Similar to necromancy are the demonic personations of the dead and other demoniac appearances. The personations can be in the form of a deceased family member, friend, or anyone. Both the physical appearance and the voice are very similar to those of the deceased. All these satanic deceptions will be used to deceive those who are not firmly grounded on God’s Word. Ellen G. White warns, “The apostles, as personated by these lying spirits, are made to contradict what they wrote at the dictation of the Holy Spirit when on earth.” — The Great Controversy, p. 557. And more, “As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will personate Christ.” — The Great Controversy, p. 624.

Read 2 Corinthians 11:14-15,  and Ephesians 6:10-18. What should be our safeguards against such demonic deceptions?

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The apostle Paul warns us that “our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12-13, NRSV). We can be protected against these deceptions only by being clothed with “the whole armor of God” () described in Ephesians 6:13-18.

The satanic personations and appearances can be very frightening and deceiving, but they cannot mislead those who are sheltered by God and grounded on God’s Word. From a doctrinal perspective, those who believe in the biblical doctrine of the conditional immortality of human beings know that any appearance or communication with the dead is of a satanic origin and needs to be rejected by God’s powerful grace. Again, no matter how powerful, convincing, and seemingly real the manifestation is, we must always stand firm to the teaching that the dead are asleep in the grave.

Imagine, though, losing a loved one and then believing that this same loved one appears to you? And expresses love to you? And tells you how much they miss you? And says things that, yes, only they would know? And says that they are now in a better place? If a person is not absolutely grounded in what the Bible teaches about the state of the dead, think how easily he or she could fall for this deception. Especially because they want to believe it, as well.

<–Wednesday Friday–>

Amen!(1)

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/thursday-personations-and-other-appearances/

The word “necromancy” derives from the Greek terms nekros (dead) and manteia (divination). Practiced since ancient times, necromancy is a form of summoning the alleged active spirits of the dead in order to get knowledge, often about future events. Ancestor worship, meanwhile, is the custom of venerating deceased ancestors because they are still considered family and whose spirits can, it is believed, influence the affairs of the living. These pagan practices can be very attractive to those who believe in an immortal soul and who also miss their deceased loved ones.

Read 1 Samuel 28:3-25. What spiritual lessons against any supposed communication with the dead can be drawn from Saul’s experience with the woman medium at Endor?

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The Bible stated very clearly that all spiritists, mediums, sorcerers, and necromancers, in the ancient Israelite theocracy, were abominations to the Lord and should be put to death by stoning (Leviticus 19:31; Leviticus 20:6, Leviticus 20:27; Deuteronomy 18:9-14). In accordance with this law, Saul had destroyed all mediums and spiritists from Israel (1 Samuel 28:3, 1 Samuel 28:9).

But, then, after being rejected by the Lord, Saul himself went to the Canaanite city of Endor to inquire of a woman medium (1 Samuel 28:6-7, , 1 Samuel 28:15; compare with Joshua 17:11, Psalm 83:10). He asked her to bring up the deceased prophet Samuel, who supposedly came up in a necromancer apparition and spoke with Saul (1 Samuel 28:13-19). The deceiving spirit, who pretended to be Samuel, told Saul, “tomorrow you and your sons will be with me” (1 Samuel 28:19, NKJV). While predicting Saul’s death, that deceiving spirit, merely by assuming the form of Samuel, reaffirmed the unbiblical theory of the natural immortality of the soul. It was a powerful deception, and Saul should have known better than to become involved with what he had previously condemned.

More than two centuries later, the prophet Isaiah wrote, “And when they say to you, ‘Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,’ should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:19-20, , NKJV; also Isaiah 19:3).

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

Amen!(1)

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Our keyword for Lesson 11, End-Time Deceptions, is a good one! Join the discussion to learn why.

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It is with much sadness that I have to report that Shirley de Beer passed away today. She has been in hospital with a kidney infection and although it was hoped that she would pull through and rejoin us on Sabbath School Net, that was not to be. Her relatives said that she died strong in her faith and is now at peace and free from pain.

Shirley, who lived in South Africa, has been involved with Sabbath School Net from the very early days when it was an email list, We encouraged her to participate in the Blog and ultimately she became a moderator and was also responsible for finding illustrations for the daily lesson studies. 

We miss you Shirley and look forward to the fulfillment of the blessed hope when we will be able to meet you in person.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Rev 21:4 KJV

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The post Vale Shirley de Beer first appeared on Sabbath School Net.

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/vale-shirley-de-beer/

The pagan notion of an immortal soul provides the foundation for the unbiblical theory of reincarnation or transmigration of the soul. This theory has been adopted by some major world religions. While most Christians believe in the existence of an immortal soul that abides in a permanent heaven or hell after death, those who believe in reincarnation hold that such an immortal soul goes through many cycles of death and rebirth here on earth.

For some, reincarnation is thought to be a process of spiritual evolution that allows the spirit to attain ever greater levels of knowledge and morality in its journey toward perfection.

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Hindus believe that the eternal soul goes through a progression of consciousness or “samsara” at six classes of life: aquatics, plants, reptiles and insects, birds, animals, and human beings, including the residents of heaven.

Read Hebrews 9:25-28 and 1 Peter 3:18. If Jesus died just “once” (Hebrews 9:28, 1 Peter 3:18, NKJV) and likewise all human beings die just “once” (Hebrews 9:27, NKJV), why do even some alleged Christians believe in some form of reincarnation?

Many people believe not in what they should believe but in what they want to believe. If a theory brings them existential peace and comfort, that is enough to settle the discussion for them. But for those who take the Bible seriously, there is no way to accept the theory of reincarnation.

• First, this theory contradicts the biblical teachings of the mortality of the “soul” and the resurrection of the body (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
• Second, it negates the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-10) and replaces it by human works.
• Third, the theory contradicts the biblical teaching that eternal destiny is decided forever by one’s decisions in this life (Matthew 22:1-14, Matthew 25:31-46).
• Fourth, this theory downplays the meaning and relevance of Christ’s second coming (John 14:1-3).
• And fifth, the theory proposes after-death opportunities for someone still to overcome his or her own life’s pitfalls, which is unbiblical (Hebrews 9:27).

In short, there is no place for the idea of reincarnation in the Christian faith.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

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