patriarchs and prophets-第179章
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Son。 Whosoever denieth the Son； the same hath not the Father。〃 1 John 2：22；
23。 Spiritualism； by denying Christ； denies both the Father and the Son； and
the Bible pronounces it the manifestation of antichrist。
By the prediction of Saul's doom； given through the woman of Endor； Satan
planned to ensnare the people of Israel。 He hoped that they would be
inspired with confidence in the sorceress； and would be led to consult her。
Thus they would turn from God as their counselor and would place themselves
under the guidance of Satan。 The lure by which spiritualism attracts the
multitudes is its pretended power to draw aside the veil from the future and
reveal to men what God has hidden。 God has in His
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word opened before us the great events of the futureall that it is
essential for us to knowand He has given us a safe guide for our feet amid
all its perils； but it is Satan's purpose to destroy men's confidence in
God； to make them dissatisfied with their condition in life； and to lead
them to seek a knowledge of what God has wisely veiled from them； and to
despise what He has revealed in His Holy Word。
There are many who become restless when they cannot know the definite
outcome of affairs。 They cannot endure uncertainty； and in their impatience
they refuse to wait to see the salvation of God。 Apprehended evils drive
them nearly distracted。 They give way to their rebellious feelings； and run
hither and thither in passionate grief； seeking intelligence concerning that
which has not been revealed。 If they would but trust in God； and watch unto
prayer； they would find divine consolation。 Their spirit would be calmed by
communion with God。 The weary and the heavy…laden would find rest unto their
souls if they would only go to Jesus； but when they neglect the means that
God has ordained for their comfort； and resort to other sources； hoping to
learn what God has withheld； they commit the error of Saul； and thereby gain
only a knowledge of evil。
God is not pleased with this course； and has expressed it in the most
explicit terms。 This impatient haste to tear away the veil from the future
reveals a lack of faith in God and leaves the soul open to the suggestions
of the master deceiver。 Satan leads men to consult those that have familiar
spirits； and by revealing hidden things of the past； he inspires confidence
in his power to foretell things to come。 By experience gained through the
long ages he can reason from cause to effect and often forecast； with a
degree of accuracy； some of the future events of man's life。 Thus he in
enabled to deceive poor； misguided souls and bring them under his power and
lead them captive at his will。
God has given us the warning by His prophet： 〃When they shall say unto you；
Seek unto them that have familiar spirits； and unto wizards that peep and
that mutter： should not a people seek unto their God？ for the living to the
dead？ 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 8：19； 20。
Shall those who have a holy God； infinite in wisdom and
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power； go unto wizards； whose knowledge comes from intimacy with the enemy
of our Lord？ God Himself is the light of His people； He bids them fix their
eyes by faith upon the glories that are veiled from human sight。 The Sun of
Righteousness sends its bright beams into their hearts； they have light from
the throne of heaven； and they have no desire to turn away from the source
of light to the messengers of Satan。
The demon's message to Saul； although it was a denunciation of sin and a
prophecy of retribution； was not meant to reform him； but to goad him to
despair and ruin。 Oftener； however； it serves the tempter's purpose best to
lure men to destruction by flattery。 The teaching of the demon gods in
ancient times fostered the vilest license。 The divine precepts condemning
sin and enforcing righteousness were set aside； truth was light regarded；
and impurity was not only permitted but enjoined。 Spiritualism declares that
there is no death； no sin； no judgment； no retribution； that 〃men are
unfallen demigods；〃 that desire is the highest law； and that man is
accountable only to himself。 The barriers that God has erected to guard
truth； purity； and reverence are broken down； and many are thus emboldened
in sin。 Does not such teaching suggest an origin similar to that of demon
worship？
The Lord presented before Israel the results of holding communion with evil
spirits； in the abominations of the Canaanites： they were without natural
affection； idolaters； adulterers； murderers； and abominable by every corrupt
thought and revolting practice。 Men do not know their own hearts； for 〃the
heart is deceitful above all things； and desperately wicked。〃 Jeremiah 17：9。
But God understands the tendencies of the depraved nature of man。 Then； as
now； Satan was watching to bring about conditions favorable to rebellion；
that the people of Israel might make themselves as abhorrent to God as were
the Canaanites。 The adversary of souls is ever on the alert to open channels
for the unrestrained flow of evil in us； for he desires that we may be
ruined； and be condemned before God。
Satan was determined to keep his hold on the land of Canaan； and when it was
made the habitation of the children of Israel； and the law of God was made
the law of the land； he hated Israel with a cruel and malignant hatred and
plotted their destruction。
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Through the agency of evil spirits strange gods were introduced； and because
of transgression； the chosen people were finally scattered from the Land of
Promise。 This history Satan is striving to repeat in our day。 God is leading
His people out from the abominations of the world； that they may keep His
law； and because of this； the rage of 〃the accuser of our brethren〃 knows no
bounds。 〃The devil is come down unto you； having great wrath； because he
knoweth that he hath but a short time。〃 Revelation 12：10； 12。 The
antitypical land of promise is just before us； and Satan is determined to
destroy the people of God and cut them off from their inheritance。 The
admonition； 〃Watch ye and pray； lest ye enter into temptation〃 （Mark 14：38）；
was never more needed than now。
The word of the Lord to ancient Israel is addressed also to His people in
this age： 〃Regard not them that have familiar spirits； neither seek after
wizards； to be defiled by them；〃 〃for all that do these things are an
abomination unto the Lord。〃 Leviticus 19：31； Deuteronomy 18：12。
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Chapter 68
David at Ziklag
David and his men had not taken part in the battle between Saul and the
Philistines； though they had marched with the Philistines to the field of
conflict。 As the two armies prepared to join battle the son of Jesse found
himself in a situation of great perplexity。 It was expected that he would
fight for the Philistines。 Should he in the engagement quit the post
assigned him and retire from the field； he would not only brand himself with
cowardice； but with ingratitude and treachery to Achish； who had protected
him and confided in him。 Such an act would cover his name with infamy； and
would expose him to the wrath of enemies more to be feared than Saul。 Yet he
could not for a moment consent to fight against Israel。 Should he do this；
he would become a traitor to his countrythe enemy of God and of His
people。 It would forever bar his way to the throne of Israel； and should
Saul be slain in the engagement； his death would be charged upon David。
David was caused to feel that he had missed his path。 Far better would it
have been for him to find refuge in God's strong fortresses of the mountains
than with the avowed enemies of Jehovah and His people。 But the Lord in His
great mercy did not punish this error of His servant by leaving him to
himself in his distress and perplexity； for though David； losing his grasp
on divine power； had faltered and turned aside from the path of
