Are you Stirring up the Nest?

             Are you Stirring up the Nest?

A new generation is coming up which is trained to do umpteen number of things which do  not include taking care of oneself. They are grown-up babies who cannot even prepare a cup of coffee for themselves! Beware parents of releasing adult babies into this world, who will live miserably and make others miserable.

I watched with wonder as a coolie woman deposited her 18 month old son on the floor, spread a banana leaf, served his food, and went about her work. How could she expect this tinytot to eat all by himself? Sure enough he consumed the food without spilling a single rice and proceeded to lick his fingers. That set me to think. How often we feed our children till they are four or five years old, running after them, plate in hand, begging. That poor woman knew how to stir up her nest. The sheer need to work to provide for her family made her train the child so-for good! The child knew if he spilled some rice his stomach would go half empty and the dire need forced his muscles to coordinate properly not to let a grain of rice fall to the ground.

I think, now that we have fewer and fewer children we want to fuss around them and keep them as babies as long as possible. But do we realise the damage we cause to their future? We should have in mind, while training our children, that not only their mind but also their commonsense, body, spirit and soul should develop parallel, making them totally developed wholesome persons. How do we do that?

There is a picture of the eagle teaching the eaglets to fly. That’s what we want to do. We want our children to fly, soar high. That’s how the Lord trained His son Israel. “He shielded him and cared for him; He guarded him as the apple of His eye.” Then He let Israel fight his own battles. He dropped manna from heaven in the wilderness. One fine morning He stopped that too and let him make his own bread. No more miraculous provisions!

“Like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions...” (Dt 32:10,11).

The eagles build a nice strong nest in a safe place and lay eggs and hatch them. Then the father and mother spoon feed the chicks. As the young ones become stronger and grow wings, the parents start pulling out the sticks one by one. The chicks resettle to a more comfortable position. With systematic dismantling of the nest the eaglets grow more and more uncomfortable till at a point they fall out. In an attempt to save themselves they flutter and fly a short distance. That’s when the parent catches them. But the process is repeated to the fear, anger and grumbling of the chicks till they fly off free, strong and independent into the wide wide world. If the eagle does not stir up its nest...there’s no need to say.

This was how it was in olden days too . The scene is changing gradually. Instead of making the home more and more uncomfortable, driving the children to find their own food, we make the home more and more comfortable so that they can “study” properly. We keep a servant so that they can do their homework without being overloaded with housework. We spoonfeed them till they become adults and one fine morning expect them to be magically transformed into husbands and wives at the chime of the church bell. We expect them to be fathers and mothers at the birth of the first baby.

This will never work, dear parents! Remember, your children are primarily going to be husbands and wives, fathers and mothers. “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” (Prov 22:6). In other words, a baby should gradually be detached from the parents on his way to adulthood till he becomes a self confident individual able to manage not only himself but also an household. If we cannot train our children to take care of themselves, how can they take care of their families?

When does this training start? May be between 6 months and one year. Surprised? Yes. The mother starts weaning the baby. It is difficult for both. We know if the mother pities the child and continues to exclusively breastfeed him, she is causing him and herself more harm than good. She has to harden her heart so that she will be more free. The baby also becomes more free and gets other necessary food.

We should allow the child to eat from his plate, though he may spill all around. When the child refuses to eat let him go hungry so that he’ll be too eager to eat his entire next meal. Children refuse to take what they don’t like because they know they’ll get something after an hour. Or, they know mama will come after them begging. Outsmart them. Don’t carry a child who can walk. Though carrying may be less troublesome, let him walk as much as he can. Only then carry him. Grandparents should not secretly feed them. They should not carry them all day through, in spite of parents’ protests. Husband and wife, neighbours and friends should put up an united front. Those who do things for a child which his parents have refused to do are doing a great disservice to the child. Well meaning friends and neighbours could be the greatest hindrance for disciplining a child.

As children grow up, develop a symbiotic relationship. Let them help you to sweep, clean, wash vessels and clothes, shop, change a fuse,  clean the bike or car. Mind you parents, if we don’t do these things, if the servant, peon, electrician or driver does everything our children are never going to learn them.

Teenagers can fix a simple breakfast. Harrowed mothers need not dash around trying to get them ready for school. When you get a fever or headache, lie down. If they can’t make a sandwich let them go hungry. If they are particular about snacks, buy them the raw material and give the recipe too. However hover over them when they handle the gas stove or electrical appliances. Give a helping hand. They may and will bungle. It’s O.K. That’s how they learn. Teach them patiently. Don’t pity them if they go without breakfast or snacks. The sky won’t come down. Discipline is painful and if it is not painful it is not going to discipline. If children do housework along with homework they won’t become couch potatoes. Each child should have a share in the daily chores of the home. If they refuse, deprive them of some privilege like TV or even a meal. The Bible clearly teaches, “If a man will not work, he shall not eat” (2 Thess 3:10). This, Paul calls as a rule. Let us not feel guilty to implement the Bible.

If your teenager will not wash and press her clothes, let her go to school with dirty crinkled clothes. You try cajoling, scolding, shouting and finally do the washing with all your backache or hire a servant. Instead you can firmly refuse without getting angry. Her dirty clothes will pile up. Keep your cool. When she exhausts all her clothes she may select the best of the dirty ones and even go to school in it. If you have not given in till now, you may abort your attempt at this point and accept defeat. If you hold on, your daughter may grumble, complain, get angry or sulk and say things that make you feel guilty. Don’t waste your words. Just be gentle and kind, but don’t give up the battle. When she knows for sure you are not going to be bullied, then, only then, she starts moving. The process may literally be a tug-of-war. This is just one example. Parents need not be too good to their children. They should use their time more profitably as their children take over responsibilities. Women who tried to imitate the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 and fainted, are you now able to guess the secret of her success?

Will it then become a routine? No. Not always. The struggle may go longer than you expect. Parents should not expect a change in children after telling them once, twice, thrice or even ten times. Sometimes it is easier to do a job than get our children to do it. This is where parents need patience. Training is making them do a thing day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year, as Dr. Clyde Narramore puts it. Hold on patiently, lovingly, without irritation. Sometimes till they leave, it goes on, leaving you disappointed. But the reward comes “later on” (Heb 12:11). Children, when they become disciplined adults, will praise you forever.

During the struggle you may get confused or even feel guilty. But if you are tough and firm without being cruel it usually turns out alright. When there is a real good reason for their inability to fulfil their chores on a particular  day, be negotiable. Along with discipline have an abundance of good time like family picnic, some pocket money, some freedom and a lot of appreciation for what they do, so that discipline will not be heavy on them.

We should not boast that we learnt cooking only after marriage. There is definitely a quality and quickness about those who develop such skills early. It is a terrible thing to be disciplined by the spouse or mother-in-law.

Girls should grow up knowing they must primarily be wives, mothers and homemakers. They must be taught the value of being a woman, the beauty of bearing children, the joy of bringing them up and caring for a family, the art of entertaining guests, cooking, homemaking, etc. These they learn only by involving themselves in every aspect of the home. They should be able to set the table. Or else when they get married they will sit and start eating instead of looking to the husband’s needs first.

Nowadays there are many M.A’s and M.Phils, doctors and engineers who feel guilty to become pregnant. They hate their babies for spoiling their career. While washing nappies and cutting vegetables they wonder what they are doing at home. They feel fish out of water as a fish feels out of water in water. They feel frustrated if their education is not used. They would rather throw away their babies than throw away their education.

With less and less children and more and more gadgets women aspire high. Good. But they should not act like men or expect their husbands to become women. A woman should do a woman’s job and leave the man to do his job. A man is good only as a man. He is not good as a woman. Certain things like cooking, washing and housekeeping should be done by the woman of the house except during times of crises. Are you training your daughter in the way she should go? (1 Tim 5:10,14).

Recently we had been to Nilgris when unexpectedly our host fell ill. We were dumbfounded when their graduate daughter took complete charge of the home. She cooked tastily for us, took care of the sick mother and attended the evening meetings too ! It is a rare sight these days.

How many boys are trained as husbands and fathers? Take your son along with you to the market and teach him to select the best of fish and mutton and vegetables. Teach him how to find out whether the fish is fresh or not. Show him how to pick out tender brinjals and ladies fingers.

Let them learn to select quality goods - from toothpaste to tape recorder. They must know how not to be cheated. Let them go to the bank with you or help you fit the fan. Let them go under the car and repair it. Discipline them in even small things like taking out the trash, trimming the fence, repairing the stove or even throwing dirty clothes in place. Or else they will be a headache to their wives. Let them learn the value of money and share in the family prayer so that they’ll be good bread-winners and the high priests of their families. Let them go out as guardians for their sisters. Teach them to treat women with respect. Let them learn to cut fish and dress chicken. I thank God for my husband who can do all these.

Rebekah as a young girl could draw water for the household plus ten camels. No wonder she could also cook for her husband, “tasty food just the way he liked” (Gen 27:9,14). David and Joseph walked long distances carrying vituals for their brothers.

Most of us know that to get our children moving we have to light a fire under them. But we must always bear in mind that, “No discipline seems  pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Heb 12:11). Discipline is a cloud with a golden lining.

I like Maharashtra for one thing. Labour is dignity for Maharashtrians. Where we stayed, school and college students graze their buffaloes morning and evening. Colleges are empty when they reopen in June because it is the month of sowing. Only professors come and sign in the register.I like this system that gives space for the total development of a person.

Eternal Rewards

Eternal Rewards

We, as human beings, are, of course, earthly minded. We look, during these hurried and harried days, for moments of rewards as counterpoint to the frustrations of our daily interactions with the world around us. We want that gratification to be instant, immediate, now! Our moments of reward, when they do come, are brief, fleeting, and more often than not leave us looking for the next high that must be more intense, longer in endurance–more gratifying.

We will never be satiated in this flesh –at least most of us won’t.

Considering those of great wealth from as far back as Solomon, and even before him, we can get understanding of just how unsatisfying life can be, no matter how much money and material wealth we garner, no matter how much we achieve.

Elvis once recorded a song called, I think, “Fame and Fortune.” In it were the lines: "What good is fame and fortune? They are just fleeting things…” Elvis, of course did enjoy the fame and fortune about which he sang. And, he died at 42. They were for the king of rock and roll, indeed, just fleeting things.

The writer of Ecclesiastes, who almost certainly was Solomon, wrote that after he had tasted all of the world’s delights –both those that were allowed, and those forbidden—he found them all to be self-centered, and in vain. He then gave his assessment of life in this human flesh, and what really matters: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecc. 12:13-14).

We will all come to the end of our fleshly lives. We will stand before God. This is what is called sometimes jokingly, but with a serious undertone, “Going to our eternal rewards.” I wrote the following as a chapter a few years ago for my book, Prophecy Power: Strength from God To Face Your Future. You can see at the end of the article where you can get a copy of the book, if you wish.

This Is Your Life!

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).

We who are of a certain generation remember a TV show in the late 1950s called “This is Your Life!” Each week, the host, Ralph Edwards, would come on the air, whispering, usually holding a large book under one arm and a microphone in the other. He would look directly at us through our (black and white) TV screens and then glance nervously around him while the camera panned from him to see if it could locate the guest of honor for the evening’s program.

Finally, someone would walk into the bright glare of the television spotlights on some sidewalk in New York or elsewhere. That person would have another person in tow, and would tug him or her toward Ralph Edwards. The person in tow would appear to be greatly surprised, his mouth and eyes widening in disbelief when he realized he had been tricked into coming to the spot so “This is Your Life!” could spend the next 30 minutes –minus commercials—going over his life for the TV viewers.

Our Turn Is Coming!

We who are Christians have a review of our lives coming that will be much greater in scope than the biographies Ralph Edwards did on any of the celebrities he reviewed for many years. Not one moment of our lives will be missed by our reviewer because the one who will review our lives from start to finish will be none other than the Lord Jesus, himself!

We will look in this lesson, of course, at the “judgment seat of Christ” and all it will encompass. Only the saved will be at this judgment, which is not a judgment for sins committed, but a bema judgment that will be for determining our eternal rewards.

All About the Bema

Have you ever thought about how it will be on Judgment Day? Many think that when Judgment Day comes, everybody will stand in a long line, perhaps one that will circle the Earth many times in length. The thought seems to be that we will all wait our turn. When our name is finally called, we will approach the throne, where an angry looking old man with white hair, his eyes on fire and a scowl on his face, will say something like: “Let’s have a look at how bad you’ve been, and whether you’ve done anything good at all.”

An angel or someone will come from somewhere, carrying a large balance-scale. Somehow, using some sort of measure, our good deeds will be put on one side of the scale. Our bad deeds will be placed, or will appear on the other side. Whether the scale dips toward the “good” side or the “bad” side will determine our eternal fate. If we’ve done more good than bad, we go to Heaven. If it tilts the other way, we go to…well, you know that result. (No one seems to consider what might happen if things balance perfectly.)

No Fairy Tale

As one prophecy teacher I know says, “You’ll find that description of Judgment Day in the Bible in the same place you’ll find the story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." Sadly, far too many Christians have no more idea of what God’s review of their lives will be like than that described above. This study is meant to help us understand, as thoroughly as God’s Word allows, what one of the major judgments following life on this planet will be like.

Supreme Court Appearance

Each person who has ever been born has a destiny that includes standing before Almighty God. There’s no escaping it. You and I will stand before the one, true God, the Creator of all things. The writer of Hebrews tells us: “…it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment…” (Hebrews 9: 27). Make no mistake, we will one day stand before the SUPREME COURT!

Two Judgments Await

Not only will there not be one long line where we stand in dread for a few thousand years awaiting our turn, but there will not be one judgment; there will be two. The first judgment to take place will be the bema judgment, also called “the judgment seat of Christ.” The second --the final judgment-- will be “the great white throne” judgment. You do not want to be at the second of these two judgments--not unless you are there as witness to God’s righteousness, rather than as one who is being judged. You do, definitely, want to be at the first judgment. This is because only the saved stand before Christ at the first judgment, and only the lost stand before God at the second. Everyone at the first judgment will go into Heaven to live eternally in God’s presence. Everyone who stands before God in the second judgment will go into Hell, apart from God for eternity. Prophecy Power will cover the great white throne judgment in a later study. We will look at the judgment seat of Christ for now, to get a handle on exactly what Bible prophecy says awaits each of us who name the name of Jesus in the intimate way essential for salvation.

For Supernatural Athletes Only!

Have you ever admired a great athlete and wished you had that kind of ability? The super athletes of our time make the big bucks, garner great attention, and seem to thrive with rewards of their tremendous feats.

More Super than Super Bowl!

God’s Word tells us that we are competing in a contest that is supernatural, and that has eternal consequences. All who are on God’s team are expected to give it their very best effort in this great race we call life. Paul the apostle likens our competition to a number of athletic events. The analogy is to the competitions of the Olympic games of ancient times. Christians are in competition that involves far more profound consequences than do the athletic feats accomplished by even the world’s greatest athletes in earthly sports events. The competition is with ourselves. It is individual. We should strive to achieve our utmost potential in order to give honor and glory to our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom and for whom we were made.

Paul Was a Real Sport

Paul was a man of many facets, not just some guy walking around spouting pious things. He was a tremendous scholar, a great missionary and evangelist, and a tentmaker. He was also a terrific sports fan. We can know that Paul was indeed a fellow who followed the athletic competitions of his day with great relish from his writings. He used analogies and allusions to sport terms in his instructions on how God wants us to live our lives. He refers in the following to such a sports analogy: “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:1-2).

Bema Background

Paul based much of his sports analogy on his knowledge of the bema of athletic competitions of his day. One writer clues us to what Paul was talking about in this analogy: “In the large Olympic arenas there was an elevated seat on which the judge of the contest sat. After the contests were over, the successful competitors would assemble before the bema to receive their rewards or crowns. The bema was not a judicial bench where someone was condemned. It was a reward seat. Likewise, the judgment seat of Christ is not a judicial bench. The Christian life is a race, and the divine umpire is watching every contestant. After the Church has run her course, He will gather every member before the bema for the purpose of examining each one, and giving the proper reward to each” (Levin Strauss, God’s Plan for the Future, Zondervan, p. 111).

Paul Pleased

The great apostle indicated that at the end of his own life he was satisfied he had given all he had for his Lord, who is also his Judge: "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Tim. 4:6-8).

Powerful Promise!

How thrilling! Did you catch that? Paul says in this prophecy that not only he, but we who run the race with all we have, will also receive great rewards. But he says more than that. He prophesies that there is a special reward for Christians who “love His [Jesus’] appearing." Now that’s an empowering truth for those who look for the Lord Jesus at any moment in the rapture!

Building Before the Bema

A person, at the moment he accepts Christ, is instantly placed upon a rock-solid foundation. The truth of that foundation is found in the following: “He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt.16:15-18).

Jesus, Our Rock

Jesus was not saying here that Peter was the rock upon which salvation is based, but that Jesus is that Rock. This foundation stone is the same stone that will smash all anti-God, Antichrist humanistic government at Christ’s second coming (Dan. 2:34-35). Paul the apostle says about Jesus, the foundation: “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:11).

Beware of Error

Some teach the error that we must work to earn and maintain our salvation. The Scriptures above plainly teach otherwise. There is no other foundation whereby we can become God’s child: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Eternal Destiny Is Affected

So, our immortal souls can never be in danger of facing God’s wrath, once we are upon the foundation, which is His blessed Son, Jesus. Nonetheless, our eternal destiny is still subject to influence, based upon how we live our lives while still in this realm of earthly existence. You see, we, when we are set upon that unshakable foundation–the Lord Jesus Christ—we immediately begin building on that solid Rock. We send the materials ahead of our trip to glory –whether that trip be through death or the rapture-- for constructing our eternal dwelling place, and for making our heavenly wardrobe. In that sense, our works while in this life do affect our eternal destiny.

