Can the Dead Speak to Us?

In these last days, truth has become more vital—and more under attack—than ever before. The Bible warns that deceptive spiritual forces will work with overwhelming power, seeking to lead the whole world astray.

At the heart of this great deception is a misunderstanding about death. If we do not know what the Bible teaches about the state of the dead, we will be wide open to Satan’s most dangerous lies.

Now is the time to anchor our faith firmly in the Word of God, understanding for ourselves what happens when a person dies—and why knowing this truth could mean the difference between salvation and destruction in the final crisis.

The first basic principle to understand is what constitutes a living soul. In Genesis 2:7, God explains how He formed man from the dust of the ground:

“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

The simple formula presented here is: body + breath of life = living soul.

Scripture does not present the idea that the soul is a separate, conscious entity capable of existence apart from the body. Rather, we are living souls—we do not have souls.

This formula is reversed at death:

“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” — Ecclesiastes 12:7

At death, the body returns to the dust, and the spirit returns to God. The living soul ceases to exist. Many interpret this text to mean that some conscious part of man—the "spirit"—ascends immediately to heaven. However, a closer look at the Hebrew word for spirit clarifies the meaning. The Hebrew word ruach literally means breath or life. It carries the same meaning as the "breath of life" that God originally gave when He created man. This breath is the life force that sustains our beating heart and breathing lungs. When God withdraws this life force, we die. Nowhere does Scripture suggest that this "ruach" (spirit) is a living, thinking entity. As a matter of fact, you will not find any evidence in the Bible that there is a part of man that goes on thinking and feeling after the body dies.

Psalm 104:29 provides the same clarification:

“You hide Your face, they are troubled; You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.”

Here again, the word for breath is ruach, the same as in Ecclesiastes 12:7. The spirit that returns to God at death is simply the breath of life—not a conscious, disembodied being. The spirit that God gives to man when he begins to live is the same spirit he takes away when the life ends - the breath of life.

The Bible provides many straightforward texts that clearly describe the state of the dead:

“For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten.” — Ecclesiastes 9:5

“His spirit departs, he returns to the earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.” — Psalm 146:4

“For in death there is no remembrance of You; in the grave who will give You thanks?” — Psalm 6:5

“The dead do not praise the LORD, nor any who go down into silence.” — Psalm 115:17

If the dead know nothing, how can they be consciously enjoying the beauties of heaven or suffering in torment? They cannot! In death, there is no thought, no remembrance, and no praise offered to God. The dead sleep in silence, awaiting the resurrection.

DEATH IS A SLEEP

Jesus referred to death as a sleep.

“These things He said, and after that He said to them, ‘Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.’ Then His disciples said, ‘Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.’ However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus said to them plainly, ‘Lazarus is dead.’” — John 11:11–14

Jesus also described death as a sleep when He raised to life the young girl who had died (see Matthew 9:18, 24).

King David likewise understood death as a sleep:

“Consider and hear me, O LORD my God; enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death.” — Psalm 13:3

In sleep, there is no conscious awareness of what is happening around us. This mirrors the condition of those who have died. There is no pain, no joy, no praise, no new experiences in heaven or hell—only unconscious rest in the grave. This understanding is reflected in the common phrase “Rest In Peace” (RIP).

Thankfully, death is not the final word. Just as Jesus conquered the grave, He has the power to call His sleeping saints back to life. When Jesus returns at His second coming, He will awaken those who sleep in Him:

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:16

“Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” — 1 Corinthians 15:51–52

Job also considered what happens at death and looked forward to the same resurrection and transformation that Paul described:

“But man dies and is laid away; indeed he breathes his last and where is he? As water disappears from the sea, and a river becomes parched and dries up, so man lies down and does not rise. Till the heavens are no more, they will not awake nor be roused from their sleep. Oh, that You would hide me in the grave, that You would conceal me until Your wrath is past, That You would appoint me a set time, and remember me! If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, till my change comes.” — Job 14:10–14

Job, like Jesus, King David, and Paul, understood death as a sleep—a temporary rest until the resurrection. Only when Christ calls the dead from their graves will they awaken, changed, and clothed with immortality.

SPIRITUALISM AND DECEPTION IN THE LAST DAYS

Why is this truth so important to understand?

The Bible warns that in the last days, many will be misled by deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons:

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.” — 1 Timothy 4:1

“The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” — 2 Thessalonians 2:9–10

In the final conflict, when the worship of the beast and its image is enforced, it will be through these powerful delusions and deceptions that Satan will convince people to comply. Regardless of your beliefs now, if you are faced with overwhelming and convincing supernatural experiences, you will naturally be inclined to believe what you see and feel—unless you are firmly grounded in the Word of God.

The Bible warns:

“He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.” — Revelation 13:13–14

“For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” — Revelation 16:14

We are not merely battling human forces. Our true war is against spiritual powers of darkness:

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” — Ephesians 6:12

Jesus Himself warned:

“For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” — Matthew 24:24

What is this deception that is coming upon the world?

When people believe that the dead are not truly dead, but are alive in the presence of God and watching over us, they naturally become open to the idea that these "departed loved ones" can return to guide and communicate with the living. If the dead are believed to have access to heavenly knowledge and powers, why wouldn't they be trusted to bring guidance and comfort? This dangerous belief gives Satan the perfect opening. It is within the power of fallen angels to impersonate the dead—to appear to the living, perform miracles, and bring messages that subtly or boldly contradict the truth of God's Word. These powerful deceptions will be readily accepted by all who have not fortified their minds with the truth of Scripture.

SPIRITS OF THE DEAD ARE DEMONS

During Old Testament times, the Israelites were notorious for turning away from God to offer sacrifices to the dead and worship pagan gods:

“They joined themselves also to Baal of Peor, and ate sacrifices made to the dead.” — Psalm 106:28

The apostle Paul made it clear that sacrificing to the dead is, in reality, sacrificing to demons:

“Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.” — 1 Corinthians 10:20

God knows that when people attempt to communicate with the dead, they are not speaking to departed loved ones, but to demons masquerading as spirits of the deceased. Fully aware that such contact brings ruin, God has forbidden all forms of communication with evil spirits:

“There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord, and because of these abominations the Lord your God drives them out from before you.” — Deuteronomy 18:10–12

Today, many still seek out psychics and mediums, hoping for guidance or a glimpse into the future. While many spiritualists are mere frauds, among them are some who truly connect with Satan’s agents. If the dead were truly alive in heaven, rejoicing in the presence of God, why would the Lord strictly forbid communication with them? Surely if they were bringing heavenly messages, it would be a blessing. But the Bible shows clearly this is not the case. Satan seeks only to steal, kill, and destroy, and he will use every opportunity to ruin those who step onto forbidden ground.

Can the dead speak to us? No.

Now is the time to fortify our minds with the truth. We must study God's Word diligently so that we may stand firm when the world is swept away by deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons. Satan will employ every art of deception to ensnare as many as possible. But those who cling to God's Word—those who live by "thus saith the Lord"—will not be deceived.

Take up "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God," and stand firm against all the fiery darts of the devil. Not one soul who places their trust in God and His Word will be overcome, for nothing can pluck us from His hand. The only way we can be separated from God is if we choose to believe a lie.

"But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed." — Galatians 1:8