Sabbath: Spiritualism Exposed
Daily Lesson for Sabbath 1st of June 2024
Image © Pacific Press
Read for This Week’s Study
Matthew 10:28; Ecclesiastes 9:5; Isaiah 8:19-20; John 11:11-14,21-25; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 16:13-14; Matthew 24:23-27; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12.
Memory Text:
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, NKJV).
Decades ago, stories surfaced about near death experiences (NDEs), in which people who died and were then revived gave incredible accounts of what they had seen and heard while “dead.” Millions now believe that these accounts are evidence that the dead are not really dead. This foundational belief of spiritualism is one of Satan’s most widespread and effective deceptions.
In fact, spiritualism began back in Eden with the serpent’s lie to Eve, “You will not surely die” (Genesis 3:4, NKJV). This idea also lay at the root of one of the greatest spurious religious movements of the nineteenth century with the Fox sisters’ claim, later admitted to be fraudulent, that they could receive answers to their questions from spirits of the dead.
The aim of this lesson is to show that our only safeguard against Satan’s last-day delusions is a personal relationship with Christ and a solid grounding in the teachings of the Bible. This includes its teaching about death, regardless of what our eyes and ears and hearts might try to tell us.
*Study this week’s lesson, based on chapters 31–34 of The Great Controversy, to prepare for Sabbath, June 8.
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Back in the 1970s a minister, well known to me, preached a sermon on the Second Coming in which he made the point that clairvoyants could not predict anything beyond 1980. They were up against a blank wall. The minister came to me after the service because it had been a while since we had seen one another and wanted to catch up. In the course of the conversation, he was quite excited about his discovery of the clairvoyants blank wall of knowledge. Being the scientific skeptic of such things, I mumbled something not committal. I did not want to get into an argument with my friend.
Afterwards, I had a good long think about his comment and realised that there is something wrong with focusing on the activities of those who claim some paranormal understanding of the future to bolster our claims that Jesus is coming soon. Such a focus shifts our vision from Jesus.
I am not saying that we should be unaware of Satanic delusions but we have a confident message in the love of Jesus and that should be our focus.
I like how the author of Hebrews states it:
Happy Sabbath Maurice:
I am afraid that we who love truth, who are willing to not fear those who are to kill the body in defense if it, (Matthew 10:28) have a hard field to hoe when we consider the amount of ignorance that is accepted today. ,
(How can we persuade of spiritual truth, when physical facts like "our planet is shaped like a sphere" is disbelieved by some prominent celebrities who believe that the earth is table shaped?)
I just today saw a meme on Facebook that stated the Jesus was wrongly convicted and I still believe in Him, (But showing a picture of Trump-- equating Trump with Jesus.
The depth of ignorance and darkness grows ever deeper.
It will require, truly, wisdom and patience to overcome the deceptions that are overwhelming us.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 –
"The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, sings, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the LOVE of the truth that they might be saved.
And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
This passage of Scripture points out that it is not enough to know about, or acknowledge God's Truth; God’s Truth needs to be fully embraced and loved because loving it will save us from drowning in this world of unrighteousness.
What in this world is more precious, more welcomed, could possibly be loved more than the Truth about how God our Rescuer saves us from certain death unto Everlasting Life?
I believe Mr. Ashton because the more we spend our precious time discussing about Satan and his deception, the more important he feels. Let us be focused on our main goal; eternity to win at last. Also, a vivid consideration of the memory text reveals that even Paul expected that Jesus would have come while he Paul was still alive. Alas, it's been thousands of years yet Jesus is still on the way. Should this shake our faith? God forbid. Let us understand that He that has promised is faithful hence trustworthy. May the Lord continually increase our faith even in the phase of upheavals in Jesus' name. Amen.
The Bible teaches that humans were initially created to live eternally and were not intended to experience death. Hence, when death occurs, it becomes a mystery, and some people need some answers. The belief system based on the idea that the spirits of the dead can communicate with the living, usually through a medium or spiritual guide give a sense of comfort. The concept of an afterlife or continued existence can be comforting. It helps individuals cope with the finality of death by providing hope that their loved ones continue to exist in some form. The perceived messages from the deceased that they are at peace or in a better place, can be reassuring for the bereaved. Many people seek a sense of connection with loved ones who have passed away. Spiritualism offers the belief that communication with the dead is possible, providing comfort and a sense of closeness. Individuals may have unresolved issues or emotions related to the deceased. Spiritualism claims to provide a way to address these feelings, offering closure and peace.
The entire notion/belief of spiritualism explicitly exposes the emptiness of human life without the hope which is only found in Christ Jesus. Spiritualism is a deception, the Bible says. Evil spirits or demons can masquerade as benign or benevolent agents of hope and hence to mislead people. "And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light." (2 Corinthians 11:14 - (NIV). As the Day of the Lord draws near, many will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits. "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons." (1 Timothy 4:1- (NIV).
Human beings need hope beyond the grave. We need wisdom and guidance from God. "When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?" (Isaiah 8:19 - (NIV). The living will never find answers among the dead! The Bibles says, the dead knows nothing (Ecclesiastes 9:5). The Word of God gives us comfort, hope and assurance that a day is coming when life as we know it now will be changed completely. "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Revelation 21:4 - (NIV). Till then, let us hold fast to the hope that we confess. "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23 -(NIV).
My friend is an anesthetist, he informed us that sometimes as his patient is going to sleep there is a light as they go to sleep, the effect of some medicaions on the brain, is simular to what happens during a successful resuscitation.
I was put asleep for colonoscopy, by my friend and one instant I was awake. The next instant I woke up in recovery. No dreams, or visions, recollection of absolutly nothing, during the duration I was out.
Yes, many years ago, there was a sincere Christian of another faith. That told me her story of near death. I listened and did not chastise, and kindly I reminded her of the dead do not know anything and there is no remembrance. Ecclesiastes 9:5.
Yes, I believe as Shawn Boonstra in his series some 8-10 years ago on spiritualism. The appearances of the dead are an elusion of Satan and his partners in evil doings, preying on people's emotion who are vulnerable.
I agree with Maurice, I focus on the love of Jesus, and as he has pointed us to in past, be a living testimony of Christ in us.
Another recommendation was given to us by a retired pastor we all respected years ago and still do, he is asleep in Christ now. He told us invite Christ into your heart, when we do Christ shines to every corner, absolutly no part of the chamber of our heart will be dark. The devil flees. Not that any of us were into elusions of Satan, but that is the way to get our brains off of negative thoughts, and onto Christ.
As we rehashed last week, have faith, to have the faith of Jesus. We cry out to the Lord He has promised to hear us and save us from all our troubles. Psalm 34:4.
Don't forget the Lord is mighty. He has promised us that He has His angles camped about us because we reverence Him. Psalm 34:7. The jewel verse of the whole chapter.
I was told that the empty school house down the street was haunted, I said, I don't partake in those things, therefore I have never seen such a thing I do my walk past there and have been at community meetings there and it is not haunted. The swings only move in the wind. I have no fear because of the Lord's promise of His angels around me. Psalms 91:10-11. I ignore the hersay and focus on the love of Jesus. Keep the faith of Jesus all.