LESSON 11 *December 3–9
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: Matt. 7:21–27, John 11:40–44,
1 Pet. 3:18, 1 Sam. 28:3–25, Eph. 6:10–18.
Memory Text: “And no wonder! Even Satan disguises himself as
an angel of light. So it is not strange if his ministers also disguise
themselves as ministers of righteousness. Their end will match their
deeds” (2 Corinthians 11:14, 15, NRSV).
Our contemporary world has become a melting pot of the
supernatural and the mystical, helped on by Hollywood, which has
no problem making movies with religious and mystical themes in a
hodgepodge of error and deception. The old lie “ ‘You surely will not die!’ ”
(Gen. 3:4, NASB) also has inspired some of the most-read books and mostwatched
movies of the past few decades, and many popular video games, as
well. Undeniably, we are exposed to and tempted by the enchanted ground
of Satan, which can appear in myriad forms and even, in some cases, can
come hidden under the veneer of science.
One of the most deceptive phenomena has been what have been called
“near death” experiences (NDEs), where those who had “died” have come
back to life with stories of an afterlife. Many people have seen these events
as proof of an immortal soul!
During this week, we will consider some end-time deceptions, including
mysticism, near-death experiences, reincarnation, necromancy and ancestor
worship, and others. These are dangerous subjects that we should be aware
of but without exposing ourselves to their influences.
* Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, December 10.
EGW Notes — SATURDAY ↓
Sabbath Afternoon, December 3
Lesson 11 - End-Time Deceptions
The more we learn in reference to the early days of the Christian
church, and see with what subtlety Satan worked to weaken and destroy,
the better we shall be prepared to resist his devices and meet coming
perils. We are in the time when tribulations such as the world has never
yet seen will prevail. “Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for
the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth
that he hath but a short time.” But God has set bounds that Satan cannot
pass. Our most holy faith is this barrier; and if we build ourselves up in
the faith, we shall be safe in the keeping of the Mighty One. “Because thou
hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of
temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell
upon the earth.”—Testimonies for the Church,
vol. 5, p. 297.
The experience of the past will be repeated. In the future, Satan’s
superstitions will assume new forms. Errors will be presented in a
pleasing and flattering manner. False theories, clothed with garments of
light, will be presented to God’s people. Thus Satan will try to deceive, if
possible, the very elect. Most seducing influences will be exerted; minds
will be hypnotized.
Corruptions of every type, similar to those existing among the
antediluvians, will be brought in to take minds captive. The exaltation of
nature as God, the unrestrained license of the human will, the counsel of
the ungodly—these Satan uses as agencies to bring about certain ends. He
will employ the power of mind over mind to carry out his
designs.—Testimonies for the Church,
vol. 8, p. 293.
Christ was tempted in all points as man is tempted, but at no time did
He bring against the tempter a railing accusation. To every temptation He
presented the word of the Lord. “It is written” was His never-failing
weapon. We, as the representatives of Christ, are to meet every thrust of
the enemy with the word of the living God. Never should we allow
ourselves to follow the trail of the serpent by using his scientific
arguments. Satan can never gain advantage of the child of God who relies
on the word of God as his defense.
Our Counselor impressed deeply on our minds that God’s
commandment-keeping people must be sanctified through the truth and
that truth must ever be given the foremost place. We must not forget that
Satan still lives to exercise his deceptive power through false science.
Christ was the Majesty of heaven, the Prince of life; yet He humbled
Himself as a man and became obedient to every law of God. He passed
over the ground that every man must tread who takes His name, and came
forth from His trial pure and untainted by sin. He was our example in all
things.—Testimonies for the Church,
vol. 9, pp. 68, 69.
SUNDAY December 4
Mysticism
Our world has been flooded by the strong waves of mysticism. The word
“mysticism” is a complex term that encapsulates a huge variety of ideas.
From a religious perspective, the word implies the union of the individual
with the Divine or Absolute in some kind of spiritual experience or trance.
This characterizes the worship experience even of certain churches. The
phenomena can vary in form and intensity, but the tendency always is to
replace the authority of the Written Word of God with one’s own subjective
experiences. In any case, the Bible loses much of its doctrinal function, and
the Christian remains vulnerable to his or her own experiences. This kind of
subjective religion does not provide a safeguard against any deception,
especially end-time ones.
Read Matthew 7:21–27. In light of Jesus’ own words, what does it
mean to build our spiritual house “on the rock” or to build it “on the sand”?
* Your notes will not be saved!
There is a strong tendency in the postmodern Christian world to
downplay the relevance of biblical doctrines, regarding them as tedious
echoes of an obsolete form of religion. In this process, the teachings of
Christ are artificially replaced by the person of Christ—arguing, for
instance, that some biblical story or another cannot be true because Jesus, as
they perceive Him, would never have allowed that to happen as it is written.
Personal feelings and taste end up being the criteria for interpreting the
Scriptures or even for rejecting outright what the Bible clearly teaches,
often about obedience to God, which as Jesus said is so essential to building
one’s house on the rock.
Those who think that it matters not what they believe in doctrine, so
long as they believe in Jesus Christ, are on dangerous ground. The Roman
inquisitors who condemned to death untold numbers of Protestants believed
in Jesus Christ. Those who had “cast out demons” in Christ’s name (Matt.
7:22, NKJV) had believed in Him. “The position that it is of no
consequence what men believe is one of Satan’s most successful
deceptions. He knows that the truth, received in the love of it, sanctifies the
soul of the receiver; therefore he is constantly seeking to substitute false
theories, fables, another gospel.”—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy,
p. 520.
How can we fight the very human tendency to let our emotions and
desires cause us to do things contrary to the Word of God?
EGW Notes — SUNDAY ↓
Sunday, December 4
Mysticism
There is a spurious experience that is prevailing now everywhere in
regard to the love of Jesus—that we must dwell on the love of Jesus, that
faith in Jesus is all we need—but these souls must be instructed that the
love of Jesus in the heart will lead to humility of life and obedience to all
His commandments. “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his
commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4). The love
of Jesus that goes no farther than the lips will not save any soul, but be a
great delusion. . . .
Those who reject the truth of the Bible do it under a pretense of loving
Jesus. Those who love Jesus will reveal that love by being obedient
children. They will be doers of the Word and not hearers only. They will
not be continually pleading, “All that we have to do is to believe in Jesus.”
This is true in the fullest sense, but they do not comprehend, they do not
take it in its fullest sense. To believe in Jesus is to take Him as your
Redeemer, as your Pattern. All who love Jesus must follow His example.
They must connect themselves with Jesus as closely as the branch is
connected with the living
vine.—This Day With God, p. 299.
Human nature is vacillating. Men grasp the truth with their perceptive
powers, but they refuse to separate themselves from the world. Men will
not consent to be God’s peculiar people. They know the truth of the Bible,
but they do not want to obey, and they turn from the truth. They act out
their unbelief, and darkness comes upon their souls. Choosing their own
way they are left to be filled with their own devices. Truth is insulted,
Christ ignored, and perdition will be their portion unless they turn and
repent.—The Upward Look, p. 18.
Feeling and faith are as distinct from each other as the east is from the
west. Faith is not dependent on feeling. Daily we should dedicate
ourselves to God and believe that Christ understands and accepts the
sacrifice, without examining ourselves to see if we have that degree of
feeling that we think should correspond with our faith. Have we not the
assurance that our heavenly Father is more willing to give the Holy Spirit
to them that ask Him in faith than parents are to give good gifts to their
children? We should go forward as if to every prayer that we send to the
throne of God we heard the response from the One whose promises never
fail. Even when depressed by sadness, it is our privilege to make melody in
our hearts to God. When we do this, the mists and clouds will be rolled
back, and we will pass from the shadow and darkness into the clear
sunshine of His
presence.—Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, p. 537.
MONDAY December 5
Near-Death Experiences
Some of the most popular modern arguments to “prove” the theory of
the natural immortality of the soul are “near-death experiences.” In his book
Life After Life: The Investigation of a Phenomenon—Survival of Bodily
Death (Atlanta, GA: Mockingbird, 1975), Raymond A. Moody, Jr.,
presented the results of his five-year study of more than one hundred people
who experienced “clinical death” and were revived. These individuals
claimed to have seen a loving and warm being of light before coming back
to life. This has been regarded as “exciting evidence of the survival of the
human spirit beyond death” (back cover). Over the years, many other
similar books have been published, promoting the same idea. (See lesson 2.)
