Ghosts - Are They Real?

 When we sold the house in June of 2003, we knew the new owners had big plans for fixing up the house. Thus the reason for our visit. We had not been back to the house since its sale and they had invited us to come by to see the finished version.

The house looked beautiful. Many of the plans I had dreamed about had come true. The house had had a make over. The couple was kind enough to invite us in for a look see, despite our unannounced visit. We toured the main floor, the second floor, and climbed the stairs to the attic. We were told about a Civil War pistol that was found beneath the insullation in the attic - why had we not searched?

Anyway, this brings me to the title of this true story. We had been in the attic and had come back down when the new owner asked us if we had ever seen the ghost. He told us a few stories of encounters they had had over the last two years.

Later as Mykal and I were discussing it, we thought it uncanny that we had lived in the house for almost two years without ever noticing “ghostly” happenings. People who believe in Ghosts are more likely to have experiences to confirm their belief.

So, are ghosts real? What do you think? More importantly, what has God told us about the subject?

What happens to a person when they die? Is Grandma floating around somewhere in a spiritual state? Is she in heaven praising God and watching over us? Is your unsaved loved one off in another “world” experiencing hot fires and everlasting torture?

• “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake.” (Dan. 12:2)
• “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.” (1 Thess. 4:13)
• “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive [and] remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.” (1 Thess. 4:15)
• “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. ” (Eph. 5:14)

After a believer dies, they are not aware of what is going on here on earth nor do they praise God. They are not yet in heaven.

• “The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence.” (Ps. 115:17)
• “For David is not ascended into the heavens.” (Acts 2:34)
• “His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.” (Ps. 146:4)
• “For the living know that they shall die; but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.” (Eccl. 9:5)
• “His sons come to honor, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.” (Job 14:21)

Our unsaved loved ones are not burning in a firey pit as we lay here in comfort. Our unsaved loved ones who have passed on are sleeping just as those who are saved are sleeping.

Believers who have died are awaiting the first resurrection at the time of Jesus soon return.

• “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first.” (1 Thess. 4:16)

Unbelievers who have passed on are awaiting the second resurrection.

• “All that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” (John 5:28, 29)
• “And they [ the righteous] lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.” (Rev. 20:4, 5)
• “There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.” (Acts 24:15)

Ghosts are not real and believing in ghosts can lead to spiritualism and deception. The Bible tells us that these things are not good.

• “For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” (Rev. 16:14)
• “A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death.” (Lev. 20:27)
• “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil.” (Eph. 4:26, 27)
• “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” (1 Timothy 4:1)

For Christians, knowing that we have the assurance of everlasting life is hope. Believing that a loved one is in heaven may be reassuring to some. Perhaps they feel closer to that person if they believe he or she is there looking after them. But honestly, how terrible would it be to be singing praises in heaven while at the same time seeing the pain and suffering of our families here on earth. There is no sadness in heaven, and I know I would be heartbroken to know what pain my children were experiencing.

If you have had a “visit” from some one you loved dearly - or even a stranger - you need to question your beliefs against the texts in the Bible. The presence was not your loved one, but an evil spirit. You can take comfort in the fact that your deceased loved one is resting peacefully awaiting the return of her Lord and Saviour. Waiting for that glorious day when Jesus comes to take us home.

“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thess. 4: 1 - 18