In the world today there are many different and competing voices for our attention. Yet there is only one sure and true voice in need of listening to—God’s Word, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17, NKJV).
As Christians living in these latter times, we are explicitly warned not to depart from God’s Word, in “giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,” (1 Timothy 4:1, NKJV); including the wondrous miracles of demons (Revelation 13:13; 16:13-14).
When it comes to the spirits of truth and error, we are to test the spirits, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1, NKJV).
How are we to test these spirits? The prophet Isaiah in speaking of those who consult the dead (familiar spirits) on behalf of the living, had this to say, “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20, NKJV). In other words, if they (men or angels alike) don’t speak in harmony with God’s Law or the testimony of God’s Word, then we are to reject them!
What is Spiritualism?
“A system of belief or religious practice based on supposed communication with the spirits of the dead, especially through mediums.” (Online Microsoft Bing Dictionary)
“A core belief of spiritualism is that individuals survive the deaths of their bodies by ascending into a spirit existence. A person’s condition after death is directly related to the moral quality of his human existence. Communion with the spiritual world is both possible and desirable, and spiritual healing is the natural result of such communication.” (Online Britannica Encyclopedia)
What are the seven seducing spirits or teachings of Spiritualism?
Emma Hardinge Britten (1823-1899), who was an advocate and practitioner of the nineteenth-century spiritualist movement, is widely credited today with defining the seven core principles or teachings of spiritualism. Both the National Spiritualist Association of Churches in the United States and the Spiritualist National Union in the United Kingdom affirm these seven teachings, which are:
- The Fatherhood of God (God is our heavenly father).
- The Brotherhood of Man (We are all members of the same divine family).
- The Communion of Spirits and the Ministry of Angels (We can communicate with disembodied souls).
- The Continuous Existence of the Human Soul (Our souls are immortal).
- Personal Responsibility (We have free agency, the freedom to choose our destiny).
- Compensation and Retribution hereafter for all the good and evil deeds done on earth (For good or for evil, our earthly works earn for us our eternal reward).
- Eternal Progress open to every human soul (We can become as God is).
What does E. G. White have to say about the modern order of Spiritualism?
“It is true that spiritualism is now changing its form and, veiling some of its more objectionable features, is assuming a Christian guise.… While it formerly denounced Christ and the Bible, it now professes to accept both.” The Great Controversy, pp. 557-58
“As spiritualism more closely imitates the nominal Christianity of the day, it has greater power to deceive and ensnare…. Through the agency of spiritualism, miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and many undeniable wonders will be performed.” The Great Controversy, p. 588
“Satan has long been preparing for his final effort to deceive the world.… 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
The Higher Order of Spiritualism
These seven seducing spirits of spiritualism, the doctrines of devils—truth mixed with error, are not only intended to entice and deceive the world but Christians alike who have not made the Bible their sword and shield against Satan, the Serpent and Father of lies.
When it comes to modern spiritualism, there is a spiritualistic movement in the world today which not only upholds these seven seducing spirits (truth mixed with error) in its testimonies and teachings but claims to be the higher order of spiritualism. Furthermore, its nominal features and functionality of Christianity and its claim to be God’s prophetic movement on the earth today reveal it to be a dark wolf in sheep’s clothing!
To learn more about this spiritualistic and false prophetic movement and how it may fulfill the role of Revelation’s false prophet, in deceiving the world, see Gregory John’s book, Unveiling The False Prophet.