Read the resurrection accounts of 1 Kings 17:22–24, 2 Kings 4:34–37,
Mark 5:41–43, Luke 7:14–17, and John 11:40–44. How many of them
talk about any kind of conscious existence while the resurrected ones
were dead, and why is that answer important?
All near-death experiences reported in modern literature are of people
considered clinically dead, but not really dead, in contrast to Lazarus, who
was dead for four days and whose corpse was rotting (John 11:39). Neither
Lazarus nor any of those raised from the dead in biblical times ever
mentioned any afterlife experience, whether in Paradise, in purgatory, or in
hell. This is, indeed, an argument from silence, but it is in full agreement
with the biblical teachings on the unconscious state of the dead!
But what about the near-death experiences so commonly recounted
today? If we accept the biblical teaching of the unconsciousness of the dead
(Job 3:11–13, Ps. 115:17, Ps. 146:4, Eccles. 9:10), then we are left with
two main possibilities: either it is a natural psychochemical hallucination
under extreme conditions, or it can be a supernatural, satanic, deceptive
experience (2 Cor. 11:14). Satanic deception could indeed be the
explanation, especially because in some cases, these people claim to have
talked to their dead relatives! But it could be a combination of both factors.
With this deception prevalent, and so convincing to many, it is crucial
that we stick firmly to the teaching of the Word of God, despite whatever
experiences we or others might have that go against what the Bible teaches.
How fascinating that NDEs often now come with the imprimatur of
“science.” What does this teach us about how careful we need to be
even of things that science supposedly “proves”?
EGW Notes — MONDAY ↓
Monday, December 5
Near-Death Experiences
The prince of darkness, who has so long bent the powers of his
mastermind to the work of deception, skillfully adapts his temptations to
men of all classes and conditions. To persons of culture and refinement he
presents spiritualism in its more refined and intellectual aspects, and thus
succeeds in drawing many into his snare. The wisdom which spiritualism
imparts is that described by the apostle James, which “descendeth not
from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.” James 3:15. This, however, the
great deceiver conceals when concealment will best suit his purpose. He
who could appear clothed with the brightness of the heavenly seraphs
before Christ in the wilderness of temptation, comes to men in the most
attractive manner as an angel of light. He appeals to the reason by the
presentation of elevating themes; he delights the fancy with enrapturing
scenes; and he enlists the affections by his eloquent portrayals of love and
charity. He excites the imagination to lofty flights, leading men to take so
great pride in their own wisdom that in their hearts they despise the
Eternal One. That mighty being who could take the world’s Redeemer to
an exceedingly high mountain and bring before Him all the kingdoms of
the earth and the glory of them, will present his temptations to men in a
manner to pervert the senses of all who are not shielded by divine
power.—The Great Controversy, p. 553.
The very name of witchcraft is now held in contempt. The claim that
men can [communicate] with evil spirits is regarded as a fable of the Dark
Ages. But Spiritualism, which numbers its converts by hundreds of
thousands, yea, by millions, which has made its way into scientific circles,
which has invaded churches and has found favor in legislative bodies, and
even in the courts of kings—this mammoth deception is but a revival in a
new disguise of the witchcraft condemned and prohibited of
old.—The Story of Redemption, p. 395.
Bible reading, the critical examination of Bible subjects, essays written
upon topics which would improve the mind and impart knowledge, the
study of the prophecies or the precious lessons of Christ—these will have
an influence to strengthen the mental powers and increase spirituality. A
familiar acquaintance with the Scriptures sharpens the discerning powers
and fortifies the soul against the attacks of Satan. . . .
The intellect, as well as the heart, must be consecrated to the service of
God. He has claims upon all there is of us. The follower of Christ should
not indulge in any gratification, or engage in any enterprise, however
innocent or laudable it may appear, which an enlightened conscience tells
him would abate his ardor or lessen his spirituality. Every Christian
should labor to press back the tide of
evil.—
Counsels to Parents, Teachers,
and Students
, pp. 543, 544.
TUESDAY December 6
Reincarnation
The pagan notion of an immortal soul provides the foundation for the
unbiblical theory of reincarnation or transmigration of the soul. This theory
has been adopted by some major world religions. While most Christians
believe in the existence of an immortal soul that abides in a permanent
heaven or hell after death, those who believe in reincarnation hold that such
an immortal soul goes through many cycles of death and rebirth here on
earth.
