Some people find it easier to understand the things of
the unseen or invisible realm than others. Our dilemma is that we live in a
world that focuses on the things we can see with our eyes. Just like a baby who
sees the small portion of their surroundings and believes that is all there is,
we too see our small surrounding spiritually and believe that is all there is.
If we focus on what we see as the only reality there is, we become stunted in
our spiritual maturity. To understand the unseen world around us we have to
have spiritual eyes. The Holy Spirit helps us with the things we cannot see and
do not understand. While we are stuck in the seen world around us, there is
plenty going on in the unseen world. In fact we are almost “insignificant” as
compared to the entire universe. Humans tend to believe that we are the center
of the all things, the center of God’s attention, the center of our galaxy, the
highest intelligence that has ever lived. Some people realize all of that is
untrue, we are a portion of a bigger story. We are not the smartest, or the
brightest, or the best, compared to the unseen world around us.
Matt 13:14-16 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of
Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and
seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:15 For this people's heart is waxed
gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed;
lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and
should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal
them.16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
KJV
If our senses aren’t dull we will be able to hear, see,
and perceive the spiritual world around us. When we finally see the unseen
world around us, we realize that we are not the center of the story, but a
small portion of the story. Just as we now realize we are part of an entire galaxy
of stars and planets, we are part of a busy, crowded spiritual realm as well. As
we saw last week Ezra spoke of a people who were to come that would believe on
God without seeing him. These people would believe the things God says in their
spirit.
2 Esd 1:36-37 They have seen no prophets, yet they shall
call their sins to remembrance, and acknowledge them.37 I take to witness the
grace of the people to come, whose little ones rejoice in gladness: and though
they have not seen me with bodily eyes, yet in spirit they believe the thing
that I say. KJV
Ezra is pointing out that since the Jews were refusing to
believe on God, taking his word by faith, even though he sent prophets to warn
them, God was going to open the door for the nations who believe on Him even
though they don’t see Him. The nations are repenting just because they believe,
by faith, that God wants them to repent. The nations are living a life of grace
and they rejoice in gladness, because in their spirit they believe what God
says. God says whether we see him or not he sees us.
Jer 23:23-24 "Am I not a God near at hand" —
God's Decree — "and not a God far off? 24 Can anyone hide out in a
cornerwhere I can't see him?" God's Decree. "Am I not present
everywhere, whether seen or unseen?" God's Decree. (from THE MESSAGE: The
Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights
reserved.)
As a little child plays hide and seek we think we can
play hide and seek with God. Just like most parents, God knows where we are
hiding. God is ever present, and everywhere. However we may misunderstand some
things. When we bury someone who has died, we assume they are no longer living.
However we know from studying the Bible, that the spirit and soul of the dead
are alive, the person’s body is simply gone. With that in mind, just because we
cannot see the dead doesn’t mean God doesn’t see them.
Isa 5:14 Therefore Sheol (the unseen state, the realm of
the dead) has enlarged its appetite and opened its mouth without measure; and
[Jerusalem's] nobility and her multitude and her pomp and tumult and [the
drunken reveler] who exults in her descend into it. AMP
We have studied the compartments of hell and the dead,
and we recognize that even though with our physical eyes, someone who died
looks like they are asleep, the bible tells us they have consciousness in the
grave. They know where they are, and they know about the other compartments of
the dead.
Although we live in a physical world, we are not to think
about it as more real and permanent as the unseen world. Our recognition of
time is also a hindrance. Our lives are
eternal, even though our time on earth is not eternal. All of us will continue
on without our bodies, and where we go when we die is up to us. This should
help us not to get too focused on this world as our only existence.
2 Cor 4:18 Since we consider and look not to the things
that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are
visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible
are deathless and everlasting. AMP
Paul sums up the difference between what is seen and not
seen. The things we see are temporary, but the invisible things are
everlasting. That understanding should drive us to look at the unseen. Jesus
helped us when he came to earth to be the representation of the invisible God.
In other words, he helped us to understand the invisible spiritual realm.
