The Bible explains that “there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Revelation 12:7–9). This is the same archenemy to be stopped in his tracks in Revelation 20:2, 3. We read that his destruction is sure, along with that of his evil angels: “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire” (Jude 1:6, 7).

How? “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch” (Malachi 4:1).

Although doomed to destruction, in the meantime, the devil and his evil angels are quite active on this fallen planet. In addition to all the horrendous crimes they incite people to commit, the most direct evidence of their ploys is in the form of spiritualism, also known as spiritism.

Isn’t it good to be spiritually-minded? Aren’t people who follow God and read the Bible referred to as being spiritually-minded? Such a context of the word “spiritual” as used in the Bible is referring to something different; we must not confuse this with what is known as “spiritualism,” also known as the occult. Genuine Christians follow the Holy Spirit, the Comforter sent by Jesus. But such are not what is known as “spiritualists,” who follow the spirit from beneath. The apostle Paul explains the urgent need for our awareness in this regard: “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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” (Ephesians 6:11, 12).

Since the early days recorded in the book of Genesis, we see evidence of spiritualistic influences. The serpent beguiled Eve in Genesis chapter 3, causing the fall of humanity. Soon, strange alternative lifestyles began confusing the population already in Genesis 4 (eventually culminating in the need for God to send the great Flood and for Noah to be spared in Genesis 6). Later, Nimrod and his cohorts aimed to make a global government to rebel against the Majesty of Heaven in Genesis 11. By the time of the book of Exodus, the Egyptian nation already had a sophisticated spiritualistic religion (Exodus 7:10, 11; 8:7). Throughout Old Testament history, we see a record of the struggle of God’s few faithful people against the perverse, evil powers that dominated the nations.

The Bible clearly states that the dead are not conscious, and God is not pleased when people commit sorcery by speculating otherwise. (Please see Leviticus 19:31; Deuteronomy 18:10–12; 2 Kings 21:6, 9, 11; Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6, 10; Psalms 6:5; 115:17; 146:4; Job 14:12; Isaiah 19:3; Daniel 4:7; John 5:28, 29; 6:39, 40, 54; 11:11–13; 2 Corinthians 11:14; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; Revelation 20:6, 7; 21:8; 22:15 as a partial list on the actual state of the dead.)

Yet “in every system . . . except that of the Bible, the doctrine of a purgatory after death, and prayers for the dead, has always been found to occupy a place. Go wherever we may, in ancient or modern times, we shall find that Paganism leaves hope after death for sinners, who, at the time of their departure, were consciously unfit for the abodes of the blest.”1

In ancient Egypt, the priest officiating at a pagan burial often wore a leopard skin mantle.

It is interesting to note the parallel of the leopard-like beast in Revelation 13:1, 2. More on that below.

“It will be observed . . . that the Great Red Dragon, or Great Fiery Serpent, is represented as standing before the Woman [in Revelation 12] with the crown of twelve stars, that is, the true Church of God, ‘To devour her child as soon as it should be born.’ Now, this is in exact accordance with the character of the Great Head of the system of fire-worship. Nimrod, as the representative of the devouring fire to which human victims, and especially children, were offered in sacrifice, was regarded as the great child-devourer. . . . This legend has a further and deeper meaning; but, as applied to Nimrod, or ‘The Horned One,’ it just refers to the fact, that, as the representative of Moloch or Baal, infants were the most acceptable offerings at his altar. We have ample and melancholy evidence on this subject from the records of antiquity.”2 (See also Jeremiah 19:5; 32:35.)

The sun worship of Baal is also linked with this fire-worship.

“The dragon is said to be Satan; [Revelation 12:9.] he it was that moved upon Herod to put the Saviour to death. But the chief agent of Satan in making war upon Christ and his people during the first centuries of the Christian era, was the Roman Empire, in which paganism was the prevailing religion. Thus while the dragon, primarily, represents Satan, it is, in a secondary sense, a symbol of pagan Rome.

