Introduction.
Let me state before we begin this subject that music is a heaven-given gift. In 2 LtMs, Ms 5, 1874 paragraph 9, Ellen G. White writes this: Music is of heavenly origin. There is great power in music. It was music from the angelic throng that thrilled the hearts of the shepherds on Bethlehem’s plains and swept round the world. It is in music that our praises rise to Him who is the embodiment of purity and harmony. It is with music and songs of victory that the redeemed shall finally enter upon the immortal reward.
Can a heavenly gift become a snare and lead us to our downfall? Ellen G. White wrote a number of articles on the seductive power that music can have on people who give in to worldly music, or music designed for suggestion. Her grandson Arthur L. White compiled a book of her writings on this subject in 1972, which was published by the Ellen G. White Estate, Inc.
Quotations taken from the Bible and Ellen G. White are clearly marked. Quotations taken from Arthur L. White’s book Music—Its Role, Qualities, and Influence are NOT marked. These quotations are taken from chapter 5: Religious Music Made Satan’s Snare, chapter 6: The Lure of Worldly Music, and chapter 7: Secular Music. Qualities of Acceptable Secular Music.
All quotations below that are not from the Bible are taken from Arthur L. Whites book Music—Its Role, Qualities, and Influence, chapter 5: Religious Music Made Satan’s Snare, chapter 6: The Lure of Worldly Music, and chapter 7: Secular Music. Qualities of Acceptable Secular Music.
In the Bible we have a strong warning from God that music will play an important role in the end times, precisely to cause God’s faithful remnant to fall away from the true faith and surrender to pagan rhythms and songs. But the Bible also shows us that music is used when the God of heaven is worshipped and honoured.
After God miraculously saved Israel from the Egyptian Pharaoh and his army by leading them through the Red Sea, Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, began to sing to God’s glory: And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances, (Exodus 15:20). In the book of Judges, we read that Deborah and Barak sang a song of praise to God: Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, [even] I, will sing unto the LORD; I will sing [praise] to the LORD God of Israel, (Judges 5:3).
It is also said of the 144,000 who will be taken alive to heaven at Jesus’ return that they will sing a song: And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth, [New International Version 1984 (Revelation 14:3)].
* As for the expression a new song, this refers to the special experience these people had when they experienced God’s saving power in a wonderful way while they were on earth. As with Israel at the Red Sea when God saved his people from certain death, as when Deborah and Barak had experienced God’s intervention when they defeated the Canaanite king Jabin, or as the 144,000 who will be taken up to heaven alive when they are threatened with death and corruption by the wicked powers who rule the world in the last days of earth’s history.
All Bible texts are from the King James Version 1611/1769, unless otherwise stated.
Daniel 3, and God’s warning regarding music.
It seems from the context of Daniel that Nebuchadnezzar was not content with just being the head of gold in the dream he had. It was probably a desire that his Babylon would last forever, and therefore he had a statue made of pure gold from head to toe that was 60 cubits high, which is about 30 meters. This statue was to be worshipped by everyone in Babylon at the signal of the musicians who would begin playing a given sign. There was also a death decree associated with this worship, anyone who did not worship the statue was to be thrown into a burning furnace.
We read in Daniel chapter 3, verses 1 to 7 the following: Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height [was] threescore cubits, [and] the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, [That] at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of music, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down [and] worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
As we see, a death decree was issued against anyone who would not kneel down and worship the statue of Nebuchadnezzar. In other words, those who kneeled down and worshiped the statue acknowledged that Nebuchadnezzar was more exalted than their own gods. The death decree is as follows: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. In Biblical sense, worshiping a statue is the same as idolatry. We will return to the rest of this story later.
But what does this have to do with us, you may ask. This is an important question, and the answer is that the Bible in general is a typological book. This means that some of the events that happened once in the past will happen again in the future. This story from Babylon is a type of an event that will happen in the last days before the return of Jesus, which will be the antitype.
The statue of our time.
In Revelation 13 we find this prophecy: And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by [the means of] those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name, (Revelation 13:11-17).
