Ghosts

[Melethiel]

Also with motion blur lighting is always effected too and the lamps in the background are perfectly orbed

Motion blur the layer and then flatten image instead of blending the layers together...

 

[Deep_MindQuest]

Reincarnation - Past Lives


This is of course NOT true ! A person as one physical lifetime, then they spend eternity in either one place, Heaven or Hell. There is NO reincarnation or past life.

But what about them feelings or the things I talked about while under hypnosis ?

That is either one of two things ! Either in the past the person who has feelings of another life, read or heard of the information and later forgot about it in their normal consciousness, or under the hypnosis that were the victim of demonic influence. When in a hypnotic state the mind is not under the normal control of the persons will, they are open to influence, this influence can come from the hypnotist or a demon.

Demons have been around for longer then the earth and know facts about history, and have easy access to historical records, births, deaths, even peoples feelings, that have died years before.

These demonic impressions are placed into the persons mind that is being hypnotised and thus believes they have lived a past life.

If you believe in reincarnation, you are not believing in the Bible. If you believe the Bible, reincarnation with the law of karma is a contradiction to the Bible, because it offers no loving God, no forgiving grace, and robs the Almighty of his attribute of mercy. The sacrifice of Christ on the Cross and the shedding of his blood cannot be compatible with a system of belief that denies his atonement.
-----------------
Hebrews 9:27
-----------------
Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.
------------------------------------------------------------
Ghosts - Communicating with the dead - EVP and more


The Bible clearly tells us there are NO ghosts as far as them being the souls of dead people that roam the earth or come back to talk to us after death ! The spirit returns to God at death and is then spends eternity in either heaven or hell.

So then what or who are we seeing when a dead loved one appears to us, or when we see a person (ghost) in a house or basement ? This is a demonic spirit. Remember these beings have great knowledge of the past even can predict future events. These beings can appear as anyone of anything. Remember the Bible says even the devil (Satan) can appear as an angel of light ! The demons can shows up as orbs, people, animals and other things on film, or they can whisper, talk in echos, backwards, ancient languages, and more on voice recorders (EVP).

Some of the reasons these demons are appearing more and more around the country as ghosts are: They want folks to dabble in the occult, using such things as Ouija Boards, Pendulums, Automatic Writing and other satanic things to try to contact their dead loved ones, in reality all this will do is allow demonic activity to occur or manifest in the persons life.

Plus, the more people that start trying to talk to the dead, gives these beings a role in their human lives, something that should be filled by Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit of God, not Satan !
------------------
Ecclesiastes 12:7
------------------
And the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
-------------
Job 7:9-10
-------------
As a cloud vanishes and is gone, so he who goes down to the grave does not return. He will never come to his house again, his place will know him no more.

----------------------------
We are even WARNED to NOT even try talking or communicating with the dead ! Stay away from psychics, mediums, fortune tellers, ouija boards, pendulums and any occult activity:
'Let no one be found among you ... who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord' (Deuteronomy 18:10-12).
http://endtimes-armageddon.blogspot.com/2005/08/biblical-fact-vs-doctrines-of-demons.html Biblical Fact VS Doctrines Of Demons (lies... lies...) ............................................. WHAT ARE GHOSTS, AND OTHER INVISIBLE SPIRITS??

Ghosts like UFO’s are a topic that stirs the imagination and sparks intrigue into the minds of most people. With so many sightings worldwide there must be something real to all of this. Much of our intrigue comes from the fact that most of us want to know what happens after death. Ghosts in this sense are representing a hope of an after life. This hope creates a drive to search for answers. I find that most people attracted to the supernatural are people who are sensitive to and more aware of life that goes beyond the five senses. They are “seekers” looking for more in life than what they have. Most also desire to be better people as a result of their quest.

Real experiences

Many people have experienced seeing the appearance of departed loved ones or those of well-known people from the past. It is assumed that ghosts are the spiritual remains of the deceased existing on another plane of existence in an energy form. Very convincing cases have been produced to suggest that some ghosts seem to linger on with unresolved and unfinished business to accomplish. Other cases would indicate that in a traumatic death the person seems “stuck” in a place or area where the event took place. Sightings have become so popular that it is harder to find someone who has not had a supernatural encounter.

Seek to find

To the curious minded seeker who wants to find out what is really going on, making contact would seem like the only logical action to pursue. This can be very dangerous in a spiritual way and at times even a physical one. Without having all of the information many seekers have plunged into many different forms of contact.

Within the “New Age” movement, a Medium, Psychic or Channeler is sought after to contact spirit guides, angels, ghosts of the departed and even aliens. One popular “New Age” group offers a book and course (“A course in Miracles”) to assist in making contact. These practices have become increasingly popular.

Discernment is needed

In all of these practices what guidelines are used? What standard is applied to help an individual to discern “crafty manipulation” from a real spiritual experience? And even the real experiences, How do you know where the supernatural sources you contact are coming from? What is the standard used for discernment and guidance? Is “A course in Miracles” able to guide you? There is a refusal within most “New Age” thought to even believe in any negative or evil entities. It is believed that Satan does not even exist, that he is the personification of man’s own ignorance. Ignorance, not Satan becomes the enemy,, therefore the more we become educated in spiritual truths the less evil should exist? Our own History and that of other cultures certainly do not testify to that! ,, WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT LIFE AFTER DEATH,,

WHAT ARE GHOSTS, AND OTHER INVISIBLE SPIRITS??


Ghost are not departed loved ones!
The Bible has much to say about this topic that most people today are not aware of.. This lack of understanding in many cases is because they have never been taught from the Bible about ghosts at their place of worship. Another reason is simply today many people do not believe the relevancy of the Bible at all. It will become clear with just a few scriptures what happens to us when we die.

Job 7:9-10 “As the cloud disappears and vanishes away, so he who goes down to the grave does not come up. He shall never return to his house, nor shall his place (body) know him anymore.”

This makes it very clear that the departed do not “roam” the earth or return. They stay dead and separated from this level of existence. There are more scriptures that concur with this thought.

Heb 9:27 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment ”:

There is a judgment placed upon the dead that determines what happens to them next. This determination has nothing to do with good works, or spiritual knowledge it has to do with your reliance upon God to direct your life. (Eph 2:8)

So where do we go Old Testament style:
Before Christ finished his first mission to earth on the cross; departed souls went into a hollow earth. There exists two chambers within, separated by a gulf. The Apostle Luke recorded Jesus as describing this very idea to the people as he spoke about the realties of the afterlife.

Luke 16:22-31 "So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. "Then he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.' "But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 'And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.' "Then he said, 'I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.' "Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' "And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' "But he said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.”

The rich man went to a real literal Hell, while Lazarus went to Abraham’s bosom. What sounds weird makes sense when you understand some cultural customs and expressions. A bosom in ancient times was called the space (like a pocket) formed above the belted waist by a robe-like tunic. It was often used to carry things while in the marketplace. A common practice a couple of thousand of years ago. We no longer wear such apparel and some cultural meaning has been lost. “Abraham’s bosom” then, was this “pocket” in the earth. Because the beggar was named, this was to be taken as a literal event and not just a “story”. The dialog here says it all. Even if one were to return they would not be believed. The implication is that God is not going to use this method to get people to believe in any form of afterlife. To believe “Moses and the prophets” was to believe the written word; the Old Testament. If you won’t believe the Bible you just won’t believe. For the dead to return was not allowed in the Old testament times and even more so in the New. (cf/ w Isa 28:29)

Warning: The Bible has determined that speaking to invisible spirits may be hazardous to you health!

The Bible does not say that it is impossible for the dead to speak to the living. In 1Samual 28:7- 12 the story is told of King Saul’s attempt to speak to the departed Samuel through a woman with a “familiar spirit”. She makes the connection and brings the two together. She is also shocked because Saul had hidden his appearance from her but supernaturally knows that he is the King! (You could get the death penalty doing this back then) Samuel reveals the future to Saul but so is a sentence for disobedience to God.

“So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it; And inquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse. Chr 10:13-14

Just because this practice was real and produced real results does not mean that this is an approved method by God. Quite the contrary, this is a practice prohibited by God clearly in no uncertain terms.

Deut 18:10-12 There shall not be found among you any one that makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that uses divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. (KJV)

Some things changed in New Testament times:

In the New Testament it is recorded that after the death of Christ he went into this area of Abraham’s Bosom to set the captives free. Eph 4:8-10. There was a removal of those in Paradise. Now those who die in faith go directly to be with the Lord in another dimension called Heaven.

.2 Cor 5:8 “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” Contact with the deceased is not even suggested in the New Testament. What changed in the New Testament was the upper part of the inner earth or Paradise, its empty now. This was only a holding tank for those who died in faith. When Christ would become the bridge across dimensions, by his finished work at the cross, those that died with faith in God could now be released to into Heaven. The only thing mentioned speaking through people in the New Testament times were demons. Here is one of several examples:

Acts 16:16-18 Once when we were going to the place of prayer we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her. (NIV)

I wish those that think this is foolish or that I am being unfair to Casper, could sit just a few minutes in on a “deliverance”. Suddenly all the intellectual theories are gone, as you might see the vile hatred and contortions they are provoked into by simply using the name Jesus. God sees this contact as insulting. He would rather people contact him directly as this verse clearly indicates

Isa 8:19 “And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?”

 

[Deep_MindQuest]

SO WHAT ARE GHOSTS AND INVISIBLE SPIRITS
In view of such conflicting statements from the Bible with the experiences many are having today, The question remains, What are ghosts and every other kind of invisible spirit? Ghosts are disembodied spirits, but not of normal humans.. They are an unusual result of a special judgment by God imposed upon a very unusual group of creatures. I say creatures because they are not human or angelic they were a combination of both! In Genesis 6th chapter we are given the background of the world just before the Great Flood which was a judgment from God.

Gen 6:1-4 “Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose... There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown”.

Much controversy hinges on the interpretation of the “Sons of God” and the “Giants”. For the sake of space, the quick version is this: The “sons of god’ are fallen angels that took human form, married and interbreed with the female population of Earth. Their offspring were called the mighty men of renown. These were half human and angelic beings mortal yet eternal beings. As Judgment was passed upon the earth, these hybrids and their fallen angel parents were sentenced to everlasting chains of darkness as described in 2 Peter 2:4 and Jude1:6.

“ And angels who did not keep their own domain,(angelic order) but abandoned their proper abode,(a body) He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day,” Jude1:6. “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;” 2 Pet 2:4

In this text, most of us get the visualization of Angels shackled to a dungeon like pit. In the Greek we get quite a different picture. This special sentence is actually described as a wrap around shroud of darkness of obscurity, or as Strong’s put it - a ghost. The chains have more of a meaning of a cycle of going up and trailed down. This cycle is understood by the event at Gadareneas. As Jesus commanded Legion a group of unclean spirits out of a man, they begged him not to send them back to the pit. They were cast into a heard of pigs and drowned. These were disembodied spirits that possessed a man and then placed into animals. They roamed upon the earth but belonged in hell. These are the angels that sinned before the flood and their offspring. This is the cycle of going up and down.

Through various practices of communication (Ouija board) and conjuring up spirits, (Psychic’s Mediums, Seances) they are called up from the pit to roam once again until being cast back down.

A Plan to give false Hope of life after death.

These ghosts of the Giants have been around for thousands of years. They have roamed the earth as invisible agents for their leader Satan. They can have knowledge of crimes because they inspired many of them. They can know your most personal experiences as they might have been there or someone else’s from hundreds of years ago. They are conspiring against mankind to give a false hope and idea of life after death. They are getting mankind ready to receive them once again in the living flesh as prophesied in the scriptures along with their leader. These “New Age” forms of contact with spirits are the most dangerous events to happen to mankind since the time before the flood. If you will not believe the truths in the Bible about a personal God who loves you, I guarantee you will believe THE BIG LIE!

Paranormal experiences would increase at the end times

1 Tim 4:1 “Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; II Th 2:9-11 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness (a wrong way) in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:”

I believe we are in these “last days” with a New Age that is to be brought in by the return of Christ. We are told here that just prior to this, many people shall depart from the God of the Bible by seducing spirits. Now these are real entities that do not have mankind’s best interest at hand. You cannot hedge around this scripture. There is no other way to interpret this text, there are evil entities that exist and you must have some standard to discern the difference. Without discernment, you could be seduced to a wrong belief system.

Even in the wording from the original Greek, the implications are that these are morally decent people who want to be more. In their search they are seduced and deceived from reality. They do this because they do not believe in the God of the Bible as truth. Rather they accept some self made image or alternate source. This seduction is accomplished by appealing to emotions and needs that in themselves are not wrong. What is wrong is the offer of a counterfeit means of fulfilling these needs in ways contrary to and warned by God not to pursue.

A plan to make Evil Good, and Good Evil

A good example of this is the new popular show on the Sci-Fi channel where the announcer explains about this John Edward’s special “gift” of speaking to the dead and re-uniting them with their living loved ones.

Every one would love to have a “second chance” to resolve or have closure on lost relationships or to have the assurance that their loved ones have passed on to a better place. In this very emotional experience, people are amazed by the personal information made known to the “medium or channeler”. With tears of joy they are comforted by the closure and assurance that, indeed they’re loved ones have passed on to a better place.

Now if I or anyone else were to try to explain that there might be some serious dangers with this type of processes, the usual response is, “How dare anyone try to take that experience away from them by saying it is wrong.”

This is where the seduction comes into play. This is also where good is made to look bad and bad looks good. The end warm and fuzzy happy results would appear to speak for themselves. Why would anyone oppose something that created such positive results and take those persons hope and joy away from them How cruel? If you believed the warnings in the Bible, you would feel compelled to warn of the dangers. The motivation is one out of care, not some competitive jealousy! But this is where the Bible believer is caught in a catch 22 situation. A pretty slick trick by the enemy. So how do we warn you? How can we present facts you should consider? A seduction happens by creating illusions based upon what a person wants to hear. Illusions will not last or fulfill, they will eventually lead to disappointment and destruction either in this life or eternity. It’s not real.

War for the Souls of Mankind

There is a war going on between heavenly creatures. Some of them are evil. They do not have mankind’s best intentions. They can come sounding like angels of God but they are here to deceive and destroy.

2 Cor 11:14-15 “And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works”.

This is the seduction! Acting and Doing good things in deceitful wrong ways. So how do we discern? I Jn 4:1-3 “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.”

We are to use some common sense and realize that not every entity is good. There really are evil ones as well. The Bible is very clear about that fact. The discernment centers around the person of Christ. He is our only mediator and advocate. ( I Tim 2:5, 1John2:1) A spirit will either speak in harmony to God’s Word and claim HIM as Lord or it will tell you something of a different Jesus not one who is God in the flesh.

They will also become irritated by your questions about Jesus being Lord. That is what “testing the spirits” means. If you do not believe me put it to the test. The next time you astral project, or invite a walk- in or have any contact with any kind of Angel or spirit ask if Jesus is Lord or declare that as a statement. You may be surprised at the response you get.

Gal 1:8 “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”

God desires to guide you personally not through the dead or lying spirits, ascended masters or even angels.(It is God that sends his angels to assist and most of the time we are unaware. Heb 13:12. No where in the Bible did anyone “seek out to contact their angel”) He wants to hear from you alone!

Ps 9:10 “And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.”

Matt 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”.

What will be added to you? All things!

Matt 21:22 “ And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive”.

In context God is saying he will meet your earthly needs through prayer. We are also promised that if we need wisdom concerning any decision in our life, or knowledge about God’s ways concerning matters in our life he wants us to ask!

James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

In having a personal relationship with our creator...Jesus, we are guaranteed that he will direct your life. Wisdom knowledge and the assurance of our eternal salvation will be known!

Rom 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

“Called according to his purpose” means to agree with God. To agree with him is to do things his way not “alternative ways.”

John 14:13-20 “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you, I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you”.

You have to take the first step toward God by his ways. You need to acknowledge your wrong ways as sin. Rom 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

You must receive him into your heart by inviting him in. He is the only walk-in you need. John 1:12-13 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God”

.Born of God is to be “Born Again” by his Spirit. The only Spirit you need in your life. In this manner you “receive him” and become one of his children. Then you will begin to hear a voice or sense a direction in your life like you never have experienced before.

It is all a prayer away: Accept this invitation: Rev 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Just Pray: Jesus forgive me of my wrong ways and come into my heart and help me live for you. I thank you for saving me. Amen.

In conclusion: Ghosts are real but just because something is real does not make them real good!

 

[Aras]

I don't know but no one has brought up photoshopping the photo. That would be a simple task if someone knows how.

 

[simpleheart123]

the whole ghost/ invisible spirit thing being of the devil kindof offends me. i have no doubt the devil can work this way, but i don't think that spirits are exclusively demonic. if that is true, then my mother is of the devil. and i'm pretty sure i saw her in my room after she died in the hospital when i was little. she was a devout christian and an excellent mother, so i take personal offense to any suggestion that spirits which can interact with us are exclusively of the devil.

as far as reincarnation is concerned, i'm not sure i even want to get started. i've already been rebuffed in a bible study a few years ago, and i got my feelings hurt to be honest. i just have this crazy notion that Earth is actually hell, and when we meet God after we die, He evaluates our life and is like, "hey, you did good in this, this, and this. however, you didn't quite get it like I hoped. you'll need to improve on some things. so you'll have to go back and try to do better next time. don't worry, you might not believe in Me when you're there, but I am with you 100% of the way" aren't i insane?....cause this has just got to be absurd, huh

 

[mannysee]

uhuh

 

[linssue55]

What's your opinion, if any, on ghosts and the theory behind them. Is there any scriptual reference/evidence that ghosts exist?

I got this from a friend

No such things as ghosts. People coming back from the dead. Demons are all around us, but they are translucent, and cannot be seen by the human eye. This more than likely, trick photography. Keep and eye on Snopes.com, I am sure this will come up as ....False.

