THEOSISRoshdestwenski W.G.
The Scriptures recount the incident when Saul sought out a medium and requested her to bring forth the deceased prophet Samuel. The woman practiced her enchantments, and Saul perceived an old man emerging from the earth, draped in a lengthy robe. He recognized that it was indeed Samuel and questioned him regarding his desire. Could this sorceress truly have summoned Samuel or not? If the Jews assert that she could, they would be implying that falsehood prevails over truth and that sorcery surpasses sanctity; this would mean that the holy prophet was unable to resist her command. Such beliefs are detestable and condemned.
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Conversely, if they argue that the sorceress was incapable of genuinely raising Samuel through her dark arts, they cannot claim that Christ our Lord resurrected through sorcery. The narrative in Scripture can be understood in this way: how could the devil, residing within a sorceress, summon forth the soul of the holy prophet resting in Abraham's bosom? The lesser holds no authority over the greater, and the devil cannot command the saint. Fallen angels who have distanced themselves from God may comply with those who have forsaken Him; thus, they serve them and answer their calls for magic manifestations. The sorceress invoked the devil, who assumed the appearance of a prophet. This is not unexpected, for, as stated by the Apostle, Satan himself can masquerade as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14); consequently, his servants can impersonate God’s messengers. Similarly, the Antichrist will likely take on the likeness of Christ. Therefore, the sorceress did not genuinely raise Samuel but instead displayed the devil in the guise of Samuel to Saul, who had strayed from God. The Scripture itself confirms this: the figure that appeared as Samuel prophesied to Saul, saying, "Tomorrow you will also be with me." How could Saul, an adversary of God, be in the company of the holy prophet Samuel? Would it not be more fitting for him to associate with the devil, to whom he had submitted after turning away from God? Let those who falsely identify as Jews understand that no magic can truly bring anyone back from the dead. Just as magic did not resurrect Samuel, so Christ did not rise through sorcery; rather, by His divine power, He vanquished death. As He willingly suffered and died, so He rose again by His own authority, as God.