“DO GHOSTS EXIST?”

  

Is man’s belief in ghosts based upon the Bible? What factors influenced man’s concept of a ghost?  When, and how did humans come to believe that they exist? Is it all a hoax; a harmless fictional concept much like the tooth fairy and Santa? Ghosts, spooks, goblins, and other related objects of a non-physical nature that are commonly associated with Halloween; are they mentioned in the Bible? There were encounters with the dead that are recorded for us in the Bible.  What are we to make of them?

To understand this subject accurately, we must apply all language in accordance with GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSE as set forth in the Bible (see 1 Peter 1:10-12; Ephesians 1:3-5; 3:7-11). Bible prophecy, and associated events that involved appearances and contact with the dead or with angels occurred in accordance with GOD accomplishing this eternal purpose; i.e., our salvation! Events that involved contact with the dead (ghosts???), were related to this eternal purpose.

Events such as the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9) [where contact with the dead occurred] were NOT for free-lance interpretation; book writings; personal testimony, etc. WITH NO REGARD FOR GOD’S REVELATION: THE BIBLE! While many incidents could be given; let us focus upon one particular story that involved the dead and which would accurately portray to us what someone from the dead [ghosts] would have to say; IF THEY COULD “RISE FROM THE DEAD”.  That story is found in Luke 16:19-31.

“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side.  The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house— for I have five brothers —so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead’.”

What are some lessons for us from this narrative? IF someone COULD ‘rise from the dead’, they would: 

1) Warn the living of a terrible place! vv. 24-25, 28 ~ “in anguish”; “place of torment”

2) It would also prove that the scriptures suffice in producing godly sorrow which worketh repentance vv. 29-31

Accordingly, we read in the Bible that the gospel is God’s means of producing faith, repentance, and obedience to His will - Romans 10:17; Acts 17:30

The relevance of obedience to the gospel to man’s salvation is seen from 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 – “…when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints…”.

Do you believe in ghosts? Why would anyone believe in them?  For anyone who has claimed to have seen a ghost, consider these questions: How did you come to conclude that what you saw/experienced was a ghost? From pictures…stories…folklore…or from the Bible? Why did you not conclude that the image you saw was something other than a ghost?  Why did you say that it was a ‘ghost’?  Was it based upon the testimony of another person who related a similar incident? What has shaped man’s concept of the existence of ‘ghosts’?  How are we to interpret the appearances and alleged contacts with the dead?  More importantly, are they to be the basis for formulating our convictions religiously?  How credible is our evidence?

Remember, “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets (i.e., what was written), neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead’.”

“Who ya gonna’ call [upon ~ i. e. believe]?

“THE AFFLICTION OF GOD’S HABITATION”

God’s words will always prove true even when given a ‘bad’ review by man. There is power in words, whether they declare truth or error. Reports, reactive comments (more reports), and concluding comments (more reports), all prove the power of words. Man’s words reflect his faith or doubt in what God has declared. When our words agree with God’s oracles, it reflects our faith in God (1 Peter 4:11). There is an effect that will lead to eternal life for those who hear us. When we speak ‘faith-less’ and/or ‘false words’ about God’s words, it will lead to eternal damnation for the hearer. It depends, of course, upon which words the hearer accepts.

For example, God had made it clear that He was giving them the land of Canaan as a possession. God ordered the land to be spied. One of the two reports spoken to the people was evil, yet it was accepted as truth. It led to death for those who believed it (Numbers 13:31-33; 14:36-37). This report was evil because it reflected their lack of faith in God to perform His oath to Abraham (Deuteronomy 9:5). Those who believed this evil report also lacked faith in God’s power to fulfill His promises.

However, there was another story that involved a bad report made by the people of Israel in the days of Eli. The story is found in 1 Samuel 2:22-35. The circumstances were much different, yet a lack of faith in God was still the issue. Eli was the high priest at this time. His sons, although priests, were ‘worthless’. Even though they were ‘religious’, they despised the offering of Jehovah  (1 Samuel 2:17). The abuses in regard to the sacrifice, coupled with the abuses with the women who served at the tabernacle (1 Samuel 2:22) were brought to Eli. This report from the people was not good, but this time, it was the truth. However, their complaint to Eli was did not remedy the problem any more than Eli’s response did. The correct action that should have been taken is seen from the words of Jehovah to Eli: “I will judge his house for ever, for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons did bring a curse upon themselves, and he restrained them not.” (1 Samuel 3:13). Jehovah punished Eli’s house justly (see 1 Samuel 2:34; 4:11).

