Wholesome Joys

Ways for Better Healthy Lifestyle

  • Faith
    • Devotional
    • God’s Promises
    • Prayer
  • Music Videos
  • Plant-Based Recipes

Chapter 5: False Hope

Words of Hope…

Psalm 33:20 Hope in the Lord

The doctrine that we are naturally immortal came from pagan philosophy. In the darkness of the great apostasy it became a part of the Christian faith, where it has now replaced the truth that “the dead know nothing” (Ecclesiastes 9:5). Many people believe that the spirits of the dead are the “ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14).

The belief that spirits of the dead return to help the living has prepared the way for modern spiritualism. If the dead are entrusted with knowledge far beyond what they had before, why not return to earth and instruct the living? If spirits of the dead hover around their friends on earth, why not communicate with them? How can those who believe in human consciousness in death reject “divine light” that comes through glorified spirits? Here is a channel that people think is sacred but which Satan uses. Fallen angels appear as messengers from the spirit world.

The prince of evil has power to bring before people the appearance of departed friends. The counterfeit is perfect, reproduced with amazing exactness. Many take comfort in the assurance that their loved ones are enjoying heaven. Without suspecting danger, they open their lives “to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1).

Those who went into the grave unprepared claim to be happy and to occupy high positions in heaven. Pretended visitors from the world of spirits sometimes give warnings that prove to be correct. Then, as they win people’s confidence, they present doctrines that undermine the Scriptures. The fact that they speak some truths and at times foretell future events makes them appear reliable, and people accept their false teachings. The law of God is set aside, the Spirit of grace despised. The spirits deny the deity of Christ and place the Creator on a level with themselves.

While it is true that the results of trickery have often been presented as genuine manifestations, there have also been clear exhibitions of supernatural power, the direct work of evil angels. Many believe that spiritualism is nothing more than human fraud. When they come face to face with happenings that they cannot explain as anything but supernatural, they will be deceived and will accept them as the great power of God.

With help from Satan, Pharaoh’s magicians counterfeited the work of God (see Exodus 7:10-12). Paul testifies that before the coming of the Lord we will see “the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception” (2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10). And John declares: “He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do” (Revelation 13:13, 14). This is not predicting mere tricks. People are deceived by the miracles that Satan’s agents actually do, not that they only pretend to do.

← Read Previous: Immortality When Jesus Returns

→ Read Next: Satan’s Appeal to Intellectuals

Click Here → The Great Hope Book:
Table of Contents & Download PDF

Source: Ellen G. White, The Great Hope, pp. 38-39.

Filed Under: The Great Hope Book Tagged With: Ellen G. White, Psalm 33:20, read the Great Hope book online

Recent Posts

cook 30 episode 1 featuring tofu curry, quinoa, beets carrot salad, pina colada smoothie, corn

Video Cook 30 Episode 1: Tofu Curry, Raw Salad, Quinoa, Corn & Pina Colada

In this Episode 1 of Cook 30 Jeremy … [Read More...]

Apple Pie smoothie recipe 3abn today feature

Happy Apple Pie Smoothie Recipe

Carin Lynch (Southern Made Simple) shows … [Read More...]

Pecan Carob Chip cookies

Pecan Carob Chip Cookies Recipe

Carin Lynch demonstrates a recipe on how … [Read More...]

Homestyle Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipe

Homestyle Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipe

Mac and Cheese is a very popular staple … [Read More...]

Pulled Vegan BBQ Mushroom Sandwich

Pulled Vegan BBQ Mushroom Sandwich Recipe

Pulled pork is very popular for making … [Read More...]

Hearty Vegetable Soup without Chicken

Hearty Chickenless Vegetable Soup Recipe

Make this hearty vegetable soup without … [Read More...]

John 3:16 For God so loved the world

The Triumph of God’s Love

Words of Hope... "For God so loved … [Read More...]

Romans 6:23 gift of God eternal life

Reminder of Sin’s Results

Words of Hope... "For the wages of … [Read More...]

Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy follow me

Our Final Home

Words of Hope... "Surely goodness and … [Read More...]

Psalm 145:20 The LORD protects all those who love Him

Violent End of the Wicked

Words of Hope... "The LORD protects … [Read More...]

Archives

  • December 2019
  • September 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019

Categories

  • Devotional
  • Faith
  • Music Videos
  • Plant-Based Recipes
  • Prayer
  • The Great Hope Book

Copyright © 2023 · WholesomeJoys.com

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok