Supernatural
November 1, 2020 • Chris Reighley
Supernatural:
What the Bible Teaches about the Unseen World—And Why It Matters
by Dr. Michael S. Heiser
Uncover the Supernatural in the Bible
Introduction: Where Heaven Meets Earth
Why does it matter where something happens in Scripture?
In this chapter, Dr. Michael Heiser draws us into a core idea from the biblical worldview: Sacred Space—the zones where God’s presence dwells, where His rule is visible, and where heaven touches earth. The Bible reveals a deliberate design in which certain places are set apart as “holy ground”—Eden, Sinai, the tabernacle, the temple—not because the dirt is magical, but because God is present there.
Holiness, Heiser reminds us, is not simply about moral behavior. It’s about God’s otherness—His set-apart nature as the source of life. Sacred space emphasizes this difference and reminds us that access to God must come on His terms. In ancient Israel, symbolic rituals, cleanliness laws, and temple architecture were all designed to reinforce the distinction between the holy and the common, between life and death, between God and man.
But sacred space is not just ancient history. In Christ, the sacred is now personal. Through the cross, we are made holy—fit to dwell in God’s presence. And now, God’s Spirit makes His home in us. We are the temple. We are the holy ground.
Chapter 8 isn’t just about tabernacles and temples—it’s about identity, intimacy, and mission. Because where God dwells, there is holiness. And in Christ, that place is now you.
Chapter Outline: Sacred Space
I. Review: The Story So Far
- Egypt’s gods were defeated (Ex. 12:12; Josh. 2:8–10).
- Israel was rescued to become God’s covenant family (Ex. 4:22–23).
- The Law was given through angels (Acts 7:52–53; Heb. 2