Spirits From Other Worlds

Spirits from other worlds do visit this earth. They are continually going back and forth and have sometimes been seen by men. These super-dimensional space visitors have the uncanny ability to appear and disappear at will. They have interfered in the affairs of government, family and personal lives from time to time. It is now known that they have dramatically affected the rise and fall of nations for almost 6,000 years of human history. Coming from another space galaxy and not being subject to the restrictions of time or distance, these amazing creatures have literally "occupied" this planet, and with their mysterious extrasensory powers they have transcribed and preserved the most classified secrets of men and governments.

Who are these visiting spirits from outer space? Do they come as friends or enemies? For what purpose do they make a record of our most secret transactions? Are they connected with the hundreds of UFO sightings around the world? The answers to these questions could very well determine our attitude toward these very real beings who surround us each day.

First, let me assure you that these celestial visitors do not travel by means of swift, silent, cigar-shaped rocket ships. UFOs, whatever else they might be, are not the vehicles for these extraordinary creatures. They are spirits. This much is confirmed by the most reliable document in the world today - God's holy Bible.

Please notice that His Book speaks about spirits in a variety of connotations, just as we use the word in our modern vocabulary. We refer to an individual as a "guiding spirit" in the community. Alcoholic beverages are called "spirits" of liquor, and imaginary ghosts are said to be "spirits." In the same manner, the Bible refers to God as "Spirit," and the angels are also called "ministering spirits." Hebrews 1:14 "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" Here we also find spirits who visit this earth from time to time; they are angels who continually minister to the needs of God's people. With exceeding speed and power they hurry from heaven to earth to carry out God's biddings in behalf of men.

Before proceeding further, let us clarify some false impressions that have been held by many regarding the angels. Mothers have been known to tell their children that if they would be good, someday they could be angels in heaven. Is it true that the angels are actually the spirits of the dead? Do the godly mothers of this earth turn into angels when they die? The answer is emphatically NO! First of all, we know that there were angels before anyone had died among the human family. They do not depend for their existence upon the death of mortals. "So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life." Genesis 3:24.

Furthermore, the Scriptures make it clear that angels were made before man and they belong to a different order of beings. Psalm 8:4, 5: "What is man, that thou are mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour." The fact is that we can never hope to be an angel. Even though we belong to the same great family of God, there is a difference of order which separates the earthly from the heavenly members of that family.

Where did the angels come from if they are not related to earthly beings? The answer is found in Colossians 1:16, 17. "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." They were created by God. Sometime in the eternity of the past, before the creation of this world, they were formed by the power of God. Apparently, there are various types of good angels among the heavenly host. Psalm 99:1 describes the cherubim with their two wings arched over the very throne of God. Isaiah 6:1-7 speaks of seraphim who have six wings and seem to have separate duties to perform. But one fact stands out clearly - none of them are disembodied spirits. They are real beings who simply possess powers that you and I do not have. In Genesis 18:1-8, we are told that some angels appeared to Abraham in the plains of Mamre. With typical eastern hospitality, Abraham prepared a meal for his guests, and the record says, "He stood by them under the tree, and they did eat." Now, if they had been bodiless spirits, this act of eating would have been an impossibility. They had just as real bodies as you and I have. We find no evidence that these heavenly visitors are indefinite, formless, vacuous objects. The Bible reveals that they have personality, knowledge, etc. 1 Peter 1:12 says, "Which things the angels desire to look into." Then again in 2 Samuel 14:20 we read, "According to the wisdom of an angel of God."

If they are real beings, some might ask, why cannot we see them? How many believe that a glass of water is full of little wiggling bits of life? Of course, we all believe it. That water is full of germ life, and if we could look at a drop through the microscope right now, it would come alive with movement. There are lots of things that are real that we cannot see or hear. The room where you sit is full of voices of all kinds. Music is filling the room at this very moment, but you cannot hear it. All we need to do is bring in a radio and turn it on. Immediately we can hear these sounds which fill the air. The fact that we cannot see or hear a thing is no proof that it does not exist.

The truth is that men have seen angels, and even animals have seen them. In Numbers 22:20-33 a certain man by the name of Balaam was riding along one day on his donkey. The animal suddenly stopped in its tracks in a narrow place between two walls. Even though Balaam beat the donkey unmercifully, it refused to move because its eyes were opened to an angel standing there. In a few moments Balaam saw the angel also, and he realized why the animal had not moved forward.