For some, reincarnation is thought to be a process of spiritual evolution
that allows the spirit to attain ever greater levels of knowledge and morality
in its journey toward perfection. Hindus believe that the eternal soul goes
through a progression of consciousness or “samsara” in six classes of life:
aquatics, plants, reptiles and insects, birds, animals, and human beings,
including the residents of heaven.
Read Hebrews 9:25–28 and 1 Peter 3:18. If Jesus died just “once”
(Heb. 9:28, 1 Pet. 3:18, NKJV) and likewise all human beings die just
“once” (Heb. 9:27, NKJV), why do even some alleged Christians believe
in some form of reincarnation?
Many people believe not in what they should believe but in what they
want to believe. If a theory brings them existential peace and comfort, that
is enough to settle the discussion for them. But for those who take the Bible
seriously, there is no way to accept the theory of reincarnation.
First, this theory contradicts the biblical teachings of the mortality of the
“soul” and the resurrection of the body (1 Thess. 4:13–18).
Second, it negates the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith in the
redemptive work of Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:8–10) and replaces it with human
works.
Third, the theory contradicts the biblical teaching that one’s eternal
destiny is decided forever by one’s decisions in this life (Matt. 22:1–14,
Matt. 25:31–46).
Fourth, this theory downplays the meaning and relevance of Christ’s
second coming (John 14:1–3).
And fifth, the theory proposes after-death opportunities for someone still
to overcome his or her own life’s pitfalls, which is unbiblical (Heb. 9:27).
In short, there is no place for the idea of reincarnation in the Christian
faith.
EGW Notes — TUESDAY ↓
Tuesday, December 6
Reincarnation
Satan beguiles men now as he beguiled Eve in Eden by flattery, by
kindling a desire to obtain forbidden knowledge, by exciting ambition for
self-exaltation. It was cherishing these evils that caused his fall, and
through them he aims to compass the ruin of men. “Ye shall be as gods,” he
declares, “knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:5. Spiritualism teaches “that
man is the creature of progression; that it is his destiny from his birth to
progress, even to eternity, toward the Godhead.” And again: “Each mind
will judge itself and not another.” “The judgment will be right, because it is
the judgment of self. . . . The throne is within you.” Said a spiritualistic
teacher, as the “spiritual consciousness” awoke within him: “My fellow
men, all were unfallen demigods.” And another declares: “Any just and
perfect being is Christ.”
Thus, in place of the righteousness and perfection of the infinite God,
the true object of adoration; in place of the perfect righteousness of His
law, the true standard of human attainment, Satan has substituted the
sinful, erring nature of man himself as the only object of adoration, the
only rule of judgment, or standard of character. This is progress, not
upward, but
downward.—The Great Controversy, p. 554.
Satan was seeking to shut out from men a knowledge of God, to turn
their attention from the temple of God, and to establish his own kingdom.
His strife for supremacy had seemed to be almost wholly successful. It is
true that in every generation God had His agencies. Even among the
heathen there were men through whom Christ was working to uplift the
people from their sin and degradation. But these men were despised and
hated. Many of them suffered a violent death. The dark shadow that Satan
had cast over the world grew deeper and deeper.
Through heathenism, Satan had for ages turned men away from God;
but he won his great triumph in perverting the faith of Israel. By
contemplating and worshiping their own conceptions, the heathen had
lost a knowledge of God, and had become more and more corrupt. So it
was with Israel. The principle that man can save himself by his own works
lay at the foundation of every heathen religion; it had now become the
principle of the Jewish religion. Satan had implanted this principle.
Wherever it is held, men have no barrier against
sin.—The Desire of Ages, p. 35.
WEDNESDAY December 7
Necromancy and Ancestor Worship
The word “necromancy” derives from the Greek terms nekros (dead) and
manteia (divination). Practiced since ancient times, necromancy is a form
of summoning the alleged active spirits of the dead in order to obtain
knowledge, often about future events. Ancestor worship, meanwhile, is the
custom of venerating deceased ancestors because they are still considered
family, and these spirits can, it is believed, influence the affairs of the
living. These pagan practices can be very attractive to those who believe in
an immortal soul and who also miss their deceased loved ones.
