第1章

THEsternestconflictthisworldhaseverknownisnownearingitsclimax。Thepowersoflightandthepowersofdarknesshavebeeninthiscontestsincebeforethedawnofhumanhistory，andnowtheopposingforcesaremarshalingforthefinalstruggle。Itwillbesharpanddecisive。 SatanhasusedvariousagenciesforthepastsixthousandyearsinhiscampaignfortheconquestanddestructionofthehumanraceandthedefeatofHeaven\'spurposeformankind。Theagenciesthathewilluseinthisgenerationwillbemostseductiveanddeceptive；nonearesafefromtheruinheisplanningforall，savethosewhowalkinclosecompanionshipwiththeManChristJesus。 Whilescientistsstudytheoccultdemonstrationsofthesé；anceroomandclassifythemunderscientificterms，themultitudearebeingledintoadelusionthatissettingtheirfeetinthepathwayofeternalruin。Whattheevilonecouldnotaccomplishinmedievaltimesbyfireandsword，byrackanddungeon，heisbentondoingnowbyadeceptionthecleveresthisevilingenuityhasbeenabletoconceive。Itisthepurposeofthisworktounmaskthatdeceptionsothoroughlythatnonewhoreadshalleverstumbleintothatpitfall。 Withaprayerfordivineguidanceintheaccomplishmentofthatpurpose，thepreparationofthisbookwasundertaken，anditisnowsubmittedtothereadingpublicinthehopethatGodmayrichlyblessitshumblecontributiontothedefenseofthetruthasitisinChristJesus。CharlesM。SnowWarburton，Australia。 OnTheThroneofSin:TheSettingoftheContestPage9Chapter1TheSettingoftheContestTHEREsitstodayonthethroneofsinonewhohasgrownoldinevil，cunninginsubtlety，andcruelindeceit。Hehaswagedwarinheavenandonearth。Hefilledheavenwithdiscordandearthwithdeath，andbothwithsorrow。HechallengedeverypurposeofGod，andcovetedthethroneoftheEternal，planningtoruletheuniverseorplungeitintochaosandruin。 Thatconflict，olderthanman，explainsthepresenceofeveryconflictthatdisturbsourracetoday，everypestilencethatafflictshumanity，everysorrowandpainanddeaththattorturesthechildrenofearth。Lucifer，theone-timecoveringcherubofheaven，istheSatanofoursmittenworld，thedemonleaderofthehostsofdarknessthatoppose，inthisworld，everypurposeofGodandtheSaviourofmen。 Thethroneofsinisnofigureofspeech，andtheoccupantofthatthroneisnofigmentoftheimagination。JesusChristcalledhim“theprinceofthisworld。”John14:30。TheapostlePauldescribeshimas“theprinceofthepoweroftheair，thespiritthatnowworkethinthechildrenofdisobedience。”Eph。2:2。Johntherevelatordesignatedhimas“thegreatdragon，““thatoldserpent，calledthedevil，andSatan。”Rev。12:9。 WhentheleaderofrevoltagainsttheCreatorwasexpelledfromheaven，heleftwithmanyfollowers，——angelswhohadyieldedtohiscunningsophistryandjoinedinhisrebellion；andthisworldisnowtheirabode。Ofthattremendousevent，whichridheavenofthefallenhostsandfilledearthwithlegionsbentontheruinofGod\'shandiwork，theinspiredwritersays:“Therewaswarinheaven:Michael[thatis，Christ]andHisangelsfoughtagainstthedragon；andthedragonfoughtandhisangels，andprevailednot；neitherwastheirplacefoundanymoreinheaven。Andthegreatdragonwascastout，thatoldserpent，calledthedevil，andPage10Satan，whichdeceiveththewholeworld:hewascastoutintotheearth，andhisangelswerecastoutwithhim……Thereforerejoice，yeheavens，andyethatdwellinthem。Woetotheinhabitersoftheearthandofthesea！forthedeviliscomedownuntoyou，havinggreatwrath，becauseheknoweththathehathbutashorttime。”Rev。12:7-12。TheapostleJudespeaksofthisfallenhostas“theangelswhichkeptnottheirfirstestate，butlefttheirownhabitation，“whomGod“hathreservedineverlastingchainsunderdarknessuntothejudgmentofthegreatday。” Jude6。 BoththepredictionsofHolyWritandthegreatworldeventsoftodaydeclareinunmistakablelanguagethattheconflictbetween“theprinceofthisworld“andtheRuleroftheuniverseisnearingitsculmination。 Intheconspiracyofsinagainstrighteousness，ofSatanagainstChrist，ofthecohortsofdarknessagainstthehostsoftheKingeternal，theoccupantofthethroneofsinhasenlistedmultitudesofthehumanrace。JustnowthesehumanadjunctsofthedarkConspiracyagainstthepurposesoftheMostHigharemakingtheirattackchieflyfromthreedirections。Whentheirassaulthasreacheditsculmination，GodHimselfwillsoundthedeathknellofsinandtheoverthrowofitskingandkingdom。 Theforcesofgoodandevilhavemetinsternstrugglethroughalltheagesofthehistoryofhumanity。IneverysuchcontestSatanhasassaultedtheprinciplesofthekingdometernal，buthehasalwaysfoundsomefaithfuloneswhoseloyaltyhecouldnotcontaminateandwhosefaithhecouldnotoverthrow。TherewasEnoch，sofaithfulthatGodwouldnotpermithimtotasteofdeath。TherewasNoah，whoescapedacrossthewatersofthefloodwitheightsoulsonlyfromamongthemillionswhopeopledtheearthatthattime。TherewasElijah，faithfulwhenhesupposedeveryothersoulinIsraelhadapostatized。TherewereDanielandhisfellows，bravingthewrathofthekingsofthewholeearththattheymightnotbeunfaithfultotheKingofkings。AndthencametheContestbetweenDivinityincarnateandthedemonsandtheirhumandupeswhenthechildJesusmadeHisappearanceamongmen。 FromthedaywhenSatanplottedthedeathoftheinfantJesusuntiltheManChristJesushunguponthecrossbetweenPage11earthandheaven，therewasnolet-upinthecruelmalignityofthearchconspirator。 ThelaststageoftheconflictbeganatourSaviour\'sbirth，andtheforcesthatwillclashinitsconsummationarenowpreparingforaction，marshalingforthelastactsinthelongandbittercampaign。Thereismoreinvolvedinthisstrugglethaninanyotherthathasevertakenplaceuponthisplanet。Whenthiswarisfinished，allwarwillbefinishedforeverthroughouttheuniverseofGod。Thequestionwillthenhavebeendecidedforalleternityastotherulershipofthisworld。Itmeanstheendofsinandallitsby-productsofsorrow，disappointment，dissatisfaction，brokenhopesandblightedlives，misery，desolation，anddeath。 WhenJesusChrist，asGod\'sagentfortheeradicationofsinfromthisworld，metthefallenLuciferinthedrearywildernessoftemptationinPalestine，therepresentativesofrighteousnessandiniquitywerefacetoface，andthedestinyofthewholehumanracehunginthebalance。HadJesusChristyieldedtooneofSatan\'stemptationsthere，oranywhereelse，theeternaldoomofthehumanfamilywouldhavebeensealed。JesusChristHimselfwouldhaveperished，andGod\'sonlypossibleremedyforsinwouldhavefailed。ThedestinyoftheuniversehungupontheloyaltyofHimwhohadgivenupheavenandHisownlifetobringpeaceandrighteousnesstothissin-smittenworld。WhattheloyaltyofChristmeanttotheworldthen，andmeanstousnow，themindofmanisutterlyincapableofestimating。 ButHedidnotfailusnordisappointtheonlookinghostsofheaven。 Hemetsinpersonifiedinthepersonofthatonewhohadbeeninheaven，oneofthetwocoveringcherubsstandingbythethroneoftheuniverse。 Allthatevilwasandcouldbeandcoulddowascenteredinthatsmooth-speakingbeingwhoposedasanangeloflightwhilethepoisonofdeathwashidinhiseveryseductiveword。 “GettheebehindMe，Satan，“wasChrist\'sopenrepudiationofeverysubtlesuggestionofthefatherofsin。Itwasadecisivechallengetoallthehostsoftherulerofthedarknessofthisworld。Thecontestwason。ThatMichaelwhothrustLuciferandhisfallenangelsoutofheavenwasmeetingnowinPage12mortalcombattheleaderoftheevictedhostsofsin。ItwasLucifer\'ssettledpurposetoforcetheverySonofGodintounforgivablesinorblotoutHislifeandwrecktheuniverse。WhenhesawtheSonofGodatlastspikedtothecrossofCalvary，hesawthecompletionofhisage-oldobject； buthewasonlybruisingtheheelofthatpromisedSeedofthewomanthatwasfinallytobruisehishead。(SeeGen。3:15。)SatanseemedtohaveforgottenthatwhiletheChristdiedforthesinsoftheworld，——theJustfortheunjust，——tosavemanfromtheseconddeath，theslainOne\'sownpersonalrighteousnessmadeitimpossiblethatHisdeathshouldbeeternal。ThegraveholdsHimforalittlemomentoftime，andthenthebarsofdeath\'sprisonhousearebroken，andtheRedeemercomesforthtoreceivetheapprobationoftheFatherandtositdownbesideHimonthethroneofrighteousness，thethroneoftheuniverse——thatthronewhichSatanhadcovetedthroughunnumberedyears。 ButthebaffledLuciferwouldnotadmitdefeat。HewasdeterminedtoslaytheinfantJesus，andnowhewasequallydeterminedtoslaytheinfantchurch。ThroughRomepaganandthenthroughRomepapalhehadonecruelandrelentlesspurpose，——to“wearoutthesaintsoftheMostHigh，“andblotoutthechurchofthelivingGodfromthefaceoftheearth。Andheverynearlysucceeded。Forcetosecureuniformityinreligionwasthepolicypursued，andachurch-ruledstatewastherelentlessinstrumentalityemployedtothatend。Howmanymillionspaidwiththeirlivesforthepracticeoftheirfaith，willneverbeknownuntilthebooksofGodarelaidopenbeforetheeyesoftheredeemed。 Itisnotthewriter\'sdesigntodwellupontheheartbreakingcrueltiesofthe“holyoffice，“orthesufferingsenduredbythemartyrswho“lovednottheirlivesuntothedeath。”Therecordofthatworkhaslongbeenwritten，andiseasyofaccesstothosewhowishtoread。ThecenturiesoftheDarkAgeshavebeenliterallystrewnwiththeshatteredbodiesandruinedhopesofmenandwomenwhoknewtheworthofapurefaithandconsiderednopricetoohightopayforit。Butthatworkisinthepast，thoughtheprinciplesthatmadeitpossibleareheldevenPage13todaybytheorganizationthatpractisedthemthroughthosedarkandbittertimes。Thechurchresponsibleforthatcruelworkstillexpectsthat“thesecularpowershallsweartoexterminateallhereticscondemnedbythechurch；andiftheydonot，theyshallbeanathema。”——“ChurchHistory，“ Schaff，Vol。II，sec。27。 “Aheretic，“saysPopeMarcellus，“meritsthepainsoffire。Bythegospel，thecanons，civillaw，andcustom，hereticsmustbeburned。”——PopeMarcellus\'Decrees，CorpusJurisCanonici，part2，chap。18。 Thatattitudehasneverbeenrepudiated，andwheneverandwhereverthatorganizationhasthepowertooppresstheconsciencesofmenasindaysgoneby，itwilldoso。ButithasnotyetbeenabletoblotoutthetruedisciplesoftheLord。Thebloodofthemartyrshasalwaysinsuredtheperpetuationofthatvirileandloyalrace。Whilethatoppressivepolicyhasneverbeenabandoned，savewherecircumstancesmadeitimpossible，andwhileweshallseeitrevivifiedintheactualclimaxofthegreatstruggle，anotherplanhasbeenadoptedbytheenemyofsouls，forthisgeneration，thatistodaysweepingmillionsintoasnare，themostdeceptiveandfatalthatSatanhaseveremployedagainstmankind。 SolongasSatansitsuponthethroneofsin，solongashecontinuesas“theprinceofthisworld“andtherulerofthedarkforcesthatfellwithhim，theearthwillcontinuetobethehomeofsorrow，discord，deceit，pestilence，famine，war，anddeath；andhisage-longcampaignofpersecutionagainstthetruefollowersoftheChristwillcontinueunabatedwhilehespreadshisnetofsubtledeceptionoverthewholeworld。Theseveralchaptersofthisbookwillshowwhatthatdeceptionis，andhowitisoperatingtodayamongthenationsofmen。OnTheThroneofSin:Satan\'sClimaxinDeceptionPage14Chapter2Satan\'sClimaxinDeceptionWEhaveseeninthepreviouschapterhowthefallenLuciferhassoughtbysubtledeceptionandbycunningdevicestoopposetheChrist，theprinciplesofHiskingdom，andthosewhodesiretobecometruesubjectsofHisrealm。Buthisculminatingdeception，whichissweepingmoresoulsintohisnetofdestructionthananyotherofhisingeniousdevices，hasbeenreservedinitsfullflowerforthegenerationinwhichwelive。Initsgermitisasoldasthefallofman；ithasplaguedtheracetosomeextentinallgenerations；butinitssubtletyofsophistryandperfectionofdeceit，nogenerationhasseenitasweseeitnow。Ithasnotsupersededalloranyofhisotherdevices；butitistheclimaxofhissixthousandyearsofpracticeintheartofdeceptionanddestruction。 TheseedthoughtofthatdelusionwasplantedinthemindsofAdamandEveonthedaywhentheyforgottheirdutyandtheirdivinewarning，andyieldedtotheenticingblandishmentsofSatan。Godhadsaidtothem，whenHeutteredHisprohibitionagainsteatingthefruitofacertaintree，“Inthedaythatthoueatestthereof，thoushaltsurelydie。” AsidefromGod，wecannotlive；“forinHimwelive，andmove，andhaveourbeing。”Sincethedaywhenmansinned，manhaslivedalonebyvirtueofthegiftofChristashislife。ThelambofferedonAbel\'saltaroutsidetheclosedgatesofParadisepointedforwardtotheactualsacrificeoftheSonofGodonCalvary。“Christwasonceofferedtobearthesinsofmany；anduntothemthatlookforHimshallHeappearthesecondtimewithoutsin[“apartfromsin，“R。V。；ornotasasinoffering]untosalvation。” Heb。9:28。AndHedeclaredofHimself:“IlaydownMylifeforthesheep。”“Iamtheway，thetruth，andthelife:nomancomethuntotheFather，butbyMe。”John10:15；14:6。InspirationsaysofHim，“AsmanyasreceivedHim，tothemgaveHepowertobecomethesonsofGod，eventothemthatbelieveonHisname。”JohnPage151:12。Peter，whenforbiddenbytheJewishrulerstopreachJesus，boldlyavowed，“Neitheristheresalvationinanyother:forthereisnoneothernameunderheavengivenamongmen，wherebywemustbesaved。”Acts4:12。 ManhasneverbeenguaranteedlifeapartfromChrist。NowheredoesthedivineWordindicatethatbeyondthegatesofdeaththereisaneternityofconsciousexistenceforallmankind，thewickedaswellastherighteous。 ItdoespromiselifetoallwhoacceptandfollowChrist。ButasGodsaidinEden，“Inthedaythatthoueatestthereofthoushaltsurelydie“(Gen。 2:17)，。soHesaysagaininHisinfallibleWord，“Thesoulthatsinneth，itshalldie。”Eze。18:4，20。Thedeathherereferredtoisnotthenaturaldeathwhichalldiefromoldageordisease；fortherighteousaswellasthewickeddiethatdeath。Itreferstothe“seconddeath，“fromwhichtherewillbenoresurrection。Rev。20:6，14，15。 SatandeclaredtoEve，“Yeshallnotsurelydie；……yeshallbeasgods。”Gen。3:4，5。“Mortal“means“subjecttodeath。”Godhadtaughtmanthathewasliabletodie，thathewascertaintodieifheentereduponacourseofdisobedience；thathewasnotimmortal。SatancontradictedGod，teachingmanthathewasthenimmortal，notliabletodie；thatdisobediencecouldnotentaildeath。Godhadputmanonprobation，acandidateforimmortality。 Satantaughtmanthathewasnotacandidateforimmortality，buttheactualpossessorofit；thatGodcouldnotendman\'sexistenceevenfordisobedience，foroncehehadpartakenofthatfruithehadbeenforbiddentotouch，hewouldhimselfpossessdivineattributes。 AdamandEvetookthetemptingbait，andtheearthhasbeenfilledwithdeathandmourningeversince。Throughalltheagesfollowingman\'ssin，Satanhascontinuedtowhisperintothewillingearsofmillionsofearth\'sinhabitants，“Thereisnodeath；whatseemssoistransition。” ItwillstartlemanyapiousreadertoseethestatementorhearthedeclarationthatSatanwasthe。firstexponentoftheideaofman\'sinherentimmortality；butthisisthefact，asrecordedforourlearningintheinspiredBookofGod；andhepromulgatedtheideainflatcontradictionofoneoftheplain-Page16estandmostemphaticdeclarationsoftheAuthorofourbeing。TheSpiritofinspirationaskedthequestionofoneofJob\'sfriends，anditisrecordedforourconsideration:“ShallmortalmanbemorejustthanGod?“ Job4:17。HeputsthewisdomandjusticeofGod，theeternalone，inoppositiontothatofman，thetransientone；Hisimmortalityinoppositiontoourmortality。Hetellsusfurther，intheplainestlanguagewhichInspirationcanuse，thatGod“onlyhathimmortality，dwellinginthelightwhichnomancanapproachunto。”1Tim。6:16。IfGodonlyhasimmortality，certainlywedonotpossessit，allthesophistriesanddeceitsofSatantothecontrarynotwithstanding。SaystheapostlePaultoTimothyandtous，“NowuntotheKingeternal，immortal，invisible，theonlywiseGod，behonorandgloryforeverandever。Amen。”1Tim。1:17。 Paulisveryexplicitonthequestionofman\'smortality，inhislettertotheCorinthianbelievers——andtous。Hesays:“Behold，Ishowyouamystery:Weshallnotallsleep[die]，butweshallallbechanged，inamoment，inthetwinklingofaneye，atthelasttrump:forthetrumpetshallsound，andthedeadshallberaisedincorruptible，andweshallbechanged。Forthiscorruptiblemustputonincorruption，andthismortalmustputonimmortality。Sowhenthiscorruptibleshallhaveputonincorruption，andthismortalshallhaveputonimmortality，thenshallbebroughttopassthesayingthatiswritten，Deathisswallowedupinvictory。”Cor。15:51-54。Solongasthereisdeathintheworldtherewillbemortality。Whateverorwhoevermaydieorisliabletodie，ismortal，notimmortal。ChristcameintotheworldthatHemightbring“lifeandimmortalitytolightthroughthegospel。”2Tim。1:10。WithoutChristandthegospelnohumanbeingwouldeverseeimmortality。Heisourlife，andonlythroughHimcanmanhavelifeandbecrownedwithimmortalityatHiscoming。 Butnowinthedesperateendeavortoclinchhisdeceptionupontherace，Satanclaimsthatthedeadarestillalive，thattheyhavemerelypassedthroughtheveilbetweenthetwoworlds，andarenowlivingonafullerandgranderscalethaneverbefore。Heseekstodemonstratethecontinuedexistenceofthedepartedbypersonatingthedead，byplacingbeforePage17relativesofthedeceased，communicationswhichitissupposednonebutthedeadcouldgive，detailingincidentswithwhichnonebutthedeadwerefamiliar。Thushe“proves“thattheliehetoldinEdenisthetruth，—— thatmendonotdie，andthatGodfabricatedafalsehoodwhenHewarnedmanthathewoulddieifhetransgressed！ ManyareaderwillwonderatSatan\'spurposeinseekingtoprovethatthedeadarenotdeadinreality，onlymissingfromthisworld，andgloriouslyaliveintheotherworld。Whathashetogain?JesusChrist，theupholderofGod\'sgovernment，theupholderofrighteousness，hasgivenHimselffortheredemptionofman；Satan，thedeceiver，hassetouttoconvincemanthatheneedsnoRedeemer。Christdiedthatwe，whowerecondemnedtodeathbecauseofsin，mighthave，throughHim，eternallife。Satan，inperpetuationofhislieinEden，wishesustobelievewehavelifewithouttheinterpositionofChrist。ThePrinceoftheRestorationsaid，“Iamcomethatyemighthavelife。”Thewordoftheprinceofruinis，“Youhavelife——eternallife——already，andyouneednoChristtogiveittoyou。” Paul，writingtotheRomans，underinspirationoftheHolySpirit，declared，“IamnotashamedofthegospelofChrist:foritisthepowerofGoduntosalvationtoeveryonethatbelieveth。”Rom。1:16。Inthecounterfeit“gospel，“ everysoulworksouthisowndestinyinthelandbeyondthetomb。Itbeingtrue——andSatanknowingthatitistrue——thatoutsideofChristthereisnohopeforman，everysoulwhomSatancandeceiveintoacceptingtheideathatChristisunnecessaryandthegospelnothing，iseternallylost； andeverysoullosthelpstopostponethedayoftheconsummationofthegospelplan；helpstopostponethedaywhenSatanwillpaywithhislifethepenaltyforhislongcareerofdeceitandrebellion。 SatansaidtoEveinEden，“Yeshallnotsurelydie；“hesaystoherdescendantstoday:“Thedeadhavenotdied；theyarelivinginhappinessinalandoflight；theyareallaboutyou；theywitnessyourgriefattheirabsence。”Theoldfalsehoodandthenewwerespokenbythesamelips，andspokenforthesamepurpose，——toopposetheestablishmentandmain-Page18tenanceofrighteousnessintheworld，andtoflingdefianceandinsultatthepowersthatthrusthimandhisrebellioushostsoutofheaven。 Allthroughtheagesmenhavesoughtcommunionwiththedead。Jehovahforbadeit；butinspiteofHiswarningsandadmonitionsandpleadings，thecultofnecromancyhaspersisted，andwitchesandwizardshavepractiseduponthecredulityofmankind。Everycountryhasexperiencedtoagreaterorlessextenttheperniciousactivitiesofthosego-betweensfromthenetherworldtotheworldofsentienthumanbeings。 GodtookapeopleoutofbondageinEgyptinfulfillmentofHispromisetoAbraham，andestablishedtheminthelandofCanaan。Theyhadbeensurroundedbyidolatry，Spiritism，anddevilworshipinthelandoftheirthralldom。 TheytraveledthroughcountriespeopledbynationsthatknewnootherreligionthanthatwhichcursedthelandofthePharaohs。TheysettledinalandsurroundedbypeopleswhoworshipedandservedthecreaturemorethantheCreator，andtalkedwithdemonswhoimpersonatedtheirdead。ThereforeJehovah\'sdecreetoIsraelintheLandofPromisewas:“Thoushaltnotsufferawitchtolive。”Ex。22:18。Again:“Thereshallnotbefoundamongyouanyonethatmakethhissonorhisdaughtertopassthroughthefire，orthatusethdivination，oranobserverofthetimes，oranenchanter，orawitch，oracharmer，oraconsulterwithfamiliarspirits，orawizard，oranecromancer。ForallthatdothesethingsareanabominationuntotheLord:andbecauseoftheseabominationstheLordthyGoddothdrivethemoutfrombeforethee。”Deut。18:10-12。WhateverSpiritualism(moreproperly，Spiritism)practisestodayiscondemnedintotointheaboveprohibitions。Thepracticeofmediumstodayincludeswhatinoldentimeswasknownasnecromancy，witchcraft(wizardry)，divination，andconsultingwithfamiliarspirits。AssurelyasJehovahcondemnedthesethingsinancientIsrael，sosurelydoesHecondemntheminspiritmediumshiptoday。Hehadnotonestandardinrighteousnessthenandanothertoday。WhatHecondemnedinthenationssurroundingIsrael，Hewillneitherapprovenorcondoneinthedaysinwhichwelive。Page19JehovahpronouncedacurseuponEgyptforherpracticeofSpiritism。HedeclaredthroughtheprophetIsaiah:“ThespiritofEgyptshallfailinthemidstthereof；andI willdestroythecounselthereof:andtheyshallseektotheidols，andtothecharmers，andtothemthathavefamiliarspirits[spiritmediums]，andtothewizards。AndtheEgyptianswillIgiveoverintothehandofacruellord；andafiercekingshallruleoverthem，saiththeLord，theLordofhosts。”Isa。19:3，4。Thisprophecyhasbeenliterallyfulfilled。 InhiswarningtotheIsraelitesconcerningthesedeceptiveandwickedpractices，Jehovahgivesthereasonforthewarning:“Regardnotthemthathavefamiliarspirits，neitherseekafterwizards，tobedefiledbythem:IamtheLordyourGod。”Lev。19:31。ThepracticeoftheseabominationswasdefilingtoHispeople，andGodwasseekingtoperfectapurepeople，acleanpeople，agodlypeople。ThistheynevercouldbesolongastheypermittedthemselvestoholdcommunicationswiththespokesmenofSataninthepersonsofnecromancers，wizards，witches，andconsulterswithfamiliarspirits。 InLeviticusanothercommandisgivenconcerningtheseclassesofpersons:“Amanalsoorwomanthathathafamiliarspirit，orthatisawizard，shallsurelybeputtodeath:theyshallstonethemwithstones: theirbloodshallbeuponthem。”Lev。20:27。GoddoesnotproposetotakehalfwaymeasureswiththosewhoneglectordefyHiswishinthesematters。ItwasacapitalcrimeinthejudgmentofJehovah，andacapitalpenaltywasmetedoutforit。 AndHiswarningtouchednotalonethosewhohadfamiliarspirits，butitreachedthosealsowhohaddealingswithsuchpersons。Weread:“Thesoulthatturnethaftersuchashavefamiliarspirits，andafterwizards，togoawhoringafterthem，IwillevensetMyfaceagainstthatsoul，andwillcuthimofffromamonghispeople。Sanctifyyourselvestherefore，andheyeholy:forIamtheLordyourGod。”Lev。 20:6，7。Thecommandisplainastowhatourdutyisinthismatter；andtheteachingisalsoplain，thatifwearetobePage20sanctifiedandholy，wecanhavenopartinthepracticesofSpiritism。 Jehovahhasgivenusmanywarningsinreferencetothesethings；andHehasalsoindicatedtousthatwhenSpiritismgrowsrampantintheearth，thetimeofChrist\'scomingisnear。ThisisfoundinthewritingsoftheprophetIsaiah。TheLord\'sspokesmanintheeighthofIsaiahisgivinginstructiontoGod\'speopleconcerningwhattheyaretodointhetimewhentheyarelookingfortheLordtocome。Theyaretohavenopartintheconfederaciesofthisworld；theyarenottofearwhattheworldfears； theyaretosanctifytheLordofhosts，andletHimbetheirfearandtheirdread；theyaretobindupthetestimony(standfortheintegrityandimmutabilityofGod\'swholeBook)；theyaretosealGod\'slawamongHisdisciples(orrestorethebrokensealofthetencommandments，whichisthefourthcommandment)； theyaretowaitupontheLord，whosefaceishiddenfromHisformalandprofessedchurch；andfinally，theyaretolookforHim。 InthetimewhenGodexpectsHischurchtobedoingthat，however，heinformsusthatadifferentmovementwillbeonfootintheworld，aspiritisticmovement；forinthesamechapteristhissignificantwarning:“Whentheyshallsayuntoyou，Seekuntothemthathavefamiliarspirits，anduntowizardsthatpeep，andthatmutter:shouldnotapeopleseekuntotheir\'God?forthelivingtothedead?“Isa。8:19。TheRevisedVersionreads:“Onbehalfofthelivingshouldtheyseekuntothedead?