hat it was not the Spirit of the Lord that was inspiring Brother
and Sister L, but the same spirit of fanaticism that is ever seeking entrance into
the remnant church. Their application of Scripture of their peculiar exercises is
Scripture misapplied. The work of declaring persons possessed of the devil, and
then praying with them and pretending to cast out the evil spirits, is fanaticism
which will bring into disrepute any church which sanctions such work.
I was shown that we must give no encouragement to these demonstrations, but
must guard the people with a decided testimony against that which would bring
a stain upon the name of Seventh-day Adventists, and destroy the confidence of
the people in the message of truth which they must bear to the world. The Lord
has done a great work for His people in placing them on vantage ground. It is the
duty of the church to cherish its influence. Precious are the words, “Search the
scriptures; for in them
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ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39).
The words of inspiration carefully studied and prayerfully obeyed, will thoroughly
furnish unto all good works.
As a denomination we need to look more continually to God for guidance.
We are living in an evil age. The perils of the last days are upon us. Because
iniquity abounds, Satan presumes to bring in all kinds of delusive theories upon
those who have tried to walk humbly with God, and who are distrustful of self.
Shall self-confident, fanatical men come to these humble souls assuring them that
they are possessed of evil spirits, and after praying with them, affirm that the devil
is cast out? Such are not the manifestations of the Spirit of God, but of another
spirit.
I call upon every church to beware of being led to think evil of those who,
because distrustful of self, fear that they have not the Holy Spirit. There are those
who have followed their own ways instead of the ways of God. They have not
acknowledged the light that God has graciously given; and because of this they
have lost the power to distinguish between darkness and light. There are many who
have heard much in regard to the path they ought to follow, but who ignore the
requirements God makes of them. Their light does not shine in works that reveal
the principles of truth and holiness. It is this class who in time of test will accept
falsehood and erroneous theories for the truth of God.
Great light has been given to the people of God. Let our people awake, and
go forward to perfection. You will be exposed to the fallacies of satanic agencies.
Fearful waves of fanaticism will come. But God will deliver the people who will
earnestly seek the Lord, and consecrate themselves to His service.—Pacific Union
Recorder, December 31, 1908.
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Chap. 5-Miracles Not a Test of God’s Favor
Seek not for Miraculous Manifestations
Let none cherish the idea that special providences or miraculous manifestations
are to be the proof of the genuineness of their work or of the ideas they advocate.
If we keep these things before the people, they will produce an evil effect, an
unhealthful emotion. The genuine working of the Holy Spirit on human hearts
is promised, to give efficiency through the Word. Christ has declared the Word
to be spirit and life. “The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of
Jehovah, as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14, A.R.V.).
Satan will work in a most subtle manner to introduce human inventions clothed
with angel garments. But the light from the Word is shining amid the moral
darkness; and the Bible will never be superseded by miraculous manifestations.
The truth must be studied, it must be searched for as hidden treasure. Wonderful
illuminations will not be given aside from the Word, or to take the place of it. Cling
to the Word, receive the ingrafted Word, which will make men wise unto salvation.
This is the meaning of the words of Christ in regard to eating His flesh and drinking
His blood. And He says, “This is life
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eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou
hast sent” (John 17:3).
We shall encounter false claims; false prophets will arise; there will be false
dreams and false visions; but preach the Word, be not drawn away from the voice
of God in His Word. Let nothing divert the mind. The wonderful, the marvelous,
will be represented and presented. Through satanic delusions, wonderful miracles,
the claims of human agents will be urged. Beware of all this.
Christ has given warning, so that none need accept falsehood for truth. The
only channel through which the Spirit operates is that of the truth.... Our faith and
hope are founded, not in feeling, but in God.—Letter 12, 1894.
When the Miracle Worker Disregards God’s Law
We must not trust the claims of men. They may, as Christ represents, profess to
work miracles in healing the sick. Is this marvelous, when just behind them stands
the great deceiver, the miracle worker who will yet bring down fire from heaven in
the sight of men?
Nor can we trust impressions. The voice or spirit that says to a man, You are
under no obligation to obey the law of God; you are holy and sinless, while he
is trampling on the divine law, is not the voice of Jesus; for He declares: “I have
kept my Father’s commandments” (John 15:10). And John testifies: “He that saith,
I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in
him” (1 John 2:4).
Then how can these manifestations of great power, and these wonderful
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impressions, be accounted for, except on the ground that they are given through
the influence of that miracle-working spirit that has gone forth to deceive the whole
world, and infatuate them with strong delusion that they shall believe a lie? He
is pleased when men and women claim to possess great spiritual power, and yet
disregard the law of God,