Read 1 Samuel 28:3–25. What spiritual lessons against any supposed
communication with the dead can be drawn from Saul’s experience
with the woman medium at Endor?
The Bible stated very clearly that all spiritists, mediums, sorcerers, and
necromancers, in the ancient Israelite theocracy, were abominations to the
Lord and should be put to death by stoning (Lev. 19:31; Lev. 20:6, 27; Deut.
18:9–14). In accordance with this law, Saul had destroyed all mediums and
spiritists from Israel (1 Sam. 28:3, 9).
But, then, after being rejected by the Lord, Saul himself went to the
Canaanite city of Endor to inquire of a woman medium (1 Sam. 28:6, 7, 15;
compare with Josh. 17:11, Ps. 83:10). He asked her to bring up the
deceased prophet Samuel, who supposedly came up in a necromancer
apparition and spoke with Saul (1 Sam. 28:13–19). The deceiving spirit,
who pretended to be Samuel, told Saul, “ ‘Tomorrow you and your sons
will be with me’ ” (1 Sam. 28:19, NKJV). While predicting Saul’s death,
that deceiving spirit, merely by assuming the form of Samuel, reaffirmed
the unbiblical theory of the natural immortality of the soul. It was a
powerful deception, and Saul should have known better than to become
involved with what he had previously condemned.
More than two centuries later, the prophet Isaiah wrote, “And when they
say to you, ‘Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and
mutter,’ should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on
behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak
according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isa. 8:19, 20,
NKJV; also Isa. 19:3).
How often, under stress, do we do things that we know are wrong?
Why are faith, prayer, and obedience to the Word of God our only
sure defense against ourselves?
EGW Notes — WEDNESDAY ↓
Wednesday, December 7
Necromancy and Ancestor Worship
The most sorrowful thought of all is that under [Satan’s] deceptive
influence men will have a form of godliness, without having a real
connection with God. Like Adam and Eve, who ate the fruit from the tree
of the knowledge of good and evil, many are even now feeding upon the
deceptive morsels of error.
Satanic agencies are clothing false theories in an attractive garb, even
as Satan in the Garden of Eden concealed his identity from our first
parents by speaking through the serpent. These agencies are instilling into
human minds that which in reality is deadly error. The hypnotic influence
of Satan will rest upon those who turn from the plain word of God to
pleasing
fables.—Testimonies for the Church,
vol. 8, pp. 293, 294.
In this degenerate age, Satan holds control over those who depart from
the right and venture upon his ground. He exercises his power upon such
in an alarming manner. I was directed to these words: “Intruding into
those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.”
Some, I was shown, gratify their curiosity and tamper with the devil. They
have no real faith in spiritualism and would start back with horror at the
idea of being mediums. Yet they venture and place themselves in a
position where Satan can exercise his power upon them. Such do not
mean to enter deep into this work, but they know not what they are
doing. They are venturing on the devil’s ground and are tempting him to
control them. This powerful destroyer considers them his lawful prey and
exercises his power upon them, and that against their will. When they
wish to control themselves they cannot. They yielded their minds to Satan,
and he will not release his claims, but holds them captive. No power can
deliver the ensnared soul but the power of God in answer to the earnest
prayers of His faithful
followers.—Testimonies for the Church,
vol. 1, p. 299.
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 word
opened before us the great events of the future—all that it is essential for
us to know—and 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.—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 686.
THURSDAY December 8
Personations and Other Appearances
Similar to necromancy are the demonic personations of the dead and
other demonic appearances. The personations can be in the form of a
deceased family member, friend, or anyone. Both the physical appearance
and the voice are very similar to those of the deceased. All these satanic
deceptions will be used to deceive those who are not firmly grounded in
God’s Word. Ellen G. White warns, “The apostles, as personated by these
lying spirits, are made to contradict what they wrote at the dictation of the
Holy Spirit when on earth.”—The Great Controversy, p. 557. And further,
“As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will
personate Christ.”—The Great Controversy, p. 624.
Read 2 Corinthians 11:14, 15 and Ephesians 6:10–18. What should
be our safeguards against such demonic deceptions?
