y so agreeable to the
carnal heart, and renounce the sins which they love, multitudes close
their eyes to the light, and walk straight on, regardless of warnings,
while Satan weaves his snares about them, and they become his prey.
"Because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be
saved," therefore "God shall send them strong delusion, that they should
believe a lie."(993)

Those who oppose the teachings of Spiritualism are assailing, not men
alone, but Satan and his angels. They have entered upon a contest against
principalities and powers and wicked spirits in high places. Satan will
not yield one inch of ground except as he is driven back by the power of
heavenly messengers. The people of God should be able to meet him, as did
our Saviour, with the words, "It is written." Satan can quote Scripture
now as in the days of Christ, and he will pervert its teachings to sustain
his delusions. Those who would stand in this time of peril must understand
for themselves the testimony of the Scriptures. Many will be confronted by
the spirits of devils personating beloved relatives or friends, and
declaring the most dangerous heresies. These visitants will appeal to our
tenderest sympathies, and will work miracles to sustain their pretensions.
We must be prepared to withstand them with the Bible truth that the dead
know not anything, and that they who thus appear are the spirits of
devils.

Just before us is the "hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the
world, to try them that dwell upon the earth."(994) All whose faith is not
firmly established upon the word of God will be deceived and overcome.
Satan "works with all deceivableness of unrighteousness" to gain control
of the children of men; and his deceptions will continually increase. But
he can gain his object only as men voluntarily yield to his temptations.
Those who are earnestly seeking a knowledge of the truth, and are striving
to purify their souls through obedience, thus doing what they can to
prepare for the conflict, will find, in the God of truth, a sure defense.
"Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep
thee,"(995) is the Saviour's promise. He would sooner send every angel out
of heaven to protect His people, than leave one soul that trusts in Him to
be overcome by Satan.

The prophet Isaiah brings to view the fearful deception which will come
upon the wicked, causing them to count themselves secure from the
judg