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We have
already noted that the fallen angels at the time of the deluge
were barred from further materialization. Since then they have
sought otherwise to influence humanity.
Few would communicate with them if they knew their real
character; hence they represent themselves as being our dead
friends and relatives.
As such they attempt to communicate with the living through
"mediums," who are deceived, else they would not
serve as "mediums" for demons (Isa.8:19;
Deut. 18:9-12).
In times of old these mediums were called witches, wizards,
necromancers. They had "familiar spirits," or were
familiar with the spirits who were disobedient in the days of
Noah.
God had forewarned Israel against these evil spirits and their
mediums. He said that no such mediums should be permitted to
live in the land of Israel. They might operate amongst nations
not under Divine care, but God's representative, Saul, was
commanded to put to death all such.
When King Saul got out of fellowship with God, who refused
further communications, he turned for advice to a witch at
Endor, and asked her to awaken Samuel the Prophet, who
meantime had died. The evil spirits impersonated Samuel easily
enough, and the witch gave the King messages in his name,
whereas Samuel was dead and could not give or receive
messages. King Saul saw nothing; he merely received an answer
from the witch, who said she saw and heard Samuel.
The evil spirits have some way of knowing much respecting the
future. But anybody under the circumstances might have known
the fate to expect for Saul and his army.
The King himself knew what to expect. It was this that
troubled him and led him to seek the witch, contrary to the
Divine command. It is not for a moment supposable that God and
Samuel, having refused to communicate with the King, would
change and permit a witch, condemned by the Divine Law, to
overrule the matter (1Chr.
10:13,14). |