The apostle Paul warns us that “our struggle is not against enemies of
blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the
cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in
the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12, NRSV). We can be protected against these
deceptions only by being clothed with “the whole armor of God” (Eph.
6:13, NKJV) described in Ephesians 6:13–18.
The satanic personations and appearances can be very frightening and
deceiving, but they cannot mislead those who are sheltered by God and
grounded in God’s Word. From a doctrinal perspective, those who believe
in the biblical doctrine of the conditional immortality of human beings
know that any appearance of or communication with the dead is of a satanic
origin and needs to be rejected by God’s powerful grace. Again, no matter
how powerful, convincing, and seemingly real the manifestation is, we must
always stand firm on the teaching that the dead are asleep in the grave.
Imagine, though, losing a loved one and then believing that this same
loved one appears to you. And expresses love to you. And tells you how
much they miss you. And says things that, yes, only they would know. And
says that they are now in a better place. If a person is not absolutely
grounded in what the Bible teaches about the state of the dead, think of how
easily he or she could fall for this deception, especially because they want
to believe it, as well.
What does it mean to put on the “whole armor of God”? In a day-today,
practical sense, how do we do this in every area of our lives, not
just in dealing with end-time deceptions?
EGW Notes — THURSDAY ↓
Thursday, December 8
Personations and Other Appearances
Deceived mortals are worshiping evil angels, believing them to be the
spirits of their dead friends. The word of God expressly declares that the
dead have no more a portion in anything done under the sun. Spiritualists
say that the dead know everything that is done under the sun, that they
communicate to their friends on earth, give valuable information, and
perform wonders. Psalm 115:17: “The dead praise not the Lord, neither any
that go down into silence.” Satan, transformed into an angel of light,
works with all deceivableness of unrighteousness. He who could take up
the Son of God, who was made a little lower than the angels, and place
Him upon a pinnacle of the temple, and take Him up into an exceeding
high mountain to present before Him the kingdoms of the world, can
exercise his power upon the human family, who are far inferior in
strength and wisdom to the Son of God, even after He had taken upon
Himself man’s
nature.—Testimonies for the Church,
vol. 1, p. 298.
“We wrestle not against flesh and blood,” declares Paul, “but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this
world.” Ephesians 6:12. Till the close of time there will be a conflict
between the church of God and those who are under the control of evil
angels.
The early Christians were often called to meet the powers of darkness
face to face. By sophistry and by persecution the enemy endeavored to
turn them from the true faith. At the present time, when the end of all
things earthly is rapidly approaching, Satan is putting forth desperate
efforts to ensnare the world. He is devising many plans to occupy minds
and to divert attention from the truths essential to salvation. In every city
his agencies are busily organizing into parties those who are opposed to
the law of God. The archdeceiver is at work to introduce elements of
confusion and rebellion, and men are being fired with a zeal that is not
according to
knowledge.—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 219.
Determined to efface the image of God in man, Satan works with an
intensity of effort to hide God from view. Not openly does he work, but
secretly, mingling the human and the divine, the spurious and the
genuine, so seeking to bring confusion and distress. But in proportionate
power divine mercy is revealed to counteract this wicked working, and
bring to light the enemy’s hidden purposes.
God’s people are to bear a bold, decided testimony for the truth,
unfolding the purposes of God by the witness of pen and voice. In place
after place they are to proclaim the message of God’s Word, arousing men
and women to comprehend the truth. . . .
There is a reality in sound doctrine. It is not as a vapor, which passes
away. Light is to shine forth from the Word of God. God calls upon His
people to draw near to Him. Let no one interpose between Him and His
people. Christ is knocking at the door of the heart, seeking for entrance.
Will you let Him
in?—This Day With God, p. 308.
FRIDAY December 9
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “Dealing With False
Science, Cults, Isms, and Secret Societies,” pp. 602–609, in Evangelism;
and “Spiritism,” pp. 86–93, in Confrontation.
There exists a foundation which claims that it is creating technology that
will allow us to contact the deceased “via texts, phone calls, and videoconferencing.”
Calling the dead PMPs (postmaterial persons), its website
claims that when humans die they simply pass on “into another phase of
forever” but “retain their consciousness, identity, and core aspects of their
previous physical form.” But, most important, the folks at the foundation
claim to be developing, in three phases, technology that will allow
communication between material and postmaterial persons.
