Do Ghosts Really Exist? - The Rock of Offence

A ghost…is the soul or spirit of a dead person or animal that can appear to the living. Descriptions of ghosts vary widely from an invisible presence to translucent or barely visible wispy shapes, to realistic, lifelike visions. (Source: Wikipedia, Ghost)

Belief in Ghosts:

A…poll shows that 45 percent of Americans believe in ghosts, or that the spirits of dead people can come back in certain places and situations. (Source: Huffington Post, A Spooky Number of Americans Believe in Ghosts, 2/8/13)

From the following source:www.relevantmagazine.com, 10/13/17, What does the Bible say about Ghosts:

Not only do nearly one in five Americans now believe in ghosts, but also they claim to have seen one, a number that has doubled over the past decade since Ghost Hunters debuted in 2004. That’s according to a 2009 poll by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. (The Pew poll is conservative compared to others inquiring simply about beliefs: 48 percent of Americans believe in ghosts, according to a poll that same year by CBS; 45 percent, according to a poll earlier this year by the Huffington Post.)

More than one in three feel they’ve been in contact with the dead, whether that’s through a ghost, a psychic or other means. Among white evangelical Christians, that number is at 20 percent; it’s higher still among white mainline Protestants (29 percent), black Protestants (37) and white Catholics (35), according to Pew.

Ghostly Appearances in the Bible

The Spirit that Passed by Eliphaz

Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof. In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men, Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake. Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up: It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying, Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker? Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly: How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth? They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever without any regarding it. Doth not their excellency which is in them go away? they die, even without wisdom.

(Job 4:12-21)

Jesus Walking on Water

And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

(Matthew 14:25-27)

And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

(Mark 6:48-50)

Jesus Appears to the Disciples after His Resurrection

And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

(Luke 24:36-39)

Samuel at the Meeting of Saul and the Witch at Endor

Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel. And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul. And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth. And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh 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 himself. And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.

(1 Samuel 28:11-15)

Peter’s Angel

And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.

(Acts 12:13-15)

Review of the Location of the Soul and Spirit after Death

Spirit Returns to God

Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets: Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

(Ecc 12:5-7 – All spirits of people return to the Father of spirits – Heb 12:9))

And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?

(Numbers 16:22)

Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,

(Numbers 27:16)

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

(John 4:24)

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

(2 Corinthians 3:17)

In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.

(Job 12:10)

And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

(Act 7:59-60)

And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

(Luk 23:46)

If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.

(Job 34:14-15)

Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

(Psa 31:5)

For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

(Ecc 3:19-21)

Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:

(Isaiah 42:5)

Unsaved Soul in ‘Hell Now’ (Prison)

Isolation

Silence (No Fellowship) – Ps 31:17-18, Ps 94:17, Ps 28:1, Ps 115:17-18

Darkness (no Gospel Truth) – 1 Sam 2:9, Job 17:11-13, Ps 88:6

No Communications with the Living – Ps 6:5, Job 7:9-10, Ps 88:4-8

As Prisoners, with no Hope – Is 24:21-22, Job 17:15-16, Ps 88:3-8

No Purpose / No Knowledge – Ecc 9:5-10, Ps 146:4, Ps 6:5

Cannot Praise or Hear from God – Ps 143:7, Ps 115:17-18, Ps 6:3-5, Ps 88:10-12

Saved Soul in Heaven

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

(2 Corinthians 5:1, see also 2 Cor 5:6-8)

Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

(John 17:24)

For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

(Philippians 1:23-25)

Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

(2 Corinthians 5:6-8)

The Witch at Endor

And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men. (1 Samuel 28:1)

And David said to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever. (1 Samuel 28:2)

Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land. (1 Samuel 28:3)

And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa. (1 Samuel 28:4)

And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled. (1 Samuel 28:5)

And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. (1 Samuel 28:6)

Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor. (1 Samuel 28:7)

And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee. (1 Samuel 28:8)

And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die? (1 Samuel 28:9)

And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing. (1 Samuel 28:10)

Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel. (1 Samuel 28:11)

And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul. (1 Samuel 28:12)

