[Steve]

You may find this Bible story interesting Steve, to do with this thread.
*[[1Sa 28:5-19/KJV]]* %v 5% And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled. %v 6% And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. %v 7% 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. %v 8% 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. %v 9% 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? %v 10% And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing. %v 11% Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel. %v 12% 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. %v 13% 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. %v 14% 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. %v 15% And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do. %v 16% Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy? %v 17% And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David: %v 18% Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day. %v 19% Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.
There's alot in this Bible story but the reason I posted it is that Samuel, who was a prophet, all of his life wasn't in heaven but was asleep in death. He along with all people will be risen at the appointed time. After this awakening, he returned to Genna or the place of the dead, he didn't go back to haunt the temple. The place the medium lived Endor is probably the inspiration for Endora the witch mother from Bewitched.
Yes there is demon possession and spiritual evil on the earth. I personally no longer fear it, like I once did. The Holy Spirit in me is far more powerful, it's no longer a contest.
Just as an interest Palestinian means Philistine, so this current conflict is an old one. Though only a remnant of Israel still lives there.

Hi Greg,

Yes it’s interesting what you say and have quoted from the Bible, and I’m glad that that your faith can give you and others the strength to repel these malevolent forces. 

Indeed, only just recently in the news, a well respected psychologist said he was convinced that many, along with some of his patients were actually possessed with demons/negative energy attached to them! That’s quite an admission from a professional, but I don’t quite know what the answer is - the world seems to be in so much turmoil, and run by those with psychopathic tendencies.

Maybe there will be a day of reckoning for us all. I just hope that good prevails over evil. It’s in our hands!