Necromancy in the Bible: The Witch of Endor
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- Опубліковано 16 вер 2024
- There's a passage in the Bible that, according to some, shows necromancy working in the real world. Here are my thoughts on what we can learn about the legitimacy of necromancy from this text. Anti-supernaturalists would deny it and sensationalists might want to use it to say too much. But I will offer my own theory as to what was going on when the witch at Endor was used to try to access Samuel after he died and Samuel actually showed up!
This is just one question from a long interview I did for the moderators of the r/Bible subreddit. They asked their subreddit to send me a bunch of questions and I spent a lot of time preparing so that I would be able to offer the best answers I could. I'll be posting these answers as individual videos so keep an eye out for the rest in the set. Here is a playlist where they will slowly be added. • Mike Winger Reddit Int...
I'm Mike Winger and my goal is to help you learn to think biblically about everything!
I go live almost every Monday and Friday at 1pm. Monday is usually a vs by vs teaching and Friday is a live Q&A where I take questions from the live chat on YT.
For more free resources to help you think biblically about everything go to my website. BibleThinker.org
I agree that they aren’t actually calling up loved ones, but possibly demons. That’s how I’ve always seen it!!!
Yes. They call up demons, that is what mediums and also, nothing at all.
Some may call up demons, but I think many just look for meaning in random stuff and convince themselves that because some of it happens to match stuff that occurs that it is meaningful.
@@TimothyFish It's also possible that they really are calling up the dead as well. I think Christians default to it being demons because they are scared to admit the possibility that they might really be calling up the dead. The excuse that the witch of En-Dor being the exception and God causing it here, isn't stated anywhere by the text. Now that may be true, but it's still simply a theory, and it may really be that Saul sought her because this really was possible. Also, the witch screaming has nothing to do with her being surprised. Alot of these necromancers had a tradition of screaming during their rituals. However, in this case, she is screaming when she realizes that he is King Saul and she knows that all people like her have the death sentence by the king.
The only reason why she was able to summon Samuel was due to God. Also Paradise aka Abraham's bosom was located on the earth. So the dead are in the heart of the Earth until Jesus brought paradise to, Heaven so today their is no dead in the earth besides hell so no spirits can be summon on the earth.
@@terrillclark6486 "The only reason why she was able to summon Samuel was due to God. "
The text doesn't state this, nor is there any reason to assume this. It would be one of several possibly theories. It's likely that this was a common practice going on, which is why there was such a heavy prohibition against it.
"until Jesus brought paradise to, Heaven"
I don't see this being taught anywhere in the bible. Even in Acts 2:34, after the cross, Peter states "David did not ascend into the heavens."
Paul also states that the resurrection hasn't happened yet, and condemns two false teachers because they teach that it has already happened. Therefore, it is clear all dead still go to Sheol and they are there awaiting the resurrection.
I love the fact this story is in the Bible. A story of something that God prohibited but yet He still used to communicate His will. Kinda shows His sovereignty imo.
Excellent point 👏
To me it shows He has a sense of humor. It reminds me of when Paul saw an opportunity to preach to the ppl about Jesus by using their statue of an “Unknown god”.
The fact that the medium was shocked that it worked, should be evidence enough that they aren't contacting what they think they are.
I really don't think God's will was to fill Saul of desperation and kill him. I wholeheartedly think that was the devil.
If you think that this was God's doing you are out of your mind. God is Holy!
I went to a medium once, it is SCARY how much demons know. Birthdays, memories, names, places, events that happened... she even drew my deceased grandpa 😳My advice is to stay FAR away from these people. I later burned the picture she drew me and repented ... it scared me so bad.
Demons have intelligence.
One of my aunties was a medium. Before she met with a "customer" she would have a meeting with an entity who would give her the low down on said customer. Super creepy 😱
Demons know about the past but nothing about the future
@@ifehansson2254 Indeed. Gullible people think that just because they know the past, they can, by extension, know the future. If they could tell the future, all mediums and psychics would be stock-market billionaires… 😀
@@ifehansson2254 Matthew 8:29- And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
Seems they DO have some knowledge of the future 🤷🏼♀️
A looong time ago, My first time hearing of the witch at Endor, I truly thought that was a Star Wars thing
Lol it does sound like some star wars thing
Or the Lord of the rings😂
😅🤣😅 I think if Lord of the Rings now even though I know what it is 😆
Well endor is where the ewoks live.
Star Wars is gospel confirmed
My pastor preached on this a month or so back, and I was happy to see him tackling a tough passage. His interpretation was very similar.
I had gotten into ouija around 10 years ago, and learned the hard way that you do not contact actual dead loved ones. It's a false hope, and it's so sad to see how the enemy can use our hurt and vulnerability in order to tempt us into disobedience
I don't understand why people thinks an ouija board might work. It literally says 'Hasbro incorporated' on the board.
Is that not enough to take all of the mysticism out of it?
@@Rand0mPeon Hasbro can be used for evil 🤷🏻♀️
@@Rand0mPeon
How does that mean it can't be used for evil ❓
@@Rand0mPeon That's how they get kids interested and parents to think it is just a game
@@naklovesjesus3204 I'm not saying that makes it not evil, I'm saying it the claim that it can actually contact the dead is clearly not credible.
It's a scam for money.
This interpretation is genius. I made my daughters listen to it. Now days I feel like a lot of the tarot card readers and the healing crystals are what younger kids do, id love to hear you talk about this and what the Bible says about it.
Science is also a religion now. Think about it...Scientist and what they teach in school does everything it can to discredit a Creator. They say they seek the truth of reality yet they deny the very cause of reality. Tarot cards and healing crystals are no where near as mainstream as science.
