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Testimonies for the Church Volume 1 - A New You Ministry

Testimonies for the Church Volume 1 - A New You Ministry

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are beguiled of <strong>the</strong>ir reward through <strong>the</strong> deceptions of Satan. They rely upon <strong>the</strong>ir ownmerits, exercise voluntary humility, are even willing to make sacrifices, and debase<strong>the</strong>mselves, and yield <strong>the</strong>ir minds to <strong>the</strong> belief of supreme nonsense, receiving <strong>the</strong>most absurd ideas through those whom <strong>the</strong>y believe to be <strong>the</strong>ir dead friends. Satan hasso blinded <strong>the</strong>ir eyes and perverted <strong>the</strong>ir judgment that <strong>the</strong>y perceive not <strong>the</strong> evil; and<strong>the</strong>y follow out <strong>the</strong> instructions purporting to be from <strong>the</strong>ir dead friends now angels ina higher sphere.Satan has chosen a most certain, fascinating delusion, one that is calculated to takehold of <strong>the</strong> sympathies of those who have laid <strong>the</strong>ir loved ones in <strong>the</strong> grave. Evil angelsassume <strong>the</strong> <strong>for</strong>m of <strong>the</strong>se loved ones and relate incidents connected with <strong>the</strong>ir lives andper<strong>for</strong>m acts which <strong>the</strong>ir friends per<strong>for</strong>med while living. In this way <strong>the</strong>y deceive andlead <strong>the</strong> relatives of <strong>the</strong> dead to believe that <strong>the</strong>ir deceased friends are angels hoveringabout <strong>the</strong>m and communing with <strong>the</strong>m. These <strong>the</strong>y regard with a certain idolatry, andwhat <strong>the</strong>y may say has greater influence over <strong>the</strong>m than <strong>the</strong> word of God. These evilangels, who assume to be dead friends, will ei<strong>the</strong>r utterly reject God’s word as idletales, or, if it suit <strong>the</strong>ir purpose best, will select <strong>the</strong> vital portions which testify ofChrist and point out <strong>the</strong> way to heaven, and change <strong>the</strong> plain statements of <strong>the</strong> word ofGod to suit <strong>the</strong>ir own corrupt nature and ruin souls. With due attention to <strong>the</strong> word ofGod, all may be convinced if <strong>the</strong>y will of this soul-destroying delusion. The word ofGod declares in positive terms that “<strong>the</strong> dead know not anything.” Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6:“For <strong>the</strong> living know that <strong>the</strong>y shall die: but <strong>the</strong> dead know not anything, nei<strong>the</strong>r have<strong>the</strong>y any more a reward; <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> memory of <strong>the</strong>m is <strong>for</strong>gotten. Also <strong>the</strong>ir love, and <strong>the</strong>irhatred, and <strong>the</strong>ir envy, is now perished; nei<strong>the</strong>r have <strong>the</strong>y any more a portion <strong>for</strong>ever inanything that is done under <strong>the</strong> sun.”Deceived mortals are worshiping evil angels, believing298

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