“In chapter 13 [Verses 1–10.] is described another beast, ‘like unto a leopard,’ to which the dragon gave ‘his power, and his seat, and great authority.’ This symbol, as most Protestants have believed, represents the papacy, which succeeded to the power and seat and authority once possessed by the ancient Roman Empire. Of the leopard-like beast it is declared: ‘There was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies. . . . And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in Heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them; and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.’ This prophecy, which is nearly identical with the description of the little horn of Daniel 7, unquestionably points to the papacy.”3

“The special characteristic of the beast, and therefore of his image, is the breaking of God’s commandments. Says Daniel, of the little horn, the papacy, ‘He shall think to change the times and the law. [Daniel 7:25, Revised Version.] And Paul styled the same power the ‘man of sin,’ who was to exalt himself above God. One prophecy is a complement of the other. Only by changing God’s law could the papacy exalt itself above God; whoever should understandingly keep the law as thus changed would be giving supreme honor to that power by which the change was made. Such an act of obedience to papal laws would be a mark of allegiance to the pope in the place of God.

“The papacy has attempted to change the law of God. The second commandment, forbidding image worship, has been dropped from the law, and the fourth commandment has been so changed as to authorize the observance of the first instead of the seventh day as the Sabbath. But papists urge, as a reason for omitting the second commandment, that it is unnecessary, being included in the first, and that they are giving the law exactly as God designed it to be understood. This cannot be the change foretold by the prophet. An intentional, deliberate change is presented: ‘He shall think to change the times and the law.’ The change in the fourth commandment exactly fulfills the prophecy. For this the only authority claimed is that of the church. Here the papal power openly sets itself above God.”4

“The doctrine of man’s consciousness in death, especially the belief that the spirits of the dead return to minister to the living, has prepared the way for modern Spiritualism. If the dead are admitted to the presence of God and holy angels, and privileged with knowledge far exceeding what they before possessed, why should they not return to the earth to enlighten and instruct the living? If, as taught by popular theologians, the spirits of the dead are hovering about their friends on earth, why should they not be permitted to communicate with them, to warn them against evil, or to comfort them in sorrow? How can those who believe in man’s consciousness in death reject what comes to them as divine light communicated by glorified spirits? Here is a channel regarded as sacred, through which Satan works for the accomplishment of his purposes. The fallen angels who do his bidding appear as messengers from the spirit world. While professing to bring the living into communication with the dead, the prince of evil exercises his bewitching influence upon their minds.

“He has power to bring before men the appearance of their departed friends. The counterfeit is perfect; the familiar look, the words, the tone, are reproduced with marvelous distinctness. Many are comforted with the assurance that their loved ones are enjoying the bliss of Heaven; and without suspicion of danger, they give ear to ‘seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.’

“When they have been led to believe that the dead actually return to communicate with them, Satan causes those to appear who went into the grave unprepared. They claim to be happy in Heaven, and even to occupy exalted positions there; and thus the error is widely taught, that no difference is made between the righteous and the wicked. The pretended visitants from the world of spirits sometimes utter cautions and warnings which prove to be correct. Then, as confidence is gained, they present doctrines that directly undermine faith in the Scriptures. With an appearance of deep interest in the well-being of their friends on earth, they insinuate the most dangerous errors. The fact that they state some truths, and are able at times to foretell future events, gives to their statements an appearance of reliability; and their false teachings are accepted by the multitudes as readily, and believed as implicitly, as if they were the most sacred truths of the Bible. The law of God is set aside, the Spirit of grace despised, the blood of the covenant counted an unholy thing. The spirits deny the divinity of Christ, and place even the Creator on a level with themselves. Thus under a new disguise the great rebel still carries forward his warfare against God.”5

The Christian world is eager for revival. The world-loving, lukewarm state of the professed churches have disheartened many a consecrated believer seeking for a deeper experience with Christ and more meaningful fellowship with others of similar faith.

The recent Christian revival at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky, has attracted widespread, international interest and sparked similar revivals at Christian colleges across the United States, including Lee University, Samford University, and others that have also been mentioned by name. (God only is the Judge, but some appear to have more elements of sincerity than others.)

