WLC Radio
You can’t communicate with the dead!
Scripture is clear that there is no consciousness in the grave. Those who try to speak to dead loved ones are, in fact, speaking to demons.
Scripture is clear that there is no consciousness in the grave. Those who try to speak to dead loved ones are, in fact, speaking to demons.
Program 80: You can’t communicate with the dead!
Scripture is clear that there is no consciousness in the grave. Those who try to speak to dead loved ones are, in fact, speaking to demons.
Welcome to WLC Radio, a subsidiary of World’s Last Chance Ministries, an online ministry dedicated to learning how to live in constant readiness for the Savior's return.
For two thousand years, believers of every generation have longed to be the last generation. Contrary to popular belief, though, Christ did not give believers “signs of the times” to watch for. Instead, he repeatedly warned that his coming would take even the faithful by surprise. Yahushua urgently warned believers to be ready because, he said, “The Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” [Matthew 24:44]
WLC Radio: Teaching minds and preparing hearts for Christ's sudden return.
* * *Part 1: (Miles & Dave)
Miles Robey: Hello, hello! Welcome to World’s Last Chance Radio. I’m your host, Miles Robey. With me is Dave Wright.
Dave Wright: Hello and thanks for tuning in.
A quick word of explanation to all our first time listeners: on WLC, you won’t hear us refer to the Creator by the generic titles of “god” or “lord.” Scripture tells us to call on His name, and that is Yahuwah, or Yah, so that’s what we use.
Miles: We do use some Scriptural titles. El, eloah, and elohim are Hebrew titles that are frequently used in combination with the divine name. They are found throughout Scripture and refer to the Father.
Dave: When we use the names, a whole new area of faith inspiring knowledge opens up to us. Take, for example, the name of the son: Yahushua. Can you hear the Father’s name in there? That’s because His name is in there! “Yahushua” means “Yahuwah saves.” It’s a promise!
Miles: That’s not the only name that’s a promise. The very name of the Father is meant to inspire faith, hope, and trust because it’s a promise, too. His name is a verb-of-being.
Dave: Why don’t you explain that a bit more? This is my favorite part of the divine name.
Miles: Well, a verb-of-being is not something we use for names, but it is the Father’s name. Am, is, are, was, were—those are all verbs of being. His name was used during Creation.
Light: BE.
Light was.
Dry land: BE.
Dry land was.
Now what this means for you and for me is that whatever our need is, the Father’s very name pledges to provide. You’re sick and need healing? His name to you is “BE well.”
You’re in danger and need help? His name to you is “BE protected.”
You’re out of a job and don’t know how to pay the bills? His name to you is “BE provided for.”
Literally whatever we need, His name is a pledge that He will meet.
Dave: And that’s something we need to know for the days ahead.
Miles: It really is, so that’s why I like to take just a few moments at the start of each program to explain the significance of the divine name. It’s far more beautiful, more meaningful, and certainly more powerful than most people ever realize.
I’ll tell you one time I wish I’d known about the power of the divine name.
Dave: When was that?
Miles: About 10 years ago, I was involved in a car accident. It was raining really hard. Coming around a corner, I spun out where a previous accident had left an oil slick and there was no stopping my car. It was just … game over, baby!
Dave: Wow. Were you all right?
Miles: Well, I am now. Wasn’t then. The problem was my back. I really hurt it in the accident. So, the doctor put me on some opioid pain relievers.
Dave: Oh! Wince!
Miles: Well, at first, it really helped! I was in a lot of pain and the only thing strong enough to take the edge off was an opioid. It was … a comfort, I guess you could say. In fact, it was a great comfort … right up until I didn’t need them anymore and tried to quit taking them.
That was, well, it was awful. Took me about a year to fully get over taking them. It wasn’t fun, I’ll tell you. What had been a comfort ended up being a trap that was hard to get out of. And that made me think of today’s topic. I’ve asked Dave to share with us on a subject that I see as a dangerous trap for a lot of people.
Sincere people, being sincerely wrong, can get caught in this trap. They’re simply seeking comfort, but in the end, they can end up being hurt far worse because the trap stems from one’s of the devil’s lies. Dave?
