The other day, I heard a Christian say how he did not understand how the witch of En-dor was able to summon the deceased prophet Samuel at the request of King Saul who had come to her in disguise.1 So let’s ask some questions:
This “witch of En-dor” incident is just one more example of how naïve we are as to the ability of the great enemy to deceive, and of how unprepared we are to comprehend the power he is forever manifesting in the world, enticing the curious, foolish, or rapacious to open themselves to his influence, manipulation, and captivity.▪ If puny man can broadcast images of the living and the dead via television, internet, etc.; if actors can be made-up to “double” for almost anyone; if ventriloquists can mimic a voice so as to be undetectable, can not the inveterate liar Lucifer manage a conniving deception for nefarious purposes?
▪ Do we really think that Satan has power to command or summon righteous souls; or can he only manipulate those who have given themselves over to him?
▪ Do we imagine that channelers, psychics, enchanters, witches, etc. know how their “spirit suppliers” work? Would a hologram or some other bit of magical imagery do the trickery?
▪ If these mystics communicate stuff that no one could possibly “know,” do we presume that good angels are the only ones watching the world—whispering in ears?—the only ones aware of life events and weakness?
▪ Who is so obsessive about possession and captivation that he would resort to lies mingled with truths and truths mingled with lies?
▪ Who loves to give signs and synchronicities to seduce belief and worship?
Of course, devils and demons don’t fit within our modern scientific paradigm; and for many, not even within their religious one, notwithstanding the plain words and actions of Jesus and His disciples. It’s all that nasty, embarrassing business from “primitive” days. Here are two of those so-called “primitives”:
Paul the Apostle (1st-centuryAD): For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (New Testament | Ephesians 6:12)Lucifer’s obsession with imitation has been known forever. So here is one more warning from those “primitive” times ~ 3rd century A.D., Hippolytus of Rome, Treatise on Christ and Antichrist:
Rabbi Simeon (2nd-century AD, sage in ancient Israel): “Alas for the blindness of the sons of men, all unaware as they are, how full the earth is of strange and invisible beings and hidden dangers, which could they but see them, they would marvel how they themselves can survive ten minutes on the earth.”2
Now, as our Lord Jesus Christ, who is also God, was prophesied of under the figure of a lion, on account of His royalty and glory, in the same way have the Scriptures also aforetime spoken of Antichrist as a lion, on account of his tyranny and violence. For the deceiver seeks to liken himself in all things to the Son of God. Christ is a lion, so Antichrist is also a lion; Christ is a king, so Antichrist is also a king. The Saviour was manifested as a lamb; so he too, in like manner, will appear as a lamb, though within he is a wolf. The Saviour came into the World in the circumcision, and he will come in the same manner. The Lord sent apostles among all the nations, and he in like manner will send false apostles. The Saviour gathered together the sheep that were scattered abroad, and he in like manner will bring together a people that is scattered abroad. The Lord gave a seal to those who believed on Him, and he will give one like manner. The Saviour appeared in the form of man, and he too will come in the form of a man. The Saviour raised up and showed His holy flesh like a temple, and he will raise a temple of stone in Jerusalem.3The imitation war is expanding like never before.4 More and more we find “witnesses” lauding astral projection (astral travel), remote viewing, ritual incantations, signs, symbols, types & images, sacrifices, chosen ones, salvation, “light beings,” enlightenment, spirit guides, ascended masters, etc. etc.
How prepared are we to detect and discern? The Apostle Paul’s advice is not just casual counsel:
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (New Testament | Ephesians 6:12-18)Nor is Mormon’s:
Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.These are indeed the times that will try men’s souls beyond our present comprehensions.
But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.
Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil.
For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.
For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.
But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.
And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged.
Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ. (Book of Mormon | Moroni 7:12-19, bold emphasis added.)
----------------------------
1. Old Testament | 1 Samuel 28
2. Rabbi Simeon: (as quoted in Enoch the Prophet by Hugh Nibley, p. 18 & 79).
3. Paragraph 6 at http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/hippolytus-christ.html
Hippolytus of Rome (170–235) was the most important 3rd-century theologian in the Christian Church in Rome, where he was probably born. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippolytus_of_Rome (also referred to by Nibley, pp. 180-181).
4. If you don’t believe, perhaps listen to a Christian in the trenches: Russ Dizdar, Exorcism, MPD, SRA, The Black Awakening (Full Movie) (Time: 1:57:19) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEWD1X-47_A&index=76&list=WL
Even if you don’t believe everything these Christians say, perhaps it can awaken us enough to remember:
▪ "And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part". (New Testament | Mark 9:38-40)
▪ "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils;" (New Testament | Mark 16:17)
▪ how revealing the rage and threats of Satan as he was cast out of the Garden of Eden.
As to this statement by Jesus that: "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (New Testament | Matthew 7:22-23; see also Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 14:23); perhaps these words apply to those who "cast out" as part of spectacle for the purpose of power and gain.