Col 1:15-17 [Now] He is the exact likeness of the unseen
God [the visible representation of the invisible]; He is the Firstborn of all
creation. 16 For it was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on
earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or
authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [by His service,
intervention] and in and for Him. 17 And He Himself existed before all things,
and in Him all things consist (cohere, are held together). [Prov 8:22-31.] AMP
It is interesting to think that Jesus looks like his
Father, he is the visible representation of the invisible God. Here is a list
of things seen and unseen. That tells us the things we see mimic the unseen,
such as thrones dominions rulers or authorities. Paul gives us this list again
and we will look at it shortly. Something else unseen is the realm of the
devil. The story we are a part of has a dimension of good and evil.
Eph 2:2-3 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of
the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.
He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. Holy
Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable
Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.
Once we were like the rest of the world, but now His
church is an example of His wisdom to the unseen rulers and authorities. How odd, we hardly even think about the
unseen world and yet they are ashamed to find out that we, the church, were
part of God’s plan. Obviously the spiritual beings, the sons of God, are not “all
knowing”. They are living their story and finding out new things along the way
just like we are.
Eph 3:10-11 God's purpose in all this was to use the
church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and
authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was his eternal plan, which he
carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord. Holy Bible, New Living Translation
®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of
Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.
We really don’t recognize that we are examples to all the
spiritual beings, and now we see we are actually fighting against the bad
spiritual beings in the unseen world. If we are supposed to be fighting we
should at least know about it, otherwise, we may not really be putting up much
of a fight. Typically our contentions are with other humans but Paul tells us
that really isn’t the case.
Eph 6:12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood
enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against
mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly
places. Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale
Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights
reserved.
Evil rulers and authorities in the unseen world? That
tells us that there is a structure to the unseen world. It is not made up of
random beings doing random things but there are both good and evil beings. Here
Paul points out evil rulers and authorities and mighty powers as well as evil
spirits in heavenly places. The place where these evil spiritual beings are
ruling are in the world and in the heavens. Well gee, there must be a lot more
going on than we recognize on a daily basis. We will look more closely at that
shortly.
While we don’t see the Father or the Son, or the Holy
Spirit, we perceive them in our hearts. The Holy Spirit is the one who helps us
to see the unseen world. Paul reminds us that honor is due our God.
1 Tim 1:17 All honor and glory to God forever and ever!
He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen. Holy
Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable
Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.
I like how Hebrews brings the past believers, and their
lives, into proper perspective for us. Moses didn’t see God face to face as
Abraham did but he saw him in a burning bush and believed him. I mean really
who wouldn’t believe a burning bush that wasn’t consumed? Yet that helped Moses
deal with the wrath of the King of Egypt.
Heb 11:27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the
wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. KJV
What goes on in the unseen world of the spiritual beings
is fascinating. We don’t know a lot but what we do know is revealing. Job tells
us of the sons of the Elohim, bene ha
Elohim, who come to present themselves before God at regularly scheduled
times. This is where Lucifer wanted his throne, so that he could be a judge
over the sons of God. Lucifer is a created being, created by Elohim, which
tells us that Elohim creates his beings with a freedom of will and the ability
to choose. Remembering satan’s words in the garden to Eve, that their eyes
would be open and they would know good and evil just like the Elohim. Therefore
the sons of the Elohim can do good or bad, and present themselves or give an
account of what they have been doing.
Enoch revealed more about the sons of the Elohim then we
can possibly study here. However Enoch gives us a generally clear picture of
the sons of the Elohim in groups coming to worship. We don’t understand that in
our modern world, as we don’t present ourselves before a king and queen to tell
them of what we have been doing, or to worship them. Unless we are not paying
our taxes, no one really cares what we are doing. Enoch was taken to multiple
places and he gave those places a numerical order. When he got to the seventh
place, or heaven, he saw the group of the sons of the Elohim that are the good
beings. There were other places where some of the evil ones were held but in
this place the good beings gathered.
The Secrets of Enoch, Chapter 20
Hence they took Enoch into the seventh heaven
1And those two men lifted me up thence on to the seventh
heaven, and I saw there a very great light, and fiery troops of great
archangels (2), incorporeal forces, and dominions, orders and governments,
cherubim and seraphim, thrones and many-eyed ones, nine regiments, the Ioanit
stations of light, and I became afraid, and began to tremble with great terror,
and those men took me, and led me after them, and said to me:
(2) Archangels. Or,
"chief angels."