Dave: Thanks, Miles. And what makes this particular lie especially dangerous is that people want to believe it. As you said about your pain meds, it starts out as a comfort. They want to believe this lie, but in the end, it’s very dangerous. And that is: speaking to demons.
Now, of course, most people would deny they’ve ever spoken to a demon because it’s not something most people—especially believers—do knowingly. But even sincere Christians have got trapped in this deception when they are seeking comfort. Specifically, I’m talking about when a person loses a loved one.
Miles: Well, sure. When we’re sad and hurting, we want the assurance that our loved one is all right and not suffering. We want the comfort that comes from seeing or speaking to them again.
Dave: Most of the world's religions teach that the soul does not die with the body. A lot of people believe that the conscious awareness of a person remains even after the body has died.
Obviously, when you’ve lost someone in death, you still miss the person you knew.
Miles: Of course. You miss them and want contact, even guidance from the one who died.
Dave: Sure! And that’s why, in a desperate attempt to communicate beyond the grave, many turn to séances, trances, Ouija boards and mediums to contact the dead.
Miles: Many Christians know to shun these things. They know that they’re devices of the devil. But for those who don’t know, and even for those who know but who may discover that a friend or family member is dabbling in this, I’d like you to cover some Biblical principles explaining why, when you go to a séance, when you use a Ouija board or a medium, you’re really treading on the devil’s ground, and that’s dangerous.
Dave: It is dangerous. You open the door to Satan just a crack, and he’ll come in like a flood.
So, let’s look at some Biblical principles why we are never to try to contact the dead. Would you please turn to Ecclesiastes, chapter 9, and read verses 5 and 6 for us? There are several passages of Scripture we can look at, but this is probably the clearest.
Go ahead and read it once you’ve got it.
Miles: “For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.”
Dave: There is no point in asking guidance from the dearly departed because they know not anything! Scripture says so, right there! Their knowledge, their emotions, their very consciousness is gone. They are sleeping in their graves until the Life-giver returns and calls them to life again in the resurrection.
Now, turn over to Job, and let’s look at chapter 19. Here, Job is reprimanding his friends for their poor treatment of him. When he’s suffering, they come throw salt on the wound by accusing him of harboring secret sin.
Miles: Yeah. Verse two says: “How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words?”
Dave: Job, though, maintained his innocence and his trust in Yah. And it’s in this chapter that we find one of the most beautiful statements of faith contained anywhere in Scripture. Would you read verses 25 to 27 now?
Miles: “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see Yahuwah: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.” [Job 19:25-27]
Dave: This is a particularly fascinating passage. Job knew that the Messiah would not be coming in his day. He also knew that the Redeemer would not be returning until the latter day.
Job was wanting to die, but he wasn’t expecting to immediately wake up in heaven. In fact, we know from these verses, that he wasn’t expecting to be resurrected until long after his body had decayed away. And yet, because of his faith in the promised merits of the Redeemer, he had full assurance that when the time came, he would be resurrected and in his own flesh, he would see Yah.
Miles: That’s beautiful.
Dave: It really is. And it’s yet another confirmation that there is no awareness in death. It’s just like being asleep. We sleep until the resurrection.
Miles: That’s how Yahushua spoke of it, too. Here. Let me read it. This is in John 11 and is the story of Lazarus’ resurrection.
Verse 11 says: “He saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Yahushua spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Yahushua unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.”
So, even here, we’ve got clear evidence that death is like a sleep. There’s no awareness, and certainly no communication with a soul that has died.
Now, for someone who actually believes they have made contact with someone from beyond the grave, how would you explain their experience? Because these encounters are, unquestionably, very compelling; very believable.
Dave: Oh, they are! For example, when a person goes to a medium and the medium “makes contact” with, say, a dead mother or father, the voice of the medium can change and sound exactly like the lost loved one. The phraseology, even the information they have that only the dead person could know, makes the scam very believable.
Miles: So, how would you explain it? You called it a scam.
