77 A Complete Evangelistic Sermon: Chapter Fourteen

The Danger of Spiritualism The Deceptive Lure of the Spirit World

Spiritualism, also called spiritism, is a belief in communication with departed spirits of loved ones. We have already learned that belief in the immortality of the soul began with the Egyptians. Spiritualism also began there. If it is believed that people live on after death, then it is logical to imagine that we can talk to them.
Ancestor-worship, in most cases is simply the Spiritualism of the East, and survives today through a belief in human immortality.Dr. James H. Hyslop, Contact with the Other World, p. 14.

Kaiser Wilhelm (1797-1888) of Germany, a prime-mover in starting World War I, consulted the famous German medium Augusta Schoen as well as others. The spirits told him to start the war which, although it would cost the lives of millions, would enable him to conquer all of Europe. Josef Stalin (1878-1953) is believed to have also been in contact with spiritualist mediums, which told him how to govern the Russian people. Satan delights in bringing misery to people and causing their death. In the 1930s, Stalin initiated a purge of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, which has become known as the Great Purge, an unprecedented campaign of political repression, persecution and executions that reached its peak in 1937. Confiscations of grain and other food by the Soviet authorities under his orders contributed to a famine between 1932 and 1934, especially in the key agricultural regions of the Soviet Union, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and North Caucasus that resulted in millions of deaths. Adolf Hitler (1889-1945) consulted a spirit which would visit him alone each evening in his bedroom, which was separate from the room in which Eva Braun stayed. Taking visible form, it would tell him that if he would militarize Germany and begin invading other nations, he would soon be in possession, not only of Europe but also Britain, Russia, and North Africa. Millions died because Hitler listened to demons. Many rock stars have, by their own statements, made contact with demons. They have found that this enables them to have more control over their audiences and make them wild. Jesus said, By their fruits ye shall know them (Matthew 7:20). Demon control by the spirits of spiritualism is the fruit of the error that men do not die when they die.
THE BIBLE CONDEMNS SPIRITUALISM

Humans do not go to another world, but to the silence of the grave at death. Therefore, those who think they are in contact with departed spirits are really receiving messages that are not from men and women but from demonsSatans fallen angels.
MEN WHO HAVE TALKED WITH DEMONS

Some of the most evil men in history have been in communication with demons. Here are four of the more recent ones: Each one greatly affected modern history for the worse: Charles Darwin (1809-1882) was the first of the four. During his nearly five-year expedition on the ship, HMS Beagle (December 27, 1831-October 2, 1836), he spent most of his time exploring on land (mostly in South America) with native guides and camping with them;three years and three months on land, compared with only 18 months at sea. Very curious about everything around him, young Darwin wanted to learn about everything he saw. During this time, he was initiated by natives into witchcraft ceremonies. One Argentine trip with native Argentinians across the pampas began on August 13, 1833; another (a 400-mile trip) inland near the Uruguay River, was made after that. On April 19, 1834, he set out in boats up the river Rio Santa Cruz, also in Argentina. At Valparaiso, Chile, Darwin bought horses and set off into the high country for an extensive trip. Back in Valparaiso, he set out on another trek up toward the Andes, and reached the continental divide on March 21. Darwins theories, turning men and women from belief in God and the Bible, have destroyed the faith of millions.

The Bible condemns spiritualism for three reasons: First, because it is not true that we can communicate with those who have died. Men and women who die go to the grave; they do not live on in another afterlife.
For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished.Ecclesiastes 9:5-6. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.Psalm 146:4.

There is a total cessation of thought at death.

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Sight, hearing, mental activity, and speaking all end at the grave.
As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more. He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him anymore. Job 7:9-10.

ing the inquiries of persons whose lives have been shipwrecked by spiritistic practices, and it is upon painful facts and incontrovertible evidence that I base my conclusions.
WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES ABOUT SPIRITUALISM

Although a sincere Christian who has died will no more return to his house in this present world, yet when Christ returns and calls him from the grave, he will be with Jesus forevermore (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18). What a glorious promise! But, contradicting the clear statements of Scripture, spiritualism claims that we who are alive can communicate with those who have died, and learn wonderful truths from them. The second reason why the Bible is against spiritualism is that Satan, the archenemy of God, claims that death is not real. To Eve, mother of all, he spoke the first lieand it laid the foundation for spiritualism.
And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that 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.

God commanded His people in Bible times to have nothing to do with witchcraft and spiritistic mediums.
When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. 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. Deuteronomy 18:9-13.

Satans message is all there! (1) You will not die if you disobey God, but be immortal and live forever. (2) You will obtain marvelous knowledge if you will sin against God. Satans lie about death led the human race into sin and misery. God is against Satan, who is a liar, and the father of it (John 8:44). The third reason why the Bible opposes spiritualism is because it turns people from the Bible, from God, and destroys their lives. The spirits tell people that everyone will be saved, and the most wicked people are in a higher state of heavenly existence than the most godly Christians who have died. Everything that comes from this satanic source is designed to produce atheism, misery, and death. Dr. L.S. Forbes Winslow, an expert on mental illness, wrote:
I could quote many instances where men of the highest ability have followed the doctrines of spiritualism, only to end their day ruined. Spiritualistic Madness, p. 29.

The most sweeping condemnation is given in the above passage to astrology, fortune-telling, charms, spiritist mediums (consulters of familiar spirits), and other methods of making contact with supernatural beings. This warning is also given in the New Testament:
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; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.1 Timothy 4:1-2.

These are urgent words of warning, and tell us that spiritist manifestations will increase as we approach the end of time, just before Christ returns. Repeatedly, the Bible has warned us to have nothing to do with all forms of spiritualism!
Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God.Leviticus 19:31. And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers.Malachi 3:5. Therefore hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreamers, nor to your enchanters . . For they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land; and that I should drive you out, and ye should perish.Jeremiah 27:9-10.

J. Godfrey Raupert, another expert on spiritualism, stated:

They drive men and women to destruction and to the madhouse. They undermine religious faith and confidence and, in a thousand instances, bring about an utter weariness and detestation of the duties of the present life . . I have, during the last ten years, spent much of my time in answer-

In Old Testament times, God commanded that witches and wizards should be killed. Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live (Exodus 22:18).
A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death.

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Leviticus 20:27.
SOMETHING TO BE AVOIDED

Because the dead are unconscious, they cannot make intelligent contact with anyone. The purported communications from the dead are fakery. They are the fakery of the medium or fakery performed by the spirits of devils masquerading as people who have died.
I frankly admit that there is not only triviality and contradiction but fraud and trickery in the psychic field.Sherwood Eddy, You Will Survive After Death.

Please do not be confused! Gods message for this critical hour in history is simply not found in the trivial disclosures of sometimes truthful and sometimes lying spirits. Saving truth is found in the Bible,not in the profound information that two sisters had a ring, or in the materialization of an ash tray, or the medium being able to see a table fork when someone in the audience thinks about one. Satan and his seducing spirits who were cast out into the earth possess information known only to the dead loved ones and their relatives or friends. When men and women dare to consult mediums, or spiritistic devices such as ouija boards, they are lured on and on to their ruin. Evil angels even appear in the form of a deceased loved one. An intelligent lady was studying the Bible on this subject. She had been very much interested in communication with the dead. But when she came to this particular point in her study, she exclaimed, Then who is writing on my slate? Yes, who is it that gives the messages in the darkened room? Who is masquerading in the disguise of those loved ones who died? What are the powers that are unquestionably operating in the psychic world? It is Satan and his evil angels.
For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles.Revelation 16:14.

all our beliefs on the Written Word of God. We must study and obey what the Bible says. Remember that the dead know not anything. Our only safety is to flee from such thingsand plead with Christ for help! Thank God, He is more powerful than the devil and all his demons! It is easy to be deceived, or to deceive ourselves. Take heed that no man deceive you (Matthew 24:4). Let no man deceive himself (1 Corinthians 3:18). Satan, which deceiveth the whole world (Revelation 12:9), wants everyone to believe that it is all right to ignore the Bible, disobey Gods Ten Commandments, and refuse to accept Christ as ones Saviour. Although there is trickery and showmanship by the mediums, witches, and psychics,there is also satanic involvement. Have nothing to do with such things, not even horoscopes and astrology.
Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.Matthew 24:26.

