal about it?' `Its not really so bad.' `Its ok to sin just a little bit.'

c) They say, `"Sin" (singular) is not so bad, it won't really kill you.'

Other aspects under this heading are:

1. a de-emphasize of doctrine. This can be taken as an earmark of

(a) `weak sentimentalism in the church.' They say,
(b) `doctrinal distinction is not so important.'
(c) `Lets not make that so prominent.'
(d) `Can we not just get along?'
(e) `Lets not talk about these distinctions between denominations.'
(f) `When you get to the pearly gates nobody is going to ask you to draw a chart of the 2300 days.'
(g) `Nobody is going to ask you to give a Bible study on the state of the dead.'

Another item that fits in this category is music. Often it may not only be the style of music, but it is the message of the music itself. Typical for this are repeating phrases like - `he is always there', over and over again. `Don't worry, he will always be there.'

Is that a true message?

Yes. it is true. God , through the Holy Spirit, will always be there. He will be there when others are not there. But it is not true that there is not a line in the sand that is fast approaching - a time when those words will be heard, `He that is holy let him be holy still. He that is unholy, let him be unholy still,' Rev. 22:11.

What is the problem with these types of messages?

Such statements make little distinction between good and evil, and they may withhold the truth from people that time is running out, that mercy's hour is coming to an end. There will not be time forever to make a decision to follow Christ, we need to make that decision while we can.

Other times such sentiments may be expressed this way, some may say they are grateful for people's prayers and for their help in keeping "the spirits clean around us, for every day we feel that, ... it means the world to us to know that there are prayer circles and people who want to keep the spirits clean around us."

It is a message of weak sentimentality. It leaves out scriptures to substantiate what is suggested. As to the last statement, the Bible says nothing about praying to `spirits', instead we read, "As bad as you are, you know how to give good gifts to your children. How much more, then, will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him." Luke 11:13, GNB. We may pray to our Heavenly Father for the Holy Spirit. It shows we must quote scriptures more accurately for there is a difference between `spirits' and the Holy Spirit.

The door of the ark is going to close!

Just as we cannot picture the following words of a song to be appropriate to be sung just one day before the door of the ark closes ...

`Don't worry, it will always be here ...'

It would have made people angry the next day ... discovering the door is closed.

Our message today ought to be that kind of message which will awaken fervent faith, decided action and not merrily wavering from feeling to feeling.

Another problem area is the area of

2. Natural methods of healing. Sometimes religious things are clumped together with natural remedies which really should not be there. There are suspicious techniques to healing that tell people,

(a) `You don't have to change your life style.'
(b) `You don't have to change what you do - just pop these pills.'
The truth is, Jesus asked the man by the pool, `Do you want to be made whole?' - Not, `Do you want to have just that one little problem fixed? I can give you this pill and you can sit then by that pool forever.'

3. One God, Many Paths - Interfaith Unity - a loving, vibrant family that welcomes home people of every age, race, culture, etc. - Together, we transform lives. Weaving ancient spiritual traditions with emerging wisdom we cultivate deep personal relationships with The Divine, each other and our planet. We joyfully express oneness in an awakened world. - Meditation Chant `Love, Serve & Remember'; Prosperity Plus is a 10-week program that teaches a new way of living centered on the spiritual practices of an abundant life! You will move from fear, scarcity, and limited thinking to a life full of possibility, prosperity and promise. You will discover 10 Universal Laws that govern an abundant life and will be given the opportunity and encouragement to put these Universal Laws into daily practice - Sunday Celebration Service. This class will be a catalyst for greater self-awareness, deeper spiritual practice, more meaningful relationships, financial increase, and a stronger self-esteem. - Native American Drumming.