 

[GraceInHim]

Linssue55-

I dont know - never happened to me -I know my sister-in-law moved out of a house due to it - never seen it though - but others have said they seen them that stayed at her home -

 

[linssue55]

Linssue55-

I dont know - never happened to me -I know my sister-in-law moved out of a house due to it - never seen it though - but others have said they seen them that stayed at her home -

There is much that the bible does not talk about pertaining to this. But it does say that demons have extrordinary powers, and they LOVE causing doubts in people, that is their goal to put things around us that cause us doubts, and questions, to get us a way from the word, and to get our eyes on the unknown, and away from Jesus. Also, there are demons that possess people, that these same people "STATE" they have seen spirits. These are called "Engothromuthous" demons. Demons intellect, are very superior to ours, and they have nothing else to do, commanded by Satan, to cause division on planet earth, especially with believers.

 

[Lynn73]

the whole ghost/ invisible spirit thing being of the devil kindof offends me. i have no doubt the devil can work this way, but i don't think that spirits are exclusively demonic. if that is true, then my mother is of the devil. and i'm pretty sure i saw her in my room after she died in the hospital when i was little. she was a devout christian and an excellent mother, so i take personal offense to any suggestion that spirits which can interact with us are exclusively of the devil.

as far as reincarnation is concerned, i'm not sure i even want to get started. i've already been rebuffed in a bible study a few years ago, and i got my feelings hurt to be honest. i just have this crazy notion that Earth is actually hell, and when we meet God after we die, He evaluates our life and is like, "hey, you did good in this, this, and this. however, you didn't quite get it like I hoped. you'll need to improve on some things. so you'll have to go back and try to do better next time. don't worry, you might not believe in Me when you're there, but I am with you 100% of the way" aren't i insane?....cause this has just got to be absurd, huh

All this may sound good to your ears, but it isn't biblical. Listen to Deep_Mind Quest.

 

[AvatarOfAzrael]

Some of this may not be revelent, but oh well.

Sheol: She'owl, Sheole', Hebrew 7585; or She'ol; from Hebrew 7592 (Sha'al); Hades or the World of the Dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates. Sheol is the Hebrew language word denoting the "Abode of the Dead"; the "Underworld", "Grave" or "Pit". Think the Greek "Hades".

Ancient Israel conceived of a place called Sheol, a dark and gloomy place, to be sure, but no elements of punishment were attached to it.

Until the Resurrection, there is currently a temporary Heaven "Paradise" [Abraham's Bosum] (Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 12:4) and Hell "Hades" (Revelation 1:18; 20:13-14).

In a sense, a person's body is "sleeping" while their Soul is in Paradise or Hades. This body is then "awoken" and transformed into the eternal body a person will possess for eternity.

The Bible plainly teaches that the dead are conscious (see I Sam. 28:12-20; Is. 14:9ff.; Lk. 16:19-31, 20:38, 23:40-43; Rom. 14:9; II Cor. 5:6-9; Phil. 1:22-25; I Thes. 5:10; Heb. 12:1; I Pt. 3:18-19, 4:6; Rev. 6:9-10).

At death, man becomes a rephaim, i.e., "ghost," "shade," or "disembodied spirit," according to Job 26:5; Ps.88:10; Prov.2:18; 9:18, 21:16; Isa.14:9; 26:14, 19. Instead of describing man as passing into nonexistance, the Old Testament states that man becomes a disembodied spirit. The usage of the word "rephaim" irrefutably establishes this truth. Langenscheidt's Hebrew-English Dictionary to the Old Testament (p.324) defines refaim as referring to the "departed spirits, shades." Brown Driver and Briggs (p.952) define rephaim as "shades, ghosts...name of dead in Sheol."

It is a Hebrew fact that "rephaim" (ghost) means a disembodied spirit. The lexical sources proving it are here. Jehovah's Witnesses and Seventh Day Adventists fail to understand that the word "sleep" is a biblical metaphor. There are far too many passages in Scripture that prove that man is conscious after death.

This seems to be touched on here as well...

1st Samuel, where the Ghost of Samuel appeared to Saul and prophecised his destruction, "Why has thou bothered me to bring me up? Tommorow your sons and you will be with me!" And the Scripture *plainly* states over and over again that it was actually Samuel himself and so it wasn't a demon.

Hebrew Law warns against contacting the dead, notice that it does not call the spirits of the dead asleep or demons, but actual contact of the actual spirits of the dead.