Playing with those Pokemon cards and Yu-Gi-Oh cards and crystals is New age practice and it is filled with sorcery/ witchcraft and is a point of contact for demons to have access to a person because of all the superstition that goes along with it. It's just like with horoscopes and identifying yourself as a gemini or Pisces etc, all of that stuff falls up under psychics and witchcraft
One of my 1st grade students showed me her book on various crystals. As she was showing me, she was telling me how they heal people. Not being her parent, I tried to tell her otherwise, that they’re only pretty objects, and that they don’t really have the power to heal. She was already convinced that they did. I thought, “She is only 6 years old and already dabbling in the occult because something looks pretty.” Just how Satan designed it…to be beautiful and harmless on the outside while ugly and evil on the inside.
@@kellyanne7225 end times. The world is supposed to get more evil. It is terrible to live it. But who can judge God's plan. Oh man that is tough!
Winger, as always 100% SOLID exegesis of the Word and interpretation of the spiritual realm.
I do trust Mike's work and learn soooo much but just remember he may not be perfect ;)
He's not perfect obviously.
@@stephenthompson9722 Ummmm yeah of course not
@@stephenthompson9722 the actual thing that I like about him most is he doesn't claim to know everything, he just puts his view up for us to discern, a view that he's thoroughly researched he will let us know. I like his approach, and I don't believe he's in it for himself. All glory to God.
@@EGGZ1983 I know right! I can't see any other reading of this text. Happy to hear other views etc. Quite refreshing hey. I've even heard John Mac or Justin Peters make an assertion. Quote one small verse and move on. I don't find that helpful. They could be right! But didn't give an adequate explanation.
I literally read this in 1st Samual yesterday and so curious about it. Perfect timing haha Praise the Lord! Bless you all and your ministries :)
Sending Love from Canada!
Given how surprised the witch was, I would say this was the first time the spirit of a human actually showed up.
I guess she was surprised because she realized that she was in the presence of Saul, the witch-hunter.
@@joshuasamson4015 Indeed.
That's not how the passage reads. Mike glossed over it. Did not do a proper study
@@regularstan6212 Please elaborate.
@@Mr.Riojas she was surpised to see it was saul, not at samuel. Now I know Mike did a quick commentary on it he said himself is making a hypotheses. And I agree with Mike that most mediums are fake or demons deceiving. However in this case I believe it was a legit medium
My unbelieving friend is against ouiji boards but is open to the idea of mediums. I explained, biblically why Christians do not condone them. She also agreed that we don't know whom are actually receiving in such encounters: I pointed out that, just as Satan wanders around like a roaring lion, and can also masquerade as an angel of light, it stands to reason that his demonic minions are also practising this deception. She seemed to accept this and I'm grateful to be able to share the truth with her in some way.
Thanks for posting this today, Mark :) (I was late to the poll but that last option made me laugh)
Loving the shorter videos, good for a quick lesson while on the go. Thank you!
This actually makes a lot of sense. She was frightened by Samuel because that wasn’t part of the routine. The Bible doesn’t even say if she did her routine. Saul asked her to call Samuel and he appeared. I think God did that so she could see that she had no power. It really does make sense that God would allow that because HE worked that miracle, not the medium.
This is what makes sense to me as well. Also I just read the passage and I think its interesting that she saw Samuel and immediately cried out and saw Saul for who he was. Did she only just then recognize him? What exactly tipped her off to it being Saul who was requesting this of her if he was in disguise? Or up until that point was she playing coy with him the whole time bc she knew who he was when he walked in despite the disguise? It may be an insignificant detail but it makes me wonder.
Or a demon disguised himself as Samuel and got Saul further and further away from God by letting him get what he wanted in his terms. Saul even bowed and payed homage to the demon. There was no admonition on repentance or turning to God. This was not Samuel. Read 1 Samuel 15 to see what Samuel would really have said.
Love your work, Pastor Mike. Thank you for all that you do for the kingdom of God.
I've been making Christian memes for a while and posting them for my friends for fun, and let me just say: Saul and Samuel's relationship is overripe with meme content.
You should share these memes somewhere. I’d like to see them lol.
You can't just say this and not share the memes
Yes, please do share
Where can we find your memes x)
We demand da memes pls
I was wondering about ghosts or spirits coming back to earth in the bible. Jesus lists characteristics of ghosts in Luke 24, to prove that he isn't a ghost.
Been wondering the same 🤔
@A Lucky Man! I agree. If you remember correctly, even the witch of Endor was surprised it worked lol.
God specifically used that event to foretell Saul his doom. Powerful stuff.
It wouldn't be necessary for ghosts to exist, only that the disciples had some idea of what ghosts might be. A person could give evidence that they aren't a super hero without super heroes existing.
@@chriskoschik391 I keep thinking about star wars when endor is mentioned
@@smoadia85 lol!!!! How did I never make this connection until now? It’s like millions of particles of ignorance in me suddenly cried out and then were silenced 😂😂
Take your filthy upvote!
I get the feeling that the reason why Saul goes to the Medium is because even though he is seeking answers from God in the usual methods, his heart is not right and not repentant towards God. What are your thoughts on why God did not answer Saul in the usual ways?
@Pond3r Thiz Bear in mind David committed murder and adultery but when his sin was revealed he repented. I think the difference was that Saul had an unrepentant heart when it came to sin. It was his attitude in dealing with sin I believe that meant that God was rejecting him.There may be other factors too.
@@greeneaglz2573 I agree. For 10 years I suffered in my sin due to unrepentance. I hated what I did, but I did not know how to repent. Thank God for his patience and grace towards me, as he slowly turned my heart to repentance and reconciling myself back to Him.