One reason why angels are not seen more often by men is because of the kind of nature we have. In Revelation 22:8.9, we read: "And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God." Here the great prophet John had to be rebuked for trying to worship an angel. If their supernatural glory had such an effect upon that man of God, what would our reaction be? If God permitted them to make general appearances to men, in their glory, they would become objects of adoration and worship. Generally, the special appearance of angels in the earth today is in the form of human beings. Said the apostle in Hebrews 13:2, "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." You have probably encountered an angel in the form of a stranger without realizing it.

Angels then, should not be worshiped, but we ought to have a full appreciation of their power. Sometimes they are commissioned from God to visit judgments upon the wicked. One notable example of this is found in the experience of an Assyrian army which defied the God of Heaven in the Old Testament. During the night, one angel of death came down among the soldiers and the next morning 185,000 Assyrians were found dead. This is in sharp contrast to the usual work of protection carried out by the angelic messengers. But we must remember that it is toward those who fear God that angels minister with greatest power. Psalm 34:7 tells us, "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them."

The angels are so real that they have actually been seen. Let us read this experience found in 2 Kings 6:15-17: "And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not; for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha."

I want to point out now that angels are in close touch with members of the human family. They watch the movements of humanity closely. They know our first names. They know our surnames. They know our occupations. They know where we live. They know whether or not we pray. They know whether or not we support God's work. They know all these details. In Acts 10 it tells how the angel of God came to Cornelius and told him that his prayers and his alms had come up as a sweet savor before God. Now listen to what the angel said: "Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter. He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the seaside: He shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do." Acts 10:4-6. The angel knew Peter's given name; the angel knew his surname; the angel knew where he lived; the angel knew that Cornelius prayed; and that he gave alms to God.

The angelic beings know the same details about your life and mine. Our complete life record is open to them, because they follow us from the cradle to the grave. Each individual has a guardian angel who seeks to influence him in the right way. He also guards us from a thousand dangers along the road of life. Matthew 18:10: "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven." How else could we explain the miraculous intervention of unseen powers to deliver us from harm? Occasionally we realize their ministering presence, but usually we are unconscious of the multitude of their services.

Once I was driving my car along on a busy highway. I had been driving for 1,000 miles without sleep or rest. It was an emergency trip, and I was traveling alone. Drowsiness overtook me. Suddenly, my head came up with a start, and I realized that the scenery was changed. I had been asleep. I don't know how long the car had been guided by other hands, but even a few seconds' lapse is enough to lose control of a speeding car. Yet everything was under perfect control. Who guided the car while I slept? Who but an angel protector could have saved me during that time? What a thrill it will be some day to talk to the guardian angel who has been with us during our life on earth. Then we can learn about the countless unconscious sweeps we had with death, and how the angels saved us.

I would like you to notice, too, that the angels as a heavenly company are distinguished from a race. Here are the words of Jesus found in Matthew 22:30: "For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven." The angels are not developed from one original stock as is the case of man. There is no common nature that binds the angels together as is the case with the race of men. It is quite evident that angels are the administrative assistants of heaven's government. Let us read what it says here in Revelation 5:11: "And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands." And the Old Testament confirms this in Daniel 7:9,10: "I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the judgment was set, and the books were opened."

The angelic host is made up of various ranks. Paul writes of "thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers" in Colossians 1:16: "For by him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him." Then Jesus said, "Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?" Matthew 26:53. These words suggest the organization of an army.

We need to be aware of the fact that angels many times meet us on the highways of life for various purposes. It is related that just before the great struggle of his life the angels of God met Jacob. I refer to Genesis 32:1, where it says, "And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him." It is not related that Jacob had any conversation with them. But their coming at this particular time must have had but one purpose - to reassure Jacob of God's interest in him.

Then sometimes I find that God's angels come as rescuers. It was rescuing angels who went to Sodom and led Lot and his family out of that wicked city before it was destroyed. How clearly this incident shows the tenacity and persistence of God's mercy. Let us read Genesis 19:15, 16: "And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city."

Then, I notice that God sends His angels of comfort and consolation to those who love Him and try to do His will. After Christ had spent forty days in the wilderness with the wild beasts and had endured the temptations of the devil, angels came and strengthened Him and comforted Him, as we read in Matthew 4:11, "Then the devil leaveth him, and behold, angels came and ministered unto him." Then, again, in the dark hour of Christ's anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane, an angel ministered unto Him as we read in Luke 22:43: "And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him."