And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth. (1 Samuel 28:13)

And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh 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 himself. (1 Samuel 28:14)

And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do. (1 Samuel 28:15)

Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy? (1 Samuel 28:16)

And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David: (1 Samuel 28:17)

Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day. (1 Samuel 28:18)

Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines. (1 Samuel 28:19)

Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night. (1 Samuel 28:20)

The Witch ‘Had’ a Familiar Spirit

The most informative passage of Scripture concerning ‘familiar spirits’ is that of the woman of Endor that had a familiar spirit and King Saul (1 Sam 28:3-25). The term familiar spirits appears 5 times in this passage. In 1 Chr 10:13 we are informed that reason Saul died an untimely death was due to his interaction with the woman that had a familiar spirit. In 1 Sam 28:3, we find that after Samuel’s death, Saul had put away all the people who had ‘familiar spirits’ and wizards from the land. However, in 1 Sam 28:4-7, we find that Saul was not receiving any answer from the Lord regarding the impending threat of the Philistines and he sought out to talk to a woman with a ‘familiar spirit’. It is important to understand that in 1 Sam 28:7, the Scripture says that the woman ‘had’ a familiar spirit. The word ‘had’ is literally the Hebrew word ‘baalah’ which means mistress (feminine version of Baal). In other words, the woman at Endor was the ‘mistress of a familiar spirit’, which means that she had a particular familiar spirit that she would use to divine. Saul then disguised himself and talked with this woman and desired that she bring up Samuel from the dead so that Saul could get advice on how to address the Philistine threat (1 Sam 28:8-11). It is important to note that once the woman ‘brought up’ Samuel she cried with a loud voice and was afraid (1 Sam 28:11-13). She was apparently afraid and immediately recognized that this must have been Saul because it was not her ‘familiar spirit’ that she was the mistress of. It was actually Samuel. We can learn from this passage that the woman with a ‘familiar spirit’ actually did have contact with the evil spirit (i.e., demon) world. She was accustomed to her voice from the ground (Is 29:4), not actually encountering Samuel. This woman of Endor was possessed with an evil spirit that she used for divination.

Beelzebub is the Key to Understand who Baal Represents

In the Old Testament, we find that Baal is a god that was extensively worshipped by the nations of Canaan, Israel and Judah. But, just who is Baal? How may Baal be applicable to the church today? Have altars to Baal been set up within the church today? Thankfully, God provides more insight for who Baal is in the New Testament. The key linkage to understand who Baal is and represents today is found in the New Testament passages concerning the accusation by the Pharisees and scribes that Jesus cast out demons by the prince of demons, who is Beelzebub: Mat 12:22-32, Lk 11:14-23, Mk 3:22-30. We can use the passage in Matt 12:22-32 to understand who Baal represents:

Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

(Mat 12:22-32)

We find in this passage (Mat 12:24, 27) that Jesus was accused by the Pharisees of casting out demons by Beelzebub, the prince of the demons. The Greek word ‘Beelzebub’ (Greek word G954) is transliterated from the Hebrew word (Baal Zebub, H1176, literally ‘Lord of the flies – 2 Ki 1:2-3, 2 Ki 1:6, 2 Ki 1:16) as a parody and literally means ‘Master of the Dung’. The parody involves the Hebrew title literally meaning ‘Lord of the Flies, while the Greek word used in Mat 12:24, 27 is ‘Lord of the Dung’.

The word ‘prince’ (Greek G758, archon) of the devils literally means ‘chief’ of the ‘source’ or first power. So, it should become apparent that the Pharisees (Mat 12:24) and scribes (see Mk 3:22) claimed that Jesus was under the control of Satan since Satan would obviously be the prince (or chief) of the demons. Moreover, in the passage itself (see Mat 12:25-26), Jesus asserts that if ‘Satan cast out Satan’ (i.e., the casting out of demons by Beelzebub), Satan would be divided against himself and Satan’s kingdom could not stand. Therefore, it should be clear from this passage (see also Mat 10:25) that ‘flies’ in the Old Testament represented demons and ‘Baal’ spiritually represents Satan.