@Pond3r Thiz Saul had disobeyed God and lied about it. So God had rejected Saul as king.
Earlier on in Saul's reign, when he began to get proud of himself, he disobeyed God's command through Samuel. When Samuel rebuked Saul, he said, "Rebellion is as witchcraft to the LORD." Rather than repenting and submitting to God, Saul hardens his heart and further spirals downward in defiant conduct and attitude until it culminates in his practice of actual witchcraft. It's a stern warning that all of us should take to heart and avoid.
God had already spoke to Saul through Samuel before his passing away that God was no longer with him. See 1 Samuel 15
God ordered Saul to utterly destroy Amalekites. Saul however did not do that. His disobedience/rebellion was accounted towards him as divination. Samuel told him that day God had rejected him as King.
1 Samuel 16: 14 says that the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul and a harmful spirit from the Lord tormented him.
1 Samuel 18:10-12 says God sent a harmful spirit to Saul, and Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him, but had departed from Saul.
This is why God did not answer him. He'd given his final answer ready. He told him he had taken away his kingdom. Instead of true repentance and then turning away from sin and allowing who God had chosen take the kingdom as God saw fit, he continued to try to be king and to get God to do his will, bless his efforts etc..
"It worked! What are we supposed to do now?!" 🤣😂
I have always thought that although the medium did call Samuel… she was surprised when he appeared.
So it appears that God ALLOWED Samuel to appear!
That’s how I’ve always seen it 🙂
@Pond3r Thiz I agree with you.
God will not go against His own word.
@@dhannasarjoo150 ...God may not go against his own Word but the medium in the Bible did. God gave human beings free will and, there are consequences for that, such as the posibility of a real deceased human being brought fourth. I agree that most necromancy is demons but, in this case, it was Samuel.
@Pond3r Thiz it's clearly Samuel. The bible says it was Samuel. God never says witchcraft doesn't work, he forbids it because it's seeking power apart from god.
@@Batya-Grace besides God didn't really go against his own word here because he sent his prophet instead of an evil spirit/elohim.
@Pond3r Thiz I think you are being rigid here and that narrows your view and interpretation. That phrase is written plain and clear. It was Samuel.
"Why would God do something that would incite people to sin?"
Considering the people involved in the verse were Saul and the medium, I don't see any one else present that is being led to sin here. In fact it was additional confirmation of judgement on Saul by Samuel. The
Unless you are referring to us, the present day readers, and assumes that reading it would lead the body of Christ to sin because we would now choose to use that verse to consult mediums?
Was interested in this particular vid because I'm currently living in a country where "communicating" with the dead is common, as the national religion here, claiming to be Christian, practices it. I also just want take a minute to thank you for your teaching vids. Except for my more or less annual visits back to California, I've been here for over 8 years and have not found an English speaking church I consider to be sound. Most are either Catholic, non-trinitarian, materialistically prosperity oriented or anti white foreigner (especially American). Your teaching vids, and ones of those like you (Turek, Stanley, Biggs, etc.), are my daily breaths of fresh air. Bless you, your fam and your ministry.
Great vid. This was clearly God’s doing and not something the medium in the story did herself (otherwise she wouldn’t have been so frightened at her apparent success). It was definitely Samuel, and he alone, whom God allowed to speak with Saul and probably scare the ever loving crap out of both he and the medium lol.
But as for the other topic of whether mediums can summon the supernatural, this where I love to hear the perspective of someone who left that world and came to Christ and can share their testimony. Doreen Virtue and Marcia Montenegro are great resources for this. As former astrologists and mediums, they can attest to their work being “real”, but they also firmly attest to that “real” work coming from demonic sources. Mediums cannot contact nor summon the dead. Nor can demons. Only God has power over the dead (Deut 32:39). But some mediums surely are inviting demonic activity to display the appearance of such power.
I think that it was more that the King who was executing witches was in her midst that frightened her.... "Familiar spirits" can appear exactly as their title implies....And this woman, according to 1 Chronicles 10 was known for consulting with "familiar spirits"....
It wasn’t Samuel. It only appeared to be him. The Bible says the dead are asleep in the grave and reserved there until the Resurrection. God forbade this because it’s demonic spirits not our departed loved ones
I voted and it happened, I have POWER!!!
Please do more on gems, tarot cards, bracelets you guys don’t have an idea on how hard the youth is falling for this!
Mike, I've asked this question on Friday 3 times in the last couple months, finally you answer it lol. Thanks for your content!
I respectfully disagree. That was a familiar spirit masquerading as Samuel.
1)Verse 13-14 ..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.
*The medium seen “gods” ascending out of the earth..
She saw “what appeared to be Samuel”, amoung “false gods”, ascending out of the earth. This tells me it was a familiar spirit (demonic spirit) as it also ascended out of the earth with the other demonic spirits (false gods).
2) By Dividing the word rightly, with the rest of the Bible:
1 Chronicles 10:13-14 KJV
[13] So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord , even against the word of the Lord , which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it ; [14] And enquired not of the Lord : therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.
*Saul was actually enquiring of the familiar spirit, not Samuel himself.
3) In Luke 16:19-31, The story of the rich man, and Lazerus, the beggar makes it clear the impossibility that Samuel himself could have possibly came back from the dead to talk to Saul. It shows that when saved people die, they are immediately carried to heaven by an angel, and the wicked lift thier eyes up, being in torment, in hell. It also says that there is a great gulf “fixed”, which makes it impossible for someone to leave heaven or hell to talk to the living.