Dave: It is. It’s a scam of the devil, because the entity the medium has contacted is not the soul of the dead, but he (or she) has made contact with fallen angels: demons.
Miles: So, of course they would know intimate secrets that no one else knew.
Dave: Of course! That entity may have been the evil intelligence assigned to that individual to tempt him or her and lead into sin. Of course, such entities can be very compelling. They’re believable!
That’s why it is important to settle forever in your mind what the Bible says about the unconscious state of the dead. This isn’t harmless fun we’re talking about here. These are very real powers, and they are very evil. They’re going to do everything in their power to ensnare the individual seeking them out.
Miles: So, a person who speaks to the dead is, in reality, speaking to a demon.
Dave: Yes. That is the power behind Ouija boards. Mediums become actually possessed by evil spirits. Many séances are just frauds, trickery. But there are plenty that aren’t smoke and mirrors. And these also are making contact with evil spirits.
The thing we need to realize is that fallen angels, like holy angels, are—to use a modern term—shape shifters.
Miles: Where do you get that from?
Dave: From the many stories of angelic intervention. Sometimes holy angels appear as old men; sometimes they’ve been known to appear as little girls. Most frequently they’re seen as young men, but young men sans wings.
Miles: And if holy angels can shape shift, fallen angels can too, because they’re still angels, even if they’ve sinned.
Dave: Exactly. Yah’s people have no business treading on enchanted ground and opening the door to demonic powers this way.
Miles: All right. We’re going to take a short break. I’ve got a question for you when we return. We’ll be right back.
* * *
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* * *Part 2: (Miles & Dave)
Miles: All right, we’ve been talking about how, after death, the soul sleeps until the resurrection. So, when a person claims to make contact with the dead, they’ve actually made contact with demonic powers.
Dave: It’s not possible to make contact with the soul of the dead. It’s sleeping! And it shall remain asleep until called to life again, either at the resurrection of the righteous at the Second Coming of Christ, or at the resurrection of the damned after the millennium.
In very beautifully poetic language, Solomon described what happens at death. Flip over to Ecclesiastes 12, and read verses 5 to 7.
Miles: Almost got it … Here we go:
“Man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets: or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto Yahuwah who gave it.”
Dave: The “spirit” there spoken of is the same “breath of life” which Yah “breathed into man’s nostrils” when he became a living soul. You cannot have consciousness without a living body.
Miles: Okay. I know that. You know that. But how would you explain the story of the witch of Endor? This is something I’ve wondered about because, from the way it’s worded, it really sounds like she brought Samuel back from the dead.
Dave: All right, let’s look at that. It’s recorded in 1 Samuel, chapter 28. This is at the end of King Saul’s life. He’s about to go into war against a vastly superior Philistine army, and he’s afraid. He tried inquiring of Yah, but since he had turned his back on Yahuwah years before, Saul got no answer.
Let’s pick up the story in verse 7, and read through the first part of verse 15. You have it? Go ahead.
Miles:
Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.
And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.
And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?
And Saul sware to her by Yahuwah, saying, As Yahuwah liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.
Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.
And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.
And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.
And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself.
And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up?
Dave: All right, when Saul asked this woman what she saw, she said she saw gods, or spirits. Not one. Not Samuel. But many. And what were they doing?
Miles: Ascending.
Dave: So it wasn’t one spirit—Samuel’s—descending from Heaven.
Miles: No. It was multiple spirits ascending out of the earth.
Dave: That’s our first clue. These aren’t heavenly spirits sent in answer to Saul’s prayers. Remember, back up in … verse 6. I guess we didn’t read that one. But it says, quote: “When Saul enquired of Yahuwah, Yah answered him not, neither by dreams … nor by prophets.” Unquote.
Remember what Solomon said happens at death?
Miles: The spirit returns to Yah who gave it.
Dave: So do you really think Yahuwah would reanimate his faithful servant, Samuel, in answer to incantations that were in direct violation of His holy law?
Miles: No. Absolutely not.
Dave: Of course not. These were demonic spirits she was observing. Notice, too, that she never says it’s actually Samuel. When Saul asks her what she sees, what does she say? Verse, uh, fourteen.
Miles: “And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle.”
Dave: See? She never said it was actually Samuel.
Miles: Yeah, but the very next sentence says, and I quote: “And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself.”
Dave: Well, you’ve got your old dictionary there. How does it define “perceive”?
Miles: Uh, well. Let me look it up …
Perceive: “To have knowledge or receive impressions of external objects through the medium or instrumentality of the senses or bodily organs. To know, to understand, to observe … to receive impressions from.”
Dave: So, Saul received the impression that this entity the old woman saw was Samuel because, and this is key, that’s what he wanted to believe.
Miles: So Saul sees something and he just assumes it’s Samuel.
Dave: Worse than that: Saul never saw anything. Based on the old woman’s description, Saul assumes it’s Samuel.
But you Can’t. Talk. To dead people, folks. It’s just not possible. You weigh Saul’s experience against the passages of Scripture we looked at earlier, and it becomes very clear that the old woman made contact with multiple demonic entities—the “gods” she saw ascending out of the earth—and one of them impersonated Samuel.
Miles: Okay, that makes sense. The weight of evidence says the “dead know not anything” so this couldn’t have been Samuel. I like your point earlier, too, about why would Yah allow the rest of His faithful servant to be disturbed by an actual violation of His law?
Dave: And that is the most convincing argument of all as to why these apparitions, or spirits that possess mediums, or the power behind Ouija boards, or whatever you use to contact the dead is, in fact, contacting demons. And that is that such actions are in violation of the divine law.
Miles: Exodus 22, verse 18, says: “Thou shalt not suffer [or allow] a witch to live.”
Dave: “Witch” isn’t the best translation here. A more accurate translation would be an “enchanter” or “spell caster.” A sorcerer.
The word “witch” originally simply meant a “wise woman.” Millions of so-called witches were burned in Europe during the Middle Ages simply because they were old, and they had a knowledge of medicinal herbs and natural remedies that frequently worked better than that of the doctors.
Sorcery, on the other hand, is very different. Sorcery is defined as the, quote: “Use of supernatural power over others through the assistance of spirits.” This is necromancy. And this is what Yahuwah has forbidden.
Now let’s take a look at Deuteronomy 18. Would you please read verses 9 to 14? This is a more comprehensive list and is very clear.
Miles:
When thou art come into the land which Yahuwah thy Eloah giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.
There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth 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 Yahuwah: and because of these abominations Yahuwah thy Eloah doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with Yahuwah thy Eloah.
For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, Yahuwah thy Eloah hath not suffered thee so to do.
Dave: What this list is describing are all the things that are done at séances, by mediums, Ouija boards, scrying, and the list goes on and on. This isn’t talking about being a woman skilled in healing arts. This is talking about making contact with demons.
Miles: This should be enough for any believer to never try to contact the spirits of the dead, because who you’re contacting, folks, isn’t your favorite Great-Uncle Raymond or your beloved child. You’re getting in touch with forces of evil that won’t hesitate to use this contact to deceive you.
Dave: There’s one more text I’d like us to look at: Isaiah 8, verses 19 and 20. We often quote verse 20, but verse 19 is very significant.
Miles: “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 Eloah? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”
Dave: If you want comfort, if you want guidance, if you need help, don’t turn to demons! They delight in creating misery, not protecting you from it. Yahuwah’s commands against any form of contacting demonic entities are for our protection because He loves us. It’s not to withhold anything good from us.
If you need help: go to Him!
Miles: Do you have any advice for someone who has become involved with this and wants to get out? It’s easy to get in over your head with a situation like this. The devil tries to keep his claws in anyone that has opened their lives to his influence. What can a person do to escape?
Dave: Prayer and claiming the promises. That’s it. That’s all you can do, but it’s the very best thing you can do.
First, acknowledge who He is to you: He’s the Creator of all; your Father; the Monarch of the universe. This will strengthen your faith in His power and omnipotence.
Next, confess your sins. Ask the Father to forgive you for inviting the devil into your life and home this way. Claim the merits of the Saviour’s blood to cover your sins and stand before Him as though you’d never fallen.
