In Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 it states “For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.” This goes to show that when we die our bodies return to the dust in which God made us from, and that all the memories we had before, perish with us.

So how are people getting the concept that the dead are not really dead but with us? There is a story in the bible a lot of people like to reference to show that loved ones can still communicate with us through spiritualism even though they are deceased. The story is called “The Witch of Endor” found in 1 Samuel 28.

Now before we dive deep into the meaning of the story let us first understand what a witch is and how offensive it is to God. In Exodus 22:18 God had commanded “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live”, and to also add Deuteronomy 18:10-12 which reads “There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee.” Witches, magicians, familiar spirits (demons), and enchanters are all working contrary to God’s word. Let us remember the term "familiar spirit" as we read the story “The Witch of Endor.”

1 Samuel 28:3-20

“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. The Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa. And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled. And when Saul enquired of the Lord, the Lord answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. 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. 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. 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? And Saul sware to her by the Lord, saying, As the Lord liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing. 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. Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the Lord is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy? 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: 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. 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. 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.”

Now looking back at the story God no longer answered to Saul “Saul enquired of the Lord, the Lord answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.” Since God no longer spoke to him, Saul has turned his interest to go and find a woman with a “familiar spirit”; even though Saul had commanded to remove all “familiar spirits” out of the land prior. Saul went to the witch to attempt to speak with "Samuel", however; God no longer is speaking with Saul, and God is the only one who can create life and bring back life to the dead. Satan does not carry that divine power. So let us think, if God considered familiar spirits abominations (things God passionately hates), it can only mean a familiar spirit is Satan and his angels aka demons. Saul knew that he had taken it too far by going to see the witch, but it was too late to turn back. Even though in the texts is says the name "Samuel" to not confuse readers, but his word is clear pertaining to what familiar spirits are and such like. Satan has the power to imitate that of a loved one, by voice and also by actions; one of Satan’s greatest deceptions is to deceive humanity, Revelation 20:2-3.

Some may even bring up texts in the bible to try and oppose the state of the dead; however, let us go over them that are sometimes mentioned..

“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43.

Christ was not promising he would enter that same day; for Christ didn’t even enter paradise Himself. He slept in the tomb and on the day of resurrection He said “I am not YET ascended to my Father” John 20:17. Showing us that he slept all three days; the word “today” meaning while dying on the cross as a malefactor, Christ assured the sinner “You will be with me in paradise.”

“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8 and “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:” Philippians 1:23

These texts are referencing the “desire” to be with Christ than to live in this sinful world, not stating that we will be translated into heaven at death.

“And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.” John 3:13

Is explaining that no sinful man has gone up to heaven, and came back to report what is in heaven.

“And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” Revelation 6:9-10

Is referring to the fifth seal a period in the Christian era where John is beholding scenes that took place.

“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Revelation 7:9-14

Refers to the sealing of the last work accomplished for the people of God prior to translation.

Traditions have long taught that loved ones are immediately translated into heaven at death; however, scripture teaches otherwise. (John 6:40, 1Thes 4:16-17)

After all that we read let us beware and warn those who are standing on dangerous ground by taking heed to traditions and not after scripture. “Beware let any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:8.