Lesson 1Spirit Realm, Believers, and Angels |
Last lesson, we were introduced to the spirit realm by way of the scriptures that teach us and repeatedly tell us, that as believers in Jesus Christ we are “in” Him. The word “in” used in the New Testament scriptures of John 16:33, Ephesians 1:3, 17-23 and Ephesians 2:4-6, clarifies our position in Christ and in the heavenlies.
John 16:33
33. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Ephesians 1:3
3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Ephesians 1:17-23
17. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18. 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 us-ward 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.
Ephesians 2:4-6
4. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6. And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Paul is very careful in his choice of words in Ephesians. Paul wants us to know that from the moment that we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, that we are blessed with spiritual blessings that are located in the spirit realm where the Father and the Son are functioning. These spiritual gifts only come from Jesus Christ who is seated in the spirit realm above all spiritual and earthly forces, at the right of the throne of God. The Father has given this place to Christ as a place of honor and authority. In other words, Paul is describing the position of Christ so that believers will understand their position in the spirit realm, in the heavenlies. Paul presents a more detailed description of what Jesus Christ already told His believers in John 16:33.
In Ephesians, “epouraniosis” (Strong’s #2032) is the Greek word for the heavenly regions or the spirit realm, which is the location of God’s throne and the place where all spiritual beings and forces (both good and evil) exist. Bill Klein , in his article “Greek Thoughts, “ emphasizes that Paul’s purpose in writing Ephesians was for believers to grasp this important truth, especially as “we struggle with the flesh and the things of this world (Klein, 2014).” Accepting and applying this very important truth will counter all of the false teaching on how the believer is to deal with the physical world that is rampant in the world today.
…even emphasizing that a believer must fight to get back into proper relation and position with Christ. But God’s Word teaches that everyone who has received the Spirit of Christ has been made spiritually alive, has been raised from the spiritual dead, and has been seated in Christ Jesus in the spirit realm. (Klein, 2014)
The Greek word for this preposition “in” (Strong’s1722) is “En” and expresses a position that is positioned permanently in Christ at the right of the throne of God. The use of this word means that the believer is positioned in Christ and our fleshly struggles should not make us feel defeated, when we know that we are seated ”in” Christ at the right hand of the throne of God (Ephesians 2:4-6). Ephesians 6:10-18 tells us that we can defeat the enemies through putting on the whole armor of God. We know that Jesus asked the Father to protect us and keep us from the evil one while we endure this world and move through it. So here, He instructs us on how to use the weapons that He has given us. However, God has done so many things to keep us from the evil one (John 17) and to assure us of the victory that is already ours as believers and His saints. All begins with our faith in God and being submitted to Him. See James 4:7, 8.
Ephesians 2:4-6
4. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6. And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Ephesians 6:10-18
10. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
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.
13. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15. And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
James 4:7-8
7. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
We must rejoice because there is so much going on in the spirit realm on our behalf to assure us victory in Christ. We know that the Father and the Son are constantly acting on our behalf. Read John 16:13-26. Explain what the Father is doing for us in answer to Jesus’ prayer.
John 16:13-26
13. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
15. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
16. A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.
17. Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?
18. They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.
19. Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?
20. Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
21. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
22. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
23. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
24. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
25. These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.
26. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:
God has also sent God, the Holy Spirit to comfort us, to teach us, to guide and counsel us. The Holy Spirit will reprove the world of sin, of righteousness and judgment. Read John 14:13 - 17 and John 16:7-15.
John 14:13 - 17
13. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
15. If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 16:7-15
7. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you
8. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9. Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10. Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11. Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
12. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
15. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
What is God the Holy Spirit’s role and function for the believers in this world?
In addition to all that God does on our behalf, He surrounds us with saints who pray for us and help us in all that God directs them to do using His spiritual gifts. He then has an army of angels whose job it is to praise and serve God and to serve mankind as God directs them.
So who are these angels? Billy Graham, in his book Angels (1994), reminds us:
…Spiritual forces and resources are available to all Christians. Because our resources are unlimited, Christians will be winners. Millions of angels are at God’s command and at our service. The host of heaven stand at attention as we make our way from earth to glory, and Satan’s BB guns are no match for God’s heavy artillery. So don’t be afraid. God is for you. He has committed His angels to wage war in this conflict of the ages—and they will win the victory. The apostle Paul has said in Colossians 2:15, ‘And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them.’ Victory over the flesh, the world, and the devil is ours now! The angels are here to help and they are prepared for any emergency.
The Hebrew word mal’akh and the Greek word aggelos both mean messenger and can be used for either men or spirits. In Mark 1:2 aggelos refers directly to John the Baptist: “Behold I send my messenger (aggelos) before your face,” while the corresponding prophecy in Malachi 3:1 uses mal’akh. Only the context in which the words are used tells us whether the word refers to a human or angelic messenger. However, other terms are used for angelic spirits: holy ones, holy angel, sons of God, morning stars, cherubim, seraphs, ministering spirits, and watchers. In 35 books of the Bible, the term “angel” and its equivalents are found about 300 times. There are also the terms used for Satan and his fallen angels: evil spirits and unclean spirits.
Mark 1:2
2. As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
Malachi 3:1
1. Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
Angels are created beings. They are not God; they are not a form of the Holy Spirit and should not be confused with the Holy Spirit. Scripture implies that angels may have been created before God created the world. See Job 38:7. Genesis 2:1 supports the fact that God created all the hosts of heaven and earth. Then Colossians 1:15-17 reminds us that all things in heaven and in the earth are made by Christ: those things that are visible and invisible. Nehemiah 9:6 confirms the same truth, that angels are indeed created by God. Read the following scriptures: Psalm 148:2, 5. Angels are not God or gods. They are created beings, created by God.
Job 38:7
7. When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
Genesis 2:1
1. Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
Colossians 1:15-17
15. Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Nehemiah 9:6
1. Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.
Psalm 148:2, 5
2. Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
5. Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.
References:
Ankerberg, John and John Weldon. 1995. The Facts on Angels. Eugene: Harvest House Publishers.
Elwell, Walter A. (editor). 1994. Topical Analysis of the Bible. Grand Rapids: Baker Books.
Gaebelein, A.C. 1994. What the Bible Says About Angels. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.
Graham, Billy. 1994. Angels. Dallas: Word Publishing
Klein, Bill. 2014. Greek Thoughts. Retrieved August 20, 2014 at www.studylight.org/ls/gt/ StudyLight.org
Nave, Orville J. 1896. Entry for 'Angel (a Spirit)'. Nave's Topical Bible.
http://.studylight.org/concordances/ntb/view.cgi?n=300.
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