Talking with the dead has become big business. Interested Americans have overwhelmed mediums with invitations, some even coming from churches. Universities offer courses in psychic phenomena and witchcraft, but cannot schedule enough to satisfy the demand of young students.
The long-dead Ralph Waldo Emerson was conjured up by a Ouija board enthusiast. He supposedly told her, "There is no such thing as death, only a 'transition' through which one's mind and soul leaves the body to 'pass on' to another world." Teenagers think they can contact the "dead" through Ouija boards, which have enjoyed boom sales.
Spiritualist mediums want to go high tech. If they can figure out how and make money, they want to make it as easy to dial a dead person for a message as calling friends on the phone. What is the truth behind all this, according to the Bible? Where are the dead? What are they doing?
Millions of people in many lands are afraid to do anything to anger the spirits of their dead relatives. One thoughtful African in Zambia had a friendly uncle who adopted him when his parents died, and helped him get through school, even with the dowry for his marriage. At last the uncle died. Then the nephew began having misfortunes. The witch doctor said he could communicate with the dead uncle, who said that he was unhappy because the nephew had not erected as expensive a headstone on his grave as he wanted. The nephew went into debt for a series of exorbitant demands from the witch doctor, but still the misfortunes continued. Finally, the nephew stopped to think: his uncle was always kind and compassionate in life; how could he have suddenly become so cruel after his death? It was then that he began to read his Bible, and discovered the glorious truth you will now find in this lesson.
Love (Agape) is the Key That Unlocks the Mystery of Death
1. The one great reason why God provides a life beyond death is simply this:
He loves us individually too much to let us stay dead forever. He wants us to be with Him. How does He feel toward us? Job 14:10-15.
ANSWER: "Thou shalt __________, and I will __________ __________: thou wilt have a __________ to the __________ of thine hands."
2. What illustration has the Lord given to make us sure of the resurrection from the dead? Job 14:7-9, 14.
ANSWER: "It will __________ __________."
If an artist paints a masterpiece that is destroyed by fire, he wants to re-create it. If an author writes a book manuscript that disappears, he wants to re-write it. If an architect's masterpiece is destroyed, he wants to re-build it. Don't you think the Lord loves you too much to want you to drop out of sight forever? The answer to that question is yes.
3. What shows that Jesus firmly believed in a real life beyond the grave? Luke 20:34-36.
ANSWER: "They which shall be accounted worthy to obtain ... the __________ from the __________, ... they ... are the __________ of ___________, being the children of the __________."
We do not know now what will replace marriage in the resurrection life. Some have said they would not want eternal life if there is no marriage in it. But they have not thought things through. The infinite God who created us will provide every means of happiness and companionship that will give perfect joy to all.
4. What must happen first before there is any life beyond the grave? John 5:28, 29.
ANSWER: "All that are in the graves shall __________ his __________, and shall come forth: , ... unto the __________ of __________."
5. How real will that new life be after the resurrection? Isaiah 65:17, 21-25.
ANSWER: "They shall build __________ , and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and __________ the fruit of them."
6. What shows how the Lord wants to be with you and His resurrected people forever? Revelation 21:1-5.
ANSWER: "The tabernacle [dwelling place] of God is with __________ ... and God Himself __________ __________ __________ __________."
Is It Possible for Anyone to Talk With the Dead?
7. How much do dead people know? Ecclesiastes 9:5; Psalm 146:3, 4; Job 14:14, 21.
ANSWER: Ecclesiastes 9:5 "But the __________ know __________ __________." Psalm 146:3, 4 "In that very day his __________ __________." Job 14:14, 21 "His sons come to honor, and he __________ __________ __________."
8. Can they praise God? Psalm 115:17.
ANSWER: "The dead __________ __________ the Lord, ..."
9. Can a dead man return to his house (or anywhere) as a "departed spirit," or ghost? Job 7:9, 10.
ANSWER: "He shall return __________ __________ to his house."
10. If the dead continue to live as "departed spirits," they don't need a resurrection. How does the Apostle Paul say this would contradict the resurrection of Christ, and the gospel itself? 1 Corinthians 15:12-19, 23.
ANSWER: "If there be no resurrection of the dead, then __________ __________ __________ __________: ... then is our preaching __________, and your faith is also __________."
11. Who must return to earth before the resurrection can take place? 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17.
ANSWER: __________.
Paul says that the dead are "asleep." Jesus also told His disciples that when Lazarus died he "sleepeth" (John 11:11-14). Daniel said the dead" sleep in the dust of the earth" until they "awake" in the resurrection (Daniel 12:2). Job said the dead wait in the grave until the "set time" of the resurrection (Job 14:13-15). Peter said that even "David is not yet ascended into the heavens" but is still "dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day" (Acts 2:29, 34).
With Whom Do Mediums Talk? Are the "Spirits" Actually Dead People?
12. Trying to talk with the dead is completely at war with Bible truth. What text accurately describes the final end of those who even try to contact the dead? Isaiah 8:19-22.
ANSWER: "Behold trouble and darkness, __________ of __________; and they shall be driven to __________."
13. Who is the archenemy of Bible truth and the gospel of Jesus Christ? Revelation 12:7-9.
ANSWER: The enemy and his cohorts are "The __________ and his __________."
14. How can Satan and his angels manage to appear to people and fool them? 2 Corinthians 11:13-15.
ANSWER: "For such are false apostles, __________ __________, transforming themselves into the __________ of __________. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an __________ of __________."
The idea of the natural immortality of the soul has been inherited from heathenism, not the Bible. It has no place in a Christian church. Yet many churches blindly accept this false doctrine, and are preparing to be completely deceived by "the spirits of devils, working miracles" (Revelation 16:14). Unless they repent and believe Bible truth, Revelation says they will finally be so fully deceived that they will "become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit" (Revelation 18:1, 2).
Is something bothering you that you do not know? Do not contact spiritists, or even so-called "Christian mediums," to have evil angels tell you mysteries they may know. Rather, go directly to the Lord who loves you so much that He gave His Son for you. He will tell you all you need to know! And it will always be Good News.
The One who died for you, who went to hell to save your soul, will not withhold anything good from you. Anyone whom Satan fools, he leads toward destruction. How much better to turn to the Lord! You can trust Him. God is love, and He will give you everything you need for happiness now and eternally.
"Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7 "Pray without ceasing." 1 Thessalonians 5:17