God had made an oath to which He would be faithful to carry out. This was the reason He dwelt in the midst of His people, Israel. His presence was a blessing for His people. He had already blessed them in many ways. He was an ever-present aid in their time of need (Deuteronomy 4:7; Isaiah 65:24). The Law given at Mt. Sinai was far superior to the lay of any other nation (Deuteronomy 4:8). Their very life depended upon this law (Deuteronomy 6:24-25). While this law was a blessing, it was not THE blessing God purposed for them when He made an oath to Abraham (Genesis 12:3b); no more than Eliezer was THE intended heir from his loins, though he had been born in Abraham’s house (Genesis 15:2-4). Even the blessings to Abraham about his seed becoming a great nation and their possession of Canaan were with a view to a greater, yet future blessing…Christ (Galatians 3:24). It was called a ‘latter end’ blessing by Moses (Deuteronomy 8:16b).

Israel, in failing to believe God, cast this law aside (Nehemiah 9:26). Yet, God was in their midst. Why? Because God is true to His word, fulfilling His oath to bless His people in their “latter end”. In the interim, His presence is sharper than a double-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). Notice what Eli was told in 1 Samuel 2:32, “And thou shalt behold the affliction of My habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel”. The truth in connection with the report concerning the sinful behavior of Eli’s sons was and is true anytime God’s people sin. They will see the affliction of His dwelling while God does good for His people.

God, through His righteous deeds in the presence of His people demonstrates His faithfulness to His own words. His discipline at the present is to bless His own in their “latter end”. That was His purpose from eternity (Ephesians 1:5). The Hebrew writer wrote of this ‘latter end’ blessing as follows, “…regard not lightly the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art reproved of him; For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth’…for they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed good to them; but he for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness. All chastening seemeth for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yieldeth peaceable fruit unto them that have been exercised thereby, even the fruit of righteousness.” (Hebrews 12:5-7, 10-11).

Remember, “the Lord chasteneth His ‘children’ (i.e., those whom He loveth)…for their profit…give Him reverence…be trained by it.” You will thus, be a channel of blessing.

“WHAT IF…SUPPOSE…?” - #2

 

“What if (suppose) a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” (Acts 23:9).

In Acts 23:1-9, we read the account of the apostle Paul before the council and the high priest, Ananias. When Paul states that he is called in question over the “hope and resurrection of the dead”, a great dissention arose between the Pharisees and Sadducees.  In v. 9 we read, “…some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ part stood up, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: and what if a spirit hath spoken to him, or an angel?”

The question was asked in an earlier article with this same title, “What if the basis of our belief IS from God?” If this were true, then our convictions would be so strong that we would defend them with our life (much as the apostles did). If our belief (i.e., conviction) is that God’s love, (demonstrated by the giving of His only begotten Son), was necessary (John 3:16; Hebrews 9:22); and if our belief that God’s raising up of Jesus was not only true, but also necessary (1 Corinthians 15:17); then our life should not cause our profession to be mere empty words in regard to these two events.

Faith in the reality of Jesus’ resurrection calls upon the believer to accept the certainty of another related event: the Judgment. We can see this as we consider WHY the resurrection took place. If the shedding of Jesus’ blood atoned for our sins (Hebrews 9:22); why was it necessary that His soul not be left “in Hades” (Acts 2:27)? The Hebrew writer mentioned that Jesus “shall appear a second time” (Hebrews 9:28). He adds that to those who ‘wait for Him’, this second appearing will be ‘unto salvation’. Luke and Paul also wrote of this second appearance of Jesus and of the need to ‘wait for’ or ‘look for’ it.  (cf. Acts 1:11; 1 Corinthians 1:7; Titus 2:13-14).

Notice the language of the apostle Peter on this: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing that these things are thus all to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy living and godliness, looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, by reason of which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”(2 Peter 3:9-13). 

Peter here, explains what “wait for Him” involves. For those who believe in the certainty of the Lord’s return, their life reflects that they are living in holiness and godliness. They eagerly look for, and earnestly desire the coming of that day, because for them, it will be a day of salvation.

‘What if’ (suppose) there is a Judgment Day, as God hath declared. What manner of person ought you to be? THAT was the point made in Acts 23:9 as well as in 2 Peter 3:11. If God has spoken about it, then the same condemnation that Paul spoke of in regard to his failure to preach the gospel applies to us: “woe be unto us if we don’t…” (1 Corinthians 9:16).

Dear reader, what manner of person are you in view of your belief of the resurrection and of the Judgment? Your manner of living is the truest reflection of your attitude toward God’s love for you. Remember, you will never turn from a sin you don’t hate (James 1:14).