We see here in Revelation 13 the same pattern as in Daniel 3. Just as in Daniel 3 an image (statue) was set up that reflected Nebuchadnezzar, who was the most powerful ruler of his time, as we see in Revelation 13, an image will be set up that will reflect the most powerful ruler of the end times. Similar to the coercion that was used against all people in Babylon to make them worship Nebuchadnezzar’s statue, worship of the image of the first beast in Revelation 13 will also be forced upon all people, and similar to the death decree in Daniel, a death decree will be issued against all who do not worship the image of the first beast. Here the death decree reads as follows: … And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Now, many people probably miss the music that was so prominent in Daniel 3. So let’s go straight to the events described in A. l. Whites book. This is not something that only happened as we entered the 20th century, it is also happening in our time, and to an even greater extent.
It is not only worldly music that will be used to lead God’s faithful remnant astray. It is not without reason that today’s music takes on forms that more and more show the satanic nature that lies behind this type of music. The performers become megastars almost overnight. A good example of this is The Beatles. In 1962, almost no one had heard of them, and they played in small clubs and gloomy restaurants in Liverpool, England, and in Hamburg, Germany. After a performance in Hamburg, in the fall of 1962, John Lennon was asked: «Do you think The Beatles will be famous?» To this he replied: «I know we will be famous, because I have sold my soul to the devil.» Less than six months later, fame was a fact.
Increasingly, we also hear that good old hymns are being spiced up and given a new musical expression by changing calm and sacred music and giving the hymns a touch of rock rhythms, salsa and other rhythms that lead many to think more about all other things than about God. The choice of songs sung in church services is also changing. It has suddenly become commonplace, even in my own denomination and in my own congregation, to choose songs that should not have been sung during a church service, just because someone likes the songs really well. These are songs that could just as easily have been played in nightclubs and similar places.
Lively songs and self-induced hysteria.
I attended the camp meeting in September of 1900, which was held at Muncie, where I witnessed first-hand the fanatical excitement and activities of these people. There were numerous groups of people scattered all over the campground engaged in arguing and, when these fanatics conducted the services in the large pavilion, they worked themselves up to a high pitch of excitement by the use of musical instruments, such as: trumpets, flutes, stringed instruments, tambourines, an organ, and a big bass drum. They shouted and sang their lively songs to the accompaniment of musical instruments until they became really hysterical. Many times, I saw them, after these morning meetings, as they came to the dining tent fairly shaking as though they had the palsy. Burton Wade account to A. L. White, January 12, 1962.
As we can see from the description, this fits the vulgar scenes that unfold in many charismatic churches around the world today. Anyone who has been present during such «services» can testify that this is the case. This has nothing to do with real service. They confidently claim that it is the influence of the spirit that makes them behave like madmen. They howl and scream, have spastic tremors, they fall over, and they lie trembling on the floor. All this is a result of the music they play during their meetings, and the music they play is not solemn hymns, but music that resembles more and more heavy metal and death metal. Oh yes, music still plays a very big role in our time in seducing people, and there is certainly a spirit present, but it is not the Holy Spirit.
The music at the 1900 Indiana Camp Meeting described by eyewitnesses.
There is a great power that goes with the movement [Holy Flesh] that is on foot there. It would almost bring anybody within its scope, if they are at all conscientious, and sit and listen with the least degree of favour; because of the music that is brought to play in the ceremony. They have an organ, one bass viol, three fiddles, two flutes, three tambourines, three horns, and a big bass drum, and perhaps other instruments which I have not mentioned. They are as much trained in their musical line as any Salvation Army choir that you ever heard. In fact, their revival effort is simply a complete copy of the Salvation Army method, and when they get on a high key, you cannot hear a word from the congregation in their singing, nor hear anything, unless it be shrieks of those who are half insane. After an appeal to come forward for prayers, a few of the leading ones would always come forward, to lead others to come; and then they would begin to play on the musical instruments, until you could not hear yourself think; and under the excitement of this strain, they get a large proportion of the congregation forward over and over again. S. N. Haskell report to E. G. White, September 25, 1900.