While it sounds good and people seem to love such events, do they lead people to a closer relationship with our Great, Almighty Creator God in Heaven? There is no mention of Jesus Christ, our Saviour, no mention of overcoming selfishness and bear our cross - for you see, Bible religion includes a cross. While it mentions 10 Universal Laws, are the Ten Commandments? If they are, why speak around it? Is it because people hate God's law which keeps us save everyday as long as people obey its tenants? Why no addressing of man's sin problem the overcoming of which through the blood of Jesus Christ alone is a true help for man and the core of Christianity? But see Colossians chapters 2 and 3, or Ephesians 3:14-21?[7] Why replace God's messages of divine wisdom with man's? After all we hardly need more self-concern in place of concern how we represent Jesus in our daily life, who denied self and asks His followers to do the same, for selfishness is the core of man's problem in this sin filled world.

Clearly, that is not the type of message we want to present.

Still another problem area is

4. Hearing voices

There seems to be quite an increase of interest in this area. While we do want to hear the voice of God - know when the Holy Spirit tries to reach us (Lk. 12:12; Jh. 14:26)- but along with that the enemy is taking advantage of this in the end of time - when there is a group of people who want to be among the 144,000 and whom Satan tries to prevent them from reaching their goal.

Is that being selfish to want to be among the 144,000?

Could we conclude, if that is being selfish, then I want to have more of it?

After all, the pioneers wanted to be among the 144,000.

That is why in the early days of Adventism the health message played a big part, for they wanted to be stout and have a strong constitution so they would be able to stand during the Plagues.

They never thought of that as being too selfish, to want to be among the 144,000.

Especially since the 144,000 go `wherever the lamb goeth,' Rev. 14:4.

From all of this we realize,

"For thousands of years Satan has been experimenting upon the properties of the human mind, and he has learned to know it well. By his subtle workings in these last days he is linking the human mind with his own, imbuing it with his thoughts; and he is doing this work in so deceptive a manner that those who accept his guidance know not that they are being led by him at his will. The great deceiver hopes so to confuse the minds of men and women that none but his voice will be heard." {Letter 244, 1907.; MM 111.2}[10]

What then is the danger on the matter of someone thinking they can `hear God's voice?'

The danger is that they don't think that they need to test the spirit!

We must always test by the Bible if something is of God or not! We must know the principles under which such communication is presented in the Bible. There should never be a time when we say, `I don't need the Bible anymore, because I get my answers straight from heaven.'

To test `the spirit' can take a while - sometimes a really long while. Consider the apostle Peter's experience (Acts 10:11-14; 1.John 4:1). Peter's experience shows that we are not to just assume what someone hears is God's voice.

We may not have instant gratification, to know if that voice we heard was the voice of God or not.

We must approach that with great caution; and anytime we think to have such a direct connection, that we do not need to test such `hearing' with the Word of God anymore, we are in trouble.

However, it is also true, that God does want to communicate with us and impressions is one of the ways He has used in the life of His people. Once we understand the principles - like Proverbs 28:9 for example - that breakers of God's law would never hear God's law - then we are safer.

We ought to remember the words we quote again soon, "If men would but study the word of God with earnest prayer that they might understand its teachings, they would not be left in darkness to receive false doctrines."

II. You shall be as gods.

What can fall under this category? Probably `hearing voices' can fall under that, but let us consider the deception of

(a) `innate power' and the various forms that can take, which is a key teaching of spiritualism, that we have this innate power within us just waiting to be unleashed.
(b) `Awaken the giant within.'
(c) `You do not have to keep the Sabbath, you get to keep the Sabbath.'

In some places this type of `innate power' spiritualism may be a very common teaching, especially for those who are part of multilevel marketing activities which are laced with it. Depending how many people still do this today, when they are in training to be distributors they probably hear about that spiritualistic philosophy very frequently.

Consider this statement,

"`Vain deceit' fills the minds of poor mortals. They think there is such power in themselves to accomplish great works that they realize no necessity of a higher power. Their principles and faith are `after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.'" {2MCP 723.3}

Along this theme we also read this,

"Jesus has not taught them this philosophy. Nothing of the kind can be found in His teachings. He did not direct the minds of poor mortals to themselves, to a power which they possessed. He was ever directing their minds to God, the Creator of the universe, as the source of their strength and wisdom. Special warning is given in Col. 2:18: "Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind." {1T 297.1}

Other problem areas on the subject of innate power are: Hypnotism, Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP).