4) God allowing a witch to conjure up the real Samuel sets a horrible precedent and example for followers of God. If God allowed it once before then there is a possibility God can allow something like it again. But God will never allow one who practices divination or witchcraft, which is an abomination to God, to conjure up his people.
5) The devil can technically tell the truth, though his end game is to deceive. Technically, it was true that Eve will know good and evil if she ate the fruit just as the serpent said. Technically, it was true that satan has all the kingdoms when he tempted Jesus. So "Samuel" speaking the truth still means he could have been an evil spirit masquerading.
6) Finally, the scriptures plainly states that God refused to speak to Saul through His prophets (v. 15). Therefore, if Samuel were still alive, he would not have received any word from God for Saul. Yet the story with the witch tells us that the spirit “Samuel” did speak to Saul, and even delivered a prophetic message to him (see 1 Samuel 28:16-19). If God did not speak to Saul through the prophets, yet Samuel delivered a prophetic message anyway, then Samuel would have been in rebellion against God. Why would Samuel, a man who was obedient to God every moment of his life, choose to rebel after his death? It’s simply illogical.
1 Samuel 28:12 says "the woman saw Samuel." It does not say "the woman saw something that she thought was Samuel." Verses 15, 16, and 20 call the spirit "Samuel." They do not call him "the demon that pretended to be Samuel." If you deny that Samuel appeared, you are, by extension, saying that the text of scripture is wrong.
@@curtthegamer934 You didn't read anything she wrote huh?
This is a very well thought out response.
@@MichaelAChristian1 I did read it. The fact is, the text says that it was Samuel, so anybody that says it wasn't Samuel is lying. At that point, it doesn't matter how long or detailed an explanation is. If it's wrong, it's wrong.
@@curtthegamer934 The text says the woman saw devils and then says what form did he take. THen the second witness in Chronicles tells you this. So you ignoring what you want and calling Chronicles a liar.
I agree with the last guy, though I think Mike did a good job of not running away from the text, but giving it a carefully considered reply.
I think that the lady usually scammed people, or at least believed that it shouldn't work the way it actually did that time. Coz why did she figure out that it was Saul when she saw Samuel, and not when Saul told her to call up Samuel? It seems like Samuel actually showing up is what gave Saul away, and not the fact that she was told to call up Samuel. And if it was usually demons that impersonated the dead, why would she jump so quickly to that conclusion? Wouldn't she expect the demon to look like Samuel, or sound like Samuel? And even if she didn't, wouldn't she at least consider the possibility that maybe the demon was doing something different this time? But her shock shows that she did not expect anything to actually happen, and was probably planning on making up stuff as she continued.
The reason mediums are dangerous isn't because they have power to command spirits or talk to the dead. It's because they have the potential to mislead many through their act. Any conman is dangerous if they can manage to make people believe that they are legitimate. We even see this within churches with people selling water and anointing oil for a fortune. But forget about the money. The real danger is when people start believing them over God, because that leads to most dangerous kind of apostasy - self-righteous apostasy - where people believe that they are doing God's will as they sin.
Legend says the Witch of Endor was a powerful Dark Side user
This is fascinating stuff. Thank you for the video content--I find these topics interesting since I'm a former New Ager who thankfully was delivered and saved from this deception and demonic activity. Praise our God that He did so!
If you read carefully you will see that what she saw was an old man wrapped in a mantel. They assumed it was Samuel. God is Holy and to give credence to God using a Medium to speak to Saul is bordering on blasphemy. If God is refusing to speak to Saul WHY??? would he allow Saul to force his hand and go ahead and speak to him through Samuel??? Your conclusion makes no sense.
Exactly!
The Bible actually says it was Samuel, so yes it was Samuel. Our opinion or conviction don't matter when the Bible clearly says Saul spoke with Samuel.
Exegesis is necessary for all things. If you simply take everything at face value then you're not studying the Word deeply enough.
@@matthewcooper4248 You have to understand the shallow stuff before you can move on to the real meat. It is okay for a young Christian to just get the milk first, then slowly learn how to find the deeper meanings. Like any relationship, our relationship with God starts out shallow, but deepens with time. Do not be so quick to tell someone they are not "studying deeply enough" if you do not know how long they have had to learn such things.
"So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, even against the word of the Lord, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it;
And enquired not of the Lord: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse."- 1 Chronicles chapter 10 verses 13 to 14. No, it says she saw devils come out of earth. No man pluck you from the FATHER'S HAND. You think an old witch can pull you out of HIS HAND!? That's wrong!
The Witch of Endor did not successfully call up Samuel from the dead. When Samuel shows up, she is scared to death. She was expecting her usual demonic, occult stuff, or her bag of tricks, but when she saw Samuel, she probably recognized him and realized she was in trouble. That's also when she recognizes Saul. But seeing that Samuel is brought up from the dead, she knows she didn't do it, so it must be God who did, which means judgment.
Never thought about this question, but now that it has been asked I have to know the answer!
"So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, even against the word of the Lord, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it;
And enquired not of the Lord: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse."- 1 Chronicles chapter 10 verses 13 to 14.
If the dark arts and craft didn't work I don't think their would be such an issue with it in the Bible.
@Pond3r Thiz They do have an actual existence. The ancients believed that their idols were simply avatars that the actual gods would inhabit. Or you could say that the idols were like portals through which people would communicate with the gods that they represented. Idols were always set up as territorial markers. Wherever you found an idol, it meant that the god represented by that idol owned the territory that that idol was geographically located in. Hence, the worship of idols in the Land of Israel which was dedicated to Yahweh was the most diabolical act of treason you could ever commit.
I think that is not a true statement. Using dark arts regardless if it worked would be an abomination to God because you are worshipping something other than God.