In Last Days Events, Ellen G. White says the following on this topic in the section Music is Made a Snare: The things you have described as taking place in Indiana, [These comments were made in connection with the “Holy Flesh” Movement at the Indiana camp meeting of 1900. For further details, see Selected Messages 2:31-39.] the Lord has shown me would take place just before the close of probation. Every uncouth thing will be demonstrated. There will be shouting, with drums, music, and dancing. The senses of rational beings will become so confused that they cannot be trusted to make right decisions, (159.1) … // … A bedlam of noise shocks the senses and perverts that which if conducted aright might be a blessing. The powers of satanic agencies blend with the din and noise to have a carnival, and this is termed the Holy Spirit’s working…. Those things which have been in the past will be in the future. Satan will make music a snare by the way in which it is conducted, (159.2) … /// … Let us give no place to strange exercising, which really takes the mind away from the deep movings of the Holy Spirit. God’s work is ever characterized by calmness and dignity, (159.3).
There is no new thing under the sun.
The wise King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes: thing that hath been, it [is that] which shall be and that which is done [is] that which shall be done: and [there is] no new [thing] under the sun, (Ecclesiastes 1:9). If we look at what has happened in the Christian church over time, we see that what happened once is happening again, and that is exactly what Solomon tells us through this verse.
If we go back in time just over 120 years, we see that the same problems that we see in the church in general today also happened back then. In our time, we increasingly see secular music being played in churches during church services. Sometimes it is beautiful ballads that have been given a religious text, other times it is enough that the original text contains the word god in some way. Then suddenly the text is acceptable. Even in my own church, and in my own congregation, this happens, and music from composers who are anything, but Christians finds its way into our churches.
The almost overwhelming impact of the music.
Dance tunes and Sacred Words: We have a big drum, two tambourines, a big bass fiddle, two small fiddles, a flute and two cornets, and an organ and a few voices. They have “Garden of Spices” as the songbook and play dance tunes to sacred words. They have never used our own hymn books, except when Elders Breed or Haskell speak, then they open and close with a hymn from our book, but all the other songs are from the other book. They shout Amens, and “Praise the Lord,” “Glory to God,” just like a Salvation Army service. It is distressing to one’s soul. The doctrines preached correspond to the rest. “The poor sheep are truly confused.” Mrs. S. N. Haskell report to Sara McEnterfer, September 12, 1900.
Sara McEnterfer was, among other things, Ellen G. White’s traveling companion, private secretary, administrative secretary, and had many duties in the SDA.
Noise is no evidence of sanctification.
If we are to have any chance of hearing God’s voice and what He wants to say to us, we must be quiet, and if we play music, it must be of the right kind, in other words: good and uplifting hymns. One of our goals as Christians is to be sanctified, and sanctification comes through a close relationship with God, or as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 7:1: Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. However, if we participate in such noisy and unholy meetings and activities, the Holy Spirit will not be with us but will leave us to our own will.
In 1901, when Ellen G. White was in Australia, she wrote a letter to the General Conference in which she addresses this problem again. She wrote: I have been instructed by the Lord that this movement in Indiana is of the same character as have been the movements in years past. In your religious meetings there have been exercises similar to those I have witnessed in connection with those movements in the past … … There was much excitement, with noise and confusion. One could not tell what was piped or what was harped. Some appeared to be in vision and fell to the floor. Others were jumping, dancing, and shouting. The manner in which the meetings in Indiana have been carried on, with noise and confusion, does not commend them to thoughtful, intelligent minds. There is nothing in these demonstrations which will convince the world that we have the truth. Mere noise and shouting are no evidence of sanctification, or of the descent of the Holy Spirit. Your wild demonstrations create only disgust in the minds of unbelievers. The fewer of such demonstrations there are, the better it will be for the actors and for the people in general. Many such movements will arise at this time, when the Lord’s work should stand elevated, pure, unadulterated with superstition and fables. We need to be on our guard, to maintain a close connection with Christ, that we be not deceived by Satan’s devices. The Lord desires to have in His service order and discipline, not excitement and confusion. We are not now able to describe with accuracy the scenes to be enacted in our world in the future; but this we do know that this is a time when we must watch unto prayer; for the great day of the Lord is at hand. Satan is rallying his forces. We need to be thoughtful and still, and to contemplate the truths of revelation. Excitement is not favourable to growth in grace, to true purity and sanctification of the spirit … … God calls upon His people to walk with sobriety and holy consistency. They should be very careful not to misrepresent and dishonour the holy doctrines of truth by strange performances, by confusion and tumult. The General Conference Bulletin, April 23, 1901. (Published in Selected Messages 2:33-36)
Before I go any further, I want to ask a rhetorical question. How would you behave in front of the president, king, or prime minister of your country? Would you arrive screaming and wailing, with spasmodic tremors, and fall over and lie trembling on the floor? Or would you arrive with respect for the person you are about to meet? You wouldn’t even behave like a fool in front of your boss at work, much less a prime minister, king, or president. But when you go to meet God, the Creator of heaven and earth, well, it’s not that big of a deal anymore. If you behave like that, then you have no shame, and the Bible says something about this type of person. In Jude 1:12-13 we read about the apostates who are depraved and condemned, and Jude writes: These (referring back to verse 11) men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm – shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted – twice dead. They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame, wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever, (New International Version 1984).