"Satan often finds a powerful agency for evil in the power which one human mind is capable of exerting on another human mind. This influence is so seductive that the person who is being molded by it is often unconscious of its power. God has bidden me speak warning against this evil, that His servants may not come under the deceptive power of Satan. The enemy is a master worker, and if God's people are not constantly led by the Spirit of God, they will be snared and taken." {OHC 110.2; Lt 244, 1907; 2SM 352; 1MCP 23.2}

Now, some warn against `reflexology and sympathetic remedies which teach that we can align these various forces in the body, and that then will cause the healing of some other part in the body', and then state `these are also a subtle teaching of spiritualism.'

But I ask, on what basis? This latter method of realigning the body is relying on physics, not mind control at all.

Where did those claiming some mystical thing about it, get that idea?

Did someone just start warning about it under the umbrella of spiritualism and others just pick up on it without critical examination or thinking?

Let us not just go about throwing things out because of rumors. There is science behind aligning and/or realigning a body. Bones, especially the spinal column, can get very misaligned causing our arms and legs to be not in optimum relation to each other. Nerves can get squeezed and cause pain in other parts of the body. So, I want to put a damper on this rumor that reflexology and body alignment is of the type we are to be weary of with respect to spiritualism, a phenomena I certainly want to warn and guard about.

But the quote above from `OHC" contains some encouragement. What is it?

The encouragement is the inverse of that sentence, that those who are led by the Spirit of God will not be snared and taken.

Some may not know yet that the theory of evolution is of spiritualistic origin.

How so?

Because . . .

. . .spiritualism teaches "that man is the creature of progression; that it is his destiny from his birth to progress, even to eternity, toward the Godhead." {GC, 554.1}

We learn that to engage in spiritualism does not require that you have contact with spirits impersonating someone, it is rather more often entered into on philosophical grounds.

In particular can it come in the form of a false gospel, teaching a false Christ. It can come through peculiar ways of trying to convince people of being healed or through those many new versions of Bibles that have been produced at an accelerated rate. It is a huge task to try to discover it all. Always remember, "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditions of men, and the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." Col. 2:8. One way I discovered a pernicious, hidden type of spiritualism, is, when I was exposed to it and at first thought it interesting, and then discovered that, because I was not openly praising it, or outright trusted it in everything, I was treated in more coldness and with more contempt than Christian love. A spirit of hate, seemed to me, cannot come from what God gives us, it can come only from Satan.

We also may encounter a strange theological twist on `innate power.'

Someone may say, `If you accept Christ, you are already holy. You just need to learn to live that out.'

That is an example of teaching `innate power.'

Well, what if someone says to that, `It depends what you mean when you say, you accept Christ.'

But what does it mean when you say, `... you just need to learn to live that out?'

Is it fair to say, when you say that, it must mean you have not been living it out? The question is then, `When you are not living it out, what are you living?'

You are living unholiness.

If you are living `unholiness', but you have `holiness' inside of you, that you need to learn to let out, that is a spiritualistic deception.

It is telling people you can be holy but be living unholy.

And if you can just learn to unleash that holiness innately inside of you, then it would come out.

That sounds like a twisted form of modern spiritualism.

What about those hundreds (820?) of mega and giga churches?

Are they `safe-havens' for Christians to attend?

Well, what do they teach? Is it Biblical?

Would we like to see thousands like that in our churches?

Sure, many would.

But are they coming because of truth being preached?

Could there be other reasons for such numbers?

Lets find out what they are all about.

One springboard for what is happening has to do with a successful book, `The Purpose Driven Church.'

One important point is this: It is easier to move the masses when they are under one umbrella.

If you have lots of little congregations around, it would be difficult to control them all. But if you can channel the thinking of these masses of people by them basically `following the leader', and you have hundreds of thousands, may be even millions, coming under the roof of these mega congregations, it will make it much easier to influence large numbers of people - in particular in America - and vote for a mind controlling power.

