Ok, here is my opinion on that stuff. When you die, your soul goes to Heaven or Hell. There is no exception, no unfinished business, no paradise, no in-between, no roaming the earth or wasting time in a house somewhere scaring people who come near you. That much is clear in the Bible. And as nice as it is to think that people are watching out for you from above, I don't believe that they are. I firmly believe that when you go to Heaven, you don't have the same feelings for someone as you would on earth. When you are there, you don't look at someone and say- there goes my husband, my son-in-law, my old boss, my first grade teacher, etc. I mean, you know who they are, but you don't have that connection or those feelings. You love them only as a brother or sister in Christ. Think about this- how hard is it for us when someone on earth dies? I mean, we grieve, we cry, we visit their graves, etc. Now, we do that because we still think of them as how they were related to us on earth. But, in Heaven, if you still felt that way about people, there would be grieving there too- the person who died would miss the people on earth. But that can't happen because there is no sadness or crying in heaven- no pain or suffering. You put earthly thinking behind and spend your time worshiping God. The only times in the Bible that I know of where dead people (that were long dead, we aren't talking Lazarus being raised from the dead) come back to earth, it is not in bodily form, but in spirit, and these are the times that come to mind:
1. When King Saul was going to war with the Philistines, God would not speak to him so he went to a witch to conjure up the spirit of Samuel, who had been dead a long time and a follower of the Lord. God sent the spirit of Samuel to speak to Saul, and this scared the witch away screaming because she never actually could conjure up souls; she just pretended she could. Then the spirit of Samuel told Saul that because he had sinned against God that Saul would die in battle, and then that came to pass, and David became the king of Israel. Saul actually committed suicide after being wounded in the battle. (1 Samuel 28)
3 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. 4 And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa. 5 And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled. 6 And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. 7 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. 8 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. 9 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? 10 And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing. 11 Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel. 12 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. 13 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. 14 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. 15 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. 16 Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy? 17 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: 18 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. 19 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. 20
2.The second time is when Christ went up onto a mountain with some of his closest disciples and spoke with the spirits of Moses and Elias.
Matthew 17:1-5 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
Mark 9:2-4 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.
Luke 9:28-30 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
Anyway, so that sort of seals the deal for me. I do NOT believe in "ghosts". I do believe in demons, angels, spirits, etc, and that is why I think a demon-possession movie is freakier than a "ghost" or vampire or monster movie. I even find the murder movies scary, because I know true psycho murdering people exist and want to do harm to others. But I still am jumpy after movies like White Noise, even if I don't believe in that stuff.
Now for all of you Star Wars fans, I don't know if you paid attention, but the city that Saul found the witch in was called Endor. Recognize that? This was the place where those adorable ewoks lived. Here's a refresher from a Star Wars site (http://www.starwars.com/databank/location/endor/):
Secluded in a remote corner of the Outer Rim Territories, the gas giant Endor and its verdant moon of the same name would easily have been overlooked by a busy galaxy were it not for the decisive battle that occurred there. Endor serves as the gravesite of both Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader. It was here that the Rebel Alliance began the path of victory over the Galactic Empire.
Endor was the secret construction site for the second Death Star. Code-named the Sanctuary Moon, Endor was a green jewel that stood out against the dark reaches of space. Rivers wind through the thick canopy of ancient trees, and the forests extend high over the dark floors and the low mountains of the world.
Built in a clearing on the moon was an Imperial installation protected by an entire legion of Imperial troops. A massive shield generator projected a deflector shield around the half-completed Death Star. A daring Rebel strike team, under the command of General Han Solo, was assigned to destroy the generator. With the assistance of the native Ewoks, the Rebels defeated the Imperial troops, paving the way for a victorious space battle. This historic engagement is known as the Battle of Endor.
Ok, well that is about it for tonight. Oh yeah, we played volleyball tonight too, and it was a lot of fun. And tomorrow I am going to church with Tom because his family reunion is tomorrow. =) That should be fun, and tiring. I am excited because we are having chili cheese dogs at my house tomorrow night, and that just is awesome. I love ccds. =) *smile*Goodnight!
Love,
Meghan
No comments:
Post a Comment