But forget what I say, and also what other people say. If you call yourself a Christian, you should listen to what the Lord God says through his written word. This should be of utmost importance to us who call ourselves Christians, and not least to those of us who are Christians. We should scrutinize what God himself says to us through the Bible about how we should behave.
In Zephaniah 1:7-8 we read the following: Be silent before the Sovereign LORD, for the day of the LORD is near … … … (New International Version 1984).
King David says in Psalm 37:7: Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him … … … (New International Version 1984).
Through the prophet Isaiah the Lord says: Keep silence before me … … … (Isaiah 41:1).
Zechariah 2:17 tells us the following: Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD … … …
Charismatic churches with their music, their «miracles» and all other «wonders.»
I have witnessed services in charismatic churches. At times it is impossible to talk to the person next to me. It does not even help to shout, because everything is drowned out by music that is out of proportion and singers who scream and shout into their microphones. Perhaps they have to behave this way to call the attention of their gods. The condition in such churches is more and more like music festivals than services and is more destructive than edifying. It is probably no coincidence that we can read this in Nehemiah 8:11: … … Be still, for this is a sacred day. This does not mean that we should be drooping or sad in spirit, because the rest of the verse is like this: Do not grieve.
It is a long, long way from behaving reverently during a service to freaking out like they do in charismatic churches.
Ellen G. White comments on the music at the 1900 Indiana Camp Meeting. A bedlam of noise which confuses the senses.
The things you have described as taking place in Indiana, the Lord has shown me would take place just before the close of probation. Every uncouth thing will be demonstrated. There will be shouting, with drums, music, and dancing. The senses of rational beings will become so confused that they cannot be trusted to make right decisions. And this is called the moving of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit never reveals itself in such methods, in such a bedlam of noise. This is an invention of Satan to cover up his ingenious methods for making of none effect the pure, sincere, elevating, ennobling, sanctifying truth for this time. Better never have the worship of God blended with music than to use musical instruments to do the work which last January was represented to me would be brought into our camp meetings. The truth for this time needs nothing of this kind in its work of converting souls. A bedlam of noise shocks the senses and perverts that which if conducted aright might be a blessing. The powers of satanic agencies blend with the din and noise, to have a carnival, and this is termed the Holy Spirit’s working. No encouragement should be given to this kind of worship. The same kind of influence came in after the passing of the time in 1844. The same kind of representations were made. Men became excited and were worked by a power thought to be the power of God. Letter 132, 1900, to S. N. Haskell. (Published in Selected Messages 2:36, 37.)
There should be no doubt about the influence music has on us humans. If we look at the great effect that secular music has had on young people over the past century, we see that the music they listen to determines the lives they live. Many will now say: “Stop being silly, it’s just music that young people listen to.” Let’s look at a special type of music that is constantly gaining new ground, and which has also been accepted in charismatic churches – rapping. Rapping, or simply rap, describes a form of music where the lyrics rhyme and are performed in a specific rhythmic way.
One of the genres within rap is “freestyling,” where the performer disses, that is, insults, humiliates, disgraces or hurts another person, also called “freestyle battles.” Most of the lyrics are of such a nature that they actually glorify alcohol, drugs, free sex, violence and murder. It is simply reprehensible. Young people, on the other hand, think that this is completely okay. But is it? Just look at how many young people behave today. Children as young as 12 or 13 years old are roaming the streets at night, high on alcohol or drugs, committing vandalism, robbing people, and fighting with knives and sometimes armed with live pistols. This is just one of the results of this rotten music.
