Some wonder if the apparitions of Mary and the saints are true messages from God? Before we address this question, we need first to understand what the Bible has to say about the state of the dead:
God made man from the dust of the ground “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7).
Dust + Breath of Life (spirit) = Living Soul
At death, the process is reversed “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7).
Living Soul – Breath of Life (spirit) = Dust
The spirit that returns to God at death is the same breath of life. Nowhere in all of God’s Word does the “spirit” have any life, wisdom, or feeling after a person dies. It is the “breath of life” and nothing more. Without the breath of God or spirit, there is no life “The body without the spirit is dead” (James 2:26).
A soul is a living being. A soul is always a combination of two things: dust plus breath of God. The soul is mortal (Job 4:17). Only God is immortal (1 Timothy 6:15, 16). The concept of an undying, immortal soul goes against the Bible, which teaches that souls are subject to death. According to God’s Word, souls do die (Ezekiel 18:20).
The Bible Says, after death a person: returns to dust (Psalms 104:29), knows nothing (Ecclesiastes 9:5), possesses no mental powers (Psalms 146:4), has nothing to do with anything on earth (Ecclesiastes 9:6), does not live (2 Kings 20:1), waits in the grave (Job 17:13), and continues not (Job 14:1, 2) till Resurrection Day. “All that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth” (John 5:28, 29). Even David, who was a saint, did not ascend to heaven yet “For David is not ascended into the heavens” (Acts 2:29, 34).
Therefore, people do not go either to heaven or hell at death. The dead simply sleep till the Resurrection Day “The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, … and the dead in Christ shall rise … and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17). “We shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, … and the dead shall be raised incorruptible. … For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:51-53).
So, if the dead are sleeping unconsciously, who is responsible for these apparitions?
These apparitions are the creation of Satan and his angels who appear as angels of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). Devils work incredibly convincing miracles (Revelation 13:13, 14). Posing as godly loved ones who have died, Bible prophets, or even the apostles (2 Corinthians 11:13), Satan and his angels will deceive the world “They are the spirits of devils, working miracles” (Revelation 16:14). “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matthew 24:24).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
