But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’” (Luke 16.29.31)
Although Luke does not out-and-out make the statement, the implication in this passage of scripture is that those who have completed their lives will be in paradise or torment until judgement day. They lack the control or ability to return to Earth and “go bump in the night”. Because he is stuck in torment, the rich man asks for Abraham to send someone back from the dead to interact with those who are alive on Earth. Abraham’s stated position is tantamount to Heavenly policy: “We don’t do that here”.
Pull back from the visual appeal of floating phantoms or vapor-like visitors. What day did God create ghosts? Also, what part do they play in salvation? The power of God provides salvation (2 Timothy 1.8-9). This is applied through the blood of Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1.21; Titus 3.5). Angels minister to those who are open to receiving salvation (Hebrews 1.14). Satan and his demons fight against people being saved (Revelation 12.17; 13.7). And people can be saved or not (Acts 17.30-31). God’s goal is for the most people to be saved possible. Everything in creation has a defined role in salvation. But, not ghosts. Why? Because ghosts (spirits trapped on Earth) do not exist. When your soul departs your body it either goes to Paradise or Torment (Luke 16.19-31).
Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. (John 5.28-29) The necessary implication here is that those who have died have a place to be. In our starting passage from Luke we see that this one location is divided into two sections by a “great gulf”. That is where the dead will be until our Savior returns to call us all home. The bigger question is where will your soul be when you die? It will not be haunting your family and ensuring they do not sell that one thing; or overshadowing loved ones so that they have comfort. Paradise or Torment; where will you be?