5. Even as the strongest appeals are coming from the Lord, what does He see in the congregations of Christendom? Revelation 18:1-2; 1 Timothy 4:1.
NOTE: ‘As the teachings of spiritualism are accepted by the churches, the restraint imposed upon the carnal heart is removed, and the profession of religion will become a cloak to conceal the basest iniquity. A belief in spiritual manifestations opens the door to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, and thus the influence of evil angels will be felt in the churches.’ Great Controversy, page 603.
‘We are not to engage in an investigation of spiritualism. God has investigated this for us, and told us definitely that a class would arise in the last days who would deny Christ who has purchased them with His own blood. The character of spiritualists is so plainly described that we need not be deceived by them. If we obey the divine injunction we shall have no sympathy with spiritualists, however smooth and fair may be their words.’ Confrontation, page 91.
‘The things you have described, the Lord has shown me would take place just before the close of probation. Every uncouth thing will be demonstrated. There will be shouting, with drums, music, and dancing. The senses of rational beings will become so confused that they cannot be trusted to make right decisions...A bedlam of noise shocks the senses ... The powers of satanic agencies blend with the din and noise to have a carnival, and this is termed the Holy Spirit’s working...Satan will make music a snare by the way in which it is conducted. Let us give no place to strange exercisings, which really take the mind away from the deep movings of the Holy Spirit. God’s work is ever characterised by calmness and dignity.’ Last Day Events, page 159.
‘Fanaticism, false excitement, false talking in tongues, and noisy exercises have been considered gifts which God has placed in the church. Some have been deceived here. The fruits of all this have not been good. “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” Fanaticism and noise have been considered special evidences of faith. Some are not satisfied with a meeting unless they have a powerful and happy time. They work for this and get up an excitement of feeling. But the influence of such meetings is not beneficial. When the happy flight of feeling is gone, they sink lower than before the meeting because their happiness did not come from the right source. The most profitable meetings for spiritual advancement are those which are characterised with solemnity and deep searching of heart, each seeking to know himself and, earnestly and in deep humility, seeking to learn of Christ.’ Last Day Events, page 159.
6. Who are revealed in the Word as the enemies of God’s people in the end times? Revelation 16:13-14.
COMPILER’S NOTE:
· The Dragon - Satan.
· The Beast - the Papacy, an agent of the dragon, its period of supremacy being 1260 years, 538-1798. All on the earth will worship the beast, when its deadly wound is healed. Power was given it by Satan to make war with the faithful of God, and have power over all kindreds and tongues and nations.
· The False Prophet - another agent of the dragon, exercising all the power of the first beast, the Papacy, He/it causes all that dwell on the earth to worship the first beast. He/it works miracles, even making fire come down from heaven to persuade all on the earth to make an image to the beast, a look-alike to worship. He/it causes all to receive the mark of the beast in order to be able to buy and to sell, and to receive his name or his number. Thus the US, as ‘apostatised Protestantism’ takes the initiative as a ‘persuader’, to bring the world under the power of the Papacy.
At the end, all three are all linked by the spirits of devils, Satan’s evil angels, to work out the global plans of their leader, the Dragon of prophecy. In Revelation 16:14, 16 Satan will gather all together to the great day of God Almighty, ready for the final conflict against Jesus Christ. Consider the words of the note below.
NOTE: ‘Through the two great errors, the immortality of the soul and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the people under his deceptions. While the former [the immortality of the human soul] lays the foundation of Spiritualism, the latter [Sunday sacredness] creates a bond of sympathy with Rome. The Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of Spiritualism; [then together] they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold union, this country [America] will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience.’ Great Controversy, page 588.