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As the teachings of spiritualism are accepted by the masses, the
restraint imposed upon the carnal heart is removed, and the
profession of religion will become a cloak to conceal the worst of
sins. A
belief in spiritual manifestations opens the door to seducing
spirits, and doctrines of devils, and thus the influence of evil
angels will be felt in the churches.
Those who teach spiritualism
will engage in controversy with those who teach the truth.
They
will quote Scripture, as did Satan to Christ.
"Prove
all things," they say.
But their idea of proving is to listen
to their deceptive reasonings, and to attend their meetings.
It
is true that spiritualism is now changing its form, and, veiling
some of its more objectionable features, is assuming a Christian
guise.
These teachings cannot be denied or
hidden. The
people of God should be able to meet Satan, as did our Savior, with
the words: "It
is written." Those
who would stand in this time of peril must understand for themselves
the truth of the Bible.
This
study will search out the Christians’ spiritual warfare.
1. Where did the war of all wars begin?
Why is the dragon making war with God’s people?
Revelation 12:7, 17
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Note:
There
was war in heaven.
The
Son of God, the Prince of heaven, and His loyal angels engaged in
conflict with Satan and those who united with him.
The
Son of God and true, loyal angels prevailed; and Satan and his
sympathizers were expelled from heaven.
2.
Why
does the devil have such great wrath?
Revelation 12:12
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Note:
Fearful
are the scenes which call forth this exclamation from the heavenly
voice. The
wrath of Satan increases as his time grows short, and his work of
deceit and destruction make known the fact that he knows he has a
“short time.”
3. Why does the whole world follow and worship
the beast instead of the Lamb?
Revelation 13:3, 11
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Note: Wicked men will
not oppose a form of godliness, nor reject a popular ministry which
presents no cross for them to bear. The carnal mind will raise no
serious objection to a religion in which the law of God is not
brought to bear upon the heart and conscience of those living in
violation of it.
4. What is hatred against the disciples of
Christ equal to?
Acts 9:1-6
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Note: What a
humiliation it was to Paul to know that all the time he was using
his powers against the truth, and thinking he was doing God's
service, he was actually persecuting Christ. When the Savior
revealed Himself to Paul in the bright beams of His glory, he was
filled with abhorrence for his work and for himself.
5. What did Paul NOT do when Jesus was
revealed to him?
Galatians
1:15-16 _______________________________________________________
6.
What three questions did the Pharisees ask the officers?
John 7:45-48
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Note: There is much to
learn from Paul in not conferring with flesh and blood. He had no
need to, since he had God’s own word. In most cases though, a man
will read something in the Bible, and then go ask some other man's
opinion before he will believe it. If none of his friends believe
it, he is fearful of accepting it. If his pastor, or some
commentary, explains the text away, then away it goes; flesh and
blood gain the victory against the Spirit and the Word.
7. What does the old man of sin attempt to do?
2 Thessalonians
2:3-4 ____________________________________________________
8. Why
do so many perish in the end?
2 Thessalonians 2:8-12
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Note: Men cannot with
any freedom reject the warnings that God in mercy sends them. For
those who persist in turning from these warnings, God withdraws His
Spirit, leaving them to the deceptions that they love.
9.
What have certain men crept into the church and done?
Jude 4
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Note: Many who profess
Christianity turn the grace of God into a license to sin. Those who
make a profession of being Christians, and still live a life of sin
cast dishonor upon the truth of God.
10. What perilous danger did God say the
church would be in at the end of time?
2 Timothy 3:1-5
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Note: In these perilous
times, when a form of godliness is popular in the world, and a
profession of Christianity is fashionable, only a few will discern
the living way of self-denial and the cross. "Watch and pray" is
the command of Him who endured temptation in our behalf.
11. What does a soldier of the cross refuse to
entangle himself in?
2 Timothy 2:3-4
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Note:
The child of God, who is wholly consecrated, refuses to engage in
business that would hinder him from giving himself fully to his
sacred calling. He is not striving for earthly honor or riches; his
one purpose is to tell others of the Savior, who gave Himself to
bring to human beings the riches of eternal life.
12. How does a soldier of the cross stand in
the evil day?
Ephesians 6:13-17
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Note: The deceptions
will increase, and we are to call rebellion by its right name. We
are to stand with the whole armor of God. In this conflict we do
not battle against men but principalities and powers. We wrestle
not against flesh and blood, but against what is unseen. The only
weapon for the Christian soldier is the sword of the word of God.
The
warnings of the word of God
regarding the perils surrounding the Christian church belong to us
today. To many the Bible is as a lamp without oil. Personal
opinions and religious traditions are destroying faith in the Bible
as a divine revelation. They are robbing God's word of power to
control, uplift, and inspire human lives. Through spiritualism,
multitudes are taught to believe that desire is the highest law,
that license to sin is liberty, and that man is accountable only to
himself.
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