The prophet's dictionary guide to the supernatural

The clearest example of this is seen in 1 Samuel 28:9–25. Other references to séances are contained in the Pentateuch where God forbid Israel to ever participate in such acts, as they were tantamount to serving, communing with, and worshipping the dead. The injunction was based upon the ritual of necromancy, which is a key feature in the séance meeting. See Necromancy. 1303. Seas—Seas seen in prophetic contexts represent the diverse population of the earth. Beasts arising therefrom indicate the texture, contexts, and inner spiritual makeup of those usually in leadership over the masses. People as the masses of the earth symbolized by large bodies of water, is to designate their unstable natures, often chaotic existence, and contribution to the turmoil of human life. The water symbolism speaks to their fluidity and instability of spirit, action, and conduct. Isaiah 17:12. 1304. Season—Biblically, it refers to an appointed time in God. Any prophet established in God understands the importance of His times and seasons embedded on creation’s calendar of events. Its meanings range from a long awaited time finally appearing to the manifestation of a prophetic word or divine miracle manifesting in its time. Prophecy generally integrates timing in its utterances, or the “now” time of God. Ecclesiastes 3:1. 1305. Seasoned—A) Tested, refined, made fit for use, and reliable. B) Cultivated with exceptional wisdom stemming from having lived life and surviving its difficult times. C) Seasoning comes from life’s serious and stringent conflicts, and contests with destruction and defeat that one has won. The word for the seasoning in the Old Testament speaks to a pulverizing or an abrasive rubbing. This is the process that the sacrificed animal prepared for the Lord’s offering undergoes in order to be acceptable to God. Trials, tribulation, temptation, and diverse afflictions by the enemies of God and the maltreatment of people all go into the seasoning methods the Lord uses to expose us to the true elements of His call and give His servants the experience they need to survive demonic onslaughts and to gain success in His service. Seasoning is scheduled and/or orchestrated by the Lord. Its single purpose is readiness for His proximate use. All major figures in Scripture, history, and the world today arrived at their places of prominence through the paths of often bitter testing. David’s years on the run from Saul, Moses’ harsh reorientation to nomadic leadership, and Paul’s decade and a half in the wilderness of Damascus are all biblical examples of God’s seasonings. (See Galatians 1:17–21.) Proverbs 22:29 makes a potent statement about the rewards of submitting to the Lord’s