A Masquerade: Truth > Proof
When my husband and I got married, there were two empty chairs in the front row of the seats at the end of the long pier in the Charleston Harbor. They were labeled, "in memory of the mother and father of the bride." I hesitated to include these because I didn't want a somber air over what should be a joyous occasion. My father-in-law was performing the ceremony to marry us and insisted we at least mention my parents to honor their memory. I reluctantly agreed, trusting in his wisdom, but asked that it be brief so as to not bring about grief in an otherwise happy moment.
The ceremony started as a storm began rolling in over the harbor. Surprised by my own emotions, but working to stifle them, I talked to myself the whole way down the aisle, wishing I had my Dad to steady me as my dress snatched in the seams of the wood with every step. The beautiful sunny day was beginning to turn dark and gray quickly so we were urged to hurry with the ceremony. The waters darkened as the wind began to increase. Despite the conditions, two birds perched themselves on a post just behind us, as if to stay and observe the wedding.
The last guest made their way to the covered awning for dinner seconds before the deluge of rain hit. It was a welcomed cooling of an exceptionally hot and humid day in June in southern Charleston and couldn't have been timed more perfectly. The rain stayed for dinner and stopped exactly in time for the reception. A few people told me about the birds. It was interesting timing and felt symbolic to them.
When we returned from the honeymoon, a friend who hadn't been able to attend asked about the wedding, knowing of my back and forth on mentioning my parents. I told her that my father-in-law performed a beautiful ceremony, it had been my favorite part of the whole experience. I mentioned the birds and said, perhaps it was a little "hello" from them, that maybe somehow they had been able to be part of the day. I wasn't expecting her reaction. She laughed, no, she cackled at the ridiculous notion of suggesting such a connection. I realized in that moment that we were two very different 23 year olds, her life not yet marked by significant loss. I wanted to be upset, but I knew it wasn't fair to her. She had been blissfully sheltered from the grief I had endured and I didn't want to shatter her innocence, I knew life would in time. So, I laughed, too. "I guess you're right. Just a silly coincidence." I think I would've handled it differently as a 33 year old, but at the time, I just took note that she was not the person to turn to for vulnerability in conversations like this.
I share all this to provide some insight into a searching soul stricken by grief at a young age, without any real understanding of what happens when we die. Never had I heard the gospel message, or never had I listened to it. Of course, I knew of the concept of Heaven, but no understanding of how to get there, or that there might even be criteria. No knowledge of the person of Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross for me.
As Christ pursued me, there was someone else pursuing me, too. Now, I can look back and see the two running in parallel, waging war over my mind and heart.
I don't think I was much of a threat to Satan until I started to really consider Christ. It was early in my Christian faith when I used to follow a medium (I know better now) who claims to be able to contact all our dead relatives. I was intrigued, but with an immense amount of skepticism. What I wouldn't give to be able to connect with them again, if such a thing were possible and we aren't all just our physical bodies. It might sound naive or outright ridiculous to some, but I go back to my 23 year old friend. Our life experiences are likely very different and I don't expect everyone to understand how grief can bring you to this desperation.
The medium has a popular TV show I would watch. They are still filming new seasons of it, I don't watch anymore and would advise against watching it. I gathered she could not have been right about so much so often, with so many people in on the scheme. I think I wanted to believe in the supernatural, but didn't know if I could really trust the Bible at that point. It sounded good, but was it just wishful thinking? Was it just some sort of coping mechanism attempt?
Raised in her family's church, she claims it to be an important part of her life. I thought this was a good sign, unaware at the time that Satan's agents very often want to be affiliated in some way with the church to have an air of religion, not Christ, but religion. Satan does want to be worshipped, he wants everything God has created, mocking His trinity. We can't get puffed up about being religious. Satan is, too. This is why we need our Savior, Jesus Christ.
I read the medium's book. I once attended her seminar. I was intrigued by her consistent accuracy, but needed to know more. Perhaps seeing her in person would help me discern. God was gently pursuing my heart and yet, I was impatiently searching for proof of an afterlife.
Someone collapsed on the floor, overcome with emotion, begging her to connect with her husband she had lost. The medium dealt with her as though she had encountered this level of craziness before, apologizing for her grief, but dismissing her request. "I'm so sorry for your loss, but I am not able to help you right now. He isn't coming through." As the woman pleaded with the medium, some in the audience laughed. Again, I can't get mad at them for their ignorance, but it hurt my heart. She is crippled by her grief, unable to live well in a world in which her husband is not.
Perhaps unaware herself, the medium is preying upon people's grief. Pay her and you might get a message from 'your loved one.' "Your loved one is happy and safe and you can rest in that. You will see them again." This is a different gospel with a false motive of hope and real motive of greed and deception.
The real gospel says repent of your sins, confess that Jesus is the risen Son of God and you will be saved. Heaven and hell are real and there is one way to the Father, Jesus. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father, except through Him. This medium promises it's all okay on the other side of this life, no mention of the name Jesus. Satan wants more people in hell than in Heaven. If he can have you believing there is no need for Christ both during and after life, he has done it. Master of deception.
Last week, as I was reading my Bible, these verses caught my attention. "For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve" - 2 Corinthians 11:13-15.
To masquerade is "to disguise oneself," or "to assume the appearance of something one is not." (Merriam Webster Dictionary)
I can now see that the medium's supernatural is real, but it is demonic. She is a necromancer, a familiar spirit, perhaps consulting other familiar spirits. God warns strongly against necromancy and divination in the Bible. She talks about "spirit," as if it is God, describing a light so bright. Isn't it amazing when scripture comes to life? "For Satan himself, masquerades as an angel of light." He's disguised as good, bringing healing to loved ones, giving hope. True hope is in Christ alone. "For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together" Colossians 1:16-17.
I'm so thankful Christ pursued me. I now have a true hope and I understand, at least as much as any of us can through His word, about Heaven and how we get there. Repent for our sins, such as necromancy, divination, seeking out mediums and other gods besides the God of the universe. Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved. I searched and searched for proof with that medium and while she had some, what I needed was truth. He has engraved it all over creation, perhaps, even using two birds who should've been seeking shelter, but were instead perched proudly together. Was it an act of His mercy to a family who had endured incredible loss and could use any measure of hope to lead to real hope found in Him, not just His creation? I'll ask Him someday.
"You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people" -Genesis 50:20.
