Do you really believe the Bible?
In the book, Supernatural, Heiser points out the reality of entities in the spiritual realm — entities created by God to worship Him (Hebrews 1:61 and Psalm 97:72) and to serve Him. A common Hebrew word to describe these entities is “elohim” - a word that is used more than 6,000 in the Old Testament alone. An “elohim” is simply a word to describe a spiritual being. God is the ultimate ELOHIM - nothing in the heavens or on earth can be compared to Him. But there are many other types of elohim as well. Usually Elohim is referring to God the Father and Creator. But there are about a half dozen other entities that are described this way:
- Members of God's council (Psalm 82:1,63)
- Gods and goddesses of other nations (Judges 11:244, 1 Kings 11:335)
- Demons (Hebrew: shedim - Deuteronomy 32:176)
- Angels (Psalm 8:57)
Now check out this mind-bending example of one of God’s interactions with His council of elohim:
In 1 Kings, we read about an evil king described as doing “more to provoke the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him” (1 Kings 16:33). God sent prophets, including Elijah and Micaiah, to warn him, but he refused to listen. After many convincing opportunities to repent, Ahab just wouldn’t budge. He surrounded himself with hundreds of lying, false prophets (1 Kings 22), and chose to follow them instead of the truth sent through God’s representatives. Finally, God gives Ahab a taste of his own medicine:
In 1 Kings, we read about an evil king described as doing “more to provoke the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him” (1 Kings 16:33). God sent prophets, including Elijah and Micaiah, to warn him, but he refused to listen. After many convincing opportunities to repent, Ahab just wouldn’t budge. He surrounded himself with hundreds of lying, false prophets (1 Kings 22), and chose to follow them instead of the truth sent through God’s representatives. Finally, God gives Ahab a taste of his own medicine:
And Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing beside Him on His right hand and on His left; and the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’
And one said one thing, and another said another. Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, saying, ‘I will entice him.’
And the Lord said to him, ‘By what means?’ And he said, ‘I will go out, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’
And He said, ‘You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so.’
Now therefore behold, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; the Lord has declared disaster for you.”
— 1 Kings 22:19-23
And one said one thing, and another said another. Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, saying, ‘I will entice him.’
And the Lord said to him, ‘By what means?’ And he said, ‘I will go out, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’
And He said, ‘You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so.’
Now therefore behold, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; the Lord has declared disaster for you.”
— 1 Kings 22:19-23
Did you catch that?
Wrestle through this passage and the concept that there are many beings - elohim - in the spiritual realm. Some working for and with God, and some working against Him. How does this affect you and your thoughts about the invisible world? How does this affect the way you read passages like:
Ephesians 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.
If time allows, have a group discussion to talk about ways that perhaps we have diminished the story of God. Consider ways that your idea of the following might need to be greatly expanded:
Wrestle through this passage and the concept that there are many beings - elohim - in the spiritual realm. Some working for and with God, and some working against Him. How does this affect you and your thoughts about the invisible world? How does this affect the way you read passages like:
Ephesians 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.
If time allows, have a group discussion to talk about ways that perhaps we have diminished the story of God. Consider ways that your idea of the following might need to be greatly expanded:
- The LOVE of God
- Forgiveness
- The WRATH of God
- The spiritual battles we face daily
- Our need for Jesus and His GRACE
15 min - Group Time: Closing
Sometimes wrestling together can lead to saying things that come across wrong or hurtful. This is part of being human! To end with a clear conscience and a spirit of unity in Christ, lead your group through the following:
- Does anyone feel convicted by the Holy Spirit by something that was said tonight, and you need to ask forgiveness from an individual or the group before we close?
- Does someone have a brief word of encouragement they would like to offer the group?
- Can we renew our commitment to unconditionally love one another in the days and weeks ahead?
- Have someone close by offering a prayer over the group, or by reading aloud the following prayer:
Father God, You are more awesome than we know, and Your story is so much greater than we could possibly imagine. Over the next few weeks, open our hearts to You. Fill us with passion, wonder, and awe. Revive us with more excitement to know You and serve You than ever before. In the Name of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus....AMEN!