The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 1

VI. Saul Deceived by Necromancy of Medium of Endor

Turning from the figurative side, let us now examine a problem passage, constantly cited in support of Immortal-Soulism. Modern Spiritualism, or spiritism, is not new in its operations. Its ancient counterpart and forerunner had already made its tragic appearance back in ancient Israel’s day, and before. But so grave was this corrupting and forbidden practice considered by God, and so sinister were its involvements, that under the theocracy those who sought out the practitioners of this evil art were to be “cut off,” or excommunicated, from the commonwealth of Israel. CFF1 174.3

So heinous was the fraudulency of this pretended communication with the dead regarded that the mediums, when apprehended, were to be summarily put to death by stoning. The solemn warning against necromancy or consulting with “familiar spirits,” was written thus into law by Israel: “Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:31). CFF1 174.4

Picture 2: The Witch of Endor:
The Witch of Endor Perpetrated a Cruel Hoax on King Saul When a “Familiar Spirit” Simulated the Prophet Samuel-a Capital Offense in the Time of Theocracy.
Page 175

1. EVIL SPIRITS PERSONATING THE DEAD

“Familiar spirits” were none other than “evil spirits,” or demons fallen angels personating the dead—appearing at the beck and call of a medium who had entered into sinister league with them. And here was the dread penalty then provided for such transgression, first for the seeker and then the medium: CFF1 175.1

“The soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits .... I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people” (Leviticus 20:6). CFF1 175.2

“A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones” (Leviticus 20:27). ³ CFF1 176.1

That was the gravity of the evil traffic. CFF1 176.2

Later, this further admonition was given by the prophet Isaiah: CFF1 176.3

“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? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:19, 20). CFF1 176.4

This peeping and muttering refers to the incoherent incantations of the pagan mysteries, which they simulated. Such an inspired admonition surely constitutes a most solemn warning against all ancient or modern spiritism, and is an appeal to heed the declarations of the Word regarding the true nature and condition of man in death. And it should be added that the traditional belief that death is but life continuing on in spirit form, is the foundational basis of Spiritualism in its various forms, which has blighted the centuries, climaxing in these latter times. CFF1 176.5

2. SAUL’S RECOURSE TO FORBIDDEN CRAFT OF NECROMANCY

Nevertheless, the case of Saul and the witch of Endor is constantly and fervently invoked by those maintaining the continued consciousness of the dead. Let us therefore examine the circumstances of that dramatic episode. Israel’s apostate King Saul, when the Lord refused to answer him, sought out “a woman [or medium] that hath a familiar spirit” (1 Samuel 28:7), to inquire of her. Here is the story: CFF1 176.6

Disguising himself to avoid recognition, Saul came to the woman, significantly under the suggestive shelter of “night,” and asked her to bring up the prophet Samuel, who had been dead for some time, to elicit information from him (1 Samuel 28:8). After being assured by an oath that she would not be betrayed or harmed for cooperation (1 Samuel 28:9, 10), she then brought up (not down, or forth) “out of the earth” (1 Samuel 28:13)—allegedly some subterranean region—one of the “gods” in characteristic spirit manifestation, whom she described as an “old man,” and “covered with a mantle” (1 Samuel 28:14). CFF1 176.7

This materialization took place in the questionable abode of a forbidden, outlawed sorceress, invoking the alleged “shade” of the old prophet said to be wearing a “mantle.” (It might be asked, If it was Samuel’s “spirit,” supposed to be with God, why the mantle? If it was Samuel’s body, up from the grave, would it not rather be with “graveclothes,” as with Lazarus [John 11:44]?) CFF1 177.1

3. SAUL DECEIVED; SLAIN FOR HIS TRANSGRESSIONS

The record then states that Saul “perceived”—that is, understood indirectly, for he himself saw nothing—that it was “Samuel.” But this evil “spirit,” impersonating Samuel, first chided Saul for disquieting him when the Lord had departed from the king. This alleged “spirit” then proceeded to predict Saul’s defeat and death. Perhaps this “lying spirit” here gave a true message, as in the case of Ahab of old (2 Chronicles 18:19-22). But the sad sequel was simply this: CFF1 177.2

