TRUST THE LORD: OUR LAST WARNING!

And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird.*1

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,*2

This issue is of paramount importance and although many fear it, it must be preached. The enemy has descended with great fury in these last days and will do everything possible to defeat us. When the Lord declared to His disciples the signs of the end He warned three times concerning the deceptions of Satan.

For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many…Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many... For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.*3

Note that the warning is made to those who belong to the enemy. Satan is not worried about those whom he already has under control. The warning is for the elect it is for us. If only the veil from our eyes were removed so we could see the forces of evil, the demons that are among us. We are involved in a cosmic conflict! In one of Ellen White’s vision she saw what seemed to be everyone in this world on a train and the conductor of this train was Satan. The deception of spiritualism is a weapon so powerful that only those who have a close relationship with Christ can resist. Jesus told his disciples, "…this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."*4

We are afraid to preach about Satan’s deceptions and fear bringing to light everything his demons are doing. Meanwhile he fills our minds with deceptions using every available agent in this great battle. These agents are experts in utilizing Satan’s most powerful weapon, spiritualism.

Modern Spiritualism began in New York with the Fox sisters who heard the mysterious rapping. Instead of being afraid these young girls began talking with the spirit in public capturing national attention.

August 24, 1850, I saw that the "mysterious rapping" was the power of Satan; some of it was directly from him, and some indirectly, through his agents, but it all proceeded from Satan. *5

During that period, Nathaniel P. Tallmadge, a United States senator for New York also had an encounter with a spirt. He asked the spirit why they were manifesting themselves. The spirit of his deceased friend replied, “it is to draw mankind together in harmony, and convince skeptics of the immortality of the soul,”*6

History also records that Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of Abraham Lincoln, had séances in the White House to communicate with her deceased children and later with her husband.*7 Recently, there were reports that Nancy Reagan had communicated with her husband, Ronald Reagan, after his death.*8 Many celebrities have also admitted seeing spirits or having had some contact with the unexplainable.

Interestingly Spiritualism emerged in this country at a time of war, a time when there were many casualties. Family members were looking for some sort of comfort for the loss of their loved ones. What better time for the enemy to employ his weapon then at the time we are going through the most painful experience. When Nancy Reagan admitted that she spoke with her husband, she explained her pain saying, "People say it gets easier, but it is not true." The loss of a loved one leads us to seek some sort of comfort. It is because we seek an explanation to death that we believe anything that may give us some sort of consolation in this time of suffering.

And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and[a] of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.*9

But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk.*10

The servant of the Lord goes on to relate her vision:

I saw that soon it would be considered blasphemy to speak against the rapping, and that it would spread more and more, that Satan's power would increase and some of his devoted followers would have power to work miracles and even to bring down fire from heaven in the sight of men. I was shown that by the rapping and mesmerism these modern magicians would yet account for all the miracles wrought by our Lord Jesus Christ, and that many would believe that all the mighty works of the Son of God when on earth were accomplished by this same power. I was pointed back to the time of Moses and saw the signs and wonders which God wrought through him before Pharaoh, most of which were imitated by the magicians of Egypt; and that just before the final deliverance of the saints, God would work powerfully for His people, and these modern magicians would be permitted to imitate the work of God.*11

Many have criticized what Ellen White saw, but everything is according to what the Bible says. Jesus warned his disciples and John wrote in Revelation that this would occur in the end days. Would it therefore, be so hard to believe that it will happen? NO! The deception of the enemy will not be limited to séances or mediums to communicate with the spirit world. Ministers and highly respected religious leaders will perform miracles. Furthermore, our loved ones that have passed away may appear to us and will “reveal the future”. Once their predictions become a reality they will “prove” that messages such as changing the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday come from God. In reality however, these are demons if not the devil himself who will make these appearances.

I ask, is there a difference between white magic and black magic? Of course not! Everything comes from Satan. Now I ask how is it possible for religious leaders to say that films such as Harry Potter are good?*12 Surprisingly pope Benedict originally stated that Harry Potter had subtle seductions. Then the Vatican stated that while the movie was missing certain elements overall it was a good presentation of the battle between good and evil.*13 The Bible condemns all use of magic and even magicians themselves. How could a film or book that introduces children to magic whether good or bad, white or dark or even gray colored magic (if that exist) be good when it all comes from Satan?

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. 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. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. Said the angel, "Remember, thou art on the enchanted ground." I saw that we must watch and have on the whole armor and take the shield of faith, and then we shall be able to stand, and the fiery darts of the wicked cannot harm us.*14

Trust the Lord and seek Him always in prayer. We have at our disposal angelic hosts, Jesus himself who intercedes for us, if we seek him wholeheartedly even in our darkest hours.

JESUS IS COMING!

1 * Revelation 18:2
2 * 1 Timothy 4:1
3 * Matthew 24:5, 11, 24
4 * Matthew 17:21
5 * Early Writings, "Mysterious Rapping", Ellen White.
6 * http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/odd/archives/003613.asp
7 * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritualism
8 * http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8078526.stm
9 * Revelation 16:13, 14
10* Revelation 9:20
11 * Early Writings, "Mysterious Rapping", Ellen White.
12 * http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/world/us/Harry-Potter-wins-over-critical-clerics/articleshow/5007369.cms
13 * http://in.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idINIndia-41034720090714
14 * Early Writings "Mysterious Rapping", Ellen White.