Music that is acceptable if “performed right”, is made into Satan’s snare.
The Holy Spirit has nothing to do with such a confusion of noise and multitude of sounds as passed before me last January. Satan works amid the din and confusion of such music, which, properly conducted, would be a praise and glory to God. He [Satan] makes its effect like the poison sting of the serpent. Those things which have been in the past will be in the future. Satan will make music a snare by the way in which it is conducted. God calls upon His people, who have the light before them in the Word and in the Testimonies, to read and consider, and to take heed. Clear and definite instruction has been given in order that all may understand. But the itching desire to originate something new results in strange doctrines and largely destroys the influence of those who would be a power for good if they held firm the beginning of their confidence in the truth the Lord had given them. Letter 132, 1900 to S. N. Haskell. (Published in Selected Messages 2:37, 38.) These [in Indiana] were carried away by a spiritualistic delusion. Evangelism, 595.
The Lure of Worldly Music. No Frivolous Waltz or Flippant Song in the Schools of the Prophets. The art of sacred melody was diligently cultivated. [In the schools of the prophets.] No frivolous waltz was heard, nor flippant song that should extol man and divert the attention from God; but sacred, solemn psalms of praise to the Creator, exalting His name and recounting His wondrous works. Fundamentals of Christian Education, 97.
The type of music described above, and similar music, has no place in the church. Instead of promoting peace and harmony, this type of music brings noise, commotion, confusion and disorder into the church. I would remind you that God is a God of order. The same applies to music, which Ellen G. White calls acceptable, that is, good and spiritually edifying hymns. If one begins to change the rhythms, use percussion and make the hymns more like worldly music, they become a Satanic trap.
We know from the Bible that in Old Testament times there were schools of prophets. It was not that one could “learn” how to receive visions and apparitions from God, for true visions and apparitions are not something that can be taught, but it is given as one of God’s graces to special people whom He raises up to lead His church on its way forward. In these schools of prophets they studied the scriptures, learned all or part of the scriptures by heart. In such schools, they did not sing secular songs but spiritual and uplifting songs.
Now there are many who claim that they can learn both to prophesy and to communicate with «angels«. As a curiosity, it can be mentioned that the Norwegian royal house has a princess who had a school where she taught how to communicate with angels. It was probably not God’s angels that she came into contact with. It is known from spiritualist and satanist circles that one can come into contact with their gods through seances where one puts oneself in a form of trance. No matter how you twist and turn it, you place yourself under Satan’s control when you indulge in this type of music and flirts with the occult.
When Satan takes charge, and music is used wrongly.
There has been a class of social gatherings in of an entirely different character, parties of pleasure that have been a disgrace to our institutions and to the church. They encourage pride of dress, pride of appearance, self-gratification, hilarity and trifling. Satan is entertained as an honoured guest and takes possession of those who patronize these gatherings. A view of one such company was presented to me, where were assembled those who profess to believe the truth. One was seated at the instrument of music, and such songs were poured forth as made the watching angels weep. There was mirth, there was coarse laughter, there was abundance of enthusiasm, and a kind of inspiration; but the joy was such as Satan only is able to create. This is an enthusiasm and infatuation of which all who love God will be ashamed. It prepares the participants for unholy thought and action. I have reason to think that some who were engaged in that scene heartily repented of the shameful performance. Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 339.
I feel alarmed as I witness everywhere the frivolity of young men and young women who profess to believe the truth. God does not seem to be in their thoughts. Their minds are filled with nonsense. Their conversation is only empty, vain talk. They have a keen ear for music, and Satan knows what organs to excite to animate, engross, and charm the mind so that Christ is not desired. The spiritual longings of the soul for divine knowledge, for a growth in grace, are wanting. I was shown that the youth must take a higher stand and make the word of God the man of their counsel and their guide. Solemn responsibilities rest upon the young, which they lightly regard. The introduction of music into their homes, instead of inciting holiness and spirituality, has been the means of diverting their minds from the truth. Frivolous songs and the popular sheet music of the day seem congenial to their taste. The instruments of music have taken time which should have been devoted to prayer. Music, when not abused, is a great blessing; but when put to the wrong use, it is a terrible curse. It excites but does not impart that strength and courage which the Christian can find only at the throne of grace while humbly making known his wants and with strong cries and tears pleading for heavenly strength to be fortified against the powerful temptations of the evil one. Satan is leading the young captive. Oh, what can I say to lead them to break his power of infatuation! He is a skillful charmer, luring them on to perdition. Testimonies for the Church1:496-497.