Miles: There is no pit so deep that we can’t be saved out of it. There’s nothing any of us have done that Yahushua hasn’t already died for. Forgiveness is yours. You just have to claim it.
Dave: Amen. Finally, with a thankful heart, claim the promises. Be very specific when you pray, but claim those promises! That’s what they’re there for. Call upon Yahuwah’s name. Claim the promise of His name that He will BE everything you need. Claiming the promise of Yahushua’s name: Yahuwah saves. There is no situation that is too complex or difficult for Him to save you from.
Miles: Any promises in particular you can think of?
Dave: Isaiah 59, verse 1: “Behold, Yahuwah’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.”
Miles: I also like Matthew 11:28: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest."
Dave: If you are tempted or harassed by demonic spirits, if you want the peace and comfort that comes only from Heaven, there is hope. Call upon the name of Yahuwah and claim His power to deliver you. He’ll never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 4, verse 16 encourages us to, quote: "Come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
That’s a promise we can claim for any emergency.
Miles: Don’t go away folks. When we return, we’ll be answering your questions sent in to our Daily Mailbag. Stay tuned.
* * *
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WLC Radio: Teaching minds and preparing hearts for Christ's sudden return.
* * *Daily Mailbag (Miles & Dave)
Miles: Hey! Got our first question from Albania! This is coming from Besnik … no last name, in Tirana, Albania.
Dave: Albania’s always fascinated me a bit. I mean, I know it’s in Europe, but about the only things I know of it are that in 1967, it became the first atheist state in the entire world, and Mother Theresa was Albanian. In fact, she’s the only Albanian to ever win a Nobel Peace Prize.
Miles: Well, I’ll give you a couple more fun facts. Albania is the world’s largest producer of hydroelectricity—
Dave: Really!
Miles: —and in 2001, Albania ranked sixth in the world in terms of literacy. So, they have very high rates of literacy there.
Dave: Interesting.
So. What does, Besnik, was it? What does Besnik have to say?
Miles: His question is a good one. As you mentioned, Albania was the first nation in the world to officially declare itself an atheist state. Not only was religion banned, but anyone caught breaking the law could be jailed for anywhere from three to ten years.
Dave: Wow. No religious liberty at all!
Miles: Not back then, anyway. So, I can see why Besnik has this question, and it’s one others can relate to as well. He writes: “In school, I was taught evolution. How do Christians explain evolution? Is there any way to reconcile the Bible with evolution? Can a Christian believe in evolution and still be saved? Also, any advice on how I can approach family members who believe only in evolution?”
Dave: Those are some very good questions. I’ve often been asked, “Why would you believe in Creation when there’s real, hard evidence in support of evolution?”
I’m glad Besnik asked this and gave me a chance to answer. In 1 Peter 3:15, we’re told we should, quote: “Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”
“Meekness and fear” aren’t words we use very often. You could also translate it as “gentleness and respect.” So, when sharing your beliefs with someone, always do it with “gentleness and respect.”
Miles: Yeah, that’s important. I’ve seen Christians get into heated arguments with evolutionists, but that’s never going to convince anyone and it certainly isn’t how a follower of Christ should act.
Dave: No one has ever won a soul to the Saviour by winning a debate. So always, when discussing the subject with someone else treat them with gentleness and respect.
Miles: That’s how you speak to them. Any pointers on specifically what you can say?
Dave: I’d say that scientific theories and scientific laws are not the same thing. Sometimes theories are around for so long, they become accepted as laws, but the theory of evolution is still just that: a theory.
By contrast, take Newton’s three “Laws of Motion.” His first law, that an object in a uniform state of motion, tends to remain in motion, has been tested, confirmed, and validated. The same for his other three “laws.” They are “laws” precisely because they’ve been tested, and confirmed. They’ve been proven. So, they’re no longer “theories.”
The “theory of evolution” however, remains a theory. By definition, a theory is a supposition. It’s hypothetical!
Miles: More than that, it’s defined as an idea that was concluded through conjecture or speculation. That’s highly subjective!