That is exactly what we are seeing taking place and what makes sense of the prophecies of the coming days.

It says, it is the people who will demand the image to the beast. The people want it to happen.

How these masses of people moved towards that is taking shape right now, just perfectly.

But where is all of this leading to? Beyond the `may be's' and `I told you so's?'

We read on that subject the following,

"Little by little he has prepared the way for his masterpiece of deception in the development of spiritualism. He has not yet reached the full accomplishment of his designs; but it will be reached in the last remnant of time." {GC 561.2}

So we ask, `What is the masterpiece of deception?'

We read,

"As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will personate Christ."

That is the master deception. That is where all of this is leading to. It is the whole purpose for getting on `the train' Ellen White writes about in EW 88.

The devil knows that he cannot reach his goal without laying some groundwork, since that is what spiritualism is supposed to accomplish.

The quotation continues saying,

"The church has long professed to look to the Saviour's advent as the consummation of her hopes. Now the great deceiver will make it appear that Christ has come. In different parts of the earth, Satan will manifest himself among men as a majestic being of dazzling brightness, resembling the description of the Son of God given by John in the Revelation. (Revelation 1:13-15). The glory that surrounds him is unsurpassed by anything that mortal eyes have yet beheld. The shout of triumph rings out upon the air: "Christ has come! Christ has come!" ... {LDE 163.2}

"... The people prostrate themselves in adoration before him, while he lifts up his hands and pronounces a blessing upon them, as Christ blessed His disciples when He was upon the earth. His voice is soft and subdued, yet full of melody. In gentle, compassionate tones he presents some of the same gracious, heavenly truths which the Saviour uttered; he heals the diseases of the people, and then, in his assumed character of Christ, he claims to have changed the Sabbath to Sunday, and commands all to hallow the day which he has blessed." {GC 624 (1911); LDE 163.3}

But something more has to happen. Satan has to bring something more into the equation to bring his cause into fruition. - The cause being to bring all people under his umbrella, especially those who keep `the commandments of God,' for we must remember that Satan is trying to rob everyone of salvation, so they can't get to that place which he had to leave.

That is why we read,

"Satan sees that he is about to lose his case. He cannot sweep in the whole world. He makes one last desperate effort to overcome the faithful by deception. He does this in personating Christ. He clothes himself with the garments of royalty which have been accurately described in the vision of John. He has power to do this. He will appear to his deluded followers, the Christian world who received not the love of the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness (transgression of the law), as Christ coming the second time." {LDE 164.1}

The following is just an item of interest and may not be what actually will take place:
Now, along these lines - how such an impersonation could be accomplished in a way we can understand is a recent Internet news clip I saw. In it was given a short report how Japanese scientists (or tinkerers?) are working on some light show which is supposed to utilize puffs of air being used as a screen to show images of people in a light show who seemingly can walk through walls and solid things, etc.

Now, that was just a news clip in early May, 2010, on CNN or Fox. Don't remember which. But it seems to illustrate that Satan, even in this, can use man to accomplish his purposes so he can stand behind the scene unrecognized. It would qualify as a master deception, wouldn't it?

"He proclaims himself Christ, and he is believed to be Christ, a beautiful, majestic being clothed with majesty and, with soft voice and pleasant words, with glory unsurpassed by anything their mortal eyes had yet beheld. Then his deceived, deluded followers set up a shout of victory, "Christ has come the second time! Christ has come! He has lifted up His hands just as He did when He was upon the earth, and blessed us.. . .

The saints look on with amazement. Will they also be deceived? Will they worship Satan? Angels of God are about them. A clear, firm, musical voice is heard, "Look up." {LDE 164.3}

This quotations amplify on 2.Corinthians 11:14 where we read,

"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." 2.Cor. 11:14.

But we are told more,

"There was one object before the praying ones - the final and eternal salvation of their souls. This object was before them constantly - that immortal life was promised to those who endure unto the end. Oh, how earnest and fervent had been their desires. The judgment and eternity were in view. Their eyes by faith were fixed on the blazing throne, before which the white-robed ones were to stand. This restrained them from the indulgence of sin. . . .

