The Spirit World

by Clarence Larkin

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FOREWORD

In this day of the revival of "Spiritism," when so many, through the loss of loved ones in the

"Great World War," are longing to communicate with the dead, and are resorting to forbidden means to that end; a day in which science is trying to discover whether there is another world than this, and whether men live after death, and if so can they communicate with the living, it seems timely that a book should be written to show what the Holy Scriptures have revealed of the "World of Spirits." The Bible has much to say about the "Spirit World," and if we will carefully search its pages we shall know all there is to be known in this life of the "World to Come." For if men will not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded though one rose or came back from the dead. Luke 16:31.

This book covers all phases of the "Spirit World." It treats of the "Powers of Good and Evil," of "'the Underworld," of "Satan," the "Fallen Angels," "Demonism," the "Intermediate State," and of Heaven and Hell, as well as the "Resurrection of the Body," and the "Judgments" of the Righteous and Wicked. The numerous charts illuminate the descriptive matter, and beautiful pictures show the ministry of angels and other heavenly beings. The prayer of the Author is that the Holy Spirit will use the book to free those who are entrapped in the net of "Spiritism," and cause the curious and sorrowing to turn to the "Word of God" for help, and the answer to their questioning.

THE AUTHOR

"Sunnyside"

March, 1921.

I

The Spirit World

The Scriptures are full of the "Supernatural." The only cure for the "Materialism" of the present day is to discover what the Scriptures reveal as to the "Spirit World." There is but a step from the "Natural" World to the "Spirit" World. The dividing veil is our "fleshy" bodies. The "Heavenlies" are peopled with Spirit Beings. They are of two classes, good and evil. They are classified as "Seraphim," "Cherubim," "Angels" (Good and Bad), "Principalities," "Powers," "Age Rulers of Darkness," "Wicked Spirits," (Eph 6:12), "Thrones," "Dominions," (Col 1:16), "Fallen Angels," (2Pe 2:4), "Spirits in Prison," (1Pe 3:18‑20), "Demons," "Seducing Spirits." 1Ti 4:1.

The Angels are "innumerable in number." Heb 12:22. They are "mighty in power" but not almighty. 2 Th 1:7. They excel in strength. One angel destroyed 185,000 of the Assyrian army in a night. An angel rolled away the stone from the Tomb of Christ, and one angel shall bind Satan and cast him into the "Bottomless Pit." They are "Glorious" beings (Luk 9:26), and have "great knowledge," but are not Omniscient. The Angels are "Ministering Spirits" to them who are "heirs of salvation," (Heb 1:13, Heb 1:14), and "Executioners of God's Wrath" on the "wicked." 2Th 1:7‑8. They will gather the "elect of Israel" from the four corners of the earth, (Mat 24:31), and are commissioned to supply the physical needs of God's people. Mat 4:11; 1Ki 19:4‑8.

Among the "Principalities and Powers" of the Spirit World there are three great leaders:

1. Michael.

He is mentioned three times in Daniel (Dan 10:13, Dan 10:21; Dan 12:1), where he is called a "Prince" who stands Daniel's People the Jews. He is called in Jude 9 the Archangel. In Rev 12:7 he is seen in command of the Angelic "Army of Heaven." His work seems to be to deliver God's people, particularly the Jews, from the power of Satan, and finally to oust him and his angels from the Heavenlies, and cast them down on to the earth. Rev 12:7‑9. He also has something to do with the resurrection of the dead, for he is associated with the "Resurrection" mentioned in Dan 12:1, Dan 12:2, and he contested with the Devil the resurrection of Moses (Jude 9), and the "voice" of the Archangel that will be heard when the "Dead in Christ" shall rise (1Th 4:16), will be the "voice" of Michael, for he is the only Archangel mentioned in the Scriptures.

2. Gabriel.

He is mentioned by name four times. In Daniel twice, and in Luke twice. He seems to be associated with the redemptive work of God. He appeared to Daniel (Dan 8:16; Dan 9:21‑27), to inform him as to the "time" of Christ's "First Coming," and when the "time had come" he announced to Zacharias the birth of Christ's "Forerunner"?John the Baptist, and later to Mary the birth of Jesus. Luk 1:19, Luk 1:26, Luk 1:27. His position in heaven is lofty, for he said of himself to Zacharias?"I am Gabriel that Stand in the Presence of God."

3. Satan.

We speak of Satan last not because he is the least of the three, for in many ways he is the greatest, but because of his evil character. He is the source of all the anarchy and rebellion in the Universe. See the Chapter on Satan.

From what has been said we see that the heavens above us are peopled with "Principalities and Powers of Evil," against which we are warned in Eph 6:12. Job declared that the heavens are not clean in God's sight. Job 15:15. But God will cleanse them, as we shall see, so that Christ and His

Bride, the Church, may dwell there safely during the Millennial Reign of Christ. the heavens are not clean in God's sight. Job 15: 15. But God will cleanse them, as we shall see, so that Christ and His Bride, t he Church, may dwell there safely during the Millennial Reign of Christ.