Shamans, for example, are actually highly intelligent people. They often have very useful information. The problem is, they obtain that information from sinister entities that are hostile to the Most High. Therefore, obtaining help from those spiritual informants requires you to assign your allegiance against the Most High God, Yahweh. I would say that God wanted the mediums driven out of the land because they were agents of foreign gods and, thus, detrimental to Israel's Covenant with the Living God. That's just my personal take.
God isn’t intimidated by demons or gods that don’t actually exist, he takes offense that Satan uses witchcraft to lead ppl astray and away from him. Satan comes to “seek, kill and destroy”, hes not interested in working on anybody’s behalf. God warns against them for our protection.
Always excited for new content even if it isn't more then an hour long 🤣😂
Now I'm curious about this "Omnist" thing that you mentioned.
It just shows God is indeed Sovereign and all-powerful. He is using the "forbidden knowledge" of the necromancer to raise Samuel and give Saul his message. Isaiah 45:7 says, “I form the light and create darkness: I make peace and create evil: I the Lord do all these things. Glory to God and to the Lord Jesus Christ. 🙌The ruler of the "Unseen Realm" both Light and darkness bows to him.👋
The book of Chronicles tells us that this witch was consulting an evil spirit, and not Samuel....
You got a verse reference there?
@@calebhayes7691 It's in 1st Chronicles 10...The story expresses that Saul didn't seek counsel from the lord, but from a "familiar spirit"....I highly doubt that somehow, in this one instance, God makes an exception to necromancy....
@@itsdashoes good point in Chronicles. It seems to be one of those bible mysteries we could discuss untill Christ returns. The lesson for the world now is when we want answers from the spritual world seek God and God alone. Period.
I’ve been saying this for YEARS! I believe demons imitate our loved ones. People want so desperately to believe their loved ones are close by and that spirits are friendly. No no no
Your imagination on the topic is not that thought provoking. How do you spell the number 7?
I totally agree with you. Psychics know what they’re doing by taking advantage of those who are hurting , curious and don’t know any better.
I’ve heard people tell me that they have a “friendly ghost” in their house whom they believe to be the spirit of a loved one. It’s amazing to me how quickly they believe that crap but they refuse belief in the Holy Spirit because that is make believe. All righty then.
@@kellyanne7225 your holy spirit is imaginary :-(
@@chrismiller1266 having had encounters myself, the feelings are never one of peace. The Holy Spirit is the only one who brings true peace. The rest are all lies
@@sailorarwen6101 a holy spirit is real to you most importantly , u r deserving of your customized personal god
Demons will always impersonate the dead among the living but with King Saul and the witch, God enabled the prophet Samuel’s spirit to speak directly to King Saul as a warning and because of his rebellion towards God later dies during war.
You guys seem fun to hang out with and discuss biblical topics. I really enjoyed this video.
I have to respectfully disagree with you on this. God said he would never talk to Saul, ever. The Holy and just God would not break His own Word, let alone do it through a witch. Just the holiness of God makes that make no sense. The Bible says Saul "perceived" it was Samuel, not that it actually was. Heck the witch just said she saw an old man covered with a mantle!
I think God expects us to put 2 and 2 together and know that in His holiness and hatred of sin, He would never break His own Word and that's how we know it was just an evil spirit who posed as Samuel. Saul in his desperation and complete lack of respect for God was like "Yep, that's him!" No one can manipulate or force God to do something He said he would never do and Saul sealed his own fate by trying to do just that. God was not in anything Saul did after He cut him off 🤷🏿♀️
Thank you! Amen!
Mike, if you will read it, I will send you a copy of Dr. Michael Heiser’s The Unseen Realm. I think many would benefit from you reading that book. I can’t imagine it NOT altering/expanding your biblical perspective. It’s a game changer.
No, it was not really Samuel. It was a demon that simulated Samuel.
The most beautiful thing about this story is that Samuel says tot Saul you and your soms will be with me tomorrow. What mercy from the Lord for Saul
From the intro of the video I actually thought you were going to go in a different different than every other teaching on this subject but I guess not.
I agree that there are unclean spirits behind these types of people.
The Bible says as much in Acts when Paul casts out the unclean spirit in the girl that for days kept telling everyone they were men of God.
In my own study of this passage I have never had the impression that the woman was freaked out because she saw Samuel.
She freaked out because she realized who Saul was and thought she was set up and would die.
The verse reads:
“…When the woman saw Samuel,
she cried out with a loud voice.
And the woman said to Saul,
“Why have you deceived me?
You are Saul…”
It seems clear she was freaked out because she now knows who this man is standing in front of her and what she is doing is illegal, she can be killed for it and the man who made the law was standing in front of her:
“…Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the necromancers from the land.
Why then are you laying a trap for my life to bring about my death?”
When she knows it’s Saul standing there that is why she freaks out and Saul says:
“Do not be afraid….”
Meaning do not worry, I swore to you I would not harm you. Then he says:
“…What do you see?”
From a plain reading you don’t get the impression she is freaked out by seeing Samuel, you get the feeling she’s freaked because she knows Saul is standing there and can kill her.
If “mediums” were not real, God would not have forbidden the practice.
If “mediums” were not real, Saul would not have gone to this woman expecting to hear from Samuel.
I believe most teaching on this is wrong. They treat it like “wine” in the Bible.
Instead of teaching that there is nothing wrong with drinking, the problem is being a drunk, they just teach abstinence, and say drinking is bad and no one should do it. In essence lying about the plain meaning of scriptures on the subject.
The same here, they always try to make out like the woman was a fake and she was freaked out because she had never actually contacted a “spirit” before.