Building Supplies Tested

The building materials we send ahead in the form of our works on this earth will have to pass God’s test to determine their worthiness for heavenly construction. The testing will take place at the bema –the judgment seat of Christ. Here’s what God’s Word has to say about that moment of testing for each of us: “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is” (1 Cor. 3:9-13).

Salvation Secure for Eternity

Paul, under divine inspiration, is quick to tell us that this judgment in no way will determine whether the person being judged is allowed to enter Heaven. The one being judged is eternally secure from the very moment of salvation. Paul writes about the bema judgment further: “If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire” (1 Cor. 3:14-15).

Our True Reward

We must each stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account of what we did while living on earth. We will either receive rewards or suffer loss of rewards. The good works we do in the sight of God are symbolized as made of gold, silver, and precious stones. Our worthless works are represented as wood, stubble, and hay. While we stand before the bema, heavenly fire of righteousness will be applied to each work we did in life. The gold, silver, and precious stones will stand the test by fire, and all dross (useless, excess) will burn off. Only the pure, refined works will remain. All other works will perish in the heavenly fire.

Again, this has nothing to do with salvation of our souls. That was settled the moment we accepted Jesus as Savior, while still in physical life on earth. Jesus will then bestow upon each believer his or her rewards, based upon the refined gold, silver and precious stone works that have been tested in the fires of supreme judgment.

Greatest Reward of All

The greatest reward of all will be to hear our Lord say to us the same thing the master said to his servant in the story Jesus told while teaching: “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matt. 25:21).

Which Works Are Which?

Although it’s not easy to know exactly what goes into making a gold, silver, and precious stone work, or a wood, hay, and stubble work, God’s Word informs us about certain, general areas of life where God is particularly interested. We will look scripturally, and in-depth in Session 12 at the crowns that will be given at the bema. We will, with equal scriptural intensity, look in Session 13 at the areas of living life on earth in which the Christian will be tested at the judgment seat of Christ. For now, it is the greatest banquet that will ever be held that takes stage-center in God’s prophetic program.

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

What a contrast this banquet will be to the feast taking place on Planet Earth!

A Grisly Dinner

We read about that grotesque earthly banquet: “And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh” (Rev. 19:17-21). The human carnage will be stupendous. But, it will be Righteous Judgment that is well deserved. The carrion of earth will indeed have their fill!

The Most Extravagant Wedding Feast Ever

The Church Age saints of God whom the Bible says have white robes of righteousness will be the wife of the Lamb (Jesus Christ). This is the bride the Apostle Paul wrote about as follows: “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church” (Eph. 5:25-32).

A number of views on exactly who the bride will be have been a cause for debate. The purpose here is to present what God’s Word says, advising each child of God to study, pray and seek Holy Spirit direction while considering this awesome topic of prophecy yet future. The Scripture on the marriage supper of the Lamb we are given specifically says: “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God” (Rev. 19:7-9).

The bride will forever be with her Lord, the King of all Kings. All saints of all ages will have different duties to perform and offices to administrate, but the body of believers who constitute the Bride of Christ will be with Him forever in a special relationship, while serving Him as He wills, based upon bema rewards earned while during earthly life.

Do All Religions Pray to the Same God? no..........

Do All Religions Pray to the Same God? The social rules that govern secular society have been rewritten to make it a political requirement for public figures to view all religions on the same level. Anyone who says the God of the Bible is superior to some other god is branded as a bigot.

Pope Benedict XVI learned this lesson well when he quoted Emperor Manual II Paleologos of the Byzantine Empire, who said: "Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."

The media raked Pope Benedict over the coals for making such an inflammatory remark. The press deliberately failed to mention that the Byzantine Empire was later sacked and crushed by Islamic Sultan Meh Meh, Islam was spread by the sword to Byzantium, and the great church of Hagia Sophia was turned into a mosque.

It only took a few days before the Pope was singing a new tune. Since his little public relations mishap, he has met with several Islamic leaders to patch things up.

Conservative commentator Ann Coulter got herself into similar hot water with Jewish groups when she said the Jewish people needed to "perfect" themselves by becoming Christians. On a Fox News program, she said Jews need to receive Jesus as their Messiah to gain this perfection.

The Anti-Defamation League condemned Coulter for her “anti-Semitic comment" and reaffirmed the spirit of ecumenism by saying it is wrong to "espouse the idea that Judaism needs to be replaced with Christianity and…Christian supersessionism has been rejected by the Catholic Church and the vast majority of mainstream Christian denominations."

The Bible does indeed have a superiority complex. All Christians, knowing that Christ is the only source of perfection, should plead guilty to this offense. If Paul were making the following statement today, it would set off intolerance alarms: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

President Playing Footsy with Foreign Faiths

The ecumenical movement has reached all the way to the White House. There once was a time when the President of the United States would never dare meet with the representative of a non-Christian faith. Today, if the Dalai Lama stops by, the White House staff rolls out the red carpet.

The past three presidents have all been chummy with the world’s key faiths. President George Bush has gone the farthest, saying, "Whether they be Muslim, Christian, or any other religion, [They all] pray to the same God."

Bush’s prayer comment has been the final straw for many evangelical conservatives. This article is the result of a flood of email I received after he made the remark I just quoted. Gary Bauer, president of American Values, said Bush's comment was "not helpful to the president. Since everybody agrees he's not a theologian, he would be much better advised to punt when he gets that kind of question."

The Problem of Incompatibility

You probably think you already know how I’m going to answer the question in the title of this article. But instead of answering that question with “no,” I thought of another way to arrive at the same point by saying, “Yes, all religions do pray to the same God.” This a true statement because there is no other God to hear our prayers, save the God of the Bible.

Someone who prays to Allah has our Lord as the only listener. Muslims who ask Mr. Allah to kill all the Jews and Christians might want to know why their prayers are never answered.

