Rise of Spiritualism & Satan's False Second Coming
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SCRIPTURE Q & A Will there be a rise of spiritualism? Can Satan perform strong delusions? Will Satan impersonate the Second Coming of Christ? What are the details of the real Second Coming of Christ? How can we be safe against deception? |
SUMMARY In an effort to capitalize on the division, dismay, and destruction of the early time of trouble, fallen angels/demons perform deceptive miracles. These will culminate in Satan impersonating the 2nd Coming of Christ to institute a new world order and counterfeit day of worship to be observed nationally and internationally. In response to the rise of spiritualism...
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The Rise of Spiritualism
"Through the agency of spiritualism, miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and many undeniable wonders will be performed. And as the spirits will profess faith in the Bible, and manifest respect for the institutions of the church, their work will be accepted as a manifestation of divine power."
- The Great Controversy, p. 588
"Satan works through the elements also to garner his harvest of unprepared souls. He has studied the secrets of the laboratories of nature, and he uses all his power to control the elements as far as God allows."
- The Great Controversy, p. 589
"Satan also works, with lying wonders, even bringing down fire from heaven in the sight of men. Revelation 13:13. Thus the inhabitants of the earth will be brought to take their stand."
- The Great Controversy, p. 612
"Through spiritualism, Satan appears as a benefactor of the race, healing the diseases of the people, and professing to present a new and more exalted system of religious faith; but at the same time he works as a destroyer."
- The Great Controversy, p. 589
"And then the great deceiver will persuade men that those who serve God are causing these evils. The class that have provoked the displeasure of Heaven will charge all their troubles upon those whose obedience to God's commandments is a perpetual reproof to transgressors."
- The Great Controversy, p. 590
"The last great delusion is soon to open before us. Antichrist is to perform his marvelous works in our sight. So closely will the counterfeit resemble the true that it will be impossible to distinguish between them except by the Holy Scriptures. By their testimony every statement and every miracle must be tested."
- The Great Controversy, p. 593
"And Satan, surrounded by evil angels, and claiming to be God, will work miracles of all kinds, to deceive, if possible, the very elect. God's people will not find their safety in working miracles, for Satan will counterfeit the miracles that will be wrought. God's tried and tested people will find their power in the sign spoken of in Exodus 31:12-18. They are to take their stand on the living word: 'It is written.'"
- Testimonies to the Church, Volume 9, p. 16
Strong Delusions
"That time will soon come, and we shall have to keep hold of the strong arm of Jehovah; for all these great signs and mighty wonders of the devil
are designed to deceive God's people and overthrow them."
- Early Writings, p. 60
"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."
- The Great Controversy, p. 604
"There will be signs and wonders. But the eye of faith will discern in all these manifestations harbingers of the grand and awful future, and the triumphs that await the people of God."
- Testimonies to the Church, Volume 9, p. 47
"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: [Genesis 3:4-5 quoted] 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."
- The Great Controversy, p. 561
"As we near the close of time, there will be greater and still greater external parade of heathen power; heathen deities will manifest their signalpower, and will exhibit themselves before the cities of the world; and this delineation has already begun to be fulfilled."
- Testimonies to Ministers, p. 117-118
"While new life and light and power are descending from on high upon the disciples of Christ, a new life is springing up from beneath, and energizing the agencies of Satan. Intensity is taking possession of every earthly element."
- Desire of Ages, p. 457
"He who could appear clothed with the brightness of the heavenly seraphs before Christ in the wilderness of temptation, comes to men in the most attractive manner as an angel of light."
- The Great Controversy, p. 553
"Satan beguiles men now as he beguiled Eve in Eden by flattery, by kindling a desire to obtain forbidden knowledge, by exciting ambition for self-exaltation. It was cherishing these evils that caused his fall, and through them he aims to compass the ruin of men. [Genesis 3:5 quoted] 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.' And again: 'Each mind will judge itself and not another.' 'The judgment will be right, because it is the judgment of self. . . . The throne is within you.' Said a spiritualistic teacher, as the 'spiritual consciousness' awoke within him: 'My fellow men, all were unfallen demigods.' And another declares: 'Any just and perfect being is Christ.'
- The Great Controversy, p. 554
"Fearful sights of a supernatural character will soon be revealed in the heavens, in token of the power of miracle-working demons."
- The Great Controversy, p. 624
The Impersonation of the Second Coming of Christ
"As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will personate Christ."
- The Great Controversy, p. 624
"In different parts of the earth, Satan will manifest himself among men as a majestic being of dazzling brightness, resembling the description of theSon 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!" 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."
- The Great Controversy, p. 624
"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. Like the Samaritans who were deceived by Simon Magus, the multitudes, from the least to the greatest, give heed to these sorceries, saying: [Acts 8:10 quoted]."
- The Great Controversy, p. 624
"Satan will take the field and personate Christ."
- Testimonies to Ministers, p. 411
Safety Against Deception
"This coming there is no possibility of counterfeiting. It will be universally known--witnessed by the whole world."
- The Great Controversy, p. 625
"But the people of God will not be misled. The teachings of this false christ are not in accordance with the Scriptures. His blessing is pronounced upon the worshipers of the beast and his image, the very class upon whom the Bible declares that God's unmingled wrath shall be poured out. And, furthermore, Satan is not permitted to counterfeit the manner of Christ's advent. The Saviour has warned His people against deception upon this point, and has clearly foretold the manner of His second coming."
- The Great Controversy, p. 625
"Our minds must be stayed upon God, and we must not fear the fear of the wicked, that is, fear what they fear, and reverence what they reverence, but be bold and valiant for the truth. Could our eyes be opened, we should see forms of evil angels around us, trying to invent some new way to annoy and destroy us. And we should also see angels of God guarding us from their power; for God's watchful eye is ever over Israel for good, and He will protect and save His people, if they put their trust in Him."
- Early Writings, p. 60
"Be cautious in regard to what you read and how you hear. Take not a particle of interest in spiritualistic theories. Satan is waiting to steal a march upon everyone who allows himself to be deceived by his hypnotism. He begins to exert his power over them just as soon as they begin to investigate his theories."
- Medical Ministry, p. 101-102
"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 Great Controversy, p. 562
"Only those who have been diligent students of the Scriptures and who have received the love of the truth will be shielded from the powerful delusion that takes the world captive. By the Bible testimony these will detect the deceiver in his disguise."
- The Great Controversy, p. 625
"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."
- The Great Controversy, p.558
"God's word, rightly understood and applied, is a safeguard against spiritualism."
-Testimonies to the Church, Volume 1, p. 344