The Case For Intercession
Believers Are Alive in Heaven
Matthew 22:32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not God of the dead, but of the living.
In this passage, Jesus emphasizes that the patriarchs are alive to God. This aligns with the understanding that those who have passed on in the faith live eternally in His presence.
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
These witnesses are described further in Hebrews 12:22-23, where it is said they are "the spirits of the righteous made perfect," indicating their living, perfected state in heaven:
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Saint Paul does not speak of immediate physical death but rather spiritual death—alienation from God as a consequence of sin. This spiritual death is contrasted with the eternal life offered through Christ.
John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die."
Here, our God, Jesus makes it clear that physical death does not hold ultimate power over those who believe in Him. While they may die physically, they remain alive spiritually, sharing eternal life with God.
The Ability for Saints to Pray
Revelation of John 5:8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
Revelation of John 6:9-10 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?
The martyrs under the altar cry out to God, showing they are both conscious and engaged in prayer.
Revelations of earthly matters to the Saints
Revelation of John 6:11 Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.
The martyrs are being revealed the truth of what is to come earth through the Holy Spirit. They are also made aware of the suffering their brothers and sisters will go through, just as they did. Yet we know that we, as Christians, are called to intercede for our fellow brothers and sisters. Saying they would be compeled to pray for them, is thus not a bold statement.
Revelation of John 19:1-2 After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.
Here, the multitude in heaven were made aware of the fall of Babylon by the Holy Spirit and rejoice.
Matthew 18:10 See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.
Although not Saints, we also see that Angels are granted revelations on earthly matters, since they are not omniscient.
Luke 15:7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
How can heaven rejoice upon the repentance of a sinner unless they are aware of his condition?
Luke 16:24-25 And he called out, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame. But Abraham said, Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.
Luke 16:29 But Abraham said, They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.
Abraham is well aware of what took place centuries after his death.
Revelation of John 5:13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!
During is vision of heaven, how did John understand what every creature said, despite the fact they all speak different languages? Again, our Lord, the Holy Spirit allowed him to, through a revelation.
The Case Against Intercession
There is One Mediator
I Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus
A mediator is someone who stands between two parties to reconcile them or bridge the gap. In this case, between humanity and God. No one else could fulfill this role except Jesus Christ, as He is the fullness of God. The original relationship Man had with God was broken because of the separation sin created. And He allows us to now begin healing. The case that can be made here is the following: if Jesus is our only mediator you cannot go through the Saints. But, the following question arises, why are we called to pray and intercede for one another? If "mediator" meant that no one else could intercede on our behalf, then Scripture’s call for us to pray and intercede for one another (see James 5:16, 1 Timothy 2:1) would be contradictory. However, Christ’s mediation is unique because it refers to His role in reconciling humanity to God through His sacrifice—a role no one else could fulfill.
Luke 11:27-28 As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed! But he said, blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!
Jesus does not deny that Mary is blessed (Mary is indeed blessed, as affirmed in Luke 1:48). Instead, He uses the opportunity to shift the focus from a biological relationship (His physical connection to Mary) to a spiritual principle: the ultimate source of blessedness is hearing and obeying the word of God. Indeed, spiritual relationships take precedence over earthly or familial ones (see Luke 8:21, Matthew 12:48-50)
The invocation of Samuel by Saul
I Samuel 28:13 The king said to her, do not be afraid. What do you see? And the woman said to Saul, I see a god coming up out of the earth
Note: The hebrew word for god here is elohim, which can refer to a divine being, spirit, or even a person with great authority.
I Samuel 28:15-17 Then Samuel said to Saul, Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up? Saul answered, I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore, I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do. And Samuel said, Why then do you ask me, since the LORD has turned from you and become your enemy? The LORD has done to you as he spoke by me, for the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David.
Before the coming of Christ, the dead went to Sheol (Hades). As a temporary resting place. The idea of descending into the earth was widely used to describe death in the Old Testament (see Genesis 37:35, Numbers 16:33). And the wording of “coming up out of the earth” reflects that concept. This does not relate to the intercession of the saints in heaven. In heaven, they are perfected in soul (see Hebrews 12:23) in the direct presence of God. Their will, thus, entirely align with the will of God.
Secondly, Saul used a medium which was forbidden (see Deuteronomy 19:31). Asking the saints for their prayers also does not fall under Deuteronomy 18:10-12. Interestingly, we also see that Samuel knew about Saul's coming death, that information was once again revealed to him by the Holy Spirit while in Sheol.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I see seeking the intercession of saints as a practice that aligns with Scripture—or at the very least, does not contradict the word of God. While the Bible may not explicitly call believers to seek the prayers of saints in heaven, it certainly does not condemn it either. The examples of saints and angels being aware of earthly matters, praying, and interceding in heaven support the idea that such intercession is possible.
Some may argue that there is no point in asking for the prayers of saints since we have direct access to Jesus. But if this were a valid objection, one would have to question why Scripture repeatedly calls believers to pray and intercede for one another. As James 5:16 reminds us, "A prayer of a righteous person, when it is brought about, can accomplish much." If the prayers of the righteous on earth are efficacious, how much more so are the prayers of those perfected in the presence of God?
Additionally, it is crucial to distinguish between veneration and worship. Venerating saints does not equate to idolatry. It is an act of respect and honor given to those who lived exemplary, Christ-centered lives. They are witnesses to the faith and living testimonies of God’s grace and holiness. Worship, however, is reserved for God alone. When we venerate saints, we ultimately glorify God, whose presence and power transformed their lives.
Therefore, seeking the intercession of saints is neither unbiblical nor idolatrous. Rather, it is an extension of the Christian understanding of communal prayer and the body of Christ, both on earth and in heaven.