“ThatiswhatSpiritistsaredoingallovertheworld，——seekingtothedeadonbehalfoftheliving。ThequestionwhichJehovahasksthroughHisprophetindicatesthatsuchatimeismostserious。Thequestionreallymeans，“Whenyouseethemultitudesseekingtothedeadonbehalfoftheliving，isitnothightimethatthosewhowouldbeGod\'sfaithfulchildrenshouldbefoundseekingHim?“Andtheanswerwhichtheformofthequestiondemandsis，“Itisindeedhightime。” Onewhohasgivenmuchearnestconsiderationtothethemewearestudying，makesthisstrikingcommentuponthesubject:“ThefactsofhistoryconcurwiththestatementsofrevelationinforcinguponustheunwelcomeconvictionthatthehumanraceisPage21subjecttothemalevolentinfluenceofanorganizedandall-pervadingdemonism。Alikeinthecareerofnationsandinthephenomenaofpersonaldestiny，thepresenceofdemoniacalskillandpowerisoftenprominent，frequentlydominant，alwaysevil。”——“FootprintsofAngelsinFieldsofRevelation，“E。A。Stockman，p。2。ThewriterofthisextracthasspokenonlywhatInspirationlongagowarnedusconcerning:“Wewrestlenotagainstfleshandblood，butagainstprincipalities，againstpowers，againsttherulersofthedarknessofthisworld，againstspiritualwickedness[“wickedspirits，“margin]inhighplaces[“heavenlyplaces，“margin]。”Eph。6:12。Ineveryheathencountrywhichtheheraldsofthegospelhavesoughttoopenuptoevangelicalmissionaryeffort，theyhavefoundthemalevolentforcesofSatanintrenched，fortified，andbattlingwithalltheirmightagainsteveryeffortofthemissionary。 Amongpracticallyeveryheathenpeoplethemissionaryhasfounddevilworshipinsomeformandofteninmanyforms。Hehasfoundthenativeislandpeoplesconsultingwiththespirits——theprofessedspiritsofthedead； andthesehavemanifestedintensedisliketothemissionaryandhiswork。 Thenativesthemselveswhohavemanifestedadispositiontofollowtheteachingsofthemissionary，haveonnumerousoccasionsbeenannoyedandnotalittlefrightenedbytheviolentdemonstrationsofinvisiblevisitors，whoprofessedtobethespiritsoftheirdead。 Forgenerationsthesenativeshavebeeninvirtualslaverytotheirpondas(spiritsofthedead)；theyhaveconsultedthesespiritsoneveryimportantoccasion，summoningthembytheirownmethods，knowinginstantlywhentheirsummonswasanswered，andactinginharmonywiththeanswersreceived。Theyneednoonetotellthemthatthereareinvisibleintelligencesabroadintheworld；buttheirexperiencewiththemhasbeenlimitedtonecromancyandwizardry。Ofthelovingministryofgoodangelstheyhavehadnoknowledge。Ofthelove-inspiredwatchcareofaheavenlyFathertheyhavelivedthroughthedarkcenturiesinpitiableignorance。 InhissecondepistletheapostlePeterstatesthat“Godsparednottheangelsthatsinned，butcastthemdowntohellPage22[Greek，Tartarus，aplaceofdarkness]，anddeliveredthemintochainsofdarkness，tobereserveduntojudgment。”2Peter2:4。Theirhabitationofdarknessisinthisworld。TheirleaderisspokenofintheBibleas“thegodofthisworld“(2Cor。4:4)；“theprinceofthisworld“ (John14:30)；and“theprinceofthepoweroftheair。”Eph。2:2。Heisnotalone；foroneofhisfollowers，whenChristdemandedhisname，replied，“MynameisLegion:forwearemany。”Mark5:9。TheapostlePeterhastoldwhatistheoccupationoftheleaderofthatfallenhost:“Besober，bevigilant；becauseyouradversarythedevil，asaroaringlion，walkethabout，seekingwhomhemaydevour。”1Peter5:8。 Concerningtheactivityofthesehosts，anotherauthorhassaid:“Inundiminishedpossessionoftheirintelligenceandstrength，theyconstantlyassaultusineveryweakness，througheveryavenue，byeverymeans，bymethodsfoulorfair……Whentheycannotdestroy，theyceasenottoworry，torment。Theyinspireeviltempers；arousedarkpassions； instillillwill；begetmalice，envy；imposecare，fear，distrust；suggestdeceit，fraud，andalltheformsofcrime。”“Supremelydotheyrevelinthecriminaldomain。Theyfosterfalsehood，inciterevenge，fanjealousy，begetquarrels，helponthefts，robbery，andarson，furtherdivorces，plandefalcations，instigatemurders。”——“FootprintsofAngelsinFieldsofRevelation，“pp。9，10，22。Theevilworkofthesespiritswhopersonatethedeadisnotconfinedtoanycountryorcontinentorraceofmankind。IthasbeenafrequentexperienceofmissionariesinChinaandKoreatofindpersonsastrulydemonpossessedasanywithwhomtheChristandHisapostleswereconfrontedinthedaysoftheministryofJesus。Nowaswellasthenthoseunderdemoniacalpossessionarethesportandtheplaythingoftheevilspiritsthatpossessandcontrolthem。 NoculthasswepttheworldwithsuchmarvelousrapidityasSpiritism。 Whileithasexistedinallages，ithasneverbeforemadesuchsweepingconquestsamongthepeoplewhoprofesstobetheservantsofJehovah。Thisdevelopmentispeculiartoourday。Morethanthat，thedemonstrationofSpiritismwhichweseetodayisoneofthemoststrikingsignsofthesetimes，andadirectfulfillmentofthepropheticword。Page23TheapostlePaul，inhislettertoTimothy，utteredthisprediction:“NowtheSpiritspeakethexpressly，thatinthelattertimessomeshalldepartfromthefaith，givingheedtoseducingspirits，anddoctrinesofdevils。”1Tim。4:1Itistobenotedherethatthisdemonstrationofspiritisticdeceptionanddemonisticdoctrineswastobeacharacteristicof“thelattertimes，“ orthetimeoftheend。Thisistheageofspiritisticpropaganda。Nearlyeverychurchintheworldhas，asaportionofitsmembership，personswhobelieveintheideathatthedeadcomebacktocommunicatewiththeliving。Almosteverydenominationhasamongthetenetsofitsfaiththeideathatthesoullivesonasaconsciousentityafterthebodyhasbeengiventothetomb。Believingthat，theycangivenologicalreasonwhyaliving，consciousentityshouldnotreturntotheplaceofitsformerabode，tominglewithitslivinglovedonesleftbehind。Believingthat，theyareoncommongroundwiththeSpiritist，andeverywalloftheircitadelhasbeenthrowndowntomakeSatan\'sconquestacertainty。 Itwillbeasked，“Aretherenotmanyinallthechurcheswhobelieveintheimmortalityofthesoul，andyetrepudiateSpiritism?“Thereare。 TheyremembertheadmonitionsandsolemnwarningsofScriptureagainstwizards，witches，necromancers，andconsulterswiththedeadgenerally，andsorepudiatethething，whileadmittingthewholefoundationuponwhichthethingitselfrests。Itissological，however，tobelievethat，ifthedeadarestillconscious，stillcapableoflovingthosewhomtheylovedwhenhereinbodilyform，theyshouldwanttominglewiththeirlovedones，thatthemajoritycanseenoreasonwhytheyshouldrefusetobelievetheydocomeback。Theevilonehaspreparedthistrap，andtheywhostepintoitmayexpecthimtospringit。OnTheThroneofSin:AretheDeadConscious?Page24Chapter3AretheDeadConscious?IFthedeadareconscious，Spiritismhasalogicalandconsistentworkinghypothesis。Ifthedeadarenotconscious，Spiritismhasnogroundtostandupon；ithasnostandingincourt；itisanabsolutelyfalsehypothesis，andmustbeabandoned。Towhomshallwegoforevidencethatwillsettlethematter?WhynotaskGodtoanswerthroughHisinspiredWord?Itshouldbethemanofourcounsel，ifweareChristiansandconsistentinourprofession。 GodhastoldusplainlyandveryemphaticallythatHealonehasimmortality。 TheapostlePetergivesusthisinformationconcerningtheangels:“Godsparednottheangelsthatsinned，butcastthemdowntohell，anddeliveredthemintochainsofdarkness，tobereserveduntojudgment。”2Peter2:4。InRevelation20theapostleJohnisgivenaviewofthebindingoftheleaderofthefallenhosts:“Isawanangelcomedownfromheaven，havingthekeyofthebottomlesspitandagreatchaininhishand。Andhelaidholdonthedragon，thatoldserpent，whichisthedevil，andSatan，andboundhimathousandyears，andcasthimintothebottomlesspit，andshuthimup，andsetasealuponhim，thatheshoulddeceivethenationsnomore，tillthethousandyearsshouldbefulfilled:andafterthathemustbeloosedalittleseason……Andwhenthethousandyearsareexpired，Satanshallbeloosedoutofhisprison，andshallgoouttodeceivethenations[whohavebeenraisedinthesecondresurrection，theresurrectionofthewicked]whichareinthefourquartersoftheearth，GogandMagog，togatherthemtogethertobattle:thenumberofwhomisasthesandofthesea。