The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2
CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX: Warnings of the Word Against the Machinations of Spiritism
I. Bible Testimony Regarding Satan, Demons, and Occultism
It is imperative that we know the identity and the character of the forces that we are surveying. We need to have clearly before us God’s view of them, His attitude toward them, and His warning prohibitions against them. Only thus can we be protected from deception, and the dire retribution that will come from recourse to them. CFF2 1152.1
Explicit information and unmistakable warnings are spread throughout the Old and New Testaments regarding Satan, demons, evil spirits, familiar spirits, necromancy, sorcery, witchcraft, divination, and wizardry. Of these we need to be fully cognizant, for there is no excuse for ignorance as to the character of the sinister forces described, and no justification for being deceived. The Word is clear thereon. Let us first consider Satan and his legions of demonic followers. CFF2 1152.2
1. SCORE OF DESIGNATIONS IDENTIFYING SATAN
As to Satan, he is variously named Lucifer, fallen cherub, accuser of the brethren, adversary, Beelzebub, devil, enemy, evil spirit, father of lies, liar, lying spirit, murderer, old serpent, power of darkness, prince of this world, prince of devils, prince of the power of the air, god of this world, Satan, spirit that worketh in the children of disobedience, tempter, unclean spirit, wicked one. What an unsavory and incriminating array! The supporting scriptures are here listed for reference. 1 CFF2 1153.1
Picture 1: Expulsion of Lucifer from Heaven
Lucifer, once angel of light, become demon of darkness. His expulsion from heaven pictured by Dante
Page 1154
Satan was once an angel of light, his name being Lucifer, meaning “Light-bearer” (Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:13-19). But rebellion against God changed him into a demon of darkness. And the angels who sided with him and were cast out of heaven with him (Revelation 12:7-12, 4) henceforth have their abode in the realms of darkness (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6). “Darkness” represents satanic evil and symbolizes its author. CFF2 1154.1
2. REALITY, PERSONALITY, AND INFLUENCE OF DEMONS
As to demons, the New Testament constantly testifies to the reality and personality of demons. They are called “spirits,” “unclean spirits,” “wicked spirits” (Matthew 8:31; Matthew 10:1; Matthew 12:43; Mark 6:7; Mark 7:25, 26; Luke 10:17, 20; Ephesians 6:12 [margin]). In the Gospels “unclean spirits” is used interchangeably with “devils” (Matthew 8:31; Mark 1:27, 34; Mark 3:11, 15; Mark 6:7). They are the devil’s “angels” (Matthew 25:41), and are so numerous as to make Satan’s power operative practically everywhere (Mark 5:2, 8, 9). They are capable of entering and controlling both man and beast (Mark 5:8, 11-13). Satan and his fallen angels have the ability to impart information, to change their appearance, and to personate others (Matthew 4:1-11; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15). Satan sometimes appears as an “angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14). CFF2 1154.2
Demon influence and possession are constantly portrayed in the New Testament 2 These demons are unclean, sullen, violent, malicious. 3 They know Jesus to be the most high God, and are compelled to recognize His authority. 4 They inflict physical maladies (Matthew 12:22; Matthew 17:15-18; Luke 13:16), and cause those disorders of the mind induced by demon control. They know they are to be tormented (Matthew 8:29; Luke 8:28). Christ while on earth cast out devils by the Holy Spirit of God (Matthew 12:28). CFF2 1154.3
3. EVIL ACTIVITIES OF THE DEMONS
While devils, or demons, were constantly worshiped by the heathen of old, that worship was strictly forbidden among the people of God (Leviticus 17:7; Zechariah 13:2). A succession of instances of demon possession appear in the New Testament-the two Gergesenes, the dumb man, the blind and dumb man, the Syro-Phoenician’s daughter, the lunatic child, the man in the synagogue, and Mary Magdalene. These were cast out by Jesus (Matthew 4:24; 8:16; Mark 3:22; Luke 8:2). Power over demons was also given to His disciples, and they too cast them out. CFF2 1155.1
Demons are ever the adversaries of man (Matthew 12:45), and bear false messages. Nevertheless, they “believe and tremble” concerning heavenly realities, and are to be judged (James 2:19; Matthew 8:29) and punished (Matthew 8:29; Luke 8:28; 2 Peter 2:4). Of this they are fully aware. They exist in an atmosphere of desperation. CFF2 1155.2
4. OCCULT ACTIVITIES FORBIDDEN UNDER PUNISHMENT
Of the various occult activities operative in Bible times sorcery was most widely named as practiced among the nations. Sorcery was divination through the assistance of evil spirits. It was practiced among the Egyptians (Isaiah 19:3, 11, 12), by the Ninevites (Nahum 3:4, 5), and also the Babylonians (Isaiah 47:9-13; Ezekiel 21:21, 22; Daniel 2:2, 10, 27). It was likewise exercised by such individuals as Balaam (Numbers 22:5, 6; Numbers 23:23) and Jezebel (2 Kings 9:22). In New Testament times it was practiced by Simon Magnus (Acts 8:9, 11), Elymas (Acts 13:8), the damsel at Philippi (Acts 16:16), and the sons of Sceva (Acts 19:14, 15). CFF2 1155.3
Consulting with “familiar spirits” was expressly forbidden (Leviticus 19:31; Leviticus 20:6, 27; Deuteronomy 18:10, 11; Isaiah 8:19; 19:3), as was also necromancy (Deuteronomy 18:11; Deuteronomy 26:14; Isaiah 8:19; Isaiah 29:4). Witchcraft was similarly prohibited (Exodus 22:18; Leviticus 19:31; Leviticus 20:6, 27), and under the theocracy witches were to be destroyed (1 Samuel 28:3, 9). CFF2 1155.4
Their occult messages were false (Ezekiel 21:29; Zechariah 10:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:9), and all divination was strictly proscribed (Leviticus 19:26-28, 31; Leviticus 20:6; Deuteronomy 18:9-14). All intercourse of this sort was denounced (Isaiah 8:19; Malachi 3:5), as was all divining by means of “familiar spirits” (Leviticus 20:27; 1 Chronicles 10:13; 2 Chronicles 33:6; Isaiah 8:19; Isaiah 19:3; Isaiah 29:4). And it is ultimately to cease forever (Ezekiel 12:23, 24; Ezekiel 13:23; Micah 5:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:8, 9). CFF2 1156.1
5. PRACTITIONERS BECOME SLAVES OF SATAN
According to Scripture, many in ancient Israel “sold themselves” to do evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Kings 17:17), by means of necromancy, witchcraft, sorcery, familiar spirits, and the like. But such practitioners thus became the servants of the demoniacal powers behind the occult and mysterious rites. They were thenceforth slaves of Satan. That was the terrible seriousness of it all. CFF2 1156.2