Familiar Spirits (Mediums) – Communicating with Spirit World by Demons

In 2 Chr 33:6 and 2 Ki 21:6, the sin of ‘familiar spirits’ is among the list of sins that King Manasseh encouraged in Judah. The Hebrew word for ‘familiar spirits’ (ob – H178) occurs 17 times and is almost always translated as ‘familiar spirit’. The word ob literally means ‘to mumble’ as in the sound that could be made in a bottle. However, to understand the spiritual meaning of this word, it is necessary to analyze the occurrences of the word in the Old Testament and then relate the Old Testament word to any similar words or concepts in the New Testament. The most informative passage of Scripture concerning ‘familiar spirits’ is that of the woman of Endor that had a familiar spirit and King Saul (1 Sam 28:3-25). The term familiar spirits appears 5 times in this passage.

Other Old Testament Occurrences of Familiar Spirits

It is interesting to note that in 11 occurrences of the word for ‘familiar spirits’, it is used in the same verse as a ‘wizard’. It should be noted that a wizard and person with a ‘familiar spirit’ both use their arts to convey (or divine) special information to people.

Most of the occurrences of ob (familiar spirits) simply either condemn the action or place the action into a list of other occultic practices that are considered as evil (see Lev 20:6, Lev 19:31, 2 Ki 21:6, 2 Ki 23:24,

2 Chr 33:6, Deut 18:11, Is 19:3, Is 8:19). In Lev 20:27, the Old Testament law required the penalty of death for a person who had a ‘familiar spirit’.

New Testament Parallel Verses

In order to recognize parallels in the New Testament, it is important to realize that demon possession was somewhat common in the New Testament time that Jesus was on earth (i.e., the Gospels). We find four prominent passages that describe demon possession:

The demoniac in the Synagogue (Mk 1:21-28, Lk 4:31-36)
The Syrophoenician Woman’s daughter (Mat 15:21-28, Mk 7:24-30)
The Deaf and Dumb Boy (Mat 17:14-18, Mk 9:14-29, Lk 9:38-42)
Garderene Demoniacs (Mat 8:28-34, Mk 5:1-20, Lk 8:26-29)

In addition to these passages, there are other references in the Gospels and Book of Acts that reference demon possession:

Blind and dumb demoniac (Mat 12:22, Lk 11:14)
Dumb Demoniac (Mat 9:32‑33)
Other: Mk 1:34, Mk 3:11 Lk 4:41, Acts 8:7

It should be noted that the significance of casting out demons points to salvation: (Mat 8:16‑17, Eph 2:2, 4:8‑9, 6:12, 1 John 4:1‑4, 5:19, John 12:31). However, later in the New Testament, there are no additional references to demon possessions that was similar to those described in the Gospels and the book Acts. In the Gospels and the book of Acts, demon possession was usually associated with wild behavior or some type of physical impairment. Casting out these demons became a portrait of salvation. Prior to salvation, an unsaved person is a child of Satan and is influenced by the prince and god of this world (Eph 2:2, 2 Cor 4:4). However, once saved, Christians are made a new creation in Christ (2 Cor 5:17) and indwelled by the Hold Spirit (Ro 8:9).

Subsequent to the book of Acts, the references in the New Testament to demons / evil spirits is only with regard to those in the church who teach false gospels and lead people astray. We find that Babylon houses demons (Rev 18:2) and therefore, it can be concluded that this worldly, apostate, organized Christian church typified by Babylon is influenced and inhabited by demons. We find in 1 Tim 4:1 that in the latter times, people will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils (i.e., demons). James 3:14-16 notes that bitter envying and strife in the heart is contrary to truth and this type of ‘wisdom’ is demonic. James 3:16 states that this results in confusion (i.e., Babylon). Other verses mention that it is possible to worship demons by our actions: 1Cor 10:20, Deut 32:17, Ps 106:37, Gal 4:8, Ex 22:20, 32:8, 34:15, 2 Chr 11:15, Lev 17:7). These verses teach us that whatever we sacrifice our time and resources to, that is what we worship. Worshiping of devils and giving heed to their seductions and doctrines is considered as idolatry as well (see 1 Tim 4:1, 1 Cor 10:20-21, Deut 32:17, Ps 106:37).

Demons are spirits (e.g., Mat 8:16). The terms demons and unclean spirits are used interchangeably to refer to demon possession (e.g., Mk 1:23-26, 3:30, 5:1-30, Lk 4:33, etc.) However, the use of the word ‘spirit’ when referring to demons underscore the arena to which they are operating: the spiritual realm. Other spirits at the time of Christ, possessed human bodies being evidenced by sickness, palsy, deviant behavior, etc., evil spirits are also referred to as being the motivating force behind false doctrines (1 Tim 4:1) and false ministers. In 2 Cor 11:13-15, the Bible teaches us that just as Satan appears as an angel of light, so too does his ministers appear as ministers of righteousness in order to deceive people. The spiritual realm is where we know God the Father and Jesus Christ, by the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 14-16). We are instructed that we must worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). It is by the Spirit, that we can understand and know God through the Bible (1 Pet 1:10-12, 2 Pet 1:19-21, 2 Tim 3:16, Eph 5:18 w/ Col 3:16, 1 Cor 2:1-13, Ro 8:9, John 14:26, 15:26, etc.). Therefore, unclean spirits can be understood as those who operate within organized Christian religion that are teaching things contrary to the truth of God. In this sense, they are unclean spirits. 1 John 4:1-3 teaches us that we must test the spirits to see if they are from God. Every spirit that does not confess that Jesus, as the Christ has come in the flesh is not of God, but this is the spirit of antichrist. To understand Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not just agreeing that Jesus was an actual man-God that existed, but it is also to agree that he is the Christ (Prophet, Priest and King). If one does not believe in these three offices of Jesus, he is not saved (1 John 5:1) and he is an antichrist (2 John 7, 1 John 4:3, 1 John 2:18, I John 2:22). The church of Babylon contains many who may ‘believe’ in Jesus because of their decision for Him, but they have not received the faith of Christ (Eph 2:8-9, Ro 3:22, Rev 14:22, Gal 2:20, etc.) which causes them to have faith in Jesus Christ (Prophet, Priest and King) and therefore, born again.

+ Summary

In 2 Chr 33:6 and 2 Ki 21:6, we find that Manasseh commissioned the practice of consulting with ‘familiar spirits’. We found in 1 Sam 28 that the medium at Endor possessed or was the mistress of a ‘familiar spirit’. The New Testament instructs us that Satan has come as a minister of light and therefore, we should not be surprised if his ministers appear in like manner (2 Cor 11:3-4, 12-15). In fact that are many demons at work in the churches as we are instructed in several New Testament passages discussed above.

A person with a ‘familiar spirit’ (i.e., medium) is no different that many today that are being led by Satan and ‘possessed’ with a familiar spirit. Demon possession today is not what we watch in movies where the possessed person looks and acts crazy. Demon possession today is alive and well in the religious, apostate realm of those who take the name of Christ, but in reality are false ministers of light. A medium is one who receives messages from the spirit world. Satan, as the master of confusion and lies, uses various false doctrines to deceive people, which could include the following examples:

False doctrine and the denial that Jesus is the Prophet (i.e., the Bible alone is useful or spiritual truth), Priest (Jesus is the only way of salvation) and King (Jesus is authoritative and must be submitted to in obedience and holiness).
New Age and Eastern mysticism practices including yoga, channeling, transcendental meditation, astral projection, higher consciousness, etc., etc.
Receiving direct messages from God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, angels, dead relatives, circumstances or other mystical means (e.g., ‘the Spirit spoke to my heart and told me….).
Using human psychology and philosophy to apply to spiritual problems
Messages in dreams, voices, visions, etc.
Speaking in tongues

It is only through the Word of God (i.e., the Bible, inspired by the Spirit of Christ) that we are made complete. It is only the Word of God that is needed for spiritual truth (2 Tim 3:16, 2 Pet 1:19-21, Heb 4:12, Acts 20:27, 2 Tim 2:15, etc.).