The real problem is that the god of Islam and the God of the Bible are incompatible. The Christian God encourages freedom, love, forgiveness, prosperity and health. The Muslim god appears to value the opposite. The Koran says that on Judgment Day Jesus will refute the idea that He is the Son of God. The Bible says that every knee will some day bow to Him.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).

A Dead-End Path

Many people claim that all roads lead to God. That is as silly as saying that all roads lead to Omaha, Nebraska. Jesus taught that there was only one highway that leads to God. Without the road map of the Holy Spirit, it is impossible to find one's way to redemption.

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it" (Matt 7:13-14).

A non-Christian may try to live a life devoted to God, but that person fails by not accepting the sacrifice of Christ. If he or she does not accept Christ's payment for his or her sins, then no amount of personal piety will be enough to atone for those sins. The Word of God says, "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (John 3:18).

Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses are in no better shape. They claim to represent the Christian faith, but they reject Jesus as the true Son of God. Paul warned us that there would be false Christian sects.

Judaism and Christianity pray to the same God, but there is a problem with the fact that the Jews also reject Christ, or what Paul called a “stumbling block.” I have a problem with Christian leaders who promote the idea that God has a dual salvation plan for the Jews and Gentiles.

Christianity Always Comes Up Short

One of the most irritating things about this effort to make all religions equal is the fact that Christianity always end up with the short end of the stick. Believers in Christ are constantly asked to make room for other faiths, but I don’t recall any Islamic nations offering to do the same thing.

In Britain, a think tank for the Labor party suggested that Christmas be downgraded in favor of festivals from other religions in order to improve race relations. There is zero chance that the Muslim world will ever choose to downgrade Ramadan to oblige their minor faiths.

Since most faiths are so fundamentally opposed to each other, one might wonder why there is this effort to have a love fest between all religions. After 9/11 and a host of other terrorist attacks by Islamists, you would think that Mohammedism would be viewed as a pariah faith in western eyes. The answer to this quandary is Bible prophecy.

The Harlot Church

In the last days, the Antichrist will be the ultimate peacemaker who will unify all religions into a single organization that he will control. The only people who will not fit into the Antichrist's "harlot" church will be the true believers.

“And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration” (Rev. 17: 1-6).

The Prayer That Always Gets Answered

You can pray to any god you want, but there is only one emissary between man and the Holy Father. The flaw of every other religion is that not one can promise you eternal life. Jesus died for every person on this planet, and all we need to do to receive the gift of eternal life is place our trust in Him.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son (John 3:16-18).

Second Coming Ready

Second Coming Ready

Most all people in western culture and society who are mature, so far as age is concerned, have heard of the term “the second coming.” Few, however, understand the term. Even fewer who think they have understanding have it right in their perception of that world-transforming future event. The accuracy of their understanding depends upon adhering to what God’s Word, the Bible, says on the awe-inspiring topic. Interpretation must be undertaken from the viewpoint that God is speaking to His creation–man—in a literal sense. That is, His foretelling must be taken as literal, not as being spiritualized, symbolic, allegorical, or as things that have already occurred in any way, shape, or form.

The second coming, or second advent, as it is also called, is a literal future event that will take place at a literal moment in literal time, by the literal King of all kings and Lord of all lords. It is the coming back to earth of Jesus Christ to put down all rebellion, to restore Planet Earth, and to rule and reign from His throne atop Zion for literally 1,000 years.

With that as an admittedly simplistic frame of reference, we will move more deeply into the subject through a stupendous body of prophecies yet to unfold that will profoundly affect every human being who has ever been conceived within the long history of this now fallen sphere. We will look particularly at the prospect of Christ’s return as it affects each and every person presently alive. To be “second coming ready” is the most important preparation any individual can make. This is because being "second coming ready" means a person’s soul, his or her eternal being, is in God’s family forever.

Dissecting the Second ComingComprehending the second coming of Jesus Christ to restore all things to conformity with God’s will requires understanding that God deals with His creation called man in dispensations. He has done so through covenants made with man throughout human history. The study of dispensationalism becomes quite involved, and this article, because of length parameters, doesn’t allow for an in-depth examination of that. We will look at the dispensation in which we live today–the age of grace, also called the church age, and the dispensation that will follow this one–the tribulation. Even so, we have space only to delve briefly into these as they reflect upon our topic, what is involved in being “second coming ready.”

One Second Coming; Two PhasesThe return of Christ makes no sense if viewed only as a one-phased event. This is because the Scriptures present conflict and confusion, if trying to make the second coming simply the Lord breaking through the black clouds of Revelation 19:11, then defeating all rebels and moving to Jerusalem to set up His millennial kingdom.

Some Scriptures reveal that no one can know the exact day or hour of Christ’s return. Others tell that the exact number of days to His return to earth can be precisely calculated. Matthew 25:13 says Jesus will return at an unknown time, while Revelation 12:6 indicates that the Jews will have to wait on the Lord 1,260 days, starting when the Antichrist stands in the Temple of God and declares himself to be God. This takes place three and one-half years into the seven-year tribulation period.

Which is it? Can Christ’s time of return be known for sure, or not? God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). His Word is orderly, and always makes sense when proper context is applied and when the reader is faithful to seek out what it really says. It is vital, therefore, that Bible prophecy, as the Word of God in general, be studied thoroughly in total context. It can be hard work, but blesses the soul every time it is done. So, we see that the area dealing with knowing or not knowing the time of Christ’s coming back to earth presents what might be construed as contradiction. Bible prophecy seems to say different things about earth dwellers being aware of exactly when He is coming again. It is impossible to understand the apparent contradiction (which is not contradiction at all) without in-depth study on the matter. Such study, covered with prayer for understanding, reveals that Christ will return to Planet Earth in two distinct phases. Additionally, study brings realization that it is essential to understand that God is working within two prophetic programs: one involving the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the other involving His chosen people, the nation Israel. The two dovetail into the most glorious event in human history to occur since Christ’s first coming.

