What happens when we die 4

David of the Bible was the most successful general in his time. He was feared so much that a song was made about him; "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands." (1 Sam 21:11) This angered King Saul and made him very jealous. He wanted to kill David. This made God to depart from him. Samuel, the prophet died during this period.

We read in 1 Sam 28 that when Saul faced the Philistines once more, he was afraid. He called on God but God did not answer. He then seeked help from a medium, like the modern day John Edwards. Only difference is it was a woman. On her question he answered that she must bring Samuel to him.  He wanted to speak to Samuel's 'spirit'.

Saul consulted with the spirit who told him that he and his sons would be killed the next day on the battle field. David would take over from him as king. It happened like that.

My focus point is 1 Samuel 28:14, "So he said to her, 'What is his form?' And she said, 'An old man is COMING UP, and he is covered with a mantle'. And Saul PERCEIVED that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground and bowed down".

From the fact that Saul asked the medium about the form of the spirit, we know that he did not see it. She claimed that this spirit was coming up. Coming up from where? Samuel was God's prophet, why would he be coming up from the earth and not coming down from heaven? Forget the name; what would you have thought of the spirit coming up from the earth if no name was involved?

Secondly, Saul did not see the spirit so he could not- as the newer Bible translations put it- 'knew it was Saul", even before the spirit has spoken a word. The older translations used the word 'perceived'. Saul could not have known for sure who 'came up'.

Thirdly, why would God not answer Saul when he prayed but allows a medium to be a mediator? Remember, God cut Saul off.

Fourthly, why would the 'soul' of a prophet of God be under the control of a medium or spiritist? It does not make sense. Futhermore, the Word of God forbids the calling up of spirits.

Deu 18:10-12: "There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a MEDIUM , or a SPIRITIST, or one who CALLS UP THE DEAD. For all those who do these things are an abomination to the Lord, and because these of abominations the Lord your God drives them out from before you".

Lev 20:6, "And the person who turns to MEDIUMS and FAMILIAR SPIRITS, to prostitute himself with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people". Saul was indeed 'cut off'.

satan was again busy with what he does best, to deceive. This time he came as an angel of light. When we go to people like John Edwards, his demons imitate our beloved family members. Spiritists and mediums are part of his instruments.

(Pic: Samuel annoints Saul)