The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2

IV. Vindication of God’s Truth; Overthrow of Satan’s Lie

1. SPIRITISTIC SEANCES DATE BACK To GATES OF EDEN

We have seen that Spiritualism is as old as the race. In fact, the spiritistic seance dates back to the beginning of human history —back to the very gates of Eden. Satan himself was the first to employ paranormal phenomena, using the serpent as the medium through which to speak to Eve. According to Holy Writ it was through the talking snake that the tempter made his first intrusion into human thinking-and that over the specific issue of death (Genesis 3:1-6). CFF2 1252.3

Spiritistic phenomena thus made their debut in history through a deliberate attempt to deceive the race concerning the nature of life and death and human destiny. The conflict over this original issue has never ceased. It has persisted in all ages without a pause. History attests that the spread of Spiritism among primitive pagan nations was appalling. And the climax of the ages has come in our day. But the outcome is as sure as the integrity of God and the adequacy and finality of His power. Look at the end of the controversy. CFF2 1253.1

2. INEVITABLE OUTCOME OF CONFLICT OF THE AGES

God’s last fearful warning against sorcery, and all the kindred abominations for which it stands, is recorded in the closing chapters of the last book of the inspired Canon. Here is the record. The- CFF2 1253.2

“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 21:8). CFF2 1253.3

Here sorcery stands for the long category of kindred evil arts, now known under the modern term of Spiritualism. And it is to be visited with “death”—the final, inexorable, predicted “second death,” from which there is no recovery. This brings the ultimate end of the issue of Eden, the close of the continuing controversy of the ages. CFF2 1253.4

God and His Word are now proved forever true, and the devil is proved a “liar” from the beginning (John 8:44), the deceiver of mankind, with his siren promise, “Ye shall not surely die” (Genesis 3:4). Now his deceit is exposed and overthrown. Now Satan and his angels, and all human incorrigibles who have refused to believe God and have sided with Satan, are also punished with ultimate, total, irrevocable destruction in the lake of fire, prepared for the devil and his confederate angels (Matthew 25:41). God is proved forever true, and Satan an unmitigated liar. God’s word is forever established and His will inexorably executed. Such is the great finale of all history—the conflict of the ages over the origin, nature, and destiny of man. CFF2 1253.5

3. DESTRUCTION FOR BELIEVERS OF SATAN’S ORIGINAL LIE

The bright side of this tragic picture is the everlasting salvation of the redeemed, who have believed God, heeded His warnings, and accepted His promises. They have obeyed His commandments, and at last dwell forever in the earth made new and again “have right to the tree of life,” from which our forefathers were banished for accepting Satan’s original controverting lie in Eden. Now they “enter in through the gates” into the city of God, their eternal home (Revelation 22:14). But again is rehearsed the tragic overthrow of Satan’s demonic and human followers: “For without are... sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie” (v. 15)-unquestionably including Satan’s first and continuing supreme lie of the ages. CFF2 1254.1

That is the inspired depiction of the end of the controversy and the ultimate obliteration of all rejecters of the Word of God and its precepts and promises. Surely the lesson is: Let us believe God and adhere to His Word, and receive eternal life; let us reject Satan’s lie—his masterpiece of deceptionand the inevitable visitation of eternal death for those who follow his great deceit. CFF2 1254.2