Reporting the Asbury experience, on February 23, 2023, Thomas Lyons (an alumnus of Asbury) posted online in The Atlantic magazine: “The event has gone viral online—on TikTok, the hashtag #asburyrevival has more than 100 million views and counting. But its appeal is actually its physicality and simplicity. In a time of factionalism, celebrity culture, and performance, what’s happening at Asbury is radically humble. . . .

“Some see what would be the seeds of another nationwide Great Awakening, and others see echoes of the crowds of January 6 and the looming threat of Christian nationalism.”6

Not having been present, we cannot know all that occurred, but so far by this and other accounts, the Asbury event was described as simple and humble, as was the humble Nazarene. Yet according to prophecy, in which direction will many modern revivals go, perhaps on the part of some who might seek to “outdo” the attention drawn to Asbury? Therefore, we really need to understand what constitutes genuine revival.

In days begone, “Revivals brought deep heart-searching and humility. They were characterized by solemn, earnest appeals to the sinner, by yearning compassion for the purchase of the blood of Christ. Men and women prayed and wrestled with God for the salvation of souls. The fruits of such revivals were seen in souls who shrank not at self-denial and sacrifice, but rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer reproach and trial for the sake of Christ. Men beheld a transformation in the lives of those who had professed the name of Jesus. The community was benefited by their influence. They gathered with Christ, and sowed to the Spirit, to reap life everlasting. . . .

“But many of the revivals of modern times have presented a marked contrast to those manifestations of divine grace which in earlier days followed the labors of God’s servants. It is true that a widespread interest is kindled, many profess conversion, and there are large accessions to the churches; nevertheless the results are not such as to warrant the belief that there has been a corresponding increase of real spiritual life. The light which flames up for a time soon dies out, leaving the darkness more dense than before.

“Popular revivals are too often carried by appeals to the imagination, by exciting the emotions, by gratifying the love for what is new and startling. Converts thus gained have little desire to listen to Bible truth, little interest in the testimony of prophets and apostles. Unless a religious service has something of a sensational character, it has no attractions for them. A message which appeals to unimpassioned reason, awakens no response. The plain warnings of God’s Word, relating directly to their eternal interests, are unheeded.”7

“Before the final visitation of God’s judgments upon the earth, there will be, among the people of the Lord, such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children. At that time many will separate themselves from those churches in which the love of this world has supplanted love for God and His Word. Many, both of ministers and people, will gladly accept those great truths which God has caused to be proclaimed at this time, to prepare a people for the Lord’s second coming. The enemy of souls desires to hinder this work; and before the time for such a movement shall come, he will endeavor to prevent it, by introducing a counterfeit. In those churches which he can bring under his deceptive power, he will make it appear that God’s special blessing is poured out; there will be manifest what is thought to be great religious interest. Multitudes will exult that God is working marvelously for them, when the work is that of another spirit. Under a religious guise, Satan will seek to extend his influence over the Christian world.”8

The Bible is very clear about how to test the spirits to know whether they are of God or of the devil.

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world” (1 John 4:1–3).

What does it mean to “confess” that Jesus is come in the flesh? The fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23) will be revealed in our flesh—in our daily life—whether we really believe what we profess or whether, in contrast, we are just full of mere talk in claiming to be Christians. This is even more important in leaders and teachers:

“There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God. For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the Lord thy God hath not suffered thee so to do. . . . The prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him” (Deuteronomy 18:10–14, 20–22). Please read Deuteronomy chapter 13 also.

“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.’ ”9

Here’s the big twister: There is a subtle deception in our days: Not only blatant occultists, but many preachers and so-called Christian speakers claiming to follow God are also comingling the spirits of devils into their work.

Just one example: Recently a funeral was held for a lady who had died unexpectedly. She had a likeable personality and, together with her sister, had made quite a hit as a popular team offering political commentary on the internet, speaking openly as strong supporters of a very prominent leader who kindly attended the funeral as a loyal friend. All would seem fine, but while presenting the eulogy, the surviving sister claimed that she spoke with the deceased after her death, and she then proceeded to present a list of comments that the deceased sister (supposedly speaking from another world) now wanted everyone to know. The obvious implication was that those comments would surely be thought to carry greater weight now since she was dead (presumably in another world—the spirit realm), so the listeners were expected to be more impressed with the content.

