Secrets from Beyond The Grave

There is a debate among theologians who believe in the return of Christ as to whether Christ now knows the timing of His return, since He is dwelling continually in the presence of His Father. Based on the pattern of the ancient Jewish engagement and wedding, the Jewish man never knew the exact time he would secretly take his bride to his father's house, as the event was solely in the control of the groom's father. The decision was often based upon the preparation of a bridal chamber, which was constructed at the house of the father. Christ had said that in His Father's house were many mansions and that He was going to "prepare a place" for us (John 14:1-2). Christ did provide us direct access to the heavenly temple by becoming the heavenly High Priest of our faith. He also has provided each redeemed believer future access to the New Jerusalem, the dwelling place of the righteous. Just as the Jewish bride was unaware when the groom would return, Christ was unaware of the exact day and hour of His return to take His bride to the Father's house. One thing is certain: the spirit world operates on a higher dimension and has knowledge of certain events. The Future Known in the Spirit World In 1 Samuel 28:7-14, the biblical writer relates a very bizarre story of a witch who was asked by King Saul to make contact with the departed soul of a righteous man who had passed, named Samuel: Then Saul said to his servants, "Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her." And his servants said to him, "In fact, there is a woman who is a medium at En Dor." So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothes, and he went, and two men with him; and they came to the woman by night. And he said, "Please conduct a s é ance for me, and bring up for me the one I shall name to you." Then the woman said to him, "Look, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the spiritists from the land. Why then do you lay a snare for my life, to cause me to die?" And Saul swore to her by the LORD, saying, "As the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing." Then the woman said, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" And he said, "Bring up Samuel for me." When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman spoke to Saul, saying, "Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul!" And the king said to her, "Do not be afraid. What did you see?" And the woman said to Saul, "I saw a spirit ascending out of the earth." So he said to her, "What is his form?" And she said, "An old man is coming up, and he is covered with a mantle." And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground and bowed down. There is a controversy concerning this passage among scholars. Some suggest that the departed spirit of the prophet Samuel was brought forth from the chamber that held souls of the righteous under the earth to speak to Saul. Others believe this was a "familiar spirit" that was imitating Samuel. Let's look at the textual evidence to find clues as to which interpretation is more in line when comparing Scripture with Scripture. First, the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and the tormented king sought a witch for information on his future. The first argument is that this apparition was a familiar spirit, because the Holy Spirit always follows the Word and will of God. As the text indicates, God refused to answer Saul by the required scriptural methods--Urim, Thummim, and dreams. Therefore God would not choose a witch to bring a message from a righteous man. Second, consulting with the dead is forbidden in the Law of God (Deut. 18:10-12). Would God go against His own established laws to please a backslidden king and give him a