Jesus Christ after His Resurrection, in response to his Apostles believing that He was a Ghost returned from the dead (The Apostles believed in Ghosts!), He said, "Fear not, for it is I! See, a ghost hath not flesh and bones as you see I have." Proving that Jesus Christ believed in the existance of Ghosts and even going as far as describing their characteristics.

The Spirit of Moses appeared to Jesus Christ on the mountain and conversed with Him and the Apostles witnessed it.

The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus clearly illustrates that the dead (i.e. disembodied spirits) do continue to exist as sentient beings after death.

To the thief on the cross Jesus Christ said, "Today you will be with me in Paradise", and 1 & 2 Peter stated that Jesus Christ was put to death in the flesh but raised to life in the Spirit by which he also went and preached to those Spirits in Prison who disobeyed God long ago, and that the Gospel was preached even to those who have died.

Christ's Spirit [pneuma - The divine nature of the [Soul] was awake and had an out-of-Body experience. At least we know that Devine Spirits [pneuma] are awake and active while outside the Body [1 Peter 3:18-19]

Good and Evil Spirits [pneuma] can communicate with each other. [1 Peter 3:19]

God holds Devine Souls [pneuma] in prison [phulake] [tartaroo]. [1 Peter 3:19] [2 Peter 2:4]

There are Christian souls [psuche] under the altar [thusiasterion] in Heaven before the end of time on Earth. [Rev 6:9]

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.

2 Corinthians 12:1-4 I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know - God knows. And I know that this person - whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that humans are not permitted to tell.

[Classic Near Death Experiance / Out Of Body Experiance; Proving the existance of a Soul seperate from the Physical Body that continues on after death]

"The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away." (Psalms 90:10)

The Soul and the Spirit are Separated from the Body at Death:

Luke 8:54-55 ". . . he, however, took her by the hand and called, saying, 'Child arise!' And her spirit returned, and she rose immediately; and He gave orders for something to be given her to eat."

James 2:26 "For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead."

1 Kings 17:21,22 "Then he stretched himself upon the child three times, and called to the Lord, and said, 'O Lord my God, I pray to Thee, let this child's life return to him.' And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah, and the life of the child returned to him and he revived."

The term "death" which is "thanatas" in Greek, does not mean to be non-existent or unconscious, it rather means to be separated. Some examples:

Colossians 2:13 "And when you were dead (separated from God not "unconscious") in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh . . . "

See also Ephesians 2:1 and Revelation 3:1

These scriptures clearly teach that the soul and spirit are more than breath. People's souls and spirits are separated from their bodies when they die. The soul is conscious in Heaven after death, awaiting the resurrection of the body.

The "Soul" of Christian Saints are Conscious After Death:

Revelation 6:9-11 "And when He broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, 'How long, O Lord, holy and true, wilt Thou refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?' And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, should be completed also."

Obviously a person's soul is more than his breath. These robed souls under the altar, crying out to God, are not "breaths." Note that these souls are conscious after death. They were martyred and after death are very much alive in Heaven. They have the ability to cry out to God and to wear white robes. God Himself tells them that more of their brethren will join them after they are killed.

Again in Revelation 20:4 "And I saw thrones; and they sat upon them, and judgement was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshipped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years."

Additional Scriptures Indicating the Consciousness of the Soul after Death:

Job 26:5-6
Matthew 22:31, 32
Luke 16:19-31
1 Thessalonians 5:10
Isaiah 14:9-11; 15-17

In 1 Thess.4:14 Paul states that the saints come "with Him" out of Heaven. They are already there. They are not asleep in the grave.

A ghost is the essence of a person believed to have survived death, theimpression of which remain connected in some way with the physical
world. Many paranormal investigators believe ghosts are the reflections
or residual echoes of those who die tragically or have unfinished
business. In some cases, a ghost may lead an investigator to clues that
may resolve some mystery about their death. For this reason, benign
hauntings should be handled with the utmost care, and even treated like
a criminal investigation (even if no crime is suspected, there could well
have been). Though it is possible to use magic and exorcisms to
forcefully expel a ghost, this should only be used against violent or
disruptive ghosts (generally termed as "wraiths"). If a ghost is doing
nothing to harm anyone, other than spooking them, an investigator
should attempt to communicate through séance, use psychic intuition, or
follow whatever path the ghost seems to be taking in order to look for
clues. On various occasions human remains, murder weapons, notes,
and diaries have been found, the discovery of which may lead to resolving the haunting.

(PM me for the link, seeing as I don't have enough posts to document the source, bleh)

Lets see if I can be brief, I doubt it though. There are four worlds commonly thought of. These are the worlds of existence. I will probably mispell them, seeing as I haven't kept up to date in awhile.

