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Visions of Ellen G. White
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Visions about Modern Spiritualism
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Visions about Modern Spiritualism | 1849 to 1858 |
Between 1849 and 1858 Ellen White made at least 10 major observations concerning the origin, rise, growth, development and direction of modern spiritualism. They are . . .
1. The "Rochester rappings" of Hydesville, New York, which launched modern spiritualism in 1848, were "the direct work of evil spirits.: 2. They would spread widely and rapidly 3. Though initially a secular phenomenon, they would soon metaporphose into a religious movement. 4. The movement will link up with hypnosis, both coming from the same source. 5. No criticism would be brooked by the new religion 6. There would be a marked, continuing increase in satanic miracles. 7. The miracles of Jesus would be dismissed as merely spiritualistic operations. 8. Miracles would become a major factor in the end-time scenario. 9. Evil angels would inpersonate the writers of the Bible, ostensibly now returning from the spirit world to correct alleged "errors" in their writings. on the basis of additional new information gained on "the other side" 10. The "crowning act" of the great controversy end-time drama will be Satan's attempt to impersonate Christ in a counterfeit second coming. |
Ellen White received her first vision about modern spiritualism on March 24, 1849 |
Ellen White received her second vision on August 24, 1850 |
Described in the book, Early Writings, pages 59, 60
August 24, 1850, I saw that the "mysterious rapping" was the power of Satan; some of it was directly from him, and some indirectly, through his agents, but it all proceeded from Satan. It was his work that he accomplished in different ways; yet many in the churches and the world were so enveloped in gross darkness that they thought and held forth that it was the power of God. Said the angel, "Should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?" Should the living go to the dead for knowledge? The dead know not anything. For the living God do ye go to the dead? They have departed from the living God to converse with the dead who know not anything. (See Isaiah 8:19, 20.) I saw that soon it would be considered blasphemy to speak against the rapping, and that it would spread more and more, that Satan's power would increase and some of his devoted followers would have power to work miracles and even to bring down fire from heaven in the sight of men. I was shown that by the rapping and mesmerism these modern magicians would yet account for all the miracles wrought by our Lord Jesus Christ, and that many would believe that all the mighty works of the Son of God when on earth were accomplished by this same power. I was pointed back to the time of Moses and saw the signs and wonders which God wrought through him before Pharaoh, most of which were imitated by the magicians of Egypt; and that just before the final deliverance of the saints, God would work powerfully for His people, and these modern magicians would be permitted to imitate the work of God. That time will soon come, and we shall have to keep hold of the strong arm of Jehovah; for all these great signs and mighty wonders of the devil are designed to deceive God's people and overthrow them. Our minds must be stayed upon God, and we must not fear the fear of the wicked, that is, fear what they fear, and reverence what they reverence, but be bold and valiant for the truth. Could our eyes be opened, we should see forms of evil angels around us, trying to invent some new way to annoy and destroy us. And we should also see angels of God guarding us from their power; for God's watchful eye is ever over Israel for good, and He will protect and save His people, if they put their trust in Him. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. Said the angel, "Remember, thou art on the enchanted ground." I saw that we must watch and have on the whole armor and take the shield of faith, and then we shall be able to stand, and the fiery darts of the wicked cannot harm us. |
Note (bottom of page 59) WHEN THIS VIEW WAS GIVEN, SPIRITUALISM HAD BUT JUST ARISEN AND WAS SMALL; THERE WERE BUT FEW MEDIUMS. SINCE THAT TIME IT HAS SPREAD ALL OVER THE WORLD AND COUNTS ITS ADHERENTS BY MANY MILLIONS. AS A GENERAL THING, SPIRITUALISTS HAVE DENIED THE BIBLE AND DERIDED CHRISTIANITY. INDIVIDUALS HAVE, AT DIFFERENT TIMES, DEPLORED THIS AND PROTESTED AGAINST IT, BUT THEY WERE SO FEW THAT NO ATTENTION WAS PAID TO THEM. NOW SPIRITUALISTS ARE CHANGING THEIR METHOD, AND MANY CALL THEMSELVES "CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALISTS," DECLARING THAT IT WILL NOT ANSWER TO IGNORE RELIGION, AND AFFIRMING THAT THEY HAVE THE TRUE CHRISTIAN FAITH. BEARING IN MIND, ALSO, THAT MANY PROMINENT CLERGYMEN ARE IN SYMPATHY WITH SPIRITUALISM, WE NOW SEE THE WAY OPEN FOR THE COMPLETE FULFILLMENT OF THIS PREDICTION, GIVEN IN 1850. READ ALSO REMARKS BY THE AUTHOR ON PAGE 86.] |
Five years later Ellen White wrote in Early Writings, pages 87 to 89
I saw the rapping delusion - what progress it was making, and that if it were possible it would deceive the very elect. Satan will have power to bring before us the appearance of forms purporting to be our relatives or friends now sleeping in Jesus. It will be made to appear as if these friends were present; the words that they uttered while here, with which we were familiar, will be spoken, and the same tone of voice that they had while living will fall upon the ear. All this is to deceive the saints and ensnare them into the belief of this delusion.
I saw that the saints must get a thorough understanding of present truth, which they will be obliged to maintain from the Scriptures. They must understand the state of the dead; for the spirits of devils will yet appear to them, professing to be beloved friends and relatives, who will declare to them that the Sabbath has been changed, also other unscriptural doctrines. They will do all in their power to excite sympathy and will work miracles before them to confirm what they declare. The people of God must be prepared to withstand these spirits with the Bible truth that the dead know not anything, and that they who appear to them are the spirits of devils. Our minds must not be taken up with things around us, but must be occupied with the present truth and a preparation to give a reason of our hope with meekness and fear. We must seek wisdom from on high that we may stand in this day of error and delusion. We must examine well the foundation of our hope, for we shall have to give a reason for it from the Scriptures. This delusion will spread, and we shall have to contend with it face to face; and unless we are prepared for it, we shall be ensnared and overcome. But if we do what we can on our part to be ready for the conflict that is just before us, God will do His part, and His all-powerful arm will protect us. He would sooner send every angel out of glory to the relief of faithful souls, to make a hedge about them, than have them deceived and led away by the lying wonders of Satan. I saw the rapidity with which this delusion was spreading. A train of cars was shown me, going with the speed of lightning. The angel bade me look carefully. I fixed my eyes upon the train. It seemed that the whole world was on board, that there could not be one left. Said the angel, "They are binding in bundles ready to burn." Then he showed me the conductor, who appeared like a stately, fair person, whom all the passengers looked up to and reverenced. I was perplexed and asked my attending angel who it was. He said, "It is Satan. He is the conductor in the form of an angel of light. He has taken the world captive. They are given over to strong delusions, to believe a lie, that they may be damned. This agent, the next highest in order to him, is the engineer, and other of his agents are employed in different offices as he may need them, and they are all going with lightning speed to perdition."
I asked the angel if there were none left. He bade me look in an opposite direction, and I saw a little company traveling a narrow pathway. All seemed to be firmly united, bound together by the truth, in bundles, or companies. Said the angel, "The third angel is binding, or sealing, them in bundles for the heavenly garner." This little company looked careworn, as if they had passed through severe trials and conflicts. And it appeared as if the sun had just risen from behind a cloud and shone upon their countenances, causing them to look triumphant, as if their victories were nearly won.
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