This deception has appeared at different periods of the world’s history under various names and forms. It has always manifested itself in such ways as would attract the attention of the people, and lead them to trust in it, rather than in God and His Word. The natural heart has always asked for a sign as proof of power, and Satan has been able to supply this demand, and thus lead men and women captive at his will.
At an early date, witches lived and practiced their craft. The Lord gave His people instruction that they should “…not suffer a witch to live.” Exodus 22:18 And, again, they were to “regard not them that have familiar spirits.” Leviticus 19:31
“The government of Israel was administered in the name and by the authority of God. The work of Moses, of the seventy elders, of the rulers and judges, was simply to enforce the laws that God had given; they had no authority to legislate for the nation. This was, and continued to be, the condition of Israel’s existence as a nation. From age to age men inspired by God were sent to instruct the people and to direct in enforcement of the laws.” Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 603
Webster defines a familiar spirit as a “demon, or evil spirit, supposed to attend at a call.” That this class of people have spirits which come at their call is shown by the case of the witch of Endor. Saul, the king of Israel, had been rejected by the Lord because of his rebellious ways (1 Samuel 15), and when in trouble he “inquired of the Lord, the Lord answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her.” 1 Samuel 28:6, 7
The witch of Endor was found and he went to her to seek consultation, even though the Lord had said, “The soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits… I will even set My face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.” Leviticus 20:6 The result of this interview with this woman was that a familiar spirit responded to her call; and the Lord, true to His word, cut off Saul. “So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, even against the word of the Lord, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it. And inquired not of the Lord: therefore He slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.” 1 Chronicles 10:13, 14
The act of Saul is being repeated by thousands. “And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick; and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease. But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them. Is it not because there is not a God in Israel that ye go to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron? Now therefore thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.” 2 Kings 1:2-4
“Having fallen ‘through a lattice in his upper chamber,’ Ahaziah, seriously injured, and fearful of the possible outcome, sent some of his servants to make inquiry of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether he should recover or not. The god of Ekron was supposed to give information through the medium of its priests, concerning future events. Large numbers of people went to inquire of it; but the predictions there uttered and the information given, proceeded from the prince of darkness.” Prophets and Kings, pp. 207, 208
“During his father’s reign, Ahaziah had witnessed the wondrous works of the Most High. He had seen the terrible evidences that God had given apostate Israel of the way in which He regards those who set aside the binding claims of His law. Ahaziah had acted as if these awful realities were but idle tales. Instead of humbling his heart before the Lord, he had followed after Baal, and at last he had ventured upon this, his most daring act of impiety. Rebellious, and unwilling to repent, Ahaziah died, ‘according to the word of the Lord which Elijah had spoken.’” Prophets and Kings, p. 209
“God had cause for displeasure at Ahaziah’s impiety. What had He not done to win the hearts of the people of Israel and to inspire them with confidence in Himself? For ages He had been giving His people manifestations of unexampled kindness and love. From the beginning He had shown that His ‘delights were with the sons of men’! Proverbs 8:31 He had been a very present help to all who sought Him in sincerity. Yet now the king of Israel, turning from God to ask help of the worst enemy of His people, proclaimed to the heathen that he had more confidence in their idols than in the God of heaven. In the same manner do men and women dishonor Him when they turn from the source of strength and wisdom to ask help or counsel from the power of darkness. If God’s wrath was kindled by Ahaziah’s act, how does He regard those who, having still greater light, choose to follow a similar course.” Prophets and Kings, pp. 211, 212
“The mother, watching by the sickbed of her child, exclaims, ‘I can do no more. Is there no physician who has power to restore my child?’ She is told of wonderful cures performed by some clairvoyant or magnetic healer, and she trusts her dear one to his charge, placing it as verily in the hand of Satan as if he were standing by her side. In many instances the future life of the child is controlled by a satanic power which it seems impossible to break.” Prophets and Kings, p. 211
“Those who give themselves up to the sorcery of Satan may boast of great benefit received; but does this prove their course to be wise or safe? What if life should be prolonged? What if temporal gain should be secured? Will it pay in the end to have disregarded the will of God? All such apparent gain will prove at last an irrecoverable loss. We cannot with impunity break down a single barrier which God has erected to guard His people from Satan’s power.” Prophets and Kings, p. 212
The act of Saul is being repeated by thousands today. Another name has been chosen for those who claim to bring up the dead. Back then they were called witches, but now they are called mediums; and still the seeking for wisdom from the dead goes on. The Lord says, when they are seeking those who have familiar spirits, “Should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?” Isaiah 8:19. And again, “The dead know not any thing.” Ecclesiastes 9:5. If these Scriptures were accepted just as they read, many would be saved from this great deception against which the Lord has given us solemn warning.
All through the Bible we find traces of this same wicked system being practiced. Simon the sorcerer, “bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one.” Acts 8:9. Paul and Silas met the same spirit of divination at Phillipi in a damsel who followed after them until it was cast out. (Acts 16:16-18). At Ephesus they found the “evil spirits” at work, but when the power of the Gospel was proclaimed, “many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them.” (Acts 19:13-20)
The prophetic pen has declared that this deception will continue its work, and be especially active in the last days. “In the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” 1 Timothy 4:1. The object of this seductive doctrine will be “to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.” Mark 13:22. Then where is our only hope? “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20. Here is our refuge. We must flee to the Word of God if we would be saved from this delusion.