Phase 1: The RaptureThis event involves the church, all born-again believers in Jesus Christ for salvation. A person is born again (John 3:3) into the family of God by accepting that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. This is the “rock” upon which Jesus said He would build His Church (Matthew 16:18). All people who have been born since the church began have lived in the “church age” or “age of grace.” That is, all during this period of time, this dispensation, who accept Christ’s blood as atonement for sin are under the grace of God. These believers are recipients of reconciliation with God the Father, their sins forever removed from receiving His judgment.

Rapture of the church, as foretold by the Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-55 will be the one atomos of time (faster than the eye can blink) when Jesus will call all believers of the church age to be with Him forever. This is the “mystery” Paul showed believers, revealing in full what Jesus meant when He said the following: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-3).

The prerequisite, then, for being rapture ready is to accept Christ as Savior. Paul tells us that ALL will be changed in that “twinkling of an eye.” Who is included in the “all” he wrote about? “All” was the pronoun he used to include every individual during the church age who will accept Christ for their personal salvation.

The rapture is the first of the two-phase second coming. Thus, those who are rapture ready are also second coming ready. “All,” not “some,” will go to be with the Lord when He calls, as He did to John in Revelation 4:1. Each believer is rapture ready in the sense that each will go to be with Jesus in that stupendous event. Each will be taken; none will be left behind.

However, not every Christian will be “ready” in another important sense. Those who have lived carnal lives–lives that are not walking in the will of God will lose rewards at the bema, or judgment seat of Christ. The believer must do his or her best to live the way God expects of His children while still in this mortal flesh. Those who do not won’t be kicked out of God’s family or be left behind to suffer His wrath (for we are not appointed to the wrath of God; see 1 Thessalonians 5:9). But, those who choose to live apart from the Father’s instructions will have disappointed their Lord, and at the bema judgment will see their carnal works burned in the holy fire that purges unrighteousness. Sinful acts, through commission or ommision, cannot enter God’s eternal kingdom.

The child of God should take this truth very seriously. How he or she attempts to walk righteously here on earth will determine his or her eternal service status when they look into their Lord’s omniscient eyes.

Phase 2: Second AdventThe physical touchdown of the Lord Jesus atop the Mount of Olives will take place at a minimum of seven years following the rapture of the church. This will be the second phase of Christ’s second coming. It will come at the end of the worst era of human history, the tribulation. The tribulation era will begin God’s dealing with His chosen people, Israel, in a supernatural way. He will, during this horrific time, purge, through the fiery crucible of Antichrist’s genocidal rage, a special remnant of the Jewish people. These will be His nation as head of all nations during the millennium, the 1,000-year era that will follow the tribulation. However, before the Jewish remnant will enjoy the millennial earth as the foremost nation, the time will be worse for the Jewish people than at any time during the many anti-Semite persecutions and diasporas (scatterings) through the ages.

Jeremiah, the Old Testament prophet, said the following about that horrendous time: “Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it” (Jeremiah 30:7).

Hell on EarthThe Tribulation will produce an increasingly Hell-like planet, God’s direct judgments falling upon Antichrist and the rebellious earth-dwellers, the closer the time of Christ’s return to earth comes. Still, rather than repent of their horrendous sin against the Almighty, they will hide themselves in the caves and crannies of the mountains and shake their fists against Him.

Jesus himself said of this terrible time just before His return: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21).

Only the great mercy of God will keep some flesh from succumbing to the 21 judgments that will pour upon and smash into Planet Earth. While all armies of earth gather in the Middle East at Armageddon, Christ will return to put an end to all war (Revelation 19:11). The Prince of Peace will rule and reign over the millennial earth in righteousness upon a planet made pristine again by the Creator of all things.

Israel will be the host nation to the Lord’s throne atop Mt. Zion (Mt. Moriah remade and raised above the terrain). King David, in His resurrection body, will be Christ’s coregent for Israel, while Christ reigns as King over all the earthly kingdom. Thus, all promises God made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will be fulfilled.

Getting Ready Now is CrucialThere is no more critical a matter for any person than being second coming ready. The Christian (born-again child of God) must be ready for the moment when Jesus will say, “Come up here,” as He did to John in Revelation 4:1. This preparation can be made only through dedication to the purposes for which the person has been placed on earth–to carry out the will of God. That is done through prayer and study of the Bible, then translating that prayer and study into living every minute of every day with the thought of abiding in God’s will. We are to be royal ambassadors in a foreign land. Christians are to be outward-turning, not inward-focused--i.e., the child of God is supposed to think more of others than of himself or herself while going about daily life. This doesn’t mean assuming a pious, head-in-the-clouds attitude. It means that Christians should be Christ-like, meeting and interacting with people the way Jesus did. The believer should be about helping people in material ways, but always secondarily to informing them that Jesus alone is the way to God the Father for eternity (John 14:6).

This is how to be rapture ready, in the sense of being worthy to hear Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Tribulation Saints Must Be ReadyBeing Second Coming ready for the person who will enter the tribulation following the rapture of the church is another matter. But, getting ready to go through that most terrible time is essential. If you have been left behind when millions vanish, to be less than second coming ready will mean enduring torment forever, apart from the God who moved heaven and hell to bring you into His eternal family.

Faithful to the EndGetting second coming ready during the tribulation will mean turning one’s life over to Christ and trusting Him for salvation. It will mean standing for Christ no matter the challenges faced. It will mean refusing the mark of the Antichrist, thus being targeted for death. But, standing for Christ will bring eternal blessings, as promised to the martyrs of the tribulation era:

"And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints" (Revelation 13:7-10).

Why Being Rapture Ready Is EssentialIf you are reading this before the rapture, it is essential, in the view of many prophecy scholars, that you get ready now for the second coming of Christ, rather than await the tribulation era. There is significant evidence that those who are given, but refuse, the Holy Spirit’s call to accept Jesus Christ as Savior might not hear such a call during that last seven years.

The Scripture in question indicates God’s offer during the tribulation might not extend to those who during the time before the tribulation clearly knew they should accept Christ, but rejected that beckoning: “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie. That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12).

