The spirit world

God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

People are fascinated with the spirit world. And it’s not just at Halloween. We have TV shows about psychics and people who speak with ghosts. Hollywood has made all sorts of movies about angels and demons. At gravesides in America and family shrines in Japan, people speak to departed loved ones, hoping that their words are heard.

Folks are interested in the spirit world. Part of it has to do with a need for meaning; they are looking for explanations. Is there a reason for my suffering? When things come together despite long odds, is it coincidence or fate? Will bad people get what’s coming to them? Does every person have a soulmate waiting for them somewhere? The world is often confusing; we want reassurance that all the puzzle pieces fit together into a picture that makes sense.

But interest in the spirit world is mainly driven by our fear of death. When a loved one passes away, we don’t want to believe that we’ll never see them again. We want reassurance that the dead continue to exist somewhere, and that some kind of reunion with them is possible. Even worse is the thought of our own death. Our hearts pound in fear, thinking about the end. What if I don’t finish everything I wanted to get done? What if people forget me? Will I cease to exist? Will I end up in some strange and scary place? Will I have to do life over again, keep on suffering all the pain and heartache and tragedy until I get it right? When I die, will I be punished for everything that I did wrong?

Jesus has the answers that you’re looking for. He is God’s own Son, come down from heaven. Jesus tells us that the spirit world is real—God is real, His angels are real, and they show us their love. He also tells us that the devil is real, demons are real, and they treat us like toys to be played with. People do live on after death; those who call Jesus ‘friend’ are welcomed into heaven, while those who reject Him will spend eternity with demons for company.

Jesus does not want you suffering with demons. That’s why He suffered and died on the cross—He spilled His blood to give you eternal life in paradise. All He asks is that you believe. The spirit world is real—the only question is, whose side are you on?