October 2: EXPOSING SPIRITUALISM
For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing… Ecclesiastes 9:5
Our loved ones who have passed away are not currently thinking, making decisions, remembering things, or experiencing consciousness of any kind. They are asleep, awaiting the resurrection. Knowing this truth brings great relief for the living who have said something regrettable to a loved one while they were alive.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going (v.10). Our use of the brief time that the Lord has given us in this life is a matter of eternal consequence. Once our eyes close in death, there is no work or device, no “switching sides” or repentance; there is no decision-making of any kind. Those who have died do not work as counselors, imparting wisdom to the living. Did you know that King Charles of England seeks wisdom from his friend Lord Mountbatten who died in 1979? Such practices are wildly popular among millions the world over, many of whom profess to be Christians. Seances in the USA became widespread in the 1800s, alongside astrology. These practices are a booming industry today. While living in the White House, Nancy Reagan consulted astrologers for the planning of Ronald’s presidential schedule.
Why does God condemn sorcery, witchcraft, and worship of heavenly bodies? Why does He expressly forbid all attempts to communicate with the dead? The short answer is that it opens the door to the deceptions of our sworn spiritual enemy. An exploration of God’s Word will supply a fuller picture over this month.
In ancient Israel, there were among the Hebrews a class of people who claimed power to “bring up the dead” for counsel or advice. This practice is called spiritualism: the false idea that death is really just a portal to a new, higher stage of existence. It is founded on the concept of the soul’s natural immortality and springs from Satan’s lie about death as he was tempting Eve to disobey God (Genesis 3:1-6). The idea infiltrated the early church, moving it away from its biblical foundation. It was a compromise with paganism in order to appeal to the widening Roman audience. The prophet Ezekiel twice stated plainly: The soul who sins shall die (Ezekiel 18:4,20). The erroneous theory of an “immortal soul” is borrowed from paganism and was incorporated into Roman Catholic church dogma. Unfortunately, it carried over into most Protestant churches and is actively perpetuated to this very day. Even Billy Graham taught of the soul’s immortality.
The ideas of haunted houses and spirits of the dead are also put to rest in the Bible. Job understood God’s plan to raise the dead who had trusted in Him and give them new bodies at the end of the age. He also knew that the earth and its atmosphere was to be destroyed and renewed at the end of the age. (see Job 14:12,14,15; 19:25-26) But until that Day comes, Job understood: So he who goes down to the grave does not come up. He shall never return to his house (Job 7:9b-10a).
And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Isaiah 8:19-20