Instead of teaching that this is a real thing and people can do this and it is forbidden by God so people should never go to a person like this or practice something like this.
Excellent analysis. This is exactly how I’ve always interpreted this passage.
The fact that this event took place in the Old Testament would make it perhaps more possible for Samuel to be brought up. At that time, departed saints were "in prison" in the heart of the earth, not in heaven. The Bible refers to the man she brought up as Samuel. I believe she brought up Samuel, not a devil masquerading as Samuel. He foretold the outcome of the following battle, and gave Saul the reason for it as his punishment for disobedience to God. It could be that God allowed Samuel's spirit to be brought up miraculously, which could explain the terror of the witch who had never actually seen that on such a fashion. Notwithstanding, God's word forbids necromancy on any occasion, and witchcraft is abomination to the Lord. The obsession that our society has with wizards, witches, elves, magical powers, underworld communications, etc. speak only to the influence of darkness in our forms of media today. Today's filthy cartoons, anime, video games, and reading have so devilishly polluted the minds of young people today. "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." Not even to talk about yoga, hoaky chiropractic, new age medicine, martial arts, meditation, eastern mysticism even penetrating our schools of medicine, and a whole host of devilish influences that even pervade our churches. We wonder why we don't see revival in our hearts, homes, and churches. "Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?"
May I ask is it fantasy literature itself you are against?
@@christophergardiner5351 Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Whatever that excludes, well, you guessed it.
@@CanadianGospelMission I'm sorry, but I do not understand. Thus I can not guess.
@@christophergardiner5351 If it isn't the truth, Christians don't have any business messing with it.
@@CanadianGospelMission Does that include C.S. Lewis's "Narnia" books?
Whoa! Flashy new intro, I love it.
I totally agree with this explanation. My concern is when people think that when we die we go straight to heaven if we’re saved. I believe we are asleep as the scriptures say until the day of resurrection. Asleep in Christ which would absolutely be a kind of paradise but not in heaven.
it was not Samuel, what the spirit said, did not come true. "19 Moreover the Lord will give Israel along with you into the hands of the Philistines; and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me; the Lord will also give the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.” > and yet Ish-bosheth did not die, and reign for 2 more years after his father;s death. something Holy comes from above, and yet this spirit come from below. medium or necromancy is evil and people should stay away from it, i've seen a lot of victim demon possesed in my country through summoning spirit, demon just pretend to be our loved one.
The text of scripture calls the spirit "Samuel." It doesn't call him "the demon that pretended to be Samuel." The text says "the woman saw Samuel." It doesn't say "the woman saw something that she thought was Samuel." If you deny that Samuel appeared, you are saying that the text of scripture is wrong.
Amazing video Mark! I love these
I would love it if Mike would go into an extensive study of some gnostic scriptures in relation to this too!
I recall Walter Martin addressing this incident, and he explained it precisely as you have.
Of course mediums are real. God wouldnt forbid something that isnt real and does no harm.
Makes sense cause the apostle Paul rebuked a medium&told her she is not sourcing from God but other idols. He delivered her from those idols&she lost her gifts of being medium. Point and case that majority of these medium tap into unkown spirits.
Me:*Sings the BibleThinker theme song every-time I click on a video
This story goes around in my mind, because she may not be surprised the elohim spirit came but she semmed surprised because in that moment realises she was in front of Saul, and that can cost him her life, and she says so.
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38 NKJV
Saul: Bring me Samuel.
Necromancer: okay.
God: Hold my holiness.
"I'm just gonna try to contact God using mushrooms"🤣🤣
Samuel: * Actually shows up
Saul: WHAT DO WE DO NOW!?!
The Witch: I don’t know. I didn’t think I’d get this far. . . (._.)
Before christ died, all the dead went to sheol, thats why people spoke about God not forgetting them there. The cross changed the rules. No need to explain it away.
Sheol itself is actually God's controlled place. Also there are people like Abraham and Samuel who go to Paradise.
I see no evidence that righteous people stopped going to Sheol/Hades after that cross.
@@XeenMusic “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” As a born-again Christian, our spirit is one with the Lord’s. When our body dies, our spirit is still with the Lord. It will one day be resurrected.
@@nevin8604 before the cross sheol held both the abode of the righteous and unrighteous. When Jesus died and rose again he led captive free. Before the cross death was the wages of sin and it had not been paid for satisfactory so until the cross Satan had at least it seems the ability to keep righteous souls in sheol but no power to torment them
@@XeenMusic 1st this depends on how you define sheol, so in some sense you might be right, but this would be a great conversation, to long for the commentnsection here.
Very Great Explanation! So clear from GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT! 🔥
Not necessarily, did the spirit itself said I am Samuel? No, it didn't.
The medium said that she sees an old guy, this is how I read it (remember I have been taught Orthodox biblical study)
All I am saying is that she is saying stuff that God said will happen or already happend
This is good work. Thanks.
Interestingly many choose not to read the text as it is and say she brought back a demon. Usually it's because they believe in annihilation
For the algorithm! :D
I always saw this as Samuel being called from Sheol, with God allowing it
Yea me too.
