Bible Readings for the Home Circle—1914 - A New You Ministry

BIBLE READINGS
Christ can this demoniacal captivity be broken. Until this is done, one in
this condition is led captive by Satan “at his will.” His self control and
power to resist temptation are gone. See 2 Tim. 2:26. {532
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9. How do evil spirits sometimes treat those thus possessed
“And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare
him.” Luke 9:42.
NOTE.— Those under demoniacal control are simply the sport and
plaything of the evil spirits possessing and controlling them.
10. As we near the closing scenes of human probation, why may we
expect an increase in demoniacal manifestations
“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.” Rev. 12:12.
NOTE.— Acquainted, as they are, with the laws of nature, Satan and
his angels raise storms and scatter disease and death as far as lies
within their power; and, as enemies of God, they likewise pervert the
truth and disseminate error as far as possible. Far better, also, than the
inhabitants of the world, do they know that the end of all things is fast
approaching, and that their time to work is short.
11. Concerning what have we been definitely informed
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall
depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of
devils.” 1 Tim. 4:1.
12. What class of God’s servants have evil angels, through wicked
men, seemed to make special objects of attack
“Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted” Acts 7:52.
NOTES.— “Of all classes of men employed by the Heavenly Father in
the work of redemption, none are more fiercely hated by the wicked
angels than the whole line of the prophets; for from the first to the last
they foretell the final and eternal overthrow and utter extinction of the
‘powers of darkness,’ the ‘spirits of disobedience.’ ” “Footprints of
Angels in Fields of Revelation,” page 14.
Evil angels also incite men and nations to war, and by this means
divert their attention from things pertaining to the kingdom of God, and
so take peace from the earth. Rev. 16:14. This will end in Armageddon.
“Familiar with the laws which govern mental conditions, the fallen
hosts ply all their specious arts to excite personal suspicions and
animosities, and to create national resentments and bloody conflicts,
their chief delight being to compass the destruction of peace and the
banishment of concord from the earth, to embitter the poor children of
sin and sorrow against each other, and turn our world into an arena of
strife and crime.” Id., page 22.
THE DARK MINISTRIES OF BAD ANGELS
13. What will be the final doom of Satan and his angels
“Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye
cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” Matt.
25:41. “And the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts,
that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.” Mal. 4:1. See Rev. 20:9.
SPIRITUALISM
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1. WHAT is Spiritualism defined to be
“A belief that departed spirits hold intercourse with mortals by means
of physical phenomena, as by rapping, or during abnormal mental states,
as in trances, or the like, commonly manifested through a medium; spiritism.”
Webster. Spiritism: “The theory that mediumistic phenomena are
caused by spirits of the dead.” Webster.
NOTE.— “The very central truth of Spiritualism is the power and possibility
of spirit return, under certain conditions, to communicate with those in
the material form.” N. F. Ravlin, Spiritualistic lecturer, of California.
2. Did this doctrine exist in ancient times
“Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards,
to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God.” Lev. 19:31.
NOTE.— “The phenomenal aspect of modern Spiritualism reproduces
all essential principles of the magic, witchcraft, and sorcery of the
past. The same powers are involved, the same intelligences are operating.”
F. F. Morse, in “Practical Occultism,” page 85.
3. How does God regard sorcerers
“And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness
against the sorcerers.” Mal. 3:5. {534
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4. What does He say of the teachings of enchanters and sorcerers
“Therefore harken not ye to . . . your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers.
. . . for they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land.” Jer.
27:9, 10.
NOTES.— Rev. F. B. Meyer, of England, gives the following warning
against dabbling in Spiritualism: “I have known several families that
have been cursed by having recourse to clairvoyants and mediums.
There are grave dangers in these things; and when occult powers are
used for selfish ends, it is possible for men and women to be filled with
evil spirits, as was the girl at Philippi. People are fools to play with the
dregs of the spirit world.” Present Truth, Sept. 7, 1911.
“I am perfectly certain that the whole movement known as mod-