Millions of dollars are spent each year on fortunetellers of one kind or another. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? Isaiah 55:2). We should not read witchcraft novels, such as the Harry Potter books! Their author has filled them with instruction from her large collection of spiritist books written for witches. Here are several quotations from the present authors book, The Demons of Witchcraft:
She [J.K. Rowling] has an extremely welldeveloped and sophisticated knowledge of the occult world, its legends, history and nuances. Richard Abanes, Harry Potter and the Bible, p. 24. There is a general nastiness underneath the mantle of cuteness. The kids lie, they steal, they take revenge. This is a disturbing moral world, and it conflicts with what I am trying to teach my children.Ken McCormick, quoted in Baptist Press, July 13, 2000. The ordinary person is typified as being bad because they have no [magic] powers, and heroes are the people who are using the occult. This is an inversion of morality.Robert Frisken of Christian Community Schools in Australia, quoted in Sydney Morning Herald, March 27, 2001. Out of the shadows, a hooded figure came crawling across the ground like some stalking beast . . The cloaked figure reached the unicorn, lowered its head over the wound in the animals side, and began to drink its blood.Sorcerers Stone, p. 256. Where there should have been a back to Quirrells head, there was a face, the most terrible face Harry had ever seen. It was chalk white with glaring eyes and slits for nostrils, like a snake . . See what I have become? the face said. Mere shadow and

With their superior intelligence, Satan and his angels can appear to work miracles, which will deceive all who are not grounded in a knowledge of the Bible.
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.2 Corinthians 11:13-14.

One of the newest forms of ancient paganism which has entered the West in recent decades is Yoga. Both Hinduism and Buddhism use it to make contact with master spirits. Beware of the Eastern religions! We have come to a time when we cannot always trust our eyes, ears, and feelings. We must found

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vapor . . Once I have the elixir of Life, I will be able to create a body of my own. Sorcerers Stone, pp. 293-294. Harry Potter gives children an appetite for the occult.Robert Knight, Family Research Council, in Tulsa World, June 20, 2000.

Although Saul knew that witches were representatives of Satan, he went to visit oneso he could receive counsel from Samuel who had died.
And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee . . Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel. 1 Samuel 28:8, 11.

Here is an outstanding passage of Scripture which is a safe guide for any willing to follow it:
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.Isaiah 8:20.

One day a small boy, from a non-Christian home, was curious to learn what it was like inside a church. So he began going to one. His mother had a morbid fear of death. After listening to the story of the resurrection of Christ, the child ran home with a shining face and exclaimed, Oh, Mother! you need not be afraid to die anymore, for Jesus went through the grave and, when He came out, He left a light behind! For He has risen from the dead! Yes, one of the comforting truths in all of Gods Book is that a person rests quietly, undisturbed by memories of a troubled life or by concern for his loved ones, until the promised resurrection day. Notice how consistent Gods plan is. Why would we need a resurrection at the end of time if men go to their reward immediately at death? Why would Jesus need to return to this earth a second time, as He has promised, to gather His people,if they are already with Him now in Paradise? Why do the Scriptures teach a judgment in the last days if men are already judged at death? The dead do not return to their house. Their power to think ceases. They know nothing until Jesus calls them forth at the resurrection.
SAUL AND THE WITCH OF ENDOR

Why did the witch say, Whom shall I bring up? If Samuel went to heaven when he died, why would not the medium call him down from heaveninstead of up from down below, as she did? This medium said she saw several beings arriving: I saw gods ascending out of the earth. Verse 13. She saw evil spirits entering the cave. First she said she saw several, and then said she only saw one. When Saul asked, What form is he of? she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle (verse 14). Saul accepted that as Samuel. But how could Saul speak to Samuel, when the dead know not anything? Samuel was in the grave. However, because Saul dared to visit a witchs den, Satan had direct access to the king and could affect his mind with what he thought he was seeing! It was only an evil demon playing the part of Samuel in psychic drama forbidden by God! Satan is able to predict some things correctly. He knew that the king, who would get almost no sleep that night, would be so distraught with a message that he would die the next day in battlethat it would be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Especially so, since the Lord had now fully left him! And so the prediction came true. Because Saul dared to do this, he died the next day. We are told that part of the reason he died was because he consulted a spirit medium.
So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, even against the word of the Lord, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it.1 Chronicles 10:13.

It is altogether possible for a fallen angel to masquerade as another being, to actually appear to be the form of a loved one. This helps explain what happened when King Saul dared to visit a witch in a cave in the region of Endor. The story of what happened is told in 1 Samuel 28. Notice verses 6 and 7:
And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.1 Samuel 28:6-7.