Andtheywentuponthebreadthoftheearth，andcompassedthecampofthesaintsabout，andthebelovedcity:andfirecamedownfromGodoutofheaven，anddevouredthem。”Rev。20:1-9Thewordhereusedfor“devoured“is[GREEKCHARACTERSINPRINTEDTEXT](katesthio)，whichmeanstobeactuallyconsumed，oreatenup，soasPage25“Iwilldestroythee，Ocoveringcherub，fromthemidstofthestonesoffire……Iwillbringtheetoashesupontheearthinthesightofallthemthatbeholdthee。Alltheythatknowtheeamongthepeopleshallbeastonishedatthee:thoushaltbeaterror，andnevershaltthoubeanymore。”Eze。28:16-19。IfSatan，theleaderofthefallenangels，ismortal，subjecttodeath，itiscertainthathisfollowersarealsomortal。Andiftheangelswhofellweremortal，liabletodie，thentheangelswhodidnotfallwerealsomortal。Itmustbeso；otherwiseGodhadoneclassofangelswhowereliabletodie，andtheyallsinned；andanotherclasswhowerenotliabletodie，andnoneofthemsinned。ButnowhereinthedivineBookarewegivenwarrantforbelievingthatGodmadesuchadistinctionbetweentwoclassesofangels。Furthermore，toputthematterbeyonddispute，wequoteagaintheinspireddeclaration:“TheblessedandonlyPotentate，theKingofkings，andLordoflords；whoonlyhathimmortality，dwellinginthelightwhichnomancanapproachunto。”1Tim。6:15，16。Withthequestionsettledastothemortalityoftheangels，letusinquireconcerningman，Ishemortalorimmortal?Thepsalmistanswers:“Thouhastmadehimalittlelowerthantheangels。”Ps。8:5。ThenGodmostassuredlydidnotmakemanimmortal。 Itmaybeobjectedthatthisisonlyaninference。Itisaninference，butalogicalandnecessaryone。Jobdeclaresoftheoneuponwhomthegatesofthegraveareclosed:“Heshallreturnnomoretohishouse，neithershallhisplaceknowhimanymore。”Job7:10。Thepsalmistbearssimilartestimony:“Putnotyourtrustinprinces，norinthesonofman，inwhomthereisnohelp。Hisbreathgoethforth，hereturnethtohisearth；inthatverydayhisthoughtsperish。”Ps。146:3，4。Thosewhoclingtotheideathatmanisimmortal，whenconfrontedwithtextsofScripturewhichindicatethatthedeadarereallyintheembraceofdeath，skillfullyadvancethePage26ideathatitisonlytheperishablepartofmanthatisspokenof——hisfleshandbones。ButevenacursoryreadingofthetextoughttoshowtoanearnestseekeraftertruththatsuchisnotthemeaningoftheScriptureteaching。TheSpiritisnotspeakingmerelyoflimbandtrunkandmuscleandboneinthewordsabovequotedfromthepsalmist；Heisspeakingoftheconscious，thinking，loving，andreasoningpartofman。Whenone\'sbodyceasestofunctionand“histhoughtsperish，“thereisnothinglefttoenjoyexistence。 TheSpiritdoesnotbearthistestimonythroughthepsalmistonly。InEcclesiastesalsothesametestimonyisgiven:“Thelivingknowthattheyshalldie:butthedead\'knownotanything……Alsotheirlove，andtheirhatred，andtheirenvy，isnowperished；neitherhavetheyanymoreaportionforeverinanythingthatisdoneunderthesun。”“Whatsoeverthyhandfindethtodo，doitwiththymight；forthereisnowork，nordevice，norknowledge，norwisdom，inthegrave，whitherthougoest。”Eccl。9:5，6，10。ThesetextsareinperfectharmonywithscripturesalreadyquotedfromtheNewTestament(1Tim。6:16and1Cor。15:51-54)whichprovethemortalityofman。When，therefore，Inspirationdeclaresofthedeadmanthatheshallreturntohishousenomore，itisspeakingofthewholeman，thefunctioningmechanismofthoughtaswellastheponderableframeworkofhisphysicalorganism。The“soul“ofmancomprehendshiswholebeing； andtheWorddeclares，“Thesoulthatsinneth，itshalldie。”Eze。18: 4。Thesamewordsareusedagaininthe20thverseofthesamechapter。 Ifitbeobjectedthatthisreferstothedeathwhichalldiefromsickness，accident，oroldage，itwillbeseenthattheargumentisself-consuming； fortherighteous，aswellassinners，diethatdeath。TheprophetEzekielisspeakingofthedeathwhichistheeternalpunishmentforsin，thedeathwhichtherevelatorcalls“theseconddeath，“whichisvisiteduponthewickedalone。(SeeRev。2:11；20:6，9，14，15；21:8。) WhenGodwillconferimmortalityuponangels，Hehasnottoldus；butHehastolduswhenthatblessedconditionwillbebestoweduponman。PaulwasgivenavisionofthesecondcomingoftheLordJesusChrist:Page27“Behold，Ishowyouamystery:Weshallnotallsleep[die]，butweshallallbechanged，inamoment，inthetwinklingofaneye，atthelasttrump:forthetrumpetshallsound，andthedeadshallberaisedincorruptible，andweshallbechanged……Sowhenthiscorruptible[ormortal]shallhaveputonincorruption，andthismortalshallhaveputonimmortality，thenshallbebroughttopassthesayingthatiswritten，Deathisswallowedupinvictory。”1Cor。15:51-54。Inthisscriptureareassociatedtwoseriesofwords:(1)“corruptible，“ “mortal，““death，“allreferringtoman\'sconditionbeforetheresurrection； and(2)“incorruptible，““immortal，““victory，“allreferringtomanaftertheresurrection。Theresurrectionhasnotyettakenplace；manisthereforecorruptible，mortal，subjecttodeath，unconsciousafterdeath，awaitingtheresurrectioncalloftheRedeemerandLife-giver。Moreover，wehavethisdivineassurance:“Godhathgiventouseternallife，andthislifeisinHisSon。”1John5:11。OutsideofHimthereisnolife，andthereforenoimmortalitypossibletoman。 Ifthereaderquestionsnowastowhenthismetamorphosisfrommortaltoimmortal，fromthesleepofdeathtothegladawakeningtoeternalday，takesplace，thesameprophet-apostleanswersthequestion。Hetoldusintheabovescripturethatitwouldtakeplace“atthelasttrump，“when“thetrumpetshallsound。”Letusthereforeplacealongsidethisscripturethefollowing:“ThiswesayuntoyoubythewordoftheLord，thatwewhicharealiveandremainuntothecomingoftheLordshallnotprevent[gobefore]themwhichareasleep。FortheLordHimselfshalldescendfromheavenwithashout，withthevoiceoftheArchangel，andwiththetrumpofGod:andthedeadinChristshallrisefirst:thenwewhicharealiveandremainshallbecaughtuptogetherwiththemintheclouds，tomeettheLordintheair:andsoshallweeverbewiththeLord。Whereforecomfortoneanotherwiththesewords。”1Thess。4:15-18。ThesescripturesleaveuswithoutexcusefornotknowingwhenthePrinceoftheRestorationwillconfertheblessedgiftofimmortalityuponthosewhomHeaccountsworthyofthebestowalofsuchaheritage。 Page28Letitbenotedinthisconnectionthatitisonly“thedeadinChrist“ whohaveapartinthisresurrection，andonly“thedeadinChrist“whothenreceivethegiftofimmortality。Ofthesetherevelatorsays:“Blessedandholyishethathathpartinthefirstresurrection:onsuchtheseconddeathhathnopower。”Rev。20:6。Itfollows，therefore，thatthosewhocomeupoutoftheirgravesinthesecondresurrectionarenotblessedandholy，andthatuponthemtheseconddeathdoeshavepower。Itistheywhogo“uponthebreadthoftheearth“andsurround“thecampofthesaints“ and“thebelovedcity，“anduponwhomfirecomes“downfromGodoutofheaven，“andconsumesthem。Rev。20:9。Thatfiretries“everyman\'sworkofwhatsortitis。”1Cor。3:13。OftheoneclassJesussays，“TheyshallwalkwithMeinwhite:fortheyareworthy。”Rev。3:4。Oftheothertheangelsays，“Thouhastgiventhembloodtodrink；fortheyareworthy。” Rev。16:6。Totheoneclasstheinvitationisgiven:“Come，yeblessedofMyFather，inheritthekingdompreparedforyoufromthefoundationoftheworld。”Matt。25:34。Totheotherclassthisterriblecommandisgiven:“DepartfromMe，yecursed，intoeverlastingfire，preparedforthedevilandhisangels。”Verse41。Theoneclasshascomeupinthefirstresurrection；theother，inthesecond。 Somemayfeelthatthewords“everlastingfire“intheabovecommandimplythatthewickedwillbeeternallyconsciousandeternallysufferingthetormentsofhell。Itdoesnotfollowthatbecausethefirewhichdevoursthewickedisspokenofaseternal，thosewhoperishinitareimmortal。 TheBiblesaystheyaremortal，whichmeanssubjecttodeath。Iftheywereimmortal，thentheymightliveforeverintorment，ifGodsawfitsotoordainit；butastheycannotbemortalandimmortalatthesametime，cannotbesubjecttodeathandbeyondthepossibilityofdeathatthesametime，andastheWordplainlydeclaresthatallmenaremortal，weareforcedtotheconclusionthatthewickedreceivethepunishmentGodsaystheywill，——theyperish。 