Atziluth--the world of the archetypes; wholly spiritual
Briah--the world of creation; the realm of the Mind
Yetzirah--the world of formation; the realm of the conscious
Assiah--the world of manifestation; the realm of the physical.

The Light of God pours down from Ein Soph, the Void, the state of Nothingness that IS pure existence, pure union with God in the highest sense of the term. This Light pours from Ein Soph to each of the corresponding Sephira, which pierce all four worlds. Atziluth is the world of pure archetypal, spiritual existence. The entities here are the most powerful entities in all of existence, for they can literally affect creation on a physical level. These beings are generally thought to be Divine Virtues, that is to say, emanations of God in the Highest Sense. For instance, the Spirit of Passion would fall under this catagory. This Spirit of Passion, which is reflected in the Sephira of Netzach, is the Spirit of God which has been perceived by the Greeks, which led them to form the myth of Aphrodite. Aphrodite is not the goddess of passion, but the archetype behind the myth would technically be deemed the "goddess" of Netzach. Continueing on, the Light goes from Ein Soph down through Atziluth to Briah, which is the world of the Mind. The previous archetypes or deities begin to become more actualized and specialized. These entities are known as archangels (or archdemons of the Qlipphoth). Now, continueing down to Yetzirah, the world of the Conscious, we have a whole slew of entities. This realm is commonly known as the Astral plane, and is connected with all of our minds.

It is said that if a thought or emotion is given enough energy (via mentally, such as intense focus), then an entity is born on the astral plane. For instance, many "deities" (or idols) were formed in this manor, yet whenever a new religion would emerge, the other entities (called egregores) would dissipate back to mental energy. However, when given enough energy, these beings can take on an existence wholly their own.

Like the passage said, it is believed that ghosts are simply astral emotional residue left by events or people that suffered that emotion. Take the movie "The Grudge" for instance. The ghostly entities depicted are ghostly residue of people who suffered deaths in an incredible rage, so much rage that actually birthed a living entity on the astral world. This entity takes the vague shape of the entity that created it, if it doesn't have much energy. If it does, it can take on a shape wholly its own. Often times it takes an incredible amount of energy to physically manifest, and that is why lesser ghosts often are simply seen as orbs which can only be detected by electronic equipment.

 

[cristoiglesia]

I do not know what it is but I will stay off the streets in Quezon City until someone comes up with what the picture is. The guy in the picture looks vaguely familiar, I think he is the manager of Fazoli's Restaurant near Makati. Oh well with 30 million people and countless demons he could be anybody. He is probably just a Japanese tourist trying to get in the picture or a Aussie looking for Outback Restaurant. I think that he is bent over as a reaction to eating his first balut. Just giving some forensic evidence that may help in authenticating the picture. I know he is not filipino because if he was he would have grabbed both ladies.


Fr. Joseph

 

[GraceInHim]

getting hungry now - mmm Fazoli's

 

[cristoiglesia]

getting hungry now - mmm Fazoli's

I thinlk we have at least three and maybe as many as five Fazoli's in the Manila area. They are doing quite well. The recipes are quite different. Panoy's love Italian food, especially spaggetti but tomato sauce is very sweet. I was shocked when I first moved here when I ordered a pizza and found it to be very sweet almost like a pastry. I have since found out that if it has tomatoes that it will be very sweet. I usually order something with an alfredo sauce to avoid the sweetness of the tomatoes. The tomatoes here are an assault on my Western palate.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

 

[GraceInHim]

I had so many Philipine friends when my husband was a Marine -and they have like Italian last names - such nice people - best friends I ever had - oh I am Italian so I would cook for them and they would cook for me - loved lumpia and the fried rice is much better then Chinese!!

 

[cristoiglesia]

I had so many Philipine friends when my husband was a Marine -and they have like Italian last names - such nice people - best friends I ever had - oh I am Italian so I would cook for them and they would cook for me - loved lumpia and the fried rice is much better then Chinese!!