Social gatherings in church are another area where inappropriate music is played. More and more often I hear about an activity called “church-mess,” which is organized during the best church time for children, but which is only a form of disorder in the church. It may seem like just innocent fun, but if we delve into the problem we will soon see that it is almost a carnival that is organized in the church. The justification is that it is done for the youngest children in the church, so that they will feel at home there and that they will stay in the congregation. This is a non-argument. If we ask those who allow and those who organize this form of “church activities” whether it is okay to introduce pagan customs and traditions and justify it by saying that it is to get worldly people into church, we will undoubtedly get the answer that we cannot do that.
Another thing is that youth groups meet in church in the evenings during the week for various activities. It is one thing that they come together to cook good and healthy food and eat together; it is another thing for them to have an evening of socializing. Now, socializing is not unchristian in itself, but the form that socializing takes can be. When edifying music is not played, but dance music and there is dancing until late at night, this is a trap for failure. Such gatherings are not appropriate to have in a church because dancing arouses sensual desires in the young, and this can lead to situations that the participants may have difficulty dealing with. The reason why such gatherings are permitted is the same as for church fun: the church leaders consider it important that the young people stay in church, but the argument is no better in this case.
Satan uses it to gain access.
Eternal things have little weight with the youth. Angels of God are in tears as they write in the roll the words and acts of professed Christians. Angels are hovering around the yonder dwelling. The young are there assembled; there is the sound of vocal and instrumental music. Christians are gathered there, but what is that you hear? It is a song, a frivolous ditty, fit for the dance hall. Behold the pure angels gather their light closer around them, and darkness envelops those in that dwelling. The angels are moving from the scene. Sadness is upon their countenances. Behold, they are weeping. This I saw repeated a number of times all through the ranks of Sabbath keepers. Music has occupied the hours which should have been devoted to prayer. Music is the idol which many professed Sabbath keeping Christian’s worship. Satan has no objection to music if he can make that a channel through which to gain access to the minds of the youth. Anything will suit his purpose that will divert the mind from God and engage the time which should be devoted to His service. He works through the means which will exert the strongest influence to hold the largest numbers in a pleasing infatuation, while they are paralyzed by his power. When turned to good account, music is a blessing; but it is often made one of Satan’s most attractive agencies to ensnare souls. When abused, it leads the unconsecrated to pride, vanity, and folly. When allowed to take the place of devotion and prayer, it is a terrible curse. Young persons assemble to sing, and, although professed Christians, frequently dishonor God and their faith by their frivolous conversation and their choice of music. Sacred music is not congenial to their taste. I was directed to the plain teachings of God’s word, which have been passed by unnoticed. In the judgment all these words of inspiration will condemn those who have not heeded them. Testimonies for the Church 1:585-586.
Music has become an idol for people, especially young people. They cannot move outdoors without a cell phone playing their favourite music. It is unthinkable for them to have a quiet moment where they can let their thoughts wander to eternal things. They simply do not have time to think about Jesus Christ, much less have a quiet moment. Imagine if they had spent just a fraction of the time they spend on worldly music listening to Christian uplifting music and thinking about Jesus, then we would have a revival as great as no one can imagine.
But we also know that there is someone who rejoices in the youth’s choice of music, and that is Satan. Because in this way he manages to keep young people away from holy things, and nothing is more important to the devil than to prevent Christian people of all ages from spending time with God and Jesus. The only way to spend time with God and Jesus Christ is to study the Bible and pray. Satan also does everything to prevent unsaved people of all ages from seeking God and salvation in Jesus Christ. Because the devil keeps them busy with worldly, destructive music, they don’t have time to think about what is important in life. Satan is all too successful in his trick.