“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 enquire of it; and enquired not of the Lord: therefore he [the Lord] slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse” (1 Chronicles 10:13, 14). CFF1 177.3

So back through the centuries this question of the nature and destiny of man, and purported communication with the “dead,” has been a vital issue, constantly fraught with disaster for those disobeying the Word of God. Saul’s act was a transgression, punishable with death. Why, then, is such testimony valid? But let us probe into this unsavory episode a little deeper. CFF1 177.4

4. CRUX OF THE WHOLE PORTRAYAL

The crux of this whole occurrence hinges on whether this appearance, or materialization, was wrought by the power of God or was maneuvered by Satan. If by Satan, we may well look for deception, for he began his duplicity back in Eden by asserting the Innate Immortality of man, and has ever since persisted in his trickery by tenaciously perpetuating his original contention wherever and whenever he can gain a foothold. CFF1 177.5

It is to be particularly noted that Saul had to ask the medium, “What sawest thou?” “What form is he of?” (1 Samuel 28:13, 14). Saul himself never saw the simulating spirit that was brought “up” through the agency of Satan. And while the appearance was actual, it was simply a manifestation of ancient necromancy, sorcery, witchcraft, spiritism. It was a gross deception, a simulation of Samuel by a depraved “spirit,” palmed off on the desperate apostate king, and with fatal results. CFF1 178.1

5. CRUEL HOAX AND ITS MODERN COUNTERPART

One major difference between ancient and modern spiritism is that the medium of Endor then pretended to bring the spirits “up” from the lower regions. Now their present counterparts claim to bring them “down” from the upper spheres. CFF1 179.1

How dare any firm believer in the Word of God presume to appeal to this episode of Saul and the witch of Endor to prove the continuing living existence, or immortality, of the soul—unless he is prepared to deny the express declarations of the Inspired Word, and to maintain that ancient necromancy and modern spiritism are a divine gift, and that the blasphemous pretensions and contradictions of such lying spirits are to be accepted instead of the verities of the Scriptures of truth? CFF1 179.2

The Word of God expressly declares that when a man dies “in that very day his thoughts perish” (Psalm 146:4). But fallen angels do have supernatural knowledge and mystifying malign powers. And they have uncanny powers of deception. Of these we are to beware. We trespass at our peril. CFF1 179.3

Incidentally, the invoked “spirit” told Saul (through the medium), “To morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me” (1 Samuel 28:19). Might it not be pertinent to ask, Where was this rendezvous to be?—in the grave? or in Heaven, where the Immortal-Soulist would expect the Lord’s prophet to be? or perchance in some kind of Purgatory or intermediate place? Where, we ask, and in what state? Further question: Do God’s prophets and apostate kings go to the same place—if conscious? CFF1 179.4

6. GRANDEUR OF GOD’S WONDROUS PROVISION

In the face of such artificial negativisms, how comforting it is to have not only the clear, positive, consistent testimony of the Old Testament concerning the actual mortality of man, but the glorious assurance of immortality for the righteous as a gift from God through Christ, bestowed at His second advent and its attendant resurrection. CFF1 179.5

How good to know that in the interim of death man quietly sleeps until the great awakening. And finally, that the incorrigibly wicked will, after due and just punishment for their sins—and their rejection of the overtures and saving provisions of God—be ultimately and utterly destroyed, passing out of existence. CFF1 180.1

The infinite love, righteousness, justice, grace, and mercy of God, as the wondrous hope of man, stand out in impressive grandeur all the way from Genesis to Malachi. The inspired testimony of the Word is consistent and satisfying—and, above all, authoritative and final. Happy the lot of all who put their trust in the revealed provisions of God. And all this is amplified and intensified in the New Testament portrayal, now to be studied in fullness in Part II. CFF1 180.2