So, God sends His angels to His people now. No one can live an entirely lonely life who walks the path of duty and lives a life of prayer. To such, God will send His angels to comfort them in their sorest time of need. He who sent His angel to Paul through the midnight storm, to hunt him out in his chains on the Mediterranean ship; and He who sent His angel to Peter in the dungeon to open all the prison doors to him and lead him out to go free to his friends, will not leave His true children of today without comfort and consolation in trying hours.

Now for the story of a modern miracle, a story which has been verified by several who were personally acquainted with the people involved. Mrs. Dubay, of Anchorage, Alaska, was a dedicated Christian who lived alone in a small cottage that was heated by a wood-burning cook stove. At the time of this experience, she was sick in bed, so badly crippled that she could scarcely walk. She had depended on friends to bring in a fresh supply of wood for each day, but on this particular morning no friends came to help her. She realized that unless someone brought wood soon the fire would go out and she would freeze to death. The temperature was 30û below zero that February day. She began praying earnestly for help. Finally, as no one appeared, the last of her wood was burned, the fire went out, and the room grew cold. Then she prayed a different prayer - a prayer of complete resignation, telling the Lord if it was His will, she was willing to freeze to death. Just then, the door to her cottage opened and a tall young man walked into the room carrying an armful of wood. He carefully placed the wood in the wood bin and began to remake the fire. He also filled the kettle with water and placed it on the stove to heat. Then he went outside and soon returned with another armload of wood. While performing this service he kept his face turned to one side so that Mrs. Dubay could not see him. She wanted to ask him whether he was an angel, but was reluctant to do that. Finally, she asked the question inaudibly, and then the young man turned toward her, smiled and nodded his head. "His face was so noble that I knew he was not from this world," said Mrs. Dubay. "He turned, opened the door and left me without saying a word."

Was this man really an angel? I will let Mrs. Dubay give you her conclusion. She says, "For a time I sat there like one turned to stone. Finally, I thought, If he is an angel sent from God, there will not be any footprints in the snow outside the door. So I forced myself to hobble to the door, opened it and looked out on the unruffled snow in my yard. There were no footprints in the snow. Then I forced myself to lean against the side of the door casing and looked around to my right to see whether the snow had been disturbed where my wood was piled directly underneath my front window. No, the snow had not been disturbed in the slightest bit, over or around my little pile of wood. The snow was perfectly smooth and rounded just as it always is after a snow storm. As I closed the door to my little cabin, I knew that God did love me, and that in my extremity He sent one of His holy angels to my assistance."

At this point, let us consider the solemn thought that angels also make a record of our words and even our thoughts, and they will take part in the great judgment scene as witnesses either for us or against us. Read Daniel 7:9, 10: "I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the judgment was set, and the books were opened." Notice that books are used in the judgment and innumerable angel witnesses are to have a part. That guardian spirit who kept the record of our life will be called on to present the books out of which we are to be judged. What kind of testimony will they give about our lives? By the way, you will have a lawyer to represent you in this heavenly court case. Verse 13, "And, behold, one like the Son of man came . . . to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him." "And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." 1 John 2:1.

We must remember, however, that there are two kinds of angels, good and bad. Hebrews 1:14 tells us that some are ministering spirits sent to minister unto those who will be heirs of salvation, but in the book of Ephesians it says that there are also wicked spirits. "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 the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:11, 12. Now we have two great hosts of beings. The good angels are ministering spirits; the wicked angels are spirits of devils - one seeking our salvation, the other seeking our destruction.

Almost 6,000 years ago, this earth was invaded by alien visitors from another world. Their purpose was to frustrate plans for the first real interplanetary space trip by earthlings.

The evil angels were those alien visitors to this planet. Satan and his rebel followers were cast out of heaven and came to this earth to continue their great controversy against God (Revelation 12:7-9). Their unalterable purpose has been to frustrate the first real interplanetary space journey that millions will soon make to the paradise of God.