Low songs and lewd gestures.
Among the most dangerous resorts for pleasure is the theatre. Instead of being a school of morality and virtue, as is so often claimed, it is the very hotbed of immorality. Vicious habits and sinful propensities are strengthened and confirmed by these entertainments. Low songs, Lewd gestures, expressions, and attitudes deprave the imagination and debase the morals. Every youth who habitually attends such exhibitions will be corrupted in principle. There is no influence in our land more powerful to poison the imagination, to destroy religious impressions, and to blunt the relish for the tranquil pleasures and sober realities of life than theatrical amusements. The love for these scenes increases with every indulgence, as the desire for an intoxicating drink strengthens with its use. Testimonies for the Church 4:652-653.
People also spend a lot of time watching TV, and they can also use their mobile phones for this. Some also go to the theatre. What most people watch are films and theatre pieces that promote alcohol, drugs, violence, sex and other things that block the way for the influence of the Holy Spirit. They simply sit back and enjoy themselves as the hero of a play defeats the forces of evil by slaughtering them in all sorts of bestial ways. The music that accompanies such disgusting films is more destructive music than uplifting music.
What they see and learn through such films and plays they take with them into their everyday lives, and their lives are more and more controlled by the evil one. In most church denominations it is perfectly okay to watch such films and theatre pieces, and people simply encourage each other to watch such things, because they claim that they are saved by God’s grace. But are they really? Doesn’t Jesus say that we should separate ourselves from the world, and not share in the world’s sin?
Israel Beguiled by Heathen Music.
Balaam knew that the prosperity of Israel depended upon their observance of the law of God, and that there was no way to bring a curse upon them but by seducing them to transgression. He decided to secure to himself Balak’s reward, and the promotion he desired, by advising the Moabites what course to pursue to bring the curse upon Israel. He counselled Balak to proclaim an idolatrous feast in honor of their idol gods, and he would persuade the Israelites to attend, that they might be delighted with the music, and then the most beautiful Midianites women should entice the Israelites to transgress the law of God, and corrupt themselves, and also influence them to offer sacrifice to idols. This Satanic counsel succeeded too well. Spiritual Gifts 4a:49. Beguiled with music and dancing, and allured by the beauty of heathen vestals*, they cast off their fealty to Jehovah. Patriarchs and Prophets, 454.
* The Vestal were the female priesthood who served the goddess Vesta of the home hearth in ancient Rome. The cult of Vesta was part of the state religion of the Roman Empire, and the Vestals were treated with great respect.
As we see, it was not only in the Valley of Dura that music was a decisive factor in the worship of false gods. The Moabites also used music to lead God’s people to fall, they also brought Midianite women to entice the Israelites to break God’s law. It would therefore be downright irresponsible of us to believe that music will not be used against God’s faithful remnant in the end times to make them fall. We see that this music has gained a foothold in most church denominations throughout the world, and we already see the signs that this type of music is also fast entering God’s end-time church.
We cannot just stand there as passive and indifferent spectators we must dare to stand up and speak out. If we are ridiculed, we must just continue, because if we do not warn against this type of music, we are tacitly accepting the corrupting form of music.
Musical Entertainments to Have a Religious Atmosphere.
It has been revealed to me that not all the families who have a knowledge of the truth have brought the truth into their practice. Every talent of influence is to be sacredly cherished for the purpose of gathering souls to Christ’s side. A spirit has come into them that is of a different order. We had this same spirit to meet thirty years ago, and we bore decided testimony against it in Battle Creek. A decided religious feature should be encouraged in all our gatherings. Light has been given me decidedly again and again. Thirty years ago, when certain ones would assemble together for an evening of singing exercises, the spirit of courting was allowed to come in, and great injury was done to souls, some of whom never recovered. Manuscript 57, 1906.
This type of music, as we see, can destroy people so that they will never be the same again. It is therefore very important to distance ourselves from this type of music. It is not a game, but a battle of life and death that we fight against the prince of darkness. But praise the Lord, our victory is assured in Jesus Christ.