One effort more, and then Satan's last device is employed. He hears the unceasing cry for Christ to come, for Christ to deliver them. This last strategy is to personate Christ, and make them think their prayers are answered. {LDE 165.1.4}

What will happen?

As God's loyal people are praying for deliverance, that is when he comes to impersonate Christ - in hopes of deceiving the faithful.

Satan does not want the plan of salvation to succeed for the last generation on earth. He wants them all annihilated. He wants no one to go to heaven when Christ comes again. He wants to thwart God's promise of deliverance of the saints.

The Good News is, he won't succeed. But his desperation is proportional to his hate and the shortness of time to try and force it to happen.

Still, there will be another attack.

"The miracle-working power manifested through spiritualism will exert its influence against those who choose to obey God rather than men. Communications from the spirits will declare that God has sent them to convince the rejecters of Sunday of their error, affirming that the laws of the land should be obeyed as the law of God. They will lament the great wickedness in the world and second the testimony of religious teachers that the degraded state of morals is caused by the desecration of Sunday. Great will be the indignation excited against all who refuse to accept their testimony." {GC 590.2}

Wow, Sabbath keeping people will be visited by spirits (of dead people?) to convince them that Sabbath is wrong and that it is now Sunday that needs to be kept.

Don't fall for it, folks. Do not pay attention to those spirits. Leave them and listen not.

How Can We Protect Us From Spiritualism?

Spiritualism is a fraud but not the kind of fraud people think it is. There is a reality to it. It is a fraud in that while it professes to receive communications from the spirits of the dead, it has communication only with the spirits of devils, since "the dead know not anything." To be a spiritual medium is to give one's self to the control of demons.

And so there is only one protection against spiritualism, and that is to hold fast to the Word of God. If one does not, he who lightly regards the Word of God, like many theologians do, severs himself from association with God, and puts himself within Satan's influence. Even though a man may denounce spiritualism in the strongest terms, if he does not hold fast to God's Word he will sooner or later be carried away by the strong false-christ delusions. Only by loving to keep studying the Word of God can we be kept from the temptation that is coming on all the world, Rev. 3:10. For, "The spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience" (Eph. 2:2) is the spirit of Satan, the spirit of antichrist; and the gospel of Christ, which reveals the righteousness of God (Rom. 1:16,17), is the only possible salvation from it.

1. Recognize the deception, GC 516.

   "There is nothing that the great deceiver fears so much as that we shall become acquainted with his devices." {GC 516.3}

   Great. Put the fear in Satan. We know the Bible says, "Your life is hid in Christ." (Col. 3:3,4)

   So, when you are studying His Word faithfully and submitting your life to Jesus to keep you from those deceptions which are pointed out in the inspired writings so we can look out for them. We do not need to try and chase down every possible angle of deception, but instead, stay close to what the Bible teaches.

2. the importance of doctrine

   Are doctrines necessary for salvation? What does the Bible say?

   "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." 1.Timothy 4:16.

   "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." 2.Tim. 4:2.

We ought to know that Bible based doctrines protect us from deceptions.

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." Eph. 4:11-16.

Following doctrines shows God that we love him, for to know them we dwell in His word.

"But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Matth. 22:34-40.

Reading these scriptures we may think, `How can it be that Jesus would emphasize keeping the law of God just a short time before He died on the cross, the occasion - as many Protestant pulpits teach - when He nailed His law to the cross?'

Why, why should that be true?

Well, it is not true, the only laws which the cross abolished were the "sacrifices and oblations" (Dan. 9:27) because the true sacrifice had taken place.

God has never destroyed even one letter from His law and never will, Matth. 5:18.