I want to point out today that heaven has done all it possibly can to save you and me from eternal death. And if we insist on losing our eternal salvation it will be in spite of all that God could have done to save us from ourselves. Yes, all heaven is interested in our salvation. Angels from the throne of God are far more anxious to see you make a full surrender to Him and prepared for the eternal home than you are yourself. Good angels seek our salvation; evil angels seek our destruction. On which side are we going to cast our influence today? No doubt Satan has commissioned an evil spirit or angel to attend us through life with the purpose of destroying us. We stand between the good and the bad, and our decision will determine who shall have the upper hand in our lives. Let us choose to serve God and know that He has charge of everything through His ministering spirits, the angels.

No study of angels can be complete without considering the evil ministry of fallen angels, also. The Word of God has some very startling things to say about the evil spirits whose ranks comprise the one-third of rebellious angels who were cast out of heaven. It is this unholy confederacy which threatens to deceive the whole world right now. The roots of every form of occultism are either directly or indirectly related to the fallen angels. Demonism is the manifestation of their activities through human channels.

Long, ominous shadows are lengthening across the face of America today. They are being cast by a dozen different, specious forms of occult spiritualism, and the tentacles of this fast-growing evil are fastening a strange hold upon millions of devotees.

A few short years ago, the stories of apparitions and spirit forms were not taken seriously by very many people. Rarely did the public media see fit to reproduce the reports of frightening encounters with "ghosts," either in the body or out. Today, scarcely a paper or magazine can be found which does not cater to astrology, psychic phenomena, or sensational supernaturalism.

Millions are now asking, Is it all delusion, or is it devils? Are the apparitions real or imagined? What power lies behind the confirmed accounts of materialized spirit forms?

The phenomena can no longer be ignored! The claims have come far too close to every one of us. Hardly a person has escaped contact with someone who has an incredible tale to tell about communication with the dead.

Often the manifestations are anything but ghostly and sepulchral. After their sudden appearance, the familiar forms of deceased friends and relatives are recognized by distinctive clothes, voices and mannerisms. Often they refer to closely guarded family secrets and pass on verifiable information known only by one or two others alive.

Some people have affirmed that they make no important decisions without consulting a spiritualist medium who, in turn, supposedly puts them in touch with the guiding spirits of the dead. Even high government figures have confessed to consulting with such sources before moving in matters of national interest.

Do we have reason for concern over this situation? Can these supernatural agencies be depended upon to give safe and honorable guidance?

And what about all the related forms of occultism whose tendrils seem to intertwine every existing social structure of mankind today? Satanism, witchcraft, ESP, hypnotism, Zen, astrology, voodoo, and a dozen other so-called "mind sciences" purport to bring happiness and success beyond imagination.

To answer these crucial questions we must uncover the foundations of these mysterious movements. Let us be willing to face the inescapable conclusion that there can be only two sources of supernatural power in the world. Whether we believe in God or not, and whether we believe in Satan or not, honest reason demands that anything beyond the demonstrable, natural processes would have to involve either the spiritual powers of a god or a devil.

If these insistent voices which have influenced empires truly represent God's counsel, then we must rejoice over this growing influence. On the other hand, if evil, satanic forces are producing the phenomena, we are facing one of the most diabolical and frightening schemes imaginable. What could be more self-delusive than to be following demon voices in the belief that it was God's voice?

Please take note that God's method of communicating to man is through His Word: "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. Here, God tells us that knowledge beyond human power should be gathered from His Word and not from familiar spirits. But contrary to this instruction, millions today are turning to modern sorcery and spiritualism for the answers to problems.

Even some great church organizations are now ready to recommend this avenue as a way of truth. Inroads are being made into vast religious systems and some astounding sentiments are being expressed by Protestant church leaders. The public has already been duly impressed by some of these Protestant positions. Evidence of this was seen during the war when Wanamaker's store in New York City sold four out of every five books on the subject of spiritualism. One Pittsburgh concern sold over fifteen hundred Ouija boards in one week's time.

Before I cite some of these strange statements, let me ask, What is the basis of the spiritualist doctrine? The answer is very short and simple. It is fundamentally rooted in the idea that the dead are not really dead at all but living in some other world of higher wisdom and understanding. It also teaches that communication is carried on between the living and the dead. Now, we shall learn just how unbiblical and false this doctrine really is, but first, let us look at an alarming statement in the Methodist monthly magazine, Together. To a reader's question, "Shall we pray for the dead?" Dr. Nall gave the following answer in the issue of May, 1956: "Why should we not pray for them, even as we believe they must pray for us. Prayer for the dead unites the church, visible and invisible, to a timeless fellowship, binding us all, as Tennyson says, to God Himself." Now, the very fact a prominent Protestant author would give status and endorsement to such a view is a startling revelation of the power of spiritualism.

Perhaps it is in England that the strongest pitch has been made to favor this rising tide. Some time ago, the Church of England appointed a committee to investigate the growing phenomenon of spiritualism. Appointed by the archbishops, this committee was made up of the nation's most eminent churchmen, educators, and lawyers. After a two-year study, a report was made which shook the city of London, and the whole country, for that matter. The major emphasis of the report is reflected in this paragraph lifted out of it: "It's necessary to keep clearly in mind that none of the fundamental Christian obligations or values are in any way changed by our acceptance of the possibility of communication with discarnate spirits. Where these essential principles are borne in mind, those who have the assurance they have been in touch with their departed friends, may rightly accept the sense of enlargement and of unbroken fellowship which it brings."

Perhaps this provides sufficient testimony to alert us that spiritualism is shaping the thinking of Christian leaders to an alarming degree today. But is this doctrine according to the law and the testimony? How does all of this fit in with the teaching of God's Word? What does the Bible have to say about it? Let us examine some of the sources of spiritualism for a moment.

The fact is that it started in the Garden of Eden, and Satan utilized the serpent medium. In Genesis 3:1-4, we read the story of Eve's fall into sin. God had said that death would follow their transgression, but Satan said to Eve, "Ye shall not surely die." When Adam and Eve did die, Satan shrewdly tried to cover his lie. Ever since that day, he has tried to make it appear that death is not really death - that it is actually life, instead. Because Satan used it to perpetuate his lie, God strictly forbade the practice of necromancy or familiar spirits. Notice these statements from the book of Leviticus. "Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God." Leviticus 19:31. Again, "A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death." Leviticus 20:27.

Now, why is God so opposed to this thing? Why such a severe penalty for engaging in spiritualistic seances? Because it is a lie and it is devil-inspired. It is unsound and antiscriptural throughout. And God said: "For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun." Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6. Again, describing death, God said, "His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish." Psalm 146:4. Death is a sleep until the resurrection day, an unconscious, dreamless sleep. Since the dead cannot possibly come back to speak to their loved ones, how can we explain these mysterious appearances of those who have died? Numerous instances could be cited of such experiences where the exact form and voice was seen and heard. There is only one possible source for such demonstrations. Satan is still trying to sustain that lie which he told Eve. He is still trying to prove there is no death. He appears in whatever form he chooses, shrewdly imitating the characteristics of the dead. Such lying wonders are well calculated to deceive and convince people that a lie is actually the truth.

Notice how this work of Satan is described in God's Word: "Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie."
2 Thessalonians 2:9-11. Here we are told that the truth alone will guard us from the signs and wonders of Satan's power. In 1 Timothy 4:1 we read of some in the last days who will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. Finally, in Revelation 16:14 the prophet describes "spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth, and of the whole world."

Don't forget that the devil can work miracles (Revelation 16:14). He can do things that we never will understand. Now we can begin to understand why people have been so shaken up by the apparent appearance of dead friends. After 6,000 years of observing human behavior, Satan is able to counterfeit their forms and voices cleverly. At psychological moments he takes advantage of heartbroken, bereaved relatives to perpetuate his fraud. No wonder God despises this evil and sentences its leaders to death by stoning.

Flee from spiritualism. In the last days Satan will appear as an angel of light and will seek to counterfeit the truth of God. But remember, he is the father of lies (John 8:44). He was cast out of heaven once because of that, and he is going to work mightily in these days to deceive, to twist the truth, and try to lead us to believe this great delusion. The dead are sleeping. They are not conscious at all. There is no communication between the living and the dead. Only by believing the Bible truth can we escape the deceptions of Satanism.

With time running out and the end of the world at hand, Satan is desperately working to revive the old, forbidden avenues by which he can control people's lives. He has changed the names like wizards, necromancy, and sorcerers to more acceptable titles like spiritualism, astrology, hypnosis, and ESP. The devil can control a human being only by being able to manipulate his mind and will. That is why most of the modern counterfeits of Satan demand a yielding of the mind. And that is why it is such an evil thing for any human being to surrender his mind to the controlling influence of some other person or power. If ever there was a time when men and women needed all of their mental capacity and strength of will, it is now. There is plenty of evidence at hand that the more a person's mental processes are breached and controlled by someone else, the weaker the will becomes, and the less power of decision can be exercised.

How delighted Satan must be to find the mental barriers relaxed and often removed entirely. He can't force a single human will, but the person can voluntarily give up his personal control. That means someone else can take over. In hypnotism it is supposed to be taken by the hypnotist who begins giving orders; in spiritualism the spirits are invited to control the yielded mind; in astrology, the mind bends to the belief that the stars are controlling life and destiny. In every case, the devil has an opportunity to step into a mind that has been voluntarily opened, and which is eagerly ready to accept whatever guidance may be given. What more diabolical scheme could ever be devised than this!

And by the way, to guarantee himself further access to other minds, the devil is chuckling with glee over science tampering with human genes trying to produce "programmed" people - people whose physical and mental makeup is directed in the laboratory by the proper preparation of test-tube genes. No wonder the Bible warns us over and over to take heed of deception in these last days.

Now, someone is certain to raise the question right here about the predictions of some of these modern prognosticators. Are they able to foretell the future accurately? Are they true prophets? Do they operate within the framework of the Bible? You see, the Bible itself lays down a test for such professed prophets and clairvoyants. Here it is in Isaiah 8:20: "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." This means that those who are teaching and acting contrary to the Scripture cannot be true prophets. There are false, as well as true, prophets according to Jeremiah. Listen: "Therefore hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreamers, nor to your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers . . . For they prophesy a lie unto you." Jeremiah 27:9, 10.

If these occult specialists could actually know the future, I can tell you one thing - they would be billionaires by being able to manipulate the stock market. By their foretelling of politics, they would surely dictate the headlines of tomorrow's newspapers. But this has not been the case. Eight hundred years before Christ was born, the prophet Isaiah set up a divinely appointed test for those pretending such power: "Produce your cause, saith the Lord; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob. Let him bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come. Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods." Isaiah 41:21-23.

What about that test for today's predictors? God says, "Let them show us what will happen" - not just once in a while - not 75 percent correct. A good guesser could do that - an astute politician could be right that many times. No, if God is in it, it will always be 100 percent correct. Neither Satan nor man can tell the future, except on the basis of the past, and in the light of Bible prophecy. But the very thing that men and evil spirits have never been able to do, God has done again and again by His prophets.

Outside the Word of God no claims like these have ever been made and fulfilled, either on a short-term or long-term basis. Here is where the nonsense of astrology is most clearly revealed. Its absurd generalizations and warnings, based on the supposed mysterious influence of stars on human destiny, have never been proven to be accurate. Millions can be cheered or dismayed by the implications of the horoscope. Did you know that the Bible speaks directly to such people? Listen to this in Jeremiah 10:2: "Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them."

There it is - an actual description of astrologers who become fearful and dismayed over the signs of the heavens. Have you never considered how insane it is to believe that those hard, cold chunks of rocks in the distant heavens could influence your life? The old pagan worshipers of the planets believed that their gods dwelt in those stars, and the superstitious carryover has led 40 million Americans to believe the fable.

What a time this is for people to trust in the God who made those stars. The creature can never help us or hurt us, but the Creator has a personal interest in everything He made. And His attention is not given alone to the giant worlds that wheel and spin in their orbits but to the smallest, weakest plant or animal that lives on this planetary speck. How much more concerned He is with the human family, created in His image, and ordained from all eternity to glorify Him in the world. It is this same loving Creator-God who guides the destiny of men, women, and children.

The astrological horoscope is a vain, empty cry towards dumb matter which, itself, must be governed by the God who created it. To trust in those dead stars and planets for direction is tantamount to idolatry, because it places more trust in them than in the loving God.

The truth is that all forms of new age, or occult, mysticism have their foundation in the government of Satan. The Scriptures indicate that he has organized levels of evil authority presided over by legions of fallen angels. While God administers His program of life, healing, and restoration through the messengers of light, Satan uses evil angels to propagate confusion and deception.

What a picture of the great controversy as it is played out on a cosmic scale and also in the lives of struggling individuals! Spirits from another world are mobilizing forces beyond our comprehension in preparation for the final engagement between good and evil. Not one of us is an innocent bystander in this contest. None can be neutral as the issues of truth and error separate the inhabitants of planet earth into two mighty camps. With whose angels will we cooperate? Where will our loyalties be placed? May God grant that we shall be found at last on the side of those ministering angels who will continue to be our companions throughout all eternity, world without end.