Somewhohavebeentaughttobelieveintheeternaltormentofthewicked，andhavebeenconfrontedwiththeplainandun-Page29equivocalstatementsoftheBibletotheeffectthatthewickeddocertainlyperish，have，intheirendeavortoescapefromwhatseemsadilemma，inventedtheexpression，“thedeaththatneverdies。”ItisnotfoundintheBible； itisacontradictionofterms；itisnotwarrantedfromanyteachingsoftheBible。Itisasconsistenttosaythatthereisalifethatneverlivesastosaythereisadeaththatneverdies。Bothareimpossible。 What，then，isthemeaningofeternalfire?Itisfirewhichcannotbeextinguished；firethatwillcontinuetoburnuntilitconsumesallthatithasbeenfeedingupon。ThesamewordisusedinJude7，wherethecitiesofSodomandGomorrah，becauseoftheirwickedness，“aresetforthforanexample，sufferingthevengeanceofeternalfire。”Thosecitiesperishedutterly，andtheDeadSeasleepsabovetheirashes。Theyarenotburningnow；andyettheysufferedthevengeanceofeternalfire。Theyareoutofexistence，andthefirehasgoneout，eventhoughitwaseternalfire。Humanhandscouldnotquenchit；itwouldburnonandontilltherewasnothingleftforittoconsume。Evensowillitbewiththewickedandwiththeprinceofruin。TheprophetMalachimakesthisunmistakable:“Behold，thedaycometh，thatshallburnasanoven；andalltheproud，yea，andallthatdowickedly，shallbestubble:andthedaythatcomethshallburnthemup，saiththeLordofhosts，thatitshallleavethemneitherrootnorbranch……Andyeshalltreaddownthewicked； fortheyshallbeashesunderthesolesofyourfeetinthedaythatI shalldothis，saiththeLordofhosts。”Mal。4:1-3。Whentherootofsin(Satan)andthebranches(hisdeludedfollowers)areconsumed，andallthatisleftofsinandsinnersisashesunderthesolesofthefeetoftherighteous，theirdestructioniscertainlycomplete。 TheSpiritofInspiration，speakingthroughthepsalmist，hearsthesametestimony:“Thewickedshallperish，andtheenemiesoftheLordshallbeasthefatoflambs:theyshallconsume；intosmokeshalltheyconsumeaway。Ps。37:20。Thisdestructioninvolvesallthereisofman。SaidourSaviour，“FearHimwhichisabletodestroybothsoulandbodyinhell。” Matt。10:28。Inspirationhasputthisfactintheplainestpossiblelanguage，andhasleftusabsolutelywithoutexcuseforbelievingintheimmortalityofPage30thesoulofman。SaystheprophetObadiah，inspeakingofthoseoutsideofChrist，“Theyshallbeasthoughtheyhadnotbeen。”Obadiah16。Andthepsalmistadds，“Yetalittlewhile，andthewickedshallnotbe:yea，thoushaltdiligentlyconsiderhisplace，anditshallnotbe。”Ps。37:10。 Thatridstheentireuniverseofsin；andwhenthishasbeenaccomplished，itwillbeimpossibletofindanythinginthewholerealmofcreation，savethewoundsuponourSaviour\'sperson，toremindtheredeemedoranyheavenlyintelligencesofthesorrowfultragedyofsin。Aclean，righteous，happyuniverseisthepurposeofthesacrificeofChrist，anditwillbeaccomplished。ThenwillbetruethisdeclarationofHolyWrit:“Everycreaturewhichisinheaven，andontheearth，andundertheearth，andsuchasareinthesea，andallthatareinthem，heardIsaying，Blessing，andhonor，andglory，andpower，beuntoHimthatsittethuponthethrone，anduntotheLambforeverandever。”Rev。5:13。Itisdifficultforustoday，withsinandmiseryanddisappointmentallaroundus，toconceiveofaworld，andbeyondthat，awholeuniverse，inwhichthereisneithercomplaintnorgroundofcomplaint，nofaultfinding，nodissatisfaction，nooverreaching，noselfishness，nomisery，nosorrow，nosickness，nopain，nodeath；butoneverylippraise，thanksgiving，adoration，satisfaction，andgladapproval，andeveryheartfilledwithrejoicingandhappinessinexpressible。Butsuchisthisworldtobe，andthisuniverse，whenGodhasfinishedwithsinandusheredHisfaithfulpeopleintotheirlong-promisedinheritance。 OnTheThroneofSin:ADeep-laidSatanicSchemePage31Chapter4ADeep-laidSatanicSchemeINthepreviouschapterwesawwithwhatpatientexplicitnessInspirationhastoldusofman\'smortalityandhisconditionindeath。 Overandoverthethoughthasbeenemphasized，thatmanindeathisunconscious，awaitingtheresurrection。Ifrighteous，hewillbeusheredintohisrewardatthetimeofthefirstresurrection；orifadjudgedunrighteous，hewillcomeforthfromthegraveatthetimeofthesecondresurrection，andgodownagainintodeath——theseconddeath，whichisdeatheternal。 Buttheinstigatorofsinisnotcontenttoletmanbelievethiscontradictionofhisancientfalsehood，“Yeshallnotsurelydie；“andhehaselaboratedadeep-laidschemetounsettlethemindsofmen，andinducethem，asheinducedAdamandEve，tobelieveandtrusthimratherthanGod；tocausethemtolooktothemselvesforsalvationratherthanto“theLambofGod，whichtakethawaythesinoftheworld。” Allthroughheathenism，practically，thebeliefintheimmortalityofthesoulhaspersistedforuntoldgenerations；andinthedaysofthechurch\'sapostasythatbeliefcameintotheChristianfold——achildofpaganism。 Unknowntothegospel，unknowntopsalmistorprophet，andcontrarytothewholeplanofredemption，thatbeliefhaswonitswayuntilnearlythewholeChristianchurchisimpregnatedwithitasthoroughlyaswaspaganismofold。ItisoneofthemostpeculiaranomaliesofourdaythatwithcivilizedlandssofullofBibles，themajorityofChristendomshouldtakeforgrantedatenetoffaithsodefinitelycondemnedasisthisofman\'sinherentimmortality。SaysC。E。Luthardt，doctorandprofessoroftheology:“Thereisnoinquirywhichawakenssomuchinterestasthatconcerningthestateofthesoulafterdeath；anditisremarkablethatPage32thereisscarcelyanyinquiryconcerningwhichHolyScripturemakessofewdisclosures。”——“SavingTruthsofChristianity，“p。298。Nowthefactofthematteris，thatHolyScripturehasmadeveryexplicitdisclosuresconcerningthestateofthesoulafterdeath。Thedifficultyisthatsofewarewillingtotakethese“disclosures“attheirfacevalueandbelievethem。SomethingwhichtheScripturesdonotteachseemstobemorepleasingtotheirfancy。TheBibleteaches，andteachesitwithwondrousplainness，thatmanismortal；thatGodalonehasimmortality； andthat“thesoulthatsinneth，itshalldie。” Paganism，ontheotherhand，hastaughtforgenerationsuncountedthatmanpossessesanever-dyingspirit。WhileProfessorLuthardtcannotfindmuchintheHolyScripturestosupporttheimmortalitytenet，hefindsplentyinpaganloreandcustom。Concerningbeliefinimmortalityamongpaganpeoples，hesays:“Todefendthegravesofancestorswasaspressinganinterestastodefendhearthsandaltars。Theyseemedtobethetiewhichboundthepeopleandtheircountrytogether，andprogenitorswereeverregardedasthoseguardianspiritsoftheirdescendants，whomitwasconsiderednotmerelyadomesticbutapatrioticdutytohonorbysacrifice…… Thedeadhaveneverbeenlookeduponashavingceasedtoexist，butaslivinginanotherworld……Theverycustomofhavingrestingplacesofthedeadinsuchnearvicinitytothehomesoftheliving，andthuskeepingup，asitwere，atieofconnectionbetweenthem，isamemorialoftheancientbeliefthatthedeceasedwerenotthedead，buttheliving。 “Thisbeliefisuniversal；itwasthisbeliefwhichinEgyptbuiltthepyramids，andtowhichthemummiesbeartestimony；itwasthiswhichbestowedupontheGermanicnationsthejoyfulcouragewithwhichtheymetdeathinthefieldofbattle；itwasthiswhichgatheredthenoblestofGreeksaboutthosesacreddoctrinesoftheEleusinianmysteries，whichsoughttogivethemthatconsolationindeathwhichtheirreligiondidnotgive。 “Theveryexistenceoftheideaofimmortalityisaproofofitstruth……Wecallourselvesmortals。Why?Whyelsethanbecauseweknowourselvestobeimmortal?Thisistheveryreasonthatweareconstantlyremindingourselvesthatwearemortal。Consciousnessofourimmortalityisitselfaproofofitstruth。”——Ibid。Thisisamarvelousmethodofreasoning。Weknowweareimmortal，andthereforewekeepremindingourselvesthatwePage33arenotimmortal。Weknowthatwecannotdie，andthereforekeepimpressingourselveswiththefactthatwecananddodie。Weknowthatwearewhite，andthereforedeclarewearebrownoryelloworblack。Weknowthatwearepoor，andthereforehabituallyprotestthatwearerich。Weknowthatwearesick，andprovethatwearebyprofessingthatwearewell。