Dave: It is! True scientific laws, on the other hand, are concrete. They’re quantifiable, measurable. You can repeat the experiments that “prove” them. You can also “disprove” them. Every hypothesis has to be able to be tested and falsified, meaning: there must be a possible negative answer to the hypothesis. That’s how scientific laws are established.
The dictionary defines “theory” as, quote: “A plausible or scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain phenomena.” Most theories are logical. But the point is, you can’t prove it. You can’t measure or repeat it.
That is why evolution will always be just a “theory.” You can’t measure it; you can’t quantify it.
Miles: You certainly can’t repeat it!
Dave: You also can’t falsify it. Therefore, you cannot establish evolution as fact. It will forever remain just a theory.
Now, what I find interesting is that most evolutionists do not focus on the origin of life. You’d think they would because that is supposedly when evolution began, but that’s not where their focus lies.
Miles: Well, you’re never going to be able to test or repeat the origins of life in a lab. That’s just not going to happen. It’s outside the parameters of the theory of evolution.
Dave: But here is a big stumbling block in the theory of evolution: there can be no evolution without matter and the first appearance of some form of life. The very word “evolution” comes from the word “evolve” which means to develop, or change. But develop what if nothing is there?
People who believe in evolution deny the existence of a Creator even though the laws of physics and the first cause—or causality—demands that for every effect there must also be a cause.
Miles: In other words, the universe had to have been caused by some thing or some one.
Dave: Exactly. Now, do I believe that some species have changed and evolved? Absolutely. There is ample evidence, not only in the past, but also today that species have, and are still, evolving.
Take, for example, elephants. An international ban on the trade of ivory took effect in 1989. At that time, there were about a million elephants in Africa, with 7.5% of them being poached, killed, every year. Today, less than half of them are left, and the numbers being poached each year have increased.
Miles: That’s really sad.
Dave: Yes, but what’s fascinating, and what applies to our discussion today, is elephants worldwide are evolving before our very eyes. More and more of them are somehow … choosing? To not produce tusks. Only about 2 to 5% of Asian male elephants used to be born without tusks.
By 2005, estimates placed that number at 5 to 10% of the male Asian elephant population. And that’s not all! One national park in Africa estimated that the number of elephants being born without tusks was 38%!
Miles: Wow! That’s natural selection taking place before our very eyes.
Dave: Okay, these are facts. Provable, demonstrable facts. They don’t contradict Scripture which provides the only logical explanation for the origin of life.
Miles: I can see that. Even if you go back to the Big Bang Theory—
Dave: A theory, I would add, that was developed by a Jesuit-trained Catholic priest, astronomer, and professor of physics at the Catholic University of Leuven.
Miles: Who was that?
Dave: Georges Lemaître.
Miles: Huh. Anyway, even if you go back to the Big Bang, what triggered that? What preceded it? Each effect must have a cause.
Dave: Exactly. So, for Besnik and anyone else encountering the theory of evolution, remember: a theory is not a law. Natural selection of the species is provable and does not contradict Scripture. However, regarding the origins of life, the Bible supplies an explanation for the origins of life that the theory of evolution simply is not equipped to provide.
Miles: There’s still one question you haven’t answered: can a Christian believe in evolution and still be saved?
Dave: Absolutely. We are saved by grace through faith. Look at it this way: our salvation—or lack thereof—is not based upon false reasoning or faulty assumptions. That’s good news or we’d all be lost as we’re not going to have full knowledge even in eternity. We’ll be spending eternity learning ever new things about the Creator, His character, and His universe. It will be one of the delights of the redeemed.
We’re all influenced by our pasts, by what we’ve read and studied. So, yes. An intellectually honest person may believe in the Creator as well as evolution, and there are many that do. Our salvation, always, is by grace, through faith in the atoning merits of the blood of Yahushua. That is what our hope of salvation is based on.
Miles: Very good. And don’t forget: in every such discussion with non-believers, treat them with gentleness and respect.
If you’ve got any questions, send them in! Go to WorldsLastChance.com and click on Contact Us. We always enjoy receiving your messages.
