BIBLE MESSAGES

MESSAGES FROM THE DEAD

   It is not uncommon to read today of someone who claims to be able to talk with the spirits of those who have departed this life. Usually for a sum of money they will tell you of some message they have received from some loved one as to their well-being o some advice to the living. In reality, there is no such thing as receiving direct messages from the dead. The story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31 teaches, among other things, that the dead do not come back nor do they send messages even through the living. However, there are some messages that we can receive by way of the lives of righteous men recorded in God's Word. We certainly can give heed to them and profit thereby.

Abel - "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous. God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh" [Heb. 11:4]. Abel is a witness to the importance of worshipping God according to His direction. The difference between Cain and Abel was simply that Cain did not heed what God commanded and Abel did.

Noah - "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith" [Heb. 11-7]. Noah let faith and fear move him to obey God. So he speaks a warning to us today that to refuse to fear God can only end in terrible consequences.

David - "And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord...." [2 Sam. 12:13]. Perhaps no man of the time was more powerful than David. Likewise no man was more loved by the people. David had everything going for him. Yet he stumbled and fell by sinning against God and man. Thus David speaks to us that sin must be confessed and repented of. He also testifies that no man is above temptation of sin.

Job - "Then said his wife unto him,l Dost though still retain thine integrity? curse God and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish woman speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips" [Job 2:9-10]. Job is remembered for his patience. Though he may not have understood all that was taking place in his life, nevertheless he refused to denounce God but rather put his trust in Him and was rewarded for it. He speaks to us today of the need for faithfulness and trust in God.

Daniel - "But Daniel pruposed in his heart that he would not defile himeself with the portion of the king's mat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself" [Daniel 1:18]. In a time when all others were bowing to the King and defiling themselves, Daniel refused to do so. He purposed (determined) in his heart that he would remain pure before God. His testimony stands before us today as one, though being dead, speaks of the urgency of standing firm and steadfast before God.

Written by: Charles E. Littrell