In his book “Beware of Angels,” Roger Morneau writes about a young couple, Jennifer and Kevin. As a wedding gift for Jennifer, Kevin had bought tickets to a rock concert. After they had been to the concert, things began to happen to Jennifer. Every time she saw the name “Harley-Davidson,” or the word “green” on a sign, building, or other place, she went into a deep depression. She felt better when she listened to her favourite music – rock. Here we see how the evil one uses all means to destroy people. If they had not sought help, Jennifer would most likely have met an early death.
The Peril of Worldly Entertainments.
It is not safe for the Lord’s workers to take part in worldly entertainments. Association with worldliness in musical lines is looked upon as harmless by some Sabbath keepers. But such ones are on dangerous ground. Thus, Satan seeks to lead men and women astray, and thus he has gained control of souls. So smooth, so plausible is the working of the enemy that his wiles are not suspected, and many church members become lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. Manuscript 82, 1900.
This should come as no surprise to those of us who are aware of what the Bible says about how we should relate to the world. We live in the world, but we are not to be like the world. In John 17, Jesus prays his high priestly prayer for his disciples, and in verses 14 and 15 it says: I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. The disciples had a nature and a spirit that was not of this world. They were in the world, but did not partake of the spirit of the world. They were sent into the world to cause others to deny the world. When Jesus prays that they will not be taken out of the world, it means that they have a task to complete, just as Jesus himself came to this earth to complete his work.
In verse 20, Jesus prays for all believers throughout history, so what Jesus said to the disciples applies to us in the end times: Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word. But just as Jesus’ disciples faced opposition, persecution, and death, so many in the end times who belong to God’s faithful remnant will also face opposition, persecution, and death. We have Jesus’ own words on this. In John 15:19-20, Jesus says to his disciples throughout history: If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
How are we to respond to the challenges that will soon come upon us? As usual, there are only two choices, and it all comes down to worship. Who will receive your worship? Jesus or Satan? Where have you stored up your treasures? Where is your heart? Is it in heaven or on earth? This you will show the whole world with the choice you make when the Sunday law comes.
The Sunday law is, as is well known, an image of the first beast set up by the second beast in Revelation 13. The Sunday law is the antitype of the statue Nebuchadnezzar erected in the plain of Dura, which is the type.
But do not come here and say that this does not concern you. All people must make a choice on the day the Sunday law is introduced throughout the world. Everyone must take a stand on this law, whether you want to or not, you must choose a side. No one can say that they are indifferent to this law, because like what happened in the plain of Dura in Babylon, a death decree will also be issued in the end times against those who do not submit to the law that accompanies the image of the beast. Those who will not submit to this law will be persecuted, but they will rather do as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, they chose the Creator of heaven and earth, they chose to follow the Lamb of God even if it would cost them their lives.
Let’s look at what Daniel 3 and Revelation 13 say about this. In Daniel 3:4-65 it says: Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, [that] at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
In Revelation 13:14-17 it says: And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by [the means of] those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Here we see two identical laws. Forced worship of other gods than God the Creator, with a fitting punishment for those who do not submit to the law – a death penalty.
How did our three friends in Babylon respond to this? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we [are] not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be [so], our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver [us] out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up, (Daniel 3:16-18).
Here are three Hebrew slaves standing face to face with the most powerful man of their day, telling him that they care nothing for his gods and his command to worship an image, despite the death decree that had been given against those who would not submit to Nebuchadnezzar’s will. It is to the same spiritual place that these three boys were in relation to their God that we need to come, to be sure that we do not become passive idolaters. What faith they had in God.
This is the same faith that we find in Revelation 14:12: Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. So there will obviously be some in the end times who dare to do as our three friends did. They stand securely on the Rock. The question is, are you and I among those who dare to oppose the ruler of this world, the prince of darkness who is the author of all the misery in the world, and who has also had his minions make and implement a law that is against God.
Do we have this faith, the same faith that Jesus had that these three boys show in action? If we do not yet have this faith, we must ask God to help us and strengthen our faith. In order to acquire such faith, we must have an intimate relationship with our Lord and His Christ through daily prayers and Bible study. The danger with worldly entertainment is that it will try to pull us away from what matters, a healthy and good relationship with God. But if we have the same faith as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we will be able to resist the unfortunate influence that all worldly entertainment will try to influence us with in the end times.