The Nature and Tendency of Modern Spiritualism

THE KINGS OF THE EARTH DECEIVED—THE CONSUMMATION

The consummation of this work of iniquity and deception is given in the book of Revelation in a manner most intensely interesting. The awful threatening of Revelation 14:9-11, is based upon the facts connected with the two-horned beast and his working miracles to deceive. This message of warning is given immediately preceding the coming of the Son of man to reap the harvest of the earth, and it warns of the seven last plagues, in which is filled up the wrath of God. Chap. 15:1. These are all poured out after the priesthood of Christ has closed and probation has ended; hence they are said to be “poured out without mixture.” Under the pouring out of the sixth plague, the nations are gathered to the battle of the great day of God Almighty, called the battle of Armageddon; and they are gathered under the deceptive influence of “three unclean spirits like frogs,” which go out of the mouth of the dragon, or Paganism, the beast, or Papacy, and the false prophet, or Protestant Republicanism. They are explained as being the spirits of devils working miracles, thus showing again that Satan’s great work of deception is in the last days. “For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth, and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” Revelation 16:13, 14. NTMS 180.1

This is yet future, as we have said that the plagues are poured out after probation is ended. For this reason some have supposed that the present work of evil spirits is not the fulfillment of prophecy, as they go forth under the sixth plague. But under the sixth plague, they are seen going “out of the mouth” of these three great controlling powers, and it is evident that they cannot come out of the mouth of any power until they get into the body, and even into the heart; for it is out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. The second beast has two horns like a lamb, but he speaks as a dragon; that is, his profession is lamb-like, but his acts or laws are dragonic. It must be plain to every one that the speaking of any government is the enactment and execution of its laws, as they can only be said to be in the heart of a civil power by being in or among the body of its rulers. Therefore the fulfillment of Revelation 16:12-15, is when the work of Spiritualism is indorsed or maintained by legal enactments. And that this will take place we need not hesitate to believe when we consider the progress it has made and is making in this country, and how many eminent men and statesmen have become believers. The Spiritualist papers some time since boasted of a large proportion of the members of Congress as believers. Thus the way is being prepared for the last great work in this country. The Emperor of France long regarded it with favor, and an American medium by the name of Hume became a favorite at the French court. The “Davenport boys” performed at the royal residence by request of the Emperor. The Banner of Light, May, 1866, says:— NTMS 180.2

“We have recently received a private letter from Ira Davenport, confirming their success as Spiritualists before the literati and titled of France and England.” NTMS 181.1

They also made a tour of Scotland and Ireland, and visited Russia with equal success. But to particularize is not necessary. It is going to all parts of the world, and receiving favor with the multitude wherever it goes. NTMS 181.2

As the closing work of Spiritualism is to deceive the kings of the earth, to gather them to the battle of the great day, we will give a few quotations from the prophets concerning this battle:— NTMS 181.3

“A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the Lord hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the Lord. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth.” Jeremiah 25:31-33. NTMS 181.4

“Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles: Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up; beat your ploughshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears; let the weak say, I am strong. Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about; thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O Lord. Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat; for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe; come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.” Joel 3:9-13. Compare Revelation 14:15-18. NTMS 182.1

“And I saw Heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness doth he judge and make war.” “And the armies which were in Heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.” NTMS 182.2

“And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshiped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.” Revelation 19:11, 14, 15, 19, 20. NTMS 182.3

Concerning those engaged in this work of deception and witchcraft, the faithful and true Witness has testified, showing what their destiny shall be. Speaking by the prophet Malachi, he says: “And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers,” etc. NTMS 182.4

Judge Edmonds and Mr. Woodman say that the fact that these things were forbidden in the past dispensation is no evidence that they are now wrong; thus carrying the idea that the Scriptures of the New Testament do not condemn such things. But we have quoted the words of Paul to the Galatians, wherein he classes witchcraft with murder, adultery, etc., as works of the flesh, saying that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God; and also where he said Elyirias the sorcerer was full of all subtlety and all mischief, a child of the devil. And we find in the book of Revelation, the fate of such is placed in contrast with the glorious future state of the blessed. “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.” Revelation 21:7, 8. Again, the same contrast is presented in the following words: “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” Revelation 22:14, 15. NTMS 182.5