Many people today have come to believe that it is the spirits of the dead, rather than the holy angels, who are the "ministering spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation" (Heb. 1:14).
And besides - didn't the heavenly angels minister to mankind, before the death of a human being?
The doctrine of man's consciousness in death, is what has prepared the way for modern spiritualism. If the dead are brought into contact with God and holy angels and privileged with knowledge that can be helpful to the living, why shouldn't they be allowed to return to earth to give us instruction and warning and comfort?
And how can those who believe this reject what comes to them as divine light communicated by glorified spirits? In reality, this is the channel through which Satan works.
What should our channel be? Isa. 8:19, 20 says, "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? 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."
Satan has the power to bring before us the appearance of our departed family and friends. And the counterfeit is perfect. He can reproduce their looks, their voice, and their very expressions with exact distinctness. And when this happens, most will give ear to "seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils."
Let's consider some of the specific dangers of spiritualism. What impression would it give to those who believe that the dead can actually return to communicate with them if their dead friends or loved ones went into the grave without having accepted Christ or without bringing forth the fruit of the Spirit in their lives? But at the same time claim that they are happy in heaven? It would give them the impression that there is no difference between the righteous and the wicked - or between good and evil. That "I'm every bit as good as they were, and if they are in heaven, surely I will get there too!"
And so, the standard of righteousness would be lowered to accommodate their sinful lifestyle. They would have a false security that would cause them to lose eternal life.
Another danger of spiritualism is that these evil communications might be accurate and truthful at first. Then as confidence is gained Satan and his agents begin to introduce subtle errors that undermine the truths of the Bible. At first they may have an appearance of deep interest in the well being of their friends on earth and then begin to insinuate errors that are a deadly poison to the soul. And isn't that the way Satan came to Eve in the Garden? As a benefactor of the race? But he turned out to be the great destroyer, didn't he?
I've heard lots of similar stories over the years about men coming to unsuspecting women. Putting their best foot forward at first until they get what they want and then dump them in favor of their next victim. They are agents of Satan to corrupt the purity and happiness that God purposed should exist in their lives.
Through spiritualism the law of God is set aside, the Spirit of grace despised, and the blood of Christ counted an unholy thing. That is the ultimate purpose of Satan through spiritualism. And it is a big part of his effort to carry on his warfare against God in these last days.
Today, for the most part, people believe that everything supernatural must be of God. And the few who understand that there are two supernatural forces operating in this world don't know how to tell the difference between the two, which leaves them in a very vulnerable position to be taken in the snare of the enemy.
Wasn't it by satanic aid that Pharaoh's magicians were able to counterfeit the work of God? (Exod. 7:11) Yes! Satan can't originate anything - he is a counterfeiter. That's his work, and he's very good at it.
The apostle Paul warns that before Jesus returns there will be similar manifestations of Satanic power. 2 Thess. 2:9-12: "Even him, 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; 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."
Notice that there is a connection here between spiritualism and having pleasure in unrighteousness - and unrighteousness is sin! Everyone who continues to live in sin will be sent strong delusion. In the final analysis they will be fooled by spiritualism - regardless of whether or not they once knew the truth.
To have a "love of the truth" is to live it. If we don't live it we don't love it. In other words - every professed Christian who continues in sin will in the end deny the pillar of our faith that teaches - "The dead know not anything."
When the miracle working power of Satan is made manifest to our five senses we will reject all truth unless we experience victory over all sin in our lives. All because we continue to have pleasure in unrighteousness.
The effects of sin are terrible. It cost Jesus His life. And it will cost us ours as well if we don't allow the Holy Spirit to empower us to victory.
The apostle John also warns us of the miracle working power that will be manifest in the last days. Rev. 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 the 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."
Men and women are going to be deceived by what Satan's agents have "power to do" - not what they pretend to do. Through television, movies, and fictitious novels, the world is ripe for the strong delusions of spiritualism.
Here in Revelation we are told of a time when Satan will counterfeit a supernatural act that God has used in the past to show His approval and acceptance. This will be a false sign to the wicked that God is with them and that He is pleased with what they are doing. Even when they issue a death decree to rid the earth of the righteous (Rev. 13:15) they will think they are doing God's service. (John 16:2)
Let's take a look at a few more texts that warn about Satan's last day deception through spiritualism.
1 Tim. 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;"
The word "expressly" indicates that God has a message to be delivered without delay, by special messenger as it were. That it will travel at high speed with no stops along the way. God is telling us that He has a distinct message that's coming by special delivery, because it's extremely important. He wants us, who are willing in the latter days, to get the warning in time.