So, the claims that the Sabbath has been abolished on the cross is a great mistake. The Sabbath has been magnified on the cross just by the fact that Jesus said, "It is finished" just like He said that on that 6th day of Creation week "Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the hosts of them," (John 19:30; Genesis 2:1). The cross will make the recreation of the earth (Rev. 21) possible like Christ created the earth some 4000 years before. And then He rested in the grave on the Sabbath day which is called in the letter to the Hebrews "sabbatismos", the keeping of the Sabbath, Hebr. 4:9.

It appears some use all the cleverness they can muster to try and abolish the Sabbath from the memory of the people. That is a wicked form of spiritualism. [Some like to use the fate of the man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day as an excuse.]

Just like the keeping of the seventh day Sabbath in ancient Israel was designed to protect them from rebellion, from worshiping the false, non-existent gods of the neighboring nations, so can it protect us even today from falling prey to Satan's temptations and devices, Eze. 20:20,21 .

That is why we read,

"Among the most successful agencies of the great deceiver are the delusive doctrines and lying wonders of Spiritualism. Disguised as an angel of light, he spreads his nets where least suspected. If men would but study the word of God with earnest prayer that they might understand its teachings and be converted, they would not be left in darkness to receive false doctrines. But as they reject the truth, they fall a prey to these deceptions." {4SP 347.2}

More reasons are given here:

"The foundation for the success of Spiritualism has been laid in the assertions that have been made from the pulpits of our land. The ministers have proclaimed as Bible doctrines falsehoods that have originated with the arch deceiver. . .
The only safety for the people of God is to be thoroughly conversant with their Bibles, and be intelligent upon the reasons of our faith in regard to the sleep of the dead." {Ev 602.4, 604.2}

Let us point out the importance of this statement.

There are ministers who have become so involved in spiritualism that God can no longer use them even if they should repent of their ways and turn away from those errors. That somehow their minds have been so tainted and their thinking has been so affected that they cannot be entrusted to be teachers to the flock of God. Our problem is, that man does not always recognize God's call and unction on a man, and so we must be very careful.

But notice the qualifiers. So, whenever someone has gone to be trained by some teacher not of our flock, like those of those big churches, can they never instruct the flock again?

One qualifier is the word "cherished", those things they have `cherished,' i.e. perfectionism and spiritualism. So we do not want to put black and white stickers on all those who teach or preach. All we need to know is to be aware. We need to ask the Lord in prayer to direct us and guide us. We need to listen to what is presented and compare it to the Word of God.

We also read,

"I have often seen that the spiritual view took away all the glory of heaven, and that in many minds the throne of David and the lovely person of Jesus have been burned up in the fire of Spiritualism. I have seen that some who have been deceived and led into this error will be brought out into the light of truth, but it will be almost impossible for them to get entirely rid of the deceptive power of Spiritualism. Such should make thorough work in confessing their errors and leaving them forever." {EW 77.2}

This is a message that there is still hope for such.

But it is `almost impossible. . . . to get rid of those errors.'

"When poor souls have been fascinated with the eloquent words of the teachers of Spiritualism, and they have yielded to its influence, and afterward found out its deadly character, and would renounce and flee from it, some cannot. Satan holds them by his power, and he is not willing to let them go free. He knows that they are surely his while he has them under his special control."

How can people like that be helped?

They know they had been deceived but cannot break free. The enemy has a firm grip on them. And these are very real situations.

But its good that we have been given instructions for such situations. ". . . But if they once free themselves from his power, he can never bring them again to believe in Spiritualism, and so directly under his control. The only way for such poor souls to overcome Satan, is to discern between pure Bible truth and fables. As they acknowledge the claims of truth, they place themselves where they can be helped. They should entreat those who are experienced, and have faith, to plead with the mighty Deliverer in their behalf. It will be a close conflict. Satan will reinforce his evil angels who have controlled the individuals; but if the saints of God with deep humility fast and pray, their prayers will prevail. Jesus will commission holy angels to resist Satan, and he will be driven back, and his power broken from off the afflicted ones. "And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting." {Mark 9:29; 4bSG 103.2}

One more statement,

"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." {GC 558.2}

"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." {GC88 559.3}

If anyone reads this and recognizes he or she has been under such influences, that you feel you are trapped and want to be released, go to a Sabbath keeping church which believes in the soon coming of Jesus Christ - make sure they are not the new theology type church - check out their teachings - but when it comes in clear that they believe the Spirit of Prophecy and in the principles we discuss in so many pages, ask an elder or deacon, or minister, to have a special season of prayer with you. State your purpose clearly so they can follow the principles laid out in scripture.