Some who read this incident in the Bible imagine that Samuel actually spoke to Saul. But, first, the dead know not anything. And second, if Samuel were actually in heavenwould God permit him to go at the call of a witch to talk to Saul? God writes over the seance, over every attempt to contact the dead, Evil and deadly! The same satanic powers that operated back then are working today. A well-known spiritualist medium wrote this:
The phenomenal aspect of modern spiritual-

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ism reproduces all of the essential principles of the magic witchcraft and sorcery of the past. The same powers are involved, the same intelligences operating.F.F. Morse, Practical occultism, p. 85.
The road to Endor is the oldest road And the craziest road of all; Straight it runs to the witchs abode As it did in the days of Saul. And nothing has changed of the sorrow in store For those that go down on the road to Endor. Rudyard Kipling

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.Revelation 13:13-14.

Satan will work with special power and deceptive wonders just prior to Christs Second Coming.
Whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders.2 Thessalonians 2:9. Even though many will be deceived by these wonders, and accept the false christs that appear, Christs faithful ones know the Bible teaching that Christ will not touch the earth when He comes to take His redeemed to heaven. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.

Commenting on that poem, Jane T. Stoddard, in her book, The Case against Spiritualism, wrote, That old road has never been more crowded than it is today.
SPIRITUALISM IN THE LAST DAYS

Scripture declares that there will be a dramatic increase in the popularity of witchcraft as we near the end of the world. As of January 2008, 180 million copies of the Harry Potter books, alone, have been printed. You will find them in over 45 languages, in 135 countries. The worldwide gross dollars for the Harry Potter films is $3.8 billion. Over 1.5 million audio versions have been sold. The author, J.K. Rowling, is now the richest woman in Britain, and the first billionaire in history who obtained it by writing books. Yet such books portray hate, violence, murder, and crimes of the most grotesque and sordid type. Satan is planning for a satanic spectacular in these last days.
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.1 Timothy 4:1.

We must cling to Jesus, study His Word, and by His enabling grace obey what we read.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.1 Peter 5:8.
ONLY WITH JESUS ARE WE SAFE

He will do wonders, even appearing as an angel of light.

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

His agents will pretend to be very righteous and holy.

Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness.2 Corinthians 11:15.

The spiritualists hate the Bible, Christ, God, and the plan of salvation. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who spent his life writing mystery novels to preoccupy minds with crime, also went deeply into spiritualism. He wrote, Spiritualism will sweep the world and make it a better place in which to live. When it rules the world, it will banish the blood of Christ. But those in the world who do not have Christ are desolate and lonely. There is no help or comfort to be found in worldly entertainment, reading Harry Potter books, or attending seances. Only in Jesus can we find the peace of heart for which we so much long. A little cottage in the West caught fire. In a few seconds the thatched roof and wooden timbers were ablaze. The villagers stood around helpless. Suddenly, a young man who had recently arrived in the area, ran upand into the burning house. Soon he emerged through the smoke, bearing under each arm a little child. They were unhurt, for Andy had hidden them under his coat. But he was terribly burned. Scarcely had he got out before the roof of the cottage fell in with a sickening crash. The parents were never seen alive again.

Satan and his agents will even attempt to counterfeit the coming of Christ, and work signs and wonders to confirm their boastful claims.
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 show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.Matthew 24:23-24.

Satan will make it appear that fire is coming down from heaven.

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A kind old woman took Andy into her home and nursed him carefully. Meanwhile, there was much discussion in the village as to what was to become of the two rescued children. A council meeting was called, and two claimed the little ones. One was the squire of the village. He had money, position, and a home to offer the children. The other was Andy! When asked what right he had to the little ones, he said I was willing to die for them, and held up his handsburned and scarred on their account. Everyone agreed that Andy should have the children. The Lord Jesus Christ, our divine Intercessor, holds up His hands before the Fatherand claims you and me as His own. Will we accept Him? He is waiting.
I know not how Calvarys cross, A world from sin could free. I only know its matchless love, Has brought Gods love to me.
MY COMMITMENT

Kind Father in heaven, send Thine guardian angels to protect me from spiritualism. Show me how to warn my loved ones, so none of them will dabble in this terrible menace. In Jesuss name I present this request. Amen.
COMING NEXTMost people do not realize that there is a prophetic sequence presented to us in the book of Danielwhich predictes events down to our own time and beyond. In Daniel 7, we will learn important facts which we need to know, in order to make important decisions today.