The first phase will “allow texting and typing with postmaterial famil y,
friends, and experts in every field of expertise.” Phase two is supposed to
“enable talking with your dear ones who are living in another part of
forever.” And the third phase, it says, will open the way to “hearing and
seeing those who are experiencing the field of all possibilities from a
different observation point.”
Especially scary is how they test if the communicating dead are really
who they claim to be. “For example,” the site says, “a bereaved parent
might ask the following question of a son or a daughter who has changed
worlds: ‘Did you have a dog named Snoopy when you were a child? Did
we give you a pocketknife for your tenth birthday?’ ” How interesting in
light of this warning: “Spiritual beings sometimes appear to persons in the
form of their deceased friends, and relate incidents connected with their
lives and perform acts which they performed while living.”—Ellen G.
White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 684.
Discussion Questions:
-
1. Using the excuse of being culturally acceptable, many Christians
consume whatever the media promotes. Which biblical principles
should guide our relationship with the media, especially when it
openly promotes views that we know are wrong and deceptive (see Ps.
101:1–8, Prov. 4:23, Phil. 4:8)?
-
2. How can we help others to overcome Satan’s end-time deceptions
without being exposed to the deceiving influence of those very same
deceptions ourselves?
-
3. Many Christians have seen the story of having “Samuel”
summoned from the grave as biblical proof that the dead live on.
What does this account teach us about why we cannot rely only on a
single text or story to build a doctrine, but, instead, we must look at
all that the Bible says about a topic?
EGW Notes — FRIDAY ↓
Friday, December 9
For Further Reading
The Ministry of Healing, “Pantheistic Theories,” pp. 428, 429;
Evangelism, “Dealing With False Science, Cults, Isms, and Secret
Societies,” pp. 602–609.
INSIDE STORY
A Daring Witness
By RICK MCEDWARD
At the beginning of the semester, a university classmate asked Sandra if
he could take a picture of her class notes with his cell phone. “I saw that
you are writing in English,” he said. “I want to improve my English.”
Classes were not taught in English at the university in the Middle East.
But English was Sandra’s native language, and she found it easier to take
notes in English. “Here you are,” Sandra said, extending her notebook.
The next day, the classmate again asked for permission to take pictures.
After the classmate asked to take pictures for several days in a row, Sandra
decided to be more intentional with her notes. She resolved to write favorite
Bible verses at the bottom of the pages of her notebook.
The next time the classmate asked to take a picture, however, Sandra felt
a jolt of fear. She worried that he would notice the verses and stop asking to
see her notes. She prayed that God would use the Bible verses for His glory.
The classmate did not seem to notice the Bible verses at first. But after a
couple of days, he realized that the notes contained information that the
teacher had not mentioned during the class lectures. He went to Sandra and
pointed to a verse at the bottom of a page. “Is this a verse from the Bible?”
he asked.
“Yes,” Sandra said, her mind racing as she wondered how to explain it.
The classmate paused. “Is this the way you motivate yourself ?” he
asked.
Sandra smiled with relief. “Exactly,” she said. “I write my favorite
verses in my notebook. They are always really helpful and useful for my
life.”
After that day, the classmate asked Sandra many questions about her
religion and beliefs. As they studied together at the university, he also
learned about the beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. At the end
of the semester, he asked to make a copy of Sandra’s entire verse-filled
notebook. He wanted to share the notes with his siblings.
Although Sandra has not studied with him again, the two have kept in
touch, and he regularly asks for advice about life. Sandra is praying for him,
his siblings, and the rest of his family. She thanks God for giving her the
daring idea to write Bible verses at the bottom of the pages of her notebook.
This mission story illustrates the following components of the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s “I Will
Go” strategic plan: Mission Objective No. 1, “To revive the concept of worldwide mission and
sacrifice for mission as a way of life”; and Mission Objective No. 2, “To strengthen and diversify
Adventist outreach in large cities, across the 10/40 Window, among unreached and under-reached
people groups, and to non-Christian religions.” Read more: IWillGo2020.org. Sandra is a
pseudonym.
Provided by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission, which uses Sabbath School
mission offerings to spread the gospel worldwide. Read new stories daily at
AdventistMission.org.