Butwhycontinuetheillustrationofthepeculiarmethodbywhichtheimmortalityofthesoulisdemonstrated?Ifsuchanargumentprovestheimmortalityofthesoul，thenanythingcanbeprovedtruebyfirstprovingthatitisfalse；andwhateverwedeclarewedonothaveisthethingwehave。 ButcanwedemonstratetoaChristianthatheisimmortalbysimplyshowingthatthepaganworldhasalwaysbelievedinimmortality?TheChristianlookstohisBibleforguidanceinsuchmatters，andhisBibletellshiminlanguagemostplainandunequivocalthatGod“onlyhathimmortality。” Theheathenworldalwaysbelievedincommunicationwiththedead；butthetrueChristiandoesnotdrawhisinspirationorhisguidancefromheathenism，butfromtheBible；andtheBibledeclaresinlanguageasplainascanbeused:“Thelivingknowthattheyshalldie:butthedeadknownotanything……Alsotheirlove，andtheirhatred，andtheirenvy，isnowperished……Whatsoeverthyhandfindethtodo，doitwiththymight； forthereisnowork，nordevice，norknowledge，norwisdom，inthegrave，whitherthougoest。”Eccl。9:5-10。Theheathenworldinallagescommunicatedwiththeirdead——astheysupposed——andsacrificedtotheirdead。ButPauldeclaresthat“thethingswhichtheGentilessacrifice，theysacrificetodevils[demons，andnottoGod: andIwould，notthatyeshouldhavefellowshipwithdevils。”1Cor。10: 20。ThesameWordthatwarnsusagainstfollowingthepracticeoftheheatheninsacrificingtothedead，warnsusalsoagainstcommunicatingwiththedead——orseekingto:“Whentheyshallsayuntoyou，Seekuntothemthathavefamiliarspirits，anduntowizardsthatpeepandthatmutter:shouldnotapeopleseekuntotheirGod?forthelivingtothedead?[“onbehalfofthelivingshouldtheyseekuntothedead?“R。V。]“Isa。8:19。Page34Again，thispositivecommandwasgiventoGod\'speopleIsrael:“Regardnotthemthathavefamiliarspirits，neitherseekafterwizards，tobedefiledbythem:IamtheLordyourGod。”Lev。19:31。SolongasGod\'speopleancientlysoughtafterwizards，witches，andnecromancers(allpractisersofSpiritism)，Godconsideredthemdefiled；andHetellstheminimmediateconnectionwiththatprohibition，“IamtheLord\'yourGod。”Therearethetwowaysinwhichtheycango，——afterwizardsandSpiritists(thosewhohavefamiliarspirits)，andbereckonedasdefiledinHiseyes；orfollowHim，walkinginthewaysofrighteousness，doingHiswill，andbereckonedbyHimasworthysubjectsofHiseverlastingkingdom。Theycannotdoboth。IntoHiskingdomnothingofthatnaturecanenter。Therevelatorhasdeclaredthisinthefollowingwords，whicharespokenconcerningthecapitalcityofthekingdomofGod:“Thereshallinnowiseenterintoitanythingthatdefileth，neitherwhatsoeverworkethabomination，ormakethalie:buttheywhicharewrittenintheLamb\'sbookoflife。”Rev。21:37。Hehasexplainedtousinthewordspreviouslyquotedwhatitisthatdefiles。 Therefore，inthepracticeofSpiritismmenandwomenaredoingthatwhichdefilesthem；andbeingdefiled，theirentranceintotheeternalkingdomofGodismadeimpossible。Itis，then，amostseriousoffensetopractiseSpiritism。 HowseriousGodconsidereditisshownbythepunishmenttobemetedouttothosewhoindulgedinthepracticeofSpiritisminthedaysofIsrael，andmetedout，too，bydivinecommand:“Amanalsoorwomanthathathafamiliarspirit，orthatisawizard，shallsurelybeputtodeath:theyshallstonethemwithstones: theirbloodshallbeuponthem。”Lev。20:27。“Whatsoeverworkethabomination“isexcludedfromthekingdom，asexplicitlydeclaredinthewordsabovequotedfromtheRevelation。WhatGodconsidersanabominationHehastoldusinthefollowingscripture:“Whenthou[Israel]artcomeintothelandwhichtheLordthyGodgiveththee，thoushaltnotlearntodoaftertheabominationsofPage35thosenations。Thereshallnotbefoundamongyouanyonethatmakethhissonorhisdaughtertopassthroughthefire，orthatusethdivination，oranobserveroftimes，oranenchanter，orawitch，oracharmer，oraconsulterwithfamiliarspirits，orawizard，oranecromancer。 ForallthatdothesethingsareanabominationuntotheLord:andbecauseoftheseabominationstheLordthyGoddothdrivethemoutfrombeforethee。”Deut。18:9-12。WhatJehovahwouldnotpermittoenterthetypicalPromisedLand，HewillnotpermittoentertheantitypicalPromisedLand，theinheritanceofthesaints。 Ifthequestionisaskedwhyconsultingwithfamiliarspirits(Spiritism) isanabominationtoJehovah，theanswerisfoundinthefactthatthispracticeisbaseduponabeliefinSatan\'sfalsehoodtoldtoEveinthegardenofEden，“Yeshallnotsurelydie。”Forbelievingthatlieandactinguponit，GoddrovethefirstpairoutofEden；forbelievingthatsamelieandpractisingcommunicationwiththosewhorepresentedthemselvesasbeingthespiritsofthedeparted，GoddrovetheheatheninhabitantsoutofthelandofPalestine，andintheirplacesettledIsrael。ThenHewarnedIsraelnottofollowafterthoseabominations；andnowHewarnsusthatifwepractisethesameabominations，weshallbeexcludedfromtheheavenlykingdom。 Itiscertainlyworthourwhiletostudytheimmortal-soulquestionandtheSpiritismquestion(thatisbaseduponit)fromtheBiblestandpoint，ratherthandependforourinformationandourattitudetowardthesequestionsuponthepracticesandteachingsofheathenismandspiritmessagespurportingtocomefromthedead。 HewhocontradictstheBible——theWordofGod——uponanypoint，isdoing，eitherwittinglyorunwittingly，whatSatandidinhisconversationwithEveinthegardenofEden。Godhadwarnedmanthatifhedisobeyed，hewouldsurelydie。Satansaid，“Yeshallnotsurelydie；“andtheimmortalityhypothesisandtheSpiritismhypothesishavebothgrownoutofthatsataniccontradictionofGod\'sdeclaration。 HeathenismthroughallitshistoryhasfollowedSatanincontradictingGod，byclaimingthatmanneverdies，butpassesontoahigherplaneoflife。ThatdoctrinehaspermeatedthePage36churchsincethedaysofthegreatapostasy，andisnowalmostuniversallybelievedthroughoutChristendominthetenetofimmortality。Nevertheless，itisaperpetuationofSatan\'sdenialofGod\'sdeclaration，thoughmadeunwittingly。Thatitshouldstillbemade，however，inviewoftheplainnessofBibleteachinguponthepoint，isoneofthemostunexplainableanomaliesofourtimes。WemayexpectitfromSpiritists；fortheyhavethrowntheBibleasideinpractice，quotingfromitonlytextswhichdonotcondemntheirhypothesisandtheirpractices，anddiscountingeveryscripturethatshowsthefallacyoftheirclaims，andtheiniquityofseekingtothedeadonbehalfoftheliving。Whendoctorsofdivinitydothesame，itisthenthatthekingdomofevilisdoublystrengthened，andtheLordthatboughtthemdoublyhumiliated。 Ihavequotedfromadoctorofdivinityconcerningthesurvivalofmanafterdeath，andwillnowturntothewritingsofthosewhoopenlycarrytheimmortalityhypothesistoitslogicalconclusion，——communicationwiththosewhomtheycall“thespiritsofthedead。”Ifthe“dead“arereallyalive，therewouldseeminglybenologicalreason，fromahumanstandpoint，whythosewhostillliveinthefleshshouldnotcommunicatewiththem。 Godhasforbiddenit，tobesure，andfortheverygoodreasonthatHeknowsthattheywhoindulgeinitareplayingintothehandsofSatan，fallingintohistrap，permittinghimtodeceivethemthroughhisimpersonationoftheirdead，andthroughthatdeceptionfinallyaccomplishingtheirdestruction。 Inaworkentitled，“TheTruthAboutOurDead，“byLidaA。Churchill，manystatementsaremadewhichbeardirectlyuponthepointsinquestion。 Theopeningsentenceasks: “Doesanyoneknowthetruthaboutourdead?“Yes；theAuthorofourexistenceknows，andHehastoldusveryplainly；andtheywhobelievewhatHesayswillalsoknowwhatisthetruthinthismatter。WhatHehastoldusconcerningthismatterhasalreadybeensetforthinthesepages。 Itisanemphaticcontradiction，however，ofeverydefinitepositiontakeninthebookmentioned。“Thetruthaboutourdead，“saystheauthorinquestion，“hasnowbeensoughtandfound；Page37notguessesordeductions，buttherealtruth；nottheoriesaboutthedead，butexperiencesamongthem；notfaithabouttheirworld，butobservancesofit“(italicshers)。 Whathasthatauthorfound?This:“Thatourdeadarefarmorevividlyaliveintheirnewstatethantheywereintheold。”Someoneismistaken。 Itiseithertheauthorinquestion，oritistheBookwhichwehavesolongconsideredtobethelivingwordofthelivingGod。WehavedemonstratedtheBookofGodtobetrue，tobewhatitpurportstobe。Shallwediscarditnowbecausesome“spirits，“rappingoutwoodenmessagesonawoodentable，contradicttheBook?ShallwedisbelievetheBookbecausesomepowerwecannotseeandcannotcontrolisabletomakeatableskipaboutaroomononeleg，orliftsthattableintotheairandrendsitinpieces?ShallwedisbelievetheBookbecausesomepowerthatcannotbeseengripsthehandofawillingindividual，andwritesvapid，inane，andsometimesobscenemessages，thatthepersonhimselfwouldneverthinkofwritingiflefttohimself?EitherSpiritismistrue，ortheBibleistrue。Theycannotbothbetrue，fortheyarediametricallyopposedeachtotheother。 Butwhatdoestheauthorof“TheTruthAboutOurDead“reallyknowabout“experiencesamongthem“?Shehasnotbeendeadandreturnedfromthegravetominglewiththeliving。Whatshethinkssheknows，sheknowsonlyfrommessagesreceivedthroughspiritmediums。Thesemessagespurporttocomefromthedead；buttheycomeonlyfromthosewhofalselyrepresentthemselvessotobe。Thedeadarenotspeaking，andshehasnothadexperiencesamongthem。 ThedeclarationofInspirationthroughtheprophetJob(Job7:10)totheeffectthatthedeadmanreturnsnomoretohishouse，has\'alreadybeengiven。Nowlettherebeplacedalongsidethatscriptureaquotationfromthebookreferredto:“Itisasabsurdtoassertthattheso-calleddeaddonotsometimesreturnasitwouldbetodeclarethattheywereneverbornandhaveneverpassedonfromthislife。”——“TheTruthAboutOurDead，“p。20。ThisnotonlycontradictstheBiblepoint-blank，butdeclaresthatthisdeclarationoftheBibleisanabsurdity。ThinkofthepresumptionofapoorfalliblemortalinusingsuchlanguagePage38againstthewordoftheCreator！Whoshouldknowbest?Whodoesknowbest? Alreadytherehavebeenpresentedinthesepagesscripturesdeclaringintheplainestlanguagethatallthefunctionsofman\'smentalpowersceaseatdeath。Ps。146:3，4；EccI。9:5，6，10。 Buttheauthorinquestiondeclares:“Ourso-calleddeadreallylive。Theyliveastheirownnaturalselvesinnaturalbodies。Theykeeptheirnaturalloveforandinterestintheirfamiliesandfriends。”——Id。，p。21。Thereisaconflicthere，aflatcontradiction。Iftheauthorofthebookmentionedisright，thenthedevilwasrightinEdenwhenhedeclared，“Yeshallnotsurelydie；“andifthatbeso，Godisthedeceiver，andSatantheauthoroftruth。Ifthatbeso，theBibleisnotonlyworthless，butfalse，andSpiritiststhemselves，whoprofesstoreverenceit，arewithoutexcuseforsodoing。Butisitfalseorworthless?Nay，verily。 WehaveprovedtheBibletrueanddependableontoomanycountstoaccepttheadversetestimonyofwitnesseswhospeakalwaysoutofthedarknesstodefendthedeclarationsofthefallenLucifer。 TheBiblespeaksofdeathasanenemyofman。ItisGod\'spronouncedpenaltyforsin。ItwasnotonGod\'sprogram，andwillnotbeinHisuniversewhenHehasfinishedwithsin。Notethesescriptures:“Thelastenemythatshallbedestroyedisdeath。”1Cor。15: 26。 “Thesoulthatsinneth，itshalldie[referringtotheseconddeath]。” Eze。18:4，20。 “HaveIanypleasureatallthatthewickedshoulddie?saiththeLordGod:andnotthatheshouldreturnfromhisways，andlive?“Verse23。 “Ihavenopleasureinthedeathofhimthatdieth，saiththeLordGod: whereforeturnyourselves，andliveye。”Verse32。 “Godshallwipeawayalltearsfromtheireyes[theeyesofHisredeemedpeople]andthereshallbenomoredeath，neithersorrow，norcrying，neithershalltherebeanymorepain:fortheformerthingsarepassedaway。”Rev。 21:4。ThesescripturesshowthatdeathissomethingthatwasentirelyoutsideofGod\'soriginalpurpose；thatitisnotnaturalinGod\'sprogramforman；andthatwhenthegospelworkisPage39finished，deathwillbethrustoutofHisuniverseforever。Withthesescripturesinmind，weturnagaintothepagesof“TheTruthAboutOurDead，“andfindthis:“Death，so-called，isjustasnaturalasbirth，andissimplyatransitiontoanotherplaneandsomewhatchangedmodeofexistence。 “Tothosewhoareonit，thatplaneisasrealandsubstantialandfittedtotheirneedsasistheearthsubstantialandfittedtotheneedsofthosewhodwelluponit。”——Page35。Thecontradictionhereisasdecidedandclear-cutasanyoftheotherswhichwehavepointedout。God\'sWordsaysdeathisanenemy，apunishmentforsin，aprocessofextinction。Thewritingsofonewhoprofessestohavebeenamongthedead，andtobespeakingoftheiroccupations，teachthatdeathisasnaturalaslife，anecessarystepinpassingfromonestateofexistencetoanother，asmuchintheplanoftheoverrulingPowerasthatweshouldhaveanyexistenceatall。Bothcannotbetrue；andagainwehavetomakechoiceofwhomweshallbelieveandwhomweshallfollow，—— God，orHisenemywhohascontradictedGod\'sdeclarationsfromtheearlymorningoftherace，andwhoisnowthrowingtheblackpallofhisdeadlydeceptionoverawar-wearyandgrief-strickenworld。Weshouldhavenoquestionastowhoseleadershipweshallchoose。 WhileGodisdeclaringthat“thereisnowork，nordevice，norknowledge，norwisdom，inthegrave，whitherthougoest，“theauthorof“TheTruthAboutOurDead“declares，“Deathisanotherandmoreadvancedphaseoflife，andoneisasnaturalastheother。”——Page41。WithwhatmarveloustenacitydoesSatanclingtohisancientfalsehood！OnTheThroneofSin:“YeShallBeasGods“Page40Chapter5“YeShallBeasGods“GODrecognizedthesinfulconditionofman，andprovidedaremedywhichwouldobviatethenecessityofman\'sperishing。“Godsolovedtheworld，thatHegaveHisonlybegottenSon，thatwhosoeverbelievethinHimshouldnotperish，buthaveeverlastinglife。”John3:16。AndagainInspirationdeclares，“Whenwewereyetwithoutstrength，induetimeChristdiedfortheungodly。”Rom。5:6。Godconsidersthatthereareungodlypeopleintheworld，andthattheircaseisdesperate；andoutsideoftheprovisionHehasmade，thereisnohopeforman。ButtheSpiritistdoesnotsolookuponit。Weread:“Asamatteroffactthereare，atthestageofevolutionwhichweknow，noreallyungodlynorgodly……Thedeclarationthateachoneofusisagodinthemaking，isasliterallytrueasthatthecaterpillarisabutterflyinthemaking。”——“TheTruthAboutOurDead，“page69。HerearetwodeclarationsofSpiritism，onedenyingtheWordofGod，andtheothersupportingthewordsofSatan。BotharethereforeopposedtoGodandinfavorofSatan。Aretherenoungodlyintheworld?Iftherearenot，thenthelifeofChristonearth，Hissacrificeonourbehalf，andHisresurrection，wereallequallyunnecessaryandequallyworthless。 Iftherearenoungodlynow，thenthereneverhavebeenanyintheworld，andChristianityandallthatpertainstoitisaworthlessshell，husks，chaff，andthereneverwasanynecessityforChristtocometothisworld。 Furthermore，ifthatbetrue，Heisnotonlyuselessandworthless，butHeisanabsoluteimpostor；forHesaid，“Iamtheway，thetruth，andthelife:nomancomethuntotheFather，butbyMe。”John14:6。AgainHesaid，“Iamcomethattheymighthavelife，andthattheymighthaveitmoreabundantly。”John10:10。Ifthosewordsmeananything，theymeannotonlythatoutsideandapartfromHimthereisnoabundanceoflife，butthatthereisnolifeatall。Peterstateditveryplainlyinjustthatway:“NeitheristherePage41salvationinanyother:forthereisnoneothernameunderheavengivenamongmen，wherebywemustbesaved。”Acts4:12。 TheWorddeclares，“Allhavesinned，andcomeshortofthegloryofGod。”Rom。3:23。Nonecertainlycandenythattobeungodly(orungodlike) istocomeshortofGod\'spurpose，tocomeshortofHisaimforus。AndinthejudgmentofGod，allmankindareinthatstate。Itisnotahopelessstate，however；forsaystheWordagain，“InduetimeChristdiedfortheungodly。”Rom。5:6。BecauseChristdiedfortheungodly，theungodlymaybesaved。“ThoushaltcallHisnameJesus:forHeshallsaveHispeoplefromtheirsins。”Matt。1:21。Whoeveriscountedasinnerinthesightofheavenisungodly，andisinneedofaSaviour；andthereisonlyoneprovided，——JesusChristtherighteous，theoneandtheonlyonewho“didnosin；“forsaystheapostle，“Whatthingssoeverthelawsaith，itsaithtothemwhoareunderthelaw:thateverymouthmaybestopped，andalltheworldmaybecomeguiltybeforeGod。”Rom。3:19。ThenalltheworldisinneedofaSaviour，andinneedofonewhocan“savetotheuttermost“them“thatcomeuntoGodbyHim。”Heb。7:25。