I agree. We are going to have Lumpia tomorrow and I will beg for fried rice. I was also a Marine during the Vietnam War. My only experience with the Philippines was that I took R&R here from Vietnam. I did serve with some Philippino's. They are fearless fighters, most Christians are, I guess because we have some place to go and are not in fear of the afterlife. Never thought I would live here in the Philippines but found my Philippina bride in Saudi Arabia. My ancestry on my paternal side is French and Jewish and on my mothers side German. I prefer to refer to myself as a Southern redneck from North Carolina.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

 

[GraceInHim]

I agree. We are going to have Lumpia tomorrow and I will beg for fried rice. I was also a Marine during the Vietnam War. My only experience with the Philippines was that I took R&R here from Vietnam. I did serve with some Philippino's. They are fearless fighters, most Christians are, I guess because we have some place to go and are not in fear of the afterlife. Never thought I would live here in the Philippines but found my Philippina bride in Saudi Arabia. My ancestry on my paternal side is French and Jewish and on my mothers side German. I prefer to refer to myself as a Southern redneck from North Carolina.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

thanks to my friends I learned how to make lumpia - everyone loves them - I bet your wife is a sweetheart - and goes all out when people come over for dinner - they are alot like Italians - wish I still had my friends near me - since he retired - everyone went there on way - husband use to go on floats to Philipines - he actually ate monkey there - visited our friends parents there.

and they always called each other - the woman - mamasan??? LOL

 

[cristoiglesia]

thanks to my friends I learned how to make lumpia - everyone loves them - I bet your wife is a sweetheart - and goes all out when people come over for dinner - they are alot like Italians - wish I still had my friends near me - since he retired - everyone went there on way - husband use to go on floats to Philipines - he actually ate monkey there - visited our friends parents there.

and they always called each other - the woman - mamasan??? LOL

Philippina's are always looking for an excuse to have a party. There is always lots of food. The reason for the Lumpia tomorrow is that we have friends coming today from the US. We are throwing a Filipino party for them. We will also have lechon and manok. They will be amazed at all the fruit and the different varieties. I am making it a point of getting fruits that they have never seen in the US. We will even prepare some bananaque and purple sweet potato. I bet there will be some spaghetti, filipina style, of course. We will go to Lake Taal next weekend and climb the volcano, maybe do some sailing there. We live only about an hour and a half from there. I am anxious to see how long it takes them to get used to sleeping on a mat on the floor. They may move into a hotel after a few nights of that. But, we do not have any beds here.

I ate monkey in Panama when I attended escape and evasion school. Did not really taste bad but it looked human when it was cooked. Not very appetizing. You are right about Filipino's, some of the warmest and friendliest people on the planet. Very family oriented people. Family is so important to Filipino's. There are a lot of Americans coming here to retire. People can live like kings off of Social Security alone.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

 

[GraceInHim]

Philippina's are always looking for an excuse to have a party. There is always lots of food. The reason for the Lumpia tomorrow is that we have friends coming today from the US. We are throwing a Filipino party for them. We will also have lechon and manok. They will be amazed at all the fruit and the different varieties. I am making it a point of getting fruits that they have never seen in the US. We will even prepare some bananaque and purple sweet potato. I bet there will be some spaghetti, filipina style, of course. We will go to Lake Taal next weekend and climb the volcano, maybe do some sailing there. We live only about an hour and a half from there. I am anxious to see how long it takes them to get used to sleeping on a mat on the floor. They may move into a hotel after a few nights of that. But, we do not have any beds here.

I ate monkey in Panama when I attended escape and evasion school. Did not really taste bad but it looked human when it was cooked. Not very appetizing. You are right about Filipino's, some of the warmest and friendliest people on the planet. Very family oriented people. Family is so important to Filipino's. There are a lot of Americans coming here to retire. People can live like kings off of Social Security alone.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Oh I can imagine the food - I do not find it here in NewEngland - yes they are so nice - and I remember they use to send money to thier Parents - we were all in CA - they work hard too - and will do anything for anyone - go to church every Sunday - Easter is special for them - they truly follow Christ - and are Catholics - well you know all that - I just reflect because I miss my freinds -- never had any like them.... happy party and God bless you and your family there

 

[TrustAndObey]

I generally distrust anything such as "hey look at this neat [insert whatever]" when I receive them from my friends via email.....

You'll see if you play with the different "fade invert" options in PS that the "ghost" image was added to the original. The values for the ghost never change. That and it's not transparent. Just another layer manipulated to look like a ghost before the image was flattened.

Dontcha just love PhotoShop?!

Someone mentioned that the Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man proves people live after death...but I'd like to point out that the Parable is about the choices we make in LIFE, not about what really happens to us when we die.

You can have all the riches in the world on this planet while you are living, but what you really need to be concerned with is your eternal life (which is dependent on your choices in life).

As far as ghosts....Job 7:9 As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more. 10 He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more.

The Witch of Endor described an image that looked like Samuel to Saul, but Saul never saw the image himself. We have to remember that Saul went to the witch because God wasn't talking to him anymore. He went against God to consult a medium, and what she brought up was not really Samuel. Christians are never to try to contact the dead.

I'm not saying people don't see "something" sometimes, but when they do, it is not of God. If you see a dead loved one....RUN.