by Dusty May Taylor
In Parts 1 and 2 of this series, I went over what the bible tells us about visits from the dead. We discovered that the lost are trapped in Hades after death, that familiar spirits may come to deceive or through mediums, and that communication from the dead is highly forbidden by the Lord, along with forms of witchcraft.
Now we are going to look at the lighter side of things (uhh – sort of), which is the fate of the dead in Christ, and why some believe He may sovereignly send them as messengers.
What about believers in the Cloud of Witnesses?
We know that believers who physically die go to be with Jesus in Heaven, or Paradise. This is clearly stated during the crucifixion, where a criminal sentenced to death alongside Jesus made a request:
Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Christians frequently talk about the “cloud of witnesses,” a term they use to refer to deceased believers cheering us on. However, scripture is inconclusive on whether or not believers who go to be with Jesus in Heaven can see our activities here on earth. In Hebrews the heroes of the faith are listed, followed by this intriguing verse:
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (. . .)
Some believe this means we are literally being watched by the deceased in Heaven, from a “cloud” or spirit realm. Others believe Hebrews 12:1 means they are a witness to us, not of us. The difference can be understood by comparing with the following:
(. . .) I will make an everlasting covenant with you—
The sure mercies of David.
Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people,
A leader and commander for the people.
Adding more credence to the theory that the cloud of witnesses really sees us, however, are scriptures in Revelation that seem to imply those in heaven are aware of what is happening on earth.
And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.
Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.
Are we understanding this correctly? And if we are, is it the exception or the rule? Not all Christians agree on this subject and the Bible never makes it clear. There is no record at all of them being permitted to communicate with us, in contrast to the multiple scriptures forbidding us to make contact with the deceased.
Yeah, well Moses and Elijah visited Jesus on Mt. Transfiguration!
This is true! Moses and Elijah, who scholars tend to agree represent the Law and the Prophets, had a meeting with Jesus and scared the daylights out of His disciples.
Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”— because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid.
Okay, so Elijah and Moses came to see Jesus. There was also that one time Samuel was sent to Saul, was super ticked off and cursed him (see Part 2). Out of all the righteous deceased in Christ, this brings the count to three Old Testament prophets God allowed to resurface — and absolutely nobody else.
Um, Do Angels Fit in Anywhere?
I’m so glad you asked!
But to which of the angels has He ever said:
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”?
Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
A quick search of scripture will show you that God does have spirit messengers on the earth, and they are angels. Sometimes they appear as people. I won’t list all the scriptures, but it is easy to search online. The disciples once thought Peter wasn’t Peter, but his angel:
When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, “It is his angel.”
Opinions on what the Bible means by this scripture differ. As far as I’m concerned, it’s another mystery. I’m content to imagine all sorts of interesting things! I just won’t teach them as fact. But, we do know that angels brought heaps of messages to people on the Lord’s behalf, and even ministered to Jesus Himself.
So, what do we conclude?
- It is extremely clear that those who go to Hades don’t wander the earth in some invisible realm, and can’t come to us with a message.
- It is also clear that God has sent deceased Old Testament prophets to earth with a message on two occasions. Once seemed to signify Jesus’ impending fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, and once was a demonically inspired event that resulted in Saul’s death.
- Nowhere in scripture does God send the deceased as messengers.
- Angels are sent to the living as messengers on a regular basis in the Bible. Receiving a message or help from an angel should not surprise us. (Nowhere in scripture do we see God permit a human being to command or summon an angel. These are God’s servants, not ours)
- Multiple times in scripture it is forbidden to initiate contact with the dead. It is clear that there are familiar spirits, servants of the evil one, who will gladly take us up on that invitation.
- It is unclear whether our loved ones are watching us from Heaven, and many believe they are.
- Having said all of that, the Bible never clearly states that God can’t send our deceased loved ones (who were believers and went to be with the Lord) to us with a personal message. Because of this, there are those who believe this is possible or even common.
Allowing Mystery to be Mysterious
Many have experienced comfort in a dream or vision that assured them their loved one is with the Lord. As long as it doesn’t lead to confusion, an understanding of reality that contradicts scripture, or lead the individual to seek communication with their deceased loved one (which is forbidden and leads to demons), this comfort can be left as it is.
Some believers have claimed to have actual visitations from deceased believers in waking hours, not just as a symbolic vision and not in a dream. Biblically, it’s possible. Since the only time this was permitted in scripture was Mt. Transfiguration, I think we have reason to doubt our perception and test these spirits just as we would a teaching or angel.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
A spiritual experience in the form of a deceased believer that causes you to be comfortable with the idea of communicating with the dead, changes your understanding of what the bible teaches about the afterlife, or brings some new revelation to you, should be treated with utmost caution. This isn’t something to process alone, but with trusted friends and pastors. If a friend comes to us with such an experience, we can’t assume it’s from the Lord or assume it isn’t. Assumptions make us dumb. We have to weigh it out and know why we believe what we believe!
And — thus concludes my thoughts on visits from the dead. Thanks so much for reading, and I hope it helped!
What do you think? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. 🙂
dustymaytaylor.com 
I loved reading this. I’m a Baptist ministers daughter, and my daddy has been departed since 2007, and I agree with your consensus. However, I do believe that GOD does give permission on certain occasions to use our departed love ones for The Lords purpose to help us, or encourage us, or even on occasion warn us on things, as a means of preparation. Which may have possibly been the reason for the transfiguration on the Mount. God is God, and HE is the ONE who is in Control at all times, and so many of our questions may never be answered. I believe there are so many things that shall remain a mystery, for now anyways, and maybe again, for all eternity. Thanks for writing this. Very Insightful Read!