Time To Get Ready Is NowThere are no prophecies that precede the rapture of the church. Yet most every signal given by Jesus and the Old and New Testament prophets for the end of the age is on history’s horizon at present.

The hour is late; the rapture is imminent; it could literally take place at any moment. There are no guarantees of future opportunities for salvation. The Apostle Paul gives God’s Word about the urgency of the hour when it comes to getting second coming ready: “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation)” (2 Corinthians 6:1-2).

What Happens When Jesus Stops Knocking?

What Happens When Jesus Stops Knocking?

“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished” (2 Peter 3:3-6).

I believe we are in this particular period of time, right now. Scoffers outnumber the born-again Christians by a large number. Don’t get me wrong here, I could not care less what they are saying, except for the fact they are persuading many to think as they do. They speak the things of their father, Satan, and he uses his abilities to further that end as far as he can. This simply means I must be forthright and truthful in everything I say and whatever I say, must be in the name of Jesus Christ and strictly from HIS Holy Word─the Bible.

How many of the scoffers would be able to understand the passage above? IF they understood it then they would know it was speaking of Noah and the flood, of all those that perished back then and understand what their beliefs were. Somewhere along the way they would know the history and would then understand how ignorant they are today, for NOT applying the truth of those previous days.The “present” is all that the scoffer cares about,”What can I have today, what is there for me right now?”

Is the scoffer any different from others? I doubt it. By in large one never has to be “vocal” in their scoffing to be considered a scoffer. Their lives will confirm what they believe. We, the born-again believers know they scoff out of ignorance of God’s Word. This is one of the reasons we preach what we know of the Word. “Tolerance” of everything is simple fear of it all! Think on that for a moment. If you find yourself in a very compromising situation, wouldn’t you want everyone to be a bit more tolerant toward you?

This is the basic reason for everyone being “tolerant” of just about anything that comes along. They feel that they need to be “supportive,” just in case they fall into a similar trap or situation. They have this idea, “If I am more tolerant of others, then I can show that I am seeking “peace.” By in large they are afraid of everyone and everything. How awful it must be for them, to live in such fear, every day, days upon days.

“Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you” (Philippians 4:5-9, emphasis added).

Somehow or another the previous passage has nothing to say about being “tolerant.” If anything, it begs that you have a strong belief in Jesus Christ. It states that there is no other than Jesus Christ who can give this “peace.” Having stated that, it must be understood that the last thing you want to trust in are the words of a scoffer! As we have learned before from God’s Word, Christ is the Vine and we are the Branches, we are all able to produce “good fruit”. It must be understood and seen that the scoffer has no such “root-system” to rely on. Therefore his fruit could be anything, even something poisonous! Is that “something” you would be willing to bet your eternal life on? How many times would you be willing to visit that particular vineyard, the POSSIBLY poisonous one. A simple roll of the dice everytime you eat there, right?

Now...you have read that Jesus Christ will take you to heaven for all of eternity, IF you are willing to accept HIS precious gift of salvation! Straight-up and simple...right? Still as yet, the vast majority have not chosen that particular route! How incredible is that? Okay...let’s look at this a different way: You’re standing there and someone is pointing a gun at you and he says your gonna die, but he doesn’t give you any reason or way out. Is that fair? NO. Right? Well that is not even the case here. God is going to destroy the world because of all the SIN in it...BUT...He gives you a way out of it, and then HE goes on and tells why and how to be saved. And to think that the vast majority doesn’t want to hear about that way to be saved? And then the “scoffers” are calling you and me...ignorant? I beg to differ...vigoruosly!

People...We are Right NOW in the last days...the Rapture is so close...you can almost touch the hem of our Lords robe.WAKE-UP! The bells are ringing and the born-again are screaming their heads off...sounding the alarm from the wall of the city! YOU need to awaken your family members, YOU need to tell them what all is going on! Grab your Bible and to hell with the storm, Jesus Christ is right there with you, march on, preach HIS word, tell HIS story and help everyone you meet!

Do you remember the story of Jesus walking on the water? His disciples were in the boat and a storm came up buffeting the boat horribly. (Remember these guys were seasoned sailors!) They saw Jesus walking on the water a ways away and they became afraid, they even thought HE was a ghost! Jesus said, “Be of good cheer, it is I: do not be afraid,” and they let Him into the boat and He told the waves to be calm and they became calm! Here’s my question, “What do YOU have to be afraid of if Jesus Christ─GOD─is with you and YOU believe in HIM? NOTHING! Hellooo!

All you have to do is ask people, “Do you want to live for eternity or not? If they don’t want to talk to you, then let them go their way...BUT...if they do want to talk, then here is your chance! Give them the information that will speak to their heart, show them who is the center of your life. The last thing you want to do is argue with someone who is ignorant...and ignorant by choice! Remember, they live for today, they have no concept of the future and they never learn from the past! That should be enough for you to wish them well...with a smile!

“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord. There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous. Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the Lord is his refuge” (Psalm 14:1-6).

Contacting the Dead?

                      Contacting the Dead? 

Our local public library provides space for all types of groups and individuals as part of their service to the public. It can range from science, to art, to history, and, in this latest instance, to that of the supernatural. Lately it has arranged an appearance of a young woman who is a self-professed medium. By the information that went out about her, it seems that not only does she contact the dead, but encourages others to do so as well. Apparently, the list filled up quickly in such a quantity as to necessitate a move to the local fire house for additional space as this has proven to be insufficient at the library. Even this has not been enough since waiting list has now become necessary.
It appears that this woman has attracted the attention of a local weekly newspaper as well which has provided a great deal of coverage about her. After giving her considerable “ink,” I felt strongly moved to write a letter to the editor and present a view of this subject from a biblical point of view – something I have rarely heard covered even in the days before my church denomination spiraled into apostasy. It seems that, like Bible Prophecy, it has been and continues to be largely ignored. This is what we'll explore greater detail here. 
Perhaps the best place to begin is to ask the question: Is the spirit world real? 