Where is this heading? How common will such an unbiblical practice become in Christian circles? Will anyone stop to question what God’s word says about “necromancy”—that is, presumed communication with the dead? Please see Deuteronomy 18:11 and the verses cited earlier about the state of the dead.

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1 Timothy 4:1).

“The very first claim put forth by these communicating intelligences was that they were spirits of the dead; and in that claim they still persist. But that is a lie; for there are no such spirits in a condition thus to communicate. And this, to him who will be guided by the Scriptures, reveals at once both the unseen agents and their character; for we are told of spiritual beings which have to do with the human family—the angels of which there are two classes, the fallen and the unfallen, the evil and the good. But these spirits cannot be the good angels; for good angels do not lie; they must be evil angels, who have been deceivers from the beginning.”10

Is this where the Charismatic movement with its pagan spirit of glossolalia is ultimately leading the multitudes? The warning against this ancient practice of glossolalia (ecstatic utterance in the form of false speaking in tongues, not to be confused with the genuine gift as manifested under logical, appropriate circumstances in Bible history) is recorded by the Old Testament prophet Isaiah: “And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:19, 20). A religion based on feelings and emotion will surely lead astray.

On the other hand, in clear contrast, “it is the work of conversion and sanctification to reconcile men to God, by bringing them into accord with the principles of His law.”11

“Let none deceive themselves with the belief that they can become holy while willfully violating one of God’s requirements. The commission of a known sin silences the witnessing voice of the Spirit, and separates the soul from God.”12

“Satan sees that he is about to lose his case. He cannot sweep in the whole world. He makes one more, last, desperate effort to overcome the faithful by deception. He does this in personating Christ. He clothes himself with the garments of royalty which have been accurately described in the vision of John. He has power to do this. He will appear to his deluded followers, the Christian world who received not the love of the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness (transgression of the law), as Christ coming the second time.

“He proclaims himself Christ, and he is believed to be Christ, a beautiful, majestic being clothed with majesty and, with soft voice with pleasant words, with glory unsurpassed by anything their mortal eyes had yet beheld. These, his deceived, deluded followers, set up a shout of victory, ‘Christ has come the second time! Christ has come! He has lifted up His hands just as He did when He was upon the earth, and blessed us.’

“Here it was [that] the masterly effort of Satan would have deceived the very elect. But who were the ones blessed by him? Whom did he make glad? Whom did he honor? The combined powers of earth, the churches fallen by rejecting light and the messages of mercy Heaven had sent to heal Babylon but she refused. (Christ had declared the friendship of the world was enmity with God. Whosoever would be a friend of the world was the enemy of God.) The papal power, the man of sin which thought to change times and laws, that had presented a rival sabbath to the world to be worshiped, the apostate power who sits in the temple of God showing himself that he is God, the power that drank the blood of the saints is united with the Protestant churches, having two horns like a lamb but speaks as a dragon; the deceptions of spiritualism which have perpetuated Satan’s lie uttered in Eden, ‘Thou shalt not surely die’ [Genesis 3:4]—all these are bound up in bundles, a corrupt harmony under a corrupt leader. The blessing is pronounced by this false christ upon the worshipers of the beast and his image, [the people] who have received the mark of the beast and the mark of the image of the beast.”13

“In [Satan’s] assumed character of Christ, he claims to have changed the Sabbath to Sunday, and commands all to hallow the day which he has blessed. He declares that those who persist in keeping holy the seventh day are blaspheming his name by refusing to listen to his angels sent to them with light and truth. This is the strong, almost overmastering delusion. Like the Samaritans who were deceived by Simon Magus, the multitudes, from the least to the greatest, give heed to these sorceries, saying, This is ‘the great power of God.’ [Acts 8:10.]

“But the people of God will not be misled. The teachings of this false Christ are not in accordance with the Scriptures.”14

May the Lord strengthen us to rely solely on His sure Word and not be deceived! Amen.