Looking around our Modern World
there can be no doubt—THESE ARE PERILOUS TIMES! We have “prophets” who do not
prophesy but instead teach for doctrine the commandments of men mingled with
scripture. They appease the masses with
emotionally captivating speeches while remaining silent on declaring the
commandments of God in the face of public opinion. Their hearts are set on
monetary gain and popularity rather than upholding the justice and mercy of
God. Truly we can say that there is a
famine in the land—a famine for the word of God.
In light of this void a titillating
and enticing movement of spiritualism is developing among many in the church. Rather than hold to the “iron rod” of the
word of God some are seeking the much needed revelation but instead of
returning to the source they are engaging in witchcraft, sorcery (seeking drugs
or other hallucinogenic substances to have “spiritual experiences”), and
spiritual mediums (people who channel or consult the dead), etc. Hungering and thirsting for apparitions and
spiritual manifestations they throw the word of God and caution to the wind
while embracing teachers ready and willing to give them what their itching ears
so desperately seek.
Let me be clear. I am not opposed
to the gifts of the Spirit, the Ministration of Angels, Speaking with the Lord
through the veil, and coming into the physical presence of the Messiah Yeshua
(Jesus Christ). What I am opposed to is
counterfeits who advertise that they can teach you how to play at the veil and
obtain manifestations while ignoring God and his laws.
In exploring the different
movements of spiritualism I have come across people offering classes to turn
you into Luke Skywalker (or perhaps more accurately Darth Vader). I have read
posts from little girls who “live without the veil” and little boys who meet 12
foot tall Angels. While I do believe some
of them have legitimate near death experiences, spiritual manifestations, and
revelations what is disturbing is the dangerous idolatry their students (or
fans) appear to engage in. I suppose in
a revelatory famine it would only make sense for the starving masses to rally
around these new spiritual celebrities (however innocent they may actually be)
but as with all celebrities the glitter wears off and there are those who have
to re-invent themselves and obtain “new” revelations to maintain the attention
and stave off their waning celebrity status.
Whatever “Good Intentions” people
might have the truth is IDOLATRY IS STILL IDOLATRY! While there will always be those spiritually
co-dependent people who run from one spiritual celebrity to another seeking to
fill the void that only God himself can fill, it is important to inspect the “revelations”
and teachings these people claim lest we find ourselves letting go of the Iron
Rod and becoming lost in mists of Darkness.
I came across one post from a
person who had a near death experience a number of years ago. I actually believe she did have an experience
and I found the account of her experience very interesting. It has now been years since her original
experience and now claims that Jesus comes to her on a regular basis to teach
her things that she shares with others.
One such message was when she was watching a particular television
medium who consults the dead. She then
stated that Jesus told her that he was doing a good work and that she also
needed to learn how to do that to help others.
There is only one problem. The “revelation” she obtained from “Jesus”
contradicts the law of God. Now there
are those who would adamantly protest that she had a spiritual experience and
we have no right to question it. There
would be those who maintain that she is a prophetess and we just can’t understand
because we are living on a lesser plane or vibrational frequency. Maybe. But there is still one major problem-“Does
God give commandments that require people to break his covenant laws?”
Case in point, ““I will also turn
against those who commit spiritual prostitution by putting their trust in
mediums or in those who consult the spirits of the dead. I will cut them off
from the community.” (Leviticus 20:6)
In addition we also have
the witness of the Prophet Isaiah about such matters, “Someone may say to you,
“Let’s ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. With
their whisperings and mutterings, they will tell us what to do.” But shouldn’t
people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead? Look
to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are
completely in the dark.” (Isaiah 8:19-20)
From the law and the prophets we see that we emphatically have a
law against consulting the spirits of the dead, but we have someone who may
have had a legitimate experience who contradicts God’s law (the testimony-
Torah) and states that the Messiah himself told her to do it.
Discernment in these latter days can become difficult, but the
Apostle Paul gives us timely instruction on how to walk through these
contradictions while holding to the iron rod:
“But realize this, that in the
last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of
money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful,
unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control,
brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure
rather than lovers of God” (2 Tim 3:1-4).
He tells
us there will be trouble in and out of the church:
“For the
time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have
their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance
to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will
turn aside to myths” (2 Tim. 4:3-4).
Trouble is
brewing—trouble in the world, and trouble in the church. Paul then gives
Timothy the solution:
You, however, continue in the things you have
learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them...All Scripture is inspired by God and
profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in
righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good
work (2 Tim 3:14-4:2).
The word of God is the Iron Rod that leads along the strait and
narrow path that leads to the Tree of Life.
God does not contradict his word—though an angel of light declare it
unto you, a prophet, seer, or revelator, a professional medium, or the President
of the United States. It is easy to get
caught up in spiritual signs and wonders, but in truth it is only the Bread of
Life that can truly fill the hunger in our spiritual stomachs. We should actively seek the gifts of God, but
we should remember they are given not to tickle our excitement, satisfy our
carnal desires, or spiritual fancies.
“Wherefore, beware lest
ye are deceived; and that ye may not be deceived seek ye earnestly the best
gifts, always remembering for what they are given. For verily I say unto you, they are given for
the benefit of those who love me and
keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do; that all may be
benefited that seek or that ask of me, that ask and not for a sign that they
may consume it upon their lusts. (D&C 46:8-9)