Some, it says, "shall depart from the faith." You can't depart from the faith unless you first had the faith! And so, here is a warning that God's professed people in the last days would become involved with spiritualism. "Giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils." That the time would come when Christ's church would turn their backs on Christ and serve another master - the prince of darkness.
So, beware! Spiritualism will be promoted through Christianity. And we see it in the teaching of the immortality of the soul.
1 Peter 5:8 - "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."
Rev. 12:12 - "Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."
The devil is about to pull out all the stops and the time is just around the corner when he will put forth supernatural power to deceive the world.
As God's saints, we must have a thorough understanding of present truth, for we will be obliged to maintain it from the Scriptures. We must understand the state of the dead; for the spirits of devils will yet appear to us, professing to be beloved relatives or friends, who will declare unscriptural doctrines. These evil spirits will do all in their power to excite sympathy and will work miracles before us to confirm what they declare. We must be prepared to withstand these spirits with the Bible truth that the dead know not anything, and that they who thus appear are the spirits of devils.
We must examine well the foundation of our hope; for we shall have to give a reason for it from the Scriptures. This delusion will spread, and we shall have to contend with it face to face; and unless we are prepared for it, we shall be ensnared and overcome. But if we do what we can on our part to be ready for the conflict that is just before us, God will do His part, and His all-powerful arm will protect us. He would sooner send every angel out of glory to make a hedge about faithful souls, than have them deceived and led away by the lying wonders of Satan.
In the days of the Old Testament there was a class of people who claimed to hold communications with the dead. They contacted what they called "familiar spirits" or people they had known well before they died. But the Bible calls them the "spirits of devils."
Rev. 16:13, 14 - "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."
As I was sitting at my desk preparing this booklet, I had an interesting experience. I called a mechanic to have my daughter's car fixed and they put me on hold. While on hold the music over the phone was a familiar rock song from my past.
It was like the devil was thumbing his nose at me as I was seeking to expose the dangers of spiritualism.
And of course we know that many government officials are involved in spiritualism in this professed Christian country. Who can forget the article that came out in "The Morning News Tribune" Friday, March 16, 1990. "Astrologer Joan Quigley said Thursday that the star-gazing advise she gave Nancy Reagan during Ronald Reagan's presidency influenced the course of history in big ways and small."
U.S. News & World Report, Dec. 5, 1988 - "It turns out that Nancy Reagan has plenty of good company . . . there is extensive interest in psychic phenomena (called psi) in Washington. 'At any given time, about one fourth of the members of Congress are actively interested in psi, be that healing, prophecy, remote viewing or physical manifestation of psychic powers [such as bending spoons or erasing computer tapes],' according to Representative Charlie Rose (D-N.C.). . . who founded the Congressional Clearinghouse on the Future, a forum that has given some psychics a platform in the capital. . . . sources say that the capital's many psi aficionados satisfy their curiosity in the Eerie Zone by privately consulting with seers and discussing the subject with like-minded colleagues. . . . The U.S. military and CIA have occasionally used psychics to spy on Soviet weaponry and Gen. Manuel Noriega. . . . In addition to seeking help in this world, some legislators, congressional aides and government officials have sought spiritual guidance. Senator Claiborn Pell, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, . . . notes that he has . . . sought to communicate with dead relatives."
The Denver Post, Nov. 16, 1986 - "The migrants say they were motivated by the apocalyptic teachings of long-dead, reincarnated spirits who, speaking through human beings that the believers refer to as 'channels,' advised them that the Pacific Northwest would be the safest place in a future filled with earthquakes, tidal waves, atmospheric pollution and polluted soil and water."
What is Satan really trying to accomplish through spiritualism? He is seeking to put Jesus in the background and call attention to his own miracles, declaring that these far exceed the works of Christ.
Does that remind you of something Lucifer said in Isa. 14:12-14? "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! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High."
Remember what he wanted Jesus to do during His wilderness temptations? "All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me." Matt. 4:9.
To receive worship is what drives Satan. And ALL who are not daily spending quality time worshipping God will prostrate themselves before the great deceiver before the great controversy is over.
Satan has long been preparing for his final effort to deceive the world. The foundation of his work was laid by the assurance given to Eve in Eden: "Ye shall not surely die." "In the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." Genesis 3:4, 5. 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. Except those who are kept by the power of God, through faith in His word, the whole world will be swept into the ranks of this delusion. The people are fast being lulled to a fatal security, to be awakened only by the outpouring of the wrath of God.
Dear friend, don't allow anything to come between your soul and your Saviour. Not your work, school, spouse, friends, or the cares of this life. Don't be thinking that there will be plenty of time in the future to get right with God. It won't happen! Today is the day of salvation - Today if you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.