Lately many become fascinated increasingly about unusual phenomena in the sky. News media report that humans will encounter aliens. [Huffington Post, June 28, 2011]. This was in response to UFO's being filmed high above the BBC building in London, `The Daily Mirror, June 27, 2011. The photographs are fairly clear. There high above the patchy white clouds people saw and photographed three smaller white circles which just stand still, and then, sometimes move back and forth like insects - faster than man-made vehicles could. People don't know what to make of it. They cannot bring themselves to believe in alien life, was said. Some thought they were balloons, but their height and movements do not agree. Then there was seen a larger bright white object which appeared to be a like a lentil in shape. They called it the `Mother Ship.'

We are reminded of the words, "Fearful sights of a supernatural character will soon be revealed in the heavens, in token of the power of miracle-working demons." {GC 623}.

The wrath of Satan increases as his time grows short, and his work of deceit and destruction reaches its culmination in the time of trouble. God's long-suffering has ended. The world has rejected His mercy, despised His love, and trampled upon His law. The wicked have passed the boundary of their probation, and the Lord withdraws His protection, and leaves them to the mercy of the leader they have chosen. . . .

As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will attempt to personate Christ. The church has long professed to look to the Saviour's advent as the consummation of her hopes. Now the great deceiver will make it appear that Christ has come. In different parts of the earth, Satan will manifest himself among men as a majestic being of dazzling brightness, resembling the description of the Son of God given by John in the Revelation. The glory that surrounds him is unsurpassed by anything that mortal eyes have yet beheld. The shout of triumph rings out upon the air, "Christ has come! Christ has come!"

The people prostrate themselves in adoration before him, while he lifts up his hands, and pronounces a blessing upon them, as Christ blessed His disciples when He was personally upon the earth. His voice is soft and subdued, yet full of melody. In gentle, compassionate tones he presents some of the same gracious, heavenly truths which the Saviour uttered; he heals the diseases of the people, and then, in his assumed character of Christ, he claims to have changed the Sabbath to Sunday, and commands all to hallow the day which he has blessed. He declares that those who persist in keeping holy the seventh day are blaspheming his name by refusing to listen to his angels sent to them with light and truth. This is the strong, almost overmastering delusion.

Satan sees that he is about to lose his case. He cannot sweep in the whole world. He makes one last desperate effort to overcome the faithful by deception. He does this in personating Christ. He clothes himself with the garments of royalty which have been accurately described in the vision of John. He has power to do this. He will appear to his deluded followers, the Christian world who received not the love of the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness . . . as Christ coming the second time.

He proclaims himself Christ, and he is believed to be Christ, a beautiful, majestic being clothed with majesty and, with soft voice and pleasant words, with glory unsurpassed by anything their mortal eyes had yet beheld. Then his deceived, deluded followers set up a shout of victory, "Christ has come the second time! Christ has come! He has lifted up His hands just as He did when He was upon the earth, and blessed us." . . .

The saints look on with amazement. Will they also be deceived? Will they worship Satan? Angels of God are about them. A clear, firm, musical voice is heard, "Look up."

There is one object before the praying ones — the final and eternal salvation of their souls. This object was before them constantly — that immortal life was promised to those who endure unto the end. Oh, how earnest and fervent had been their desires. The judgment and eternity were in view. Their eyes by faith were fixed on the blazing throne, before which the white-robed ones were to stand. This restrained them from the indulgence of sin. . . .

One effort more, and then Satan's last device is employed. He hears the unceasing cry for Christ to come, for Christ to deliver them. This last strategy is to personate Christ, and make them think their prayers are answered. {DE 164, 165.; TA 275.2}