2Have courage, Enoch, do not fear, and showed me the Lord
from afar, sitting on His very high throne. For what is there on the tenth
heaven, since the Lord dwells there?
3On the tenth heaven is God, in the Hebrew tongue he is
called Aravat (3).
(3) Aravat. Or, "Father
of creation."
4And all the heavenly troops would come and stand on the
ten steps according to their rank, and would bow down to the Lord, and would
again go to their places in joy and felicity, singing songs in the boundless
light with small and tender voices, gloriously serving him.
Enoch lists the beings he saw: 1 archangels; 2
incorporeal forces; 3 dominions;4 orders; 5 governments; 6 cherubim; 7
seraphim; 8 thrones; 9 many eyed ones. All of these are nine regiments,
standing on the stairs. They are ioanit stations of light, meaning the stations
of God’s favored, these beings prostrate on the stairs. As we have studied
previously the “many eyed ones”, #9, are the Ophan, the ones Ezekiel saw. They
were not wheels but beings that revolve.
Since there seems to be an orderly structure of good sons
of the Elohim, there must also be the same type structure of evil beings as
well. That is what Paul was listing, that we fight against the evil beings in
these ranks and order. We will take a quick look at some of these positions.
Thrones seem to be some type of spiritual being that acts
as ones who orchestrate the works of others. They will be cast down according
to Daniel, therefore Daniel is speaking of the evil ones.
Dan 7:9 I beheld till the thrones [3764] were cast down,
and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair
of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels
[whirlwind] as burning fire. KJV
OT:3764 korce' (Aramaic) (kor-say'); corresponding to
OT:3678; a throne: KJV - throne.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers
and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003,
2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
OT:3678 kicce' (kis-say');
or kicceh (kis-say'); from OT:3680; properly, covered, i.e. a throne (as
canopied): KJV - seat, stool, throne.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers
and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003,
2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
OT:3680 kacah (kaw-saw'); a
primitive root; properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover
(for clothing or secrecy): KJV - cladself, close, clothe, conceal, cover
(self), (flee to) hide, overwhelm. Compare OT:3780.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive
Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary.
Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible
Translators, Inc.)
We see here in Daniel, thrones and also Ophan, the
spinning ones. It is hard to tell how many of the sons of God fell, and of what
category of rulership they are in. We know from Elisha’s words to his servant
that there are twice as many good angelic beings as the evil. We also know that
once satan is cast out of heaven, one third will be cast out with him. We know
that hasn’t happened yet as satan still has access to God to accuse us day and
night. Here is Paul’s list of spiritual beings.
Eph 1:18-23 The eyes of your understanding being
enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the
riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,19 And what is the
exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the
working of his mighty power,20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him
from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,21 Far
above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion,
and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is
to come:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head
over all things to the church,23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that
filleth all in all.KJV
Dominions or Lords
NT:2963 kuriotes (koo-ree-ot'-ace); from NT:2962;
mastery, i.e. (concretely and collectively) rulers: KJV - dominion, government.(Biblesoft's
New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew
Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International
Bible Translators, Inc.)
NT:2962 kurios
(koo'-ree-os); from kuros (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun)
controller; by implication, Mr. (as a respectful title): KJV - God, Lord,
master, Sir.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with
Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.
and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Might or Virtue
NT:1411 dunamis (doo'-nam-is); from NT:1410; force
(literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication,
a miracle itself): KJV - ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y
deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful)
work.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded
Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and
International Bible Translators, Inc.)
NT:1410 dunamai (doo'-nam-ahee);
of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible: KJV - be able, can (do, -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of
power.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with
Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.
and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Powers or Authorities
NT:1849 exousia (ex-oo-see'-ah); from NT:1832 (in the
sense of ability); privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency,
freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman,
potentate, token of control), delegated influence: KJV - authority,
jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive
Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary.
Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible
Translators, Inc.)
Eph 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities
and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold
wisdom of God , KJV
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but
against principalities, against powers, against the rulers
of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places KJV
Principalities
NT:746 arche (ar-khay'); from NT:756; (properly abstract)
a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time,
place, or rank): KJV - beginning, corner, (at the, the) first (estate),
magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive
Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary.
Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible
Translators, Inc.)
There are a few others not on Paul’s list. One is
Archangels, and from scripture we only know of good Archangels. If any of the
fallen ones had been of that class they are not listed as such now.
Archangel
1 Thess 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from
heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of
God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:KJV
NT:743 archaggelos (ar-khang'-el-os); from NT:757 and
NT:32; a chief angel: KJV - archangel.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's
Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright ©
1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
NT:757 archo (ar'-kho); a
primary verb; to be first (in political rank or power): KJV - reign (rule)
over.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded
Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and
International Bible Translators, Inc.)
There may be some historical reference to Seraph’s or
Seraphim, as there are many carvings and drawings from all people groups around
the world of fiery serpents. There are also many stories and mythological tales
of fiery serpent type beings. Some may have fallen, we really don’t know.
Seraph
Isa 6:2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six
wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and
with twain he did fly.KJV
OT:8314 saraph (saw-rawf'); from OT:8313; burning, i.e.
(figuratively) poisonous (serpent); specifically, a saraph or symbolical creature
(from their copper color): KJV - fiery (serpent), seraph.(Biblesoft's New
Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew
Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International
Bible Translators, Inc.)
OT:8313 saraph (saw-raf'); a
primitive root; to be (causatively, set) on fire: KJV - (cause to, make a) burn
([-ing], up) kindle, utterly.(Biblesoft's
New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew
Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International
Bible Translators, Inc.)
Lucifer was of the class of the Cherub, he was an
anointed Cherub. Once fallen, but not cast out of heaven, he then swindled Adam
out of rulership of the world. Lucifer did lose some abilities though as God
then put two Cherubs as guards in front of the entrance of Eden to keep out
Adam and Lucifer.
Cherub
Gen 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the
east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every
way, to keep the way of the tree of life.KJV
OT:3742 keruwb (ker-oob'); of uncertain derivation; a
cherub or imaginary figure: KJV - cherub, [plural] cherubims.(Biblesoft's New
Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew
Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International
Bible Translators, Inc.)
It seems like the unseen world is a crowded place. There
are good and evil rulers, good and evil powers, good and evil authorities. We
know from Daniel that the sons of the Elohim are waging battles on our behalf
against the evil spiritual princes of this world. And once more, we are to be
fighting against the spiritual beings that oppose us. Yet this affliction seems
to give us an eternal weight of glory. This is for eternity.
2 Cor 4:17-18 For our light affliction, which is but for
a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;18
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not
seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not
seen are eternal. KJV
While it seems funny to have to fight an unseen enemy, it
actually increases our faith. Our faith is the evidence of the unseen world.
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen. KJV
Peter concludes the matter of the unseen world in this,
even though we have not seen Jesus, we love him. Now, with our faith being
tested, perusing the things that are unseen, we will be rewarded at Jesus’
appearing.
1 Peter 1:7-8 That the trial of your faith, being much
more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might
be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:8
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet
believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: KJV
The word appearing is the word apocalypse. The knowledge
of the revealing of Jesus has been stolen and hidden by a kleptomaniac. When
you appear with him, the world will know that Jesus is the redeemer, who
redeemed those who believed he is Lord. This is the part of the unseen world
that matters most to us today. If the devil has tried to hide the spirit beings
and their functions from humans, that won’t change the basics of our salvation.
But we are waiting for his call from the clouds, which means we have to believe
that he came to earth, he was the Messiah, and that he is coming again, as he
said.
Rom 8:25 But if we hope for what is still unseen by us,
we wait for it with patience and composure. AMP
We are waiting for Jesus, maybe not with patience or
composure, but we are waiting. Sometimes I think our behavior amounts to the
type of behavior a three year old has who wants something he cannot have. With
impatience, we fuss at God, demanding things we want. We want answers to
what we don’t understand, and yet we haven’t noticed that there is an entire
spiritual dimension that exists. The unseen and invisible spiritual realm is
filled with beings. To recognize this tells us we are not the center of the
universe. We are part of a story that existed long before humanity. It really
is time for us to grow in this understanding, so that we leave the diaper stage
of spiritual infancy and grow up in spiritual maturity. It’s time to see the unseen.
