A DARING FORGERY by A. L. Hollenbeck

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, May 12, 1885

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 62, No. 19

A DARING FORGERY.

By A. L. Hollenbeck

BY A. L. HOLLENBECK.

Ever since the fall of man, Satan has been preparing for his final effort to deceive the world. The foundation of his great deceptive work was laid in the garden of Eden. The assurance given to Eve, “Ye shall not surely die,” has led many to believe in the conscious state of the dead. Through this doctrine, Satan has been gradually preparing the way for the development of the masterpiece of deception, modern Spiritualism. When the arch deceiver has fully accomplished his designs, the mass of the people will be swept into the vortex of this terrible delusion.

In establishing the false doctrine of the conscious state of the dead, Satan designed to form a channel which many would regard as sacred, through which he could work to accomplish his purposes. Through this channel he is now introducing one of his most powerful, soul-destroying deceptions, which is fast lulling many into a fatal security, from which they will be awakened only by the wrath of God poured out in the seven last plagues. Many will then learn, when it is too late, that this power in which they trusted “descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.”

Satan is now clothing his work of deception in sacred garments; and the time is near when every one will have to decide between the genuine and the spurious. “When the overflowing scourge shall pass through,” all those who are found hidden under falsehood, will be swept away with the refuge of lies; while those who have firmly established their faith in the word of God, will be kept from the “hour of temptation,” and the Saviour’s promise, “Because thou has kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee,” will be verified to them. In this time of peril, the prayer of faith should be, Lord, “lead us not into temptation.”

Memphis, Mich.