Modern Spiritualism Briefly Tested by Scripture 119 that of idols of gold, etc., and shows how violence and immor ality are its accompaniments ; while Rev. 16 : 14 adds the power of working miracles. The reader now has before him most ample testimony from Scripture as to the source of Spiritualism, its wickedness and powers, and of the utter condemnation meted out to it by God. 3 . THE ONE POSSIBLE EXCEPTION There is possibly one solitary instance in Scripture in which God permitted the spirit of one departed to revisit the earth for a specific purpose. (See 1 Sam. 28 : 3 - 25 . ) We have here either a piece of skilful acting on the part of the witch of Endor; or, what seems more natural, there was a real appearance of Samuel at the behest, not of the witch, but of God Almighty Himself. King Saul, after a long course of evil, was in sore straits. In his dilemma he enquired of the Lord, but He did not answer him, “neither by dreams, nor by Urim nor by prophets,” Disguised, Saul asked the witch to bring up Samuel. God then intervened. He restrained the personating demon from appearing at the medium’s behest, and, judging from the matter-of-fact narration, allowed the spirit of Samuel to appear. The medium was evidently astonished beyond measure. “When the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice,” charging Saul with deception. This is the only case on record in the Scriptures where, apparently, the spirit of one departed has been permitted to revisit the earth for a specific purpose, whereas Spiritualists claim that there is continual intercourse between living per sons and departed spirits. And note, Samuel did not come at the call of the medium of Endor, and God will not allow the spirits of the departed to be at the beck and call of any medium, who may be of questionable character. 1 Chron. 10: 13 , 14 specifically tells us that Saul died for his trans gressions, including his invoking the demon’s aid: “So Saul died for his transgressions, . , . and also for adking
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker