What does the Bible say about ghosts? And I am looking for some answers about demons

[MarktheVI]

So I know the Bible talks about contacting the dead but does that mean there are ghosts? What about mediums and psychics? I do believe that they, for the most part, aren't fake but in a sense modern day witches? And demons? is there any connection? are ghosts really deceiving demons? PLEASE I am looking for good conversation and answer!
Thanks

 

[Elizabeth619]

So I know the Bible talks about contacting the dead but does that mean there are ghosts? What about mediums and psychics? I do believe that they, for the most part, aren't fake but in a sense modern day witches? And demons? is there any connection? are ghosts really deceiving demons? PLEASE I am looking for good conversation and answer!
Thanks

When a person dies their soul/spirit leaves their body and goes to a resting place til judgement day. Nowhere in the bible does it say that anyones "ghost" is earthbound.

As far as witchcraft is concerned:
“When you come into the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire [an ancient occult practice], 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 who do these things are an abomination [detestable] to the LORD…”
—Deuteronomy 18:9-12a

 

[MarktheVI]

I know about the whole dont let the abominations in your land, but i just meant as in can they contact the dead? what about when saul called upon Samuel with the witch? And I'm not so sure of this said "resting place until judgement day"... there was a resting place for the righteous, but then Jesus died upon the cross which moved them into heaven. So ever since Jesus' crucifix it was either to hell or heaven. But does that mean you can't still contact "ghost"? what about the possibility of "ghosts" really demons deceiving and influencing people. Because ghost stories attract attention and population as well as a door to toy with people.

 

[GreenNnice]

Here is some good reading for you. By the way, why is this an obsessive thought with you, if it is. Dangerous to entertain demons in your mind. They get in there and act like angels but you are unaware of their true identity and they slowly suck you to a state of depression, or, possession even, not good.

That said, we can know that a spirit is of God, Scripture says , by asking if the demon comes from God.
You are to ask the demon, 'Do you believe that Jesus Christ came to earth in the flesh? If they say 'no,' then you know to then REBUKE it , and do this act with faith inside you gained from your walk with God in you, His Holy Spirit and, do say 'in the name or Jesús,' for casting the spirit not of God that is a demon.
It (the demon(s) ) will flee, believers have this wonderworking, miraculous power by the authority of Jesus inside us , He will work through us to excercise the demon from where it be inside you.

Demons can be many things, and, they are powerful things that a demon will accurse you, like depression, like suicide. BUT, with/in the name of Jesus is an Almighty power that is more powerful than all the mustered doings of the prince of this world, who is Satan.

Greater is He who is in me than he (Satan, and, also, his demons) who is in the world.

Hope this helps, the testing of demons verses can be found in 1 John 4: 1-5 .

May you be markedforHim, brother, in all you do

The Lord leads, there, too,vthougu, Jesus says there are some demons that are tougher to excercise from someone, prayer and fasting are needed, you can read about tjis in Gospels.

 

[Elizabeth619]

can they contact the dead?

No. Look up the parable of the Rich man and Lazarus in the book of Luke. It clearly shows that after one dies they leave Earth. They are in a "spirit relm" and cannot cross over and go back and forth.

what about when saul called upon Samuel with the witch?

Under the anointing of the spirit of God, Saul had been a fearless king. But when God "rejected him from being king" (1 Sam 15:26), the spirit of God departed (1 Sam 16:14) and Saul's courage also departed.
Saul needed assurance that he would not be defeated so he asked the Lord, and the Lord did not answer him. 1 Sam 28:6
In verse 7 is when Saul disobeyed God again and contacted a medium. Saul knew he was wrong. Afterall he sent his sevants to go find a medium after he had cast them out
When God permitted the medium to contact the spirit of Samuel the spirit actually rebuked him. He also lost the battle and later on commited suicide....

Jesus died upon the cross which moved them into heaven

No one is in heaven yet. That is reserved for judgement.
Remember the thief on the cross? Jesus told him he would be with him in paradise. Not Heaven.

what about the possibility of "ghosts" really demons deceiving and influencing people

The fact that any type of witchcraft is satanic when someone says they see a ghost of a lost loved one that contridicts the bible.
If they actually see something then it is more than likely NOT a ghost, but a demonic spirit.

We are forbidden to contact the dead. The dead are no longer part of this world. Even if we had the ability to contact an actuald ghost that is dabbling in something that is very dangerous and should be totally avoided at all costs.

 

[episcopotic]

Many people believe the spirit the woman at Endor called up was in fact a demon, even though the Bible says it was actually the guy and gives no hint that it was anything but. The Bible's pretty clear about it, as far as I can tell - it doesn't say it's impossible, it doesn't say you'll dial a number and get Satan, it says not to do it. There's a big difference between "don't do this, this is evil," which the Bible actually says, and "you idiot, this isn't even possible."

I suspect, though, it only was allowed to occur because God was somewhat sarcastically reinforcing a previous message:

Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has turned from you and become your enemy?

Look, Samuel, the guy isn't listening to Me. He wants to talk to you. <hands the phone over>

More generally, there is no technique by which a person can systematically contact the dead. It's happened at odd times throughout history - Samuel, Moses and Elijah, Lazarus... sort of. One gets the sense that these are special events and not part of a general pattern. And they're certainly not related to anything modern necromancers try to do (and you're a couple of steps away from reading their works, I imagine).

 

[MarktheVI]

Firstly, I know how dangerous demons can be and i feel powerful in my state of faith, I have power over them and they cannot harm me without God's permission, but even then he never gives you anything you cant handle (I've learned that lesson especially well over the summer). Also, back to Elizabeths point where she said,"No one is in heaven yet. That is reserved for judgement. Remember the thief on the cross? Jesus told him he would be with him in paradise. Not Heaven." In all do respect i just don't believe that. The Bible gives heaven many names such as Gods almighty kingdom, paradise, and other such thing, either way what the Bible was trying to convey was that Heaven is a wondrous place. Besides, if the thief on the cross was told he was going to paradise which is just a place reserved for judgement, what about sinners waiting for judgment? do they go to this made up purgatory. Our soul has been either blessed or damned that second it leaves our body. ITs either going straight to heaven or hell, no middle man. Now back to demons and ghosts and such, i have consulted my father who is an assistant pastor and dont get me wrong he is a great resource but i was just looking for other opinions. I confirmed my belief that ghosts were not human long before i even knew of this chat, but i dont think it ends there, i do think demons take ancestors faces to decieve. And no, it is not an obsession nor near a possession. I am a lamb of God and nothing will lead me astray as long as Jesus is in my heart.

 

[Elizabeth619]

Firstly, I know how dangerous demons can be and i feel powerful in my state of faith, I have power over them and they cannot harm me without God's permission, but even then he never gives you anything you cant handle (I've learned that lesson especially well over the summer). Also, back to Elizabeths point where she said,"No one is in heaven yet. That is reserved for judgement. Remember the thief on the cross? Jesus told him he would be with him in paradise. Not Heaven." In all do respect i just don't believe that. The Bible gives heaven many names such as Gods almighty kingdom, paradise, and other such thing, either way what the Bible was trying to convey was that Heaven is a wondrous place. Besides, if the thief on the cross was told he was going to paradise which is just a place reserved for judgement, what about sinners waiting for judgment? do they go to this made up purgatory. Our soul has been either blessed or damned that second it leaves our body. ITs either going straight to heaven or hell, no middle man. Now back to demons and ghosts and such, i have consulted my father who is an assistant pastor and dont get me wrong he is a great resource but i was just looking for other opinions. I confirmed my belief that ghosts were not human long before i even knew of this chat, but i dont think it ends there, i do think demons take ancestors faces to decieve. And no, it is not an obsession nor near a possession. I am a lamb of God and nothing will lead me astray as long as Jesus is in my heart.

The sinners go to a place of torment. Purgatory however is not in the bible, and not all Christians believe in that.
Nowhere in scripture does it say the deceased go directly to Heaven or Hell upon death. Matthew 25 implies this.

The bible does support a temporay place for the deceased which is Paradise or Hades. Hades is even mentioned in Revelation.

 

[Katy-follower]

Just my thoughts...

The bible states that at the moment a person dies they either go to Heaven or hell. No one is trapped behind on earth.

Ghosts don't exist but the devil and demons do. They have the ability to manifest themselves into bodily form and impersonate dead people/ghosts. They can possess someone's body and also communicate through psychics to make the recipient believe they are actually speaking to their dead relative. In doing this, they are continuing the deceptions of the devil. The recipient is deceived into thinking they have eternal security, that their dead relative is speaking in Spiritual form from heaven. Demons have been around for so long, that they would know every personal detail about us and the older generation of our family. No doubt they've studied us for so long and know about man's fascination with the afterlife. Unfortunately so many are deceived by their evil games.

Ephesians 5:11: "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them"

 

[Elizabeth619]

The bible states that at the moment a person dies they either go to Heaven or hell. No one is trapped behind on earth.

Can you provide scripture to support this?

 

[MarktheVI]

The bible does support a temporay place for the deceased which is Paradise or Hades. Hades is even mentioned in Revelation.[/QUOTE]
This was before Jesus came and died on the cross. the paradise you are refering to is the same as Abrahams bosom. There very well was a waiting place for the righteous and damned, but not any more. Especially in Paul's teachings he expresses that the mortal body will die, and the spirit and soul go directly to heaven. Death doesnt even need to happen for the spirit and soul to go directly to heaven. Elijah and Enoch got to go to heaven without even dying and that is shown to us in the book of Hebrews. So that also disporves what you said about there being nobody in Heaven.

 

[Katy-follower]

Can you provide scripture to support this?

Will have a search.

Regardless of whether one believes the dead sleep or go to their eternal destination instantly, I was making a point that the dead do not remain trapped on the earth floating around as ghosts, because that's not biblical.

I personally believe once absent from the body a person is present with the Lord.

 

[MarktheVI]

Will have a search.

Regardless of whether one believes the dead sleep or go to their eternal destination instantly, I was making a point that the dead do not remain trapped on the earth floating around as ghosts, because that's not biblical.

I personally believe once absent from the body a person is present with the Lord.

I completely agree. I have confirmed my beliefs that "ghosts" aren't peoples spirits who haven't passed on. I already know that the dead do not roam the earth, but thank you for the acknowledgement

 

[Elizabeth619]

The bible does support a temporay place for the deceased which is Paradise or Hades. Hades is even mentioned in Revelation.

This was before Jesus came and died on the cross. the paradise you are refering to is the same as Abrahams bosom. There very well was a waiting place for the righteous and damned, but not any more. Especially in Paul's teachings he expresses that the mortal body will die, and the spirit and soul go directly to heaven. Death doesnt even need to happen for the spirit and soul to go directly to heaven. Elijah and Enoch got to go to heaven without even dying and that is shown to us in the book of Hebrews. So that also disporves what you said about there being nobody in Heaven.[/quote]

Paradise is in Hades, that is in the realm of the dead. As Jesus died on the cross, he told the thief, "And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."" (Luke 23:43). Yet, Peter quoted the Old Testament to explain that Jesus did not remain in Hades. "For You will not leave my soul in Hades, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption" (Acts 2:27). Therefore, we conclude that Paradise is a region in Hades. This is supported by the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. "So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom" (Luke 16:22-23). Torments is another region in Hades and in this description, Abraham's bosom appears to be another name for Paradise.

Rev 20:11-15 makes it clear that Hades will be emptied at the time of Jesus’ second coming.
-At that time, “before him shall be gathered all nations” (Matt 25:32) and the judgment day will take place.

So that also disporves what you said about there being nobody in Heaven.

John 3:13No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven--the Son of Man.

 

[Katy-follower]

The non saved are currently in Hades, which is a place of torment. Hades will be thrown into the Lake of Fire on judgment day. I believe that the saved are in heaven awaiting their glorified bodies like the rest of us.

Rev 20:13-15: "Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire"

Will look for more scriptures...

 

[MarktheVI]

This was before Jesus came and died on the cross. the paradise you are refering to is the same as Abrahams bosom. There very well was a waiting place for the righteous and damned, but not any more. Especially in Paul's teachings he expresses that the mortal body will die, and the spirit and soul go directly to heaven. Death doesnt even need to happen for the spirit and soul to go directly to heaven. Elijah and Enoch got to go to heaven without even dying and that is shown to us in the book of Hebrews. So that also disporves what you said about there being nobody in Heaven.

Paradise is in Hades, that is in the realm of the dead. As Jesus died on the cross, he told the thief, "And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."" (Luke 23:43). Yet, Peter quoted the Old Testament to explain that Jesus did not remain in Hades. "For You will not leave my soul in Hades, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption" (Acts 2:27). Therefore, we conclude that Paradise is a region in Hades. This is supported by the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. "So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom" (Luke 16:22-23). Torments is another region in Hades and in this description, Abraham's bosom appears to be another name for Paradise.

Rev 20:11-15 makes it clear that Hades will be emptied at the time of Jesus’ second coming.
-At that time, “before him shall be gathered all nations” (Matt 25:32) and the judgment day will take place.


John 3:13No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven--the Son of Man.[/QUOTE]

All of your evidence is pointing before Christ was killed...I'm pretty sure it has been established that there was a holding place before Jesus, but because of Jesus' death it allowed for spirits who accept Jesus as the son of God and that he sacrificed himself on the cross to enter the Kingdom of God. Also, just a question, do you think we will be taken up to heaven (that is if we live for the end of times) pre-rapture or post?

 

[Elizabeth619]

All of your evidence is pointing before Christ was killed...I'm pretty sure it has been established that there was a holding place before Jesus, but because of Jesus' death it allowed for spirits who accept Jesus as the son of God and that he sacrificed himself on the cross to enter the Kingdom of God. Also, just a question, do you think we will be taken up to heaven (that is if we live for the end of times) pre-rapture or post?

Revelation speaks of Hades... that was AFTER the death of Jesus.


I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. 5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.

This was also after the death of Jesus.


As far as the rapture question is concerned I am not at all a believer in the pre-trib rapture.

 

[MarktheVI]

Revelation speaks of Hades... that was AFTER the death of Jesus.


I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. 5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.

This was also after the death of Jesus.


As far as the rapture question is concerned I am not at all a believer in the pre-trib rapture.

Yes but as Katy said, Hades is where the damned go (hell) until they go the lake of fire. So there is in fact a difference in hell and the lake of fire. I may have misdirected that and i apologize but as far as heaven goes i believe you go directly to heaven, as well as hell. then from hell the damned go to the lake of fire, which does not open until God cast chains on Satan and pulls him down.

 

[Elizabeth619]

Yes but as Katy said, Hades is where the damned go (hell) until they go the lake of fire. So there is in fact a difference in hell and the lake of fire. I may have misdirected that and i apologize but as far as heaven goes i believe you go directly to heaven, as well as hell. then from hell the damned go to the lake of fire, which does not open until God cast chains on Satan and pulls him down.

The Lake of Fire is Hell. It is the final punishment for the wicked.
Hades is the spiritual realm of the dead.

Matthew 25 states that we will not recieve our Heavenly reward until Jesus returns in his glory.
I will say that Paradise is a Heavenly place where the righteous dead go, but it is not the FINAL place.

 

[MarktheVI]

Paradise (aka Abraham bosom) is to heaven (pre-Resurrection) as Hell (aka Hades) is to the Lake of Fire. The lake of fire is the final resting place of the damned and this is they're second and final death. Now as far as heaven goes I am not completely positive but i do know that it may not be our final resting place in the fact that after Jesus has come and the Earth is once again cleansed, we, those in heaven, will rule the new world. So yes when we die and go to heaven it is our final resting place (i believe) but it doesn't not by any means mean we're done.