Ahh so God the Father used it to pass judgement. God's awesome! No one can put Him in a box of rules. He's sovereign. If He can use the Assyrian as a chastening rod against His people, this doesn't surprise me. ( I've heard that Samuel was a demon too but, what if it was really Samuel)
Samuel was dead. Ecc 9:6. Read the whole story again it makes little sense for it to be Samuel
I can't tell you how many channels I've crossed with people, mainly women, that call themselves "Christian Witch's"..and actually lay out a twisting of Bible verses saying that it's not only okay BUT that it's a blessing to be one..I strategically laid out with Biblical evidence why being a "Christian Witch" is completely AGAINST God's Word..they then proceed to delete my comments..the sad thing is that so many other people in the comments took this as a sign to become one..it truly and genuinely breaks my heart 🥺💔😔
Mike, I love you brother, but you are wrong, at least that's what ancient jews and christians would say. There's a deuterocanonical book of the jewish Scriptures called a book of Sirach (believed to be canonical by some christian churches like orthodox, catholics etc) that's been reliably used by rabbi jews hundreds of years before Christ, and was also used by Christians as far as in the 1st centruy, it was also included to the oldest version of Septuagint - in short, even if it's not a part of the Word of God, it's a very culturally reliable ancient jewish source. And this book gives credibility to what happened in Endor.
It says in the chapter 48, verse 13:
As one consecrated to the LORD in the prophetic office,
was SAMUEL, the judge who offered sacrifice.
At God’s word he established the kingdom
and anointed princes to rule the people.
And than in verse 20, still talking about Samuel:
Even after death his guidance was sought;
he made known to the king his fate.
From the grave he spoke in prophecy
to put an end to wickedness.
Clearly, the ancient jew rabbis as well as early christians who used book of Sirach for cultural jewish reference believed that the spectre that was summoned was real. It's only in later development in christian theology that this view was challenged and it's meaning disfigured. Just because demon magic actually works and can summon the dead doesn't mean they have the power over the dead like Jesus does and we should be afraid of it. All the "witch of Endor" accomplished was summon a spirit of the dead for a brief moment, while Jesus has the power to raise the dead for eternal life.
So yes, Necromancy and magic have some power over the spiritual world. But it's nothing compared to power of Jesus, and nothing to be afraid of. In the end, God used this event for his own means and we should assume no magic can even happen without him allowing it to happen in he first place for his own means and glory, just like with Satan and Job.
"Saul": Ok, get me in contact with Samuel the prophet.
Witch of Endor [thinking]: This fool gave my servant a dozzy. Let's see if he can pull it off.
[Samuel's ghost shows up]
Witch: Wow. You really outdid yourself.
Samuel: Nope. It's just G-d trolling both you fools.
Witch and Saul: AAAGGHHH!!
Sometimes it’s ok to say “I don’t know”.
And sometimes it’s okay to just admit you don’t want to hear the answer.
@@melindamercier6811 I would say, what was the answer given?
@@sunyu2016 it was samuel. No, mediums do not work. If they do, it’s probably demons. This was a special case where God probably used Saul’s sinning as a way to rebuke him and tell him off basically
@@kennylee6499 Read 1 Chronicles 10.
@@MichaelAChristian1 doesn’t say the medium worked, just that Saul tried
Happy 4th, bro. God bless you and God bless America!
It seems pretty clear that the witch of endor did summon Samuel, otherwise we will be disregarding what is a very plan narrative.
Awesome I always had that question back part of my mind to ask. So glad you speak about it.
I'm glad you came to this conclusion and shared it. I found it to be the most logical conclusion on account of her being surprised it actually worked. God often uses what is evil to bring about His purposes (judgement in this case).
I'd agree "real" mediums consult familiar spirits. Whereas the reality that they pervert is prophecy, how God intends to reveal hidden truth. Nevertheless it seems extremely rare for God to send anyone back to Earth, such as Seneca Sodi (Paradise the Holy City and the Glory of the Throne).
Just earned yourself a new subscriber!!!
There's a second theory that the medium indeed calls up a spirit (as is her usual practice) that is here pretending to be Samuel. The evidence for this is thus:
The medium never actually identifies Samuel - at least not with any legit details (as we see with modern mediums). She's just vague enough (an old man in a robe) and Saul makes the assumption "That's him, that's Samuel!"
The text seems to imply that Saul himself can't see Samuel, only the medium can - this could be interpreted that 'Samuel' is speaking through the medium's body (she's channelling him), which is further evidence that this is a demon and not God catching the medium in the act.
Furthermore, Samuel says “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” - if God was the one who sent Samuel genuinely, catching the medium in the act (as Mike puts it), then why would Samuel say this? This is more likely the spirit pretending to be the real Samuel.
Finally, 'Samuel' says "Moreover the Lord will give Israel along with you into the hands of the Philistines; and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me;" - if this is genuinely Samuel - then we can assume he means simply 'you'll be dead' - but why phrase it so? Instead, it could be interpreted that this demon is saying Saul will literally be with him and the other demons in eternal torment when he dies.
Perhaps the most compelling evidence that this is the real Samuel is the accurate prediction of Saul's death, along with his sons, quoted above. However, as we see a few chapters later, the prediction isn't entirely accurate. Yes, three of Saul's sons die and David is crowned king of Judah - but Ishbaal (a son of Saul, perhaps too young to be in battle with his brothers) is crowned King of Israel by Abner after his father's death.
I think it isn't a stretch to say that the demon could very well know enough about Samuel, Saul and the prophecy that David would be king, in order to accurately predict what was going to happen without any sort of divine foresight. The demon just put together all the obvious pieces; David is prophesied to become king, God no longer speaks to Saul, who's now channelling a medium for news on an upcoming battle? It doesn't take a smart man to know that Saul has lost God's favour and he and his heirs will probably die very soon.
Well, the other son did die eventually, so the prophecy still came true, and maybe it really was a demon, but I still believe that God had his hand over this as He allowed the demon to communicate His judgement on Saul
The which either fakes it, talks with evil spirits or can talk to the spirit the person wanted to talk to. The question I think is more troubling for me is: if going to see a
witch /medium for advice is a sin, then why does God allow Samuel to speak @ all?