* * *Daily Promise
Hello! This is Elise O’Brien with your Daily Promise from Yah’s Word.
Vance Havner was an evangelist that was so on fire for Yah, that he began preaching at just 14 years of age! It’s from Havner that we get the oft-quoted observation: “The church is a hospital for sinners, and not a museum for saints.”
In speaking of the need for revival, Havner once quipped, quote: “When I was a boy, preachers used to talk about ‘holding a revival.’ What we really need is somebody who will turn a revival loose!”
Revival was just what Philip Spener did in Germany. Over a hundred years before, Martin Luther had set the Christian world on fire with his discovery of righteousness by faith alone. Early Protestants embraced this light from Heaven and the truth spread like wildfire.
A generation or so later, however, the zealous eagerness of the first generation reformers was gone. Religion had settled down at ease with its new light and didn’t see the need of seeking for increased light. Philip Spener, born 89 years after the death of Martin Luther, was a man raised up by Yah to return Protestants to their first love.
Spener himself was in love with Yah. He was invited to pastor the Lutheran Church in Frankfurt. Spener was unique. He didn’t preach from the prescribed texts. Instead, his preaching ranged throughout the Bible. He urged complete surrender and dedicated discipleship.
In 1669, he preached on the Sermon on the Mount. The spirit of Yah blessed the message and revival broke out in the church. Hearts were softened, lives transformed.
Spener’s friend, Johan Schütz, was a prominent attorney in Frankfurt. He was thrilled as he saw hearts being converted to the truth. He encouraged Spener to take some of the new converts under his wing and teach them in small, home groups. Spener did this and soon his Bible studies became the talk of the town.
Some unconverted people mocked them, calling them “Pietist,” but the movement didn’t die out. It spread throughout Germany and is known today as the ‘‘Pietistic Movement.’’
Spener died in 1690 when he was only 49 years old, but the ripple effects of his work continue to this day. His story shows us the power of true revival.
Second Chronicles chapter 7, verse 14, promises: “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
What a huge, all-encompassing promise! If your heart is dry and cracked like the sands of the Sahara, you need the refreshing, regenerative Latter Rain. Turn to Yah with your whole heart. He will hear and will answer you.
We have been given great and precious promises. Go, and start claiming!
* * *Part 3: (Miles & Dave)
Dave: One thing we’ve not had a chance to touch on in our discussion today is why the devil would dedicate so much effort to convincing people that the soul is immortal and you can communicate with the dead. So let’s take a moment to talk about it now.
What was the first lie Satan told Adam and Eve?
Miles: “Thou shalt not surely die.”
Dave: And he’s been repeating it ever since. The purpose of getting people to believe in the immortality of the soul, the agenda behind making them think they can contact the dead, is because Satan plans on using that belief.
Miles: If your own mum or dad, whom you knew had always loved Yah and done what was right, if they appeared to you following their death, and they told you they’d been to heaven and this was Yah’s will, would you fall for it?
Dave: Well, of course you would … if you’ve believed Satan’s lies that there is consciousness after death.
Miles: Thanks, Dave. Listen, folks: the only way to be safe from these delusions is to make a full surrender to Yah, today. Learn what Scripture says for yourself. Let Him write His law on your heart. Then, regardless of Satan’s delusions, you will be safe, because your life is hid with Christ in Yah, and He is protecting your heart, mind, and soul.
Join us again tomorrow, and until then, remember: Yahuwah loves you . . . and He is safe to trust!
* * *
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This program and past episodes of WLC Radio are available for downloading on our website. They're great for sharing with friends and for use in Bible studies! They're also an excellent resource for those worshipping Yahuwah alone at home. To listen to previously aired programs, visit our website at WorldsLastChance.com. Click on the WLC Radio icon displayed on our homepage.
In his teachings and parables, the Savior gave no “signs of the times” to watch for. Instead, the thrust of his message was constant … vigilance. Join us again tomorrow for another truth-filled message as we explore various topics focused on the Savior's return and how to live in constant readiness to welcome him warmly when he comes.
WLC Radio: Teaching minds and preparing hearts for Christ's sudden return.
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