"Nearly all forms of ancient sorcery and witchcraft were founded upon a belief in communion with the dead. Those who practiced the arts of necromancy claimed to have intercourse with departed spirits, and to obtain through them a knowledge of future events. This custom of consulting the dead is referred to in the prophecy of Isaiah: “When they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? ” Isaiah 8:19 . PP 684.1"
"And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?"
The EGW passage directly quotes Isaiah 8:19 to illustrate the ancient practice of consulting the dead, which forms the basis for her discussion of sorcery and witchcraft. This is a clear and direct reference.
"This same belief in communion with the dead formed the cornerstone of heathen idolatry. The gods of the heathen were believed to be the deified spirits of departed heroes. Thus the religion of the heathen was a worship of the dead. This is evident from the Scriptures. In the account of the sin of Israel at Beth-peor, it is stated: “Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor.” Numbers 25:1-3 . The psalmist tells us to what kind of gods these sacrifices were offered. Speaking of the same apostasy of the Israelites, he says, “They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead ” ( Psalm 106:28 ); that is, sacrifices that had been offered to the dead. PP 684.2"
"And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. And Israel joined himself unto Baal–peor: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel."
Ellen White directly references Numbers 25:1-3 in this passage.
"They joined themselves also unto Baal–peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead."
Ellen White directly references Psalms 106:28 in this passage.
"The deification of the dead has held a prominent place in nearly every system of heathenism, as has also the supposed communion with the dead. The gods were believed to communicate their will to men, and also, when consulted, to give them counsel. Of this character were the famous oracles of Greece and Rome. PP 684.3"
"Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer."
Deuteronomy 18:11 condemns consulting with familiar spirits and necromancy. EGW connects this to the broader practice of deifying the dead and seeking counsel from them, which is a thematic parallel.
"The belief in communion with the dead is still held, even in professedly Christian lands. Under the name of spiritualism the practice of communicating with beings claiming to be the spirits of the departed has become widespread. It is calculated to take hold of the sympathies of those who have laid their loved ones in the grave. Spiritual beings sometimes appear to persons in the form of their deceased friends, and relate incidents connected with their lives and perform acts which they performed while living. In this way they lead men to believe that their dead friends are angels, hovering over them and communicating with them. Those who thus assume to be the spirits of the departed are regarded with a certain idolatry, and with many their word has greater weight than the word of God. PP 684.4"
"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."
EGW draws a parallel between spiritualism and Satan transforming into an angel of light, suggesting that spiritualistic manifestations can be deceptive and misleading, aligning with the warning in 2 Corinthians 11:14.