Matthew 9:18 While he spoke these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.
Here is a scenario where one, pastor Jones had two good friends who have passed away in an accident, and the pastor is grieving unconsolably for his best buddies. Then, two evil angels, named Bonnie and Clyde decide to show up at the pastor’s residence in the form of his former friends, to comfort him with the assurance that they are now living in heaven. Before proceeding, there are two very important excerpts which we must take our time to read.
One has to do with satan’s knowledge of the scriptures and the other has to do with the ability of his evil angels to manifest a perfect counterfeit of persons who have died previously. [1] [The Great Controversy pp 559>560] Satan can quote Scripture now as in the days of Christ, and he will pervert its teachings to sustain his delusion. [2] Many will be confronted by the spirits of devils personating beloved relatives or friends, and declaring the most dangerous heresies.
These visitants will appeal to our tenderest sympathies, and will work miracles to sustain their pretensions…. Thus, the visitants who appear to pastor Jones make perfect manifestations of his former friends, but he, knowing what the scriptures say about the state of the dead, immediately resorts to Ecclesiastes 9: 6, which says:… Ecclesiastes 9: 5 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.
Ecclesiastes 9:6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!