My mom went to a pyschic. She never told me much about it except that she was told her aura is blue and green.
I wanted to get a tarot reading, when I got one and I ended up having cards read by a reverend that was at a Renaissance festival, probably doing volunteer work.
I had an aura photographer take mine and my ex husband got one too while we were exploring Salem Massachusetts in 2014.
Both my mom and I had paranormal experiences. My first was at 5.
My mom was young when she had one but still around 18-19.
I don't think my grandmother or anyone else before her went to anyone.
My family was catholic and superstitious.
My brother was possibly a lefty but that superstitiousness had my grandmother make him right handed.
I switch hands, depending.
Hi Pastor Mike. I was wondering if you had any specific thoughts on Rob Bell and his ideas on how we should interpret scripture? I have a friend who seems to have gone down the rabbit hole and I don't quite know how to rebuke what Bell says, as He would want evidence outside the Bible to show that the Bible is in fact God breathed. It's difficult to find teaching on this particular view of scripture but I really feel a pull on my heart from God to try to reach my friend. Any video or textual references would be a great help. Thanks
I don't believe any spirits, including ghosts are our loved ones coming from the other side. I always advise people not to talk to them and pray them out as soon as they become aware of their presence.
I think the excepted presence of one opens the door to allow others to manifest.
The Lord said that the dead know nothing nor do they take part in anything of the world.
I do wonder about the saints in Revelation that come to ask God how much longer they have to wait until God takes revenge for their deaths. He tells them that they have to wait until the rest of those who are supposed to die from beheading as they did have completed their number and to go back and rest until then. I suppose that indicates that some can get up and participate in the heavenly things, but if they know nothing because they are dead why were they concerned with it? It appears to be a contradiction, but I've learned to keep searching for answers in those instances because they have always proved not to be contradictions at all. They are simply different circumstances. You really can see that clearly in proverbs, because many verses there seem to contradict each other yet both are true. 🤔
Every Friday pastor mike has a live segment of 20 questions you should ask
Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 KJV
[5] 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. [6] 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.
There are two resurrections one of the righteous dead and one of the wicked dead separated by the coming millennium. Notable exceptions:
Resurrection in Matt. 27
Enoch, Elijah- never saw death
Moses and Lazarus were resurrected.
Just my opinion but I think God let it be that the REAL Samuel’s spirit was able to get summoned. Usually, you can’t target specific spirits. Random demons come as they wish, from what I understand.
If God allowed someone to contact the dead on this occasion, how do we know that this is the only time it’s ever happened?
But, it wasn't her power that did it...
@@sunnydaze1185 You’re missing the point.
Listen to those people God speaks to as far as guiding us all but above all LISTEN TO GOD
Matthew Henry has a very good alternate explanation that the medium shrieked because she realized it was Saul but she still just made up seeing Samuel. I’ve always presumed that was probably true.
I believe it was something that happened according to the power of God. God let Samuel speak to Saul one last time for some reason. It was indeed Samuel because the writer, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said it was Samuel, not that it was a demon who looked or sounded like Samuel.
Hey I would really like to know about Enoch and whether you think it’s scripture or not, could you do a video on it?
I've anyways wondered about this passage, too.
Here’s one small objection. God’s condemnation/reproof leads to repentance. Satan’s condemnation leads to despair and ruin. Thus, combined with Ecc. 9:5 and Ps. 146:4, this apparition and message are of a satanic origin.
The witch’s astonishment I would attribute to her realising it is Saul in her midst, the former dread and destroyer of witches and necromancers, asking for Samuel.
Mike, a pastor that God has called me to break up with my previous bf for won't hold himself for me. It's causing strain and discomfort. I don't find it appropriate for him to pursue more than one at a time. He says theres no one else but there is one girl working at the coffee shot distracting him. I think he's interested in her and not me. He has been experiencing God but can't see it.
Hello mike I was wondering if you could do a video on the topic of general revelation. I have many questions about it and was hoping you could help me out. Thanks
I'm not Mike, but I'm curious about your questions.
I was a Medium! Mediums are legit!!!
Yes, they are legitimately conjuring up unclean spirits masquerading...
Its definitely not just our youth. Although new age is extremely popular right now. The generations above us went to church for the wrong reasons,were given false Gospels and this certainly affected the newer generations. Parents went to church and did not pass down the real Gospel to their kids, many so called Christians because they went to church but didn't have a real relationship walking with Christ, battling spiritual warfare , not operating in faith & purpose in Gods will but feared a did their own will. The church really led these generations astray. Now younger people have zero faith, zero hope,no prayer, no relationship with the lord, and Do Not know the word of God!! When the older generations say to you, just read the read letters, thats all that matters and is the most important part, huge red flag. You have to really spiritually fight in these days over and for your families eyes,ears,hearts,faith etc. You cannot be lazy in these end days, every Christian is under persecution!! We must pass down the Faith to the next generations, otherwise your faith, testimony,trials etc. is really just all in vain. The hugest disservice to the kids who are the future!!
Thanks Pastor Mike
The context is very clear. God did not want to talk to Saul before already. Why would God then talk to Saul through the dead Samuel using means forbidden by capital penalty?
Thus, it was clearly a demon not Samuel.
Besides, the dead are asleep, they know nothing untill the resurection at the end of time.
The glitching is discracting. Love the topic tho. You guys are the best!
Thanks Mike!
If she was a medium then she was used to seeing spirits. Probably saw them on a regular basis, if not daily. She wouldn’t be afraid of a ghost in robe if this was her 9-5.
It’s clear to me that she is afraid because she suddenly realizes that it was Saul standing there.
Mike, can you talk about David's Census? PLEASEE