The deception of spiritualism will continue to increase until the Lord returns. The second angel's message says, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.*1
This message will again be preached but with greater force. We see that it is repeated but with more specificity in Revelation 18,
At this time the Lord ceases to intercede for his people, the period of grace has ended, the righteous are sealed and it is time to leave the cities. Since spiritualism is increasing it is now easier to conceive the idea that the enemy if possible will deceive even the elect. This deception began in the Garden of Eden where the serpent told Eve, "You will not surely die". *3. Since then, humans have had doubts about the state of the dead. King Saul wished to communicate with Samuel who had died so he went to visit a medium to conjure up his spirit. *4 Apparently Samuel’s spirit revealed what would happen to King Saul and his kingdom. Indeed, the words of this spirit came true. I therefore ask: Can the dead speak to us? Do the dead if they were good go to heaven or if they were evil go to hell? What really happens to us when we die?Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!* 2
To begin I want to emphasize that this is not a comprehensive study on this subject for it is very extensive. But Iknow the Bible is crystal clear on this topic.
For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished, and forever they have no more share in all that is done under the sun.*5
The Lord Jesus always compared death to sleep and we know that during sleep the person is basically in an unconscious state until woken.*6. They cannot participate in anything that goes on around them nor do they have knowledge of it. In John chapter 11 we find the conversation Jesus had with Martha. He tells Martha,
"I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he die, shall live."*6
This hope is now a reality because Christ died in the cross so that we might live. He conquered death and through Him everyone who has been laid to rest will conquer death. Martha although grief-stricken replies with hope,
"I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."*6
How would it be possible for Lazarus to resurrect “at the last day” if he were already in heaven? Why would Jesus resurrect Lazarus on this occasion if he were already in heaven (he had expired four days ago) or about to go to heaven? I dare say what punishment for Lazarus, for he would have to leave the glory of heaven to return to this world of pain and suffering. Furthermore, it would leave me wondering how Lazarus could live peacefully and carefree in heaven knowing that Martha and Mary would continue suffering on this earth?
The truth is that we are composed of dust and the breath of life.*7. Upon our death, the dust returns to earth and the breath of life returns to God. There is no separate entity; life is composed of these two elements. When the Lord resurrected he told his disciples to touch his wound and even asked them for some food so that they may know his true nature. Jesus had been transformed to perfection for he was in route back to heaven but he wanted to clarify that the disciples were not looking at a spirit but instead at the same person that had been with them prior to his death on the cross.
Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. And He took it and ate in their presence….Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.*8
Believe it or not when the righteous are resurrected upon hi sreturn they will be real people, of flesh and bones just like Jesus was when he resurrected and ascended to heaven. However, they will be transformed and covered with immortality.
When the Lord resurrected Lazarus he gave the breath of life to his body. What is interesting is that Lazarus retained his identity, that is to say, his personality. When Lazarus was resurrected he was still the same person just as Jesus was still the same when he resurrected. The difference of course was that Jesus was now covered with immortality for he was ascending to heaven. That proves to us that God has the power to give life and he will awaken all those who have died believing in him on that great day.
On the other hand, Satan does not have the power to give life, only the ability to deceive. It was Satan himself or perhaps one of his agents that appeared to King Saul and not Samuel. Samuel had died and just as Martha stated “will be resurrected at the last day”. We must understand that any spirits that are conjured up are actually demons which try to predict the future. Herein is the great deception of Satan and only those who have actual knowledge of Scripture can withstand these deceptions.
Jesus is the only one who can deliver us for he has shown us the path in his word. Remember always that our hope is found in 1 Corinthians 15
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?*9
We shall be clothed with immortality, but until the trumpet is blown and the Lord comes for them he will take us to heaven where we will dwell with Him forever.
JESUS IS COMING SOON!
1 * Revelation 14:8
2 * Revelation 18:2
3 * Genesis 3:4
4 * 1 Samuel 28
5* Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6
6* John 11
7 * Genesis 2:7
8* Luke 24:36-43, 52
9* 1 Corinthians 15:51-55
No comments:
Post a Comment