Since God himself is Spirit, as are the angels in heaven, the answer is clearly, "Yes." But does it end there? The evangelist Paul, who wrote most of what comprises the Epistles in the New Testament of the Bible, reveals that there is a darker component just as real. In fact, he reveals that the struggle between good and evil we see on Earth is merely a reflection of what is going on in a much bigger scale in the spiritual realm which lies beyond our senses:
Ephesians 6:12: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

There is, in fact, a battle raging even now between God and his angels; Satan and his demons. The harsh world that we face every day is merely a reflection of this very thing. 

Now who is exactly is Satan? From the book of Job, second chapter, in the Old Testament, we see that he is called one of "the sons of God." This was a term used to designate angels - supremely powerful beings God created as fully mature very likely before the formation of our universe. The Bible also reveals that Satan - once known as Lucifer, was once an ally of God whose pride caused him to fall (Isaiah 14:12-15). The book of Revelation suggests a third of the angels, sometimes symbolically called "stars" – e.g. Revelation 1:20) joined him in his rebellion (Revelation 12:4 - the dragon mentioned here is Satan which is shown in verse 9.).

The devil has always coveted God's throne, even trying to get Jesus himself to roll over (Luke 4:1-11). This battle for supremacy continues and the prime method used toward this end is that of deception. What few realize is that the reptilian image most presented of Satan is not at all the case, as Paul shows us here:

2 Corinthians 11:14-15 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

I presented this preface to provide some of the background that will be helpful to consider when we are faced with the claims of those who believe they are contacting the dead. What does the Bible say on the subject of death?
Let's take a look:

Daniel 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.

Note that there is no mention of the souls of the dead being involved with the living here.

There is also the matter of what appears to be a "one place or the other" principle. To the repentant thief, Jesus said:

Luke 23:43And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Paul wrote:
2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

This suggests that the souls of the departed don't hang around on Earth after the death of the body year after year, century after century. It also casts serious doubt on the concept of "purgatory." The Bible pretty much says, you either go to meet God when you die, or you go into hell to await final judgment (Revelation 20:11-15) - no stops or delays on the way either to heaven or Sheol.

Now that we've looked at what happens to the departed souls, what doesthe Bible say about playing around with the occult in general? Under the Mosaic Laws, it was pretty harsh:

Leviticus 20:27 A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.

In the New Testament it appears this approach was softened, but by every indication still to be avoided (Acts 8:9-22; 16:16-18). Perhaps even more telling is that there is NEVER in either testament of the Bible ANY TIME when dealing with the occult is presented in a positive manner. Jesus never did it, nor did his disciples. 
What should that tell us?

As another example of necromancy (communicating with the dead) is something to be avoided, note the tragic tale of Israel's first king Saul in 1 Samuel 28:7-20). What is interesting in this account is that the medium appeared to actually raise the spirit of Samuel - who “came up” probably out of the ground. Why didn't he, as a righteous man, "come down" from heaven? It appears that prior to Jesus' resurrection and ascension, the souls of the righteous dwelt in a place later called "Abraham's Bosom," while the wicked resided in a place we'd normally picture as hell (Luke 16:19-31), both of which realms were part of "Sheol," translated in the King James Version as "the grave." The Greek word "hades" is a direct equivalent. After Jesus rose from death and ascended 40 days afterward into heaven, it appears that the righteous also could now go there, too, (possibly an event which followed the account in Matthew 27:50-53) and that is where they and those who believe in Jesus are now. That once-mortal people who lived on Earth are seen in heaven is recorded in Revelation in several places (Revelation 4:4-11; 7:9-10).

For those who never heard about Jesus, it is a little more unclear, but I am sure a just God will never rip anyone off. Paul suggests this very thing (Romans 2:14-16). It would also seem that before the age of discretion, all children go there automatically (Matthew 19:14) - and this is a particularly comforting thought. 

How about our devout Jewish friends? The Bible tells us the God chose the Hebrews out of all the people on the Earth to reveal himself across the ages. Jesus himself was, of course, very much a Jew descended from Jacob’s son Judah, as was King David. Perhaps at some point in their lives, maybe even at the very end, those Jews, anyone in fact who may not, for whatever reason, have known about Jesus, but who have earnestly sought after God have the chance to accept Jesus. This, of course, is pure speculation on my part. I really don't have an answer to this question, other than to believe that God will ALWAYS do what's right. 

As for evil people who have willfully rejected God (and his Son in the A.D. era), these end up in the "torment section" of Sheol, waiting for final judgment at the final end of history (again, see Revelation 20:11-15).

So, what are we to make of those who contact "loved ones" who have died?

If those who rejected God are in hell, those who accepted him are in heaven, how does one explain supposedly getting in touch with dead loved ones and reportedly receiving information that only they would know? Could it be that what they are contacting are in fact evil spirits, demons, if you like, masquerading as the souls of those they have lost? Remember these beings are immortal and who knows just how much information they may be privy to on Earth during a person's life? Certainly the devil himself has great access as the "prince of this world (John 12:31)".

If you read again what Paul wrote about Satan's penchant for deception, appearing as an “angel of light” to provide a deceptive message, along with those working for him, it seems like preying on a person's weakness to be reunited with a loved one presents a prime opportunity and excellent chance to drag an unsuspecting individual into the world of the occult, something the Bible has told us to avoid. I am sure he also takes full advantage out of people who genuinely mean well and wish to comfort others regarding their dead relatives and loved ones, but are ignorant of what the Bible has to say. Remember sincerity itself is never a guarantee of someone being correct. They could very well be “sincerely wrong!”

In view of what the evidence here shows, my advice is to leave to God those things that are clearly in his jurisdiction and not to open the door to the devil and the powers of darkness. If you are involved in any of this, GET OUT OF IT! If you know anyone who is, let them know where the Bile stands on this issue, and do all you can to persuade them to do the same! The decision, of course, lies with each individual - you can't make it for them.

But you can give them the truth - and in so doing stop them from traveling a very dangerous path!