“And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, saying, When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, show a miracle for you, then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent. And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the Lord had commanded; and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent. Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents; but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.” Exodus. 7:8-12.
“It was by satanic aid that Pharaoh’s magicians were enabled to counterfeit the work of God. Paul testifies that before the second advent of Christ there will be similar manifestations of satanic power. The coming of the Lord is to be preceded by ‘the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness.’ 2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10. And the apostle John, describing the miracle-working power that will be manifested in the last days, declares: ‘He doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do.’ Revelation 13:13, 14. No mere impostures are here foretold. Men are deceived by the miracles which Satan’s agents have power to do, not which they pretend to do.” Great Controversy, p. 553
Not Everyone Who Heals is From God
“I have from time to time received letters both from ministers and lay members of the church, inquiring if I think it wrong to consult spiritualist and clairvoyant physicians. I have not answered these letters for want of time. But just now the subject is again urged upon my attention. So numerous are these agents of Satan becoming, and so general is the practice of seeking counsel from them, that it seems needful to utter words of warning.
“God has placed it in our power to obtain a knowledge of the laws of health. He has made it our duty to preserve our physical powers in the best possible condition, that we may render to Him acceptable service. Those who refuse to improve the light and knowledge that has been mercifully placed within their reach are rejecting one of the means which God has granted them to promote spiritual as well as physical life. They are placing themselves where they will be exposed to the delusions of Satan.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 193 (for further study, read Ministry of Healing, pp. 242-244)
Miracles Are Not Evidence Either
“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:22, 23
“Let none cherish the idea that special providences or miraculous manifestations are to be the proof of the genuineness of their work or of the ideas they advocate.” Selected Messages, Vol. 2, p. 48
“The man who makes the working of miracles the test of his faith will find that Satan can, through a species of deceptions, perform wonders that will appear to be genuine miracles.” Selected Messages, Vol. 2, p. 52
“God’s Word declares that Satan will work miracles. He will make people sick, and then will suddenly remove from them his satanic power. They will then be regarded as healed. These works of apparent healing will bring Seventh-day Adventists to the test. Many who have had great light will fail to walk in the light, because they have not become one with Christ.” Selected Messages, Vol. 2, p. 53
Gospel Medical Missionary Work
“The way in which Christ worked was to preach the Word, and to relieve suffering by miraculous works of healing. But I am instructed that we cannot now work in this way, for Satan will exercise his power by working miracles. God’s servants today could not work by means of miracles, because spurious works of healing, claiming to be divine, will be wrought.
“For this reason the Lord has marked out a way in which His people are to carry forward a work of physical healing, combined with the teaching of the Word. Sanitariums are to be established, and with these institutions are to be connected workers who will carry forward genuine medical missionary work. Thus a guarding influence is thrown around those who come to the sanitariums for treatment.
“This is the provision the Lord has made whereby gospel medical missionary work is to be done for many souls.” Selected Messages, Vol. 2, p. 54
“Some declare their unbelief in the work that the Lord has given me to do because, as they say, ‘Mrs. E. G. White works no miracles.’ But those who look for miracles as a sign of divine guidance are in grave danger of deception.” 2 Selected Messages, Vol. 2, pp. 53, 54
“Through satanic delusions, wonderful miracles, the claims of human agents will be urged. Beware of all this.” Selected Messages, Vol. 2, p. 49
“If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.” John 15:10
Jesus leads His sheep in the path of humble obedience to the law of God, but He never encourages them in the transgression of that law.
“And, behold, one came and said unto Him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And He said unto him, Why callest thou Me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” Matthew 19:16, 17
The Master’s Voice
Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd, and know My [sheep], and am known of Mine.” John 10:14. “The sheep hear His voice: and He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out… for they know His voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.” verse 3-5
“’The voice of a stranger’ is the voice of one who neither respects nor obeys God’s holy, just, and good law. Many make great pretensions to holiness, and boast of the wonders they perform in healing the sick, when they do not regard this great standard of righteousness. But through whose power are these cures wrought? Are the eyes of either party opened to their transgressions of the law? and do they take their stand as humble, obedient children, ready to obey all of God’s requirements? John testifies of the professed children of God: ‘He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.’
“None need be deceived. The law of God is as sacred as his throne, and by it every man who cometh into the world is to be judged. There is no other standard by which to test character. ‘If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.’ Now, shall the case be decided according to the word of God, or shall man’s pretensions be credited? Says Christ, ‘By their fruits ye shall know them.’ If those through whom cures are performed, are disposed, on account of these manifestations, to excuse their neglect of the law of God, and continue in disobedience, though they have power to any and every extent, it does not follow that they have the great power of God. On the contrary, it is the miracle-working power of the great deceiver. He is a transgressor of the moral law, and employs every device that he can master to blind men to its true character. We are warned that in the last days he will work with signs and lying wonders. And he will continue these wonders until the close of probation, that he may point to them as evidence that he is an angel of light and not of darkness.
“Brethren, we must be beware of the pretended holiness that permits transgression of the law of God. Those cannot be sanctified who trample that law under their feet, and judge themselves by a standard of their own devising.” Review and Herald, November 17, 1885
“You know that Satan will come in to deceive if possible the very elect. He claims to be Christ, and he is coming in, pretending to be the great medical missionary. He will cause fire to come down from heaven in the sight of men to prove that he is God. We must stand barricaded by the truths of the Bible. The canopy of truth is the only canopy under which we can stand safely.” Review and Herald, April 14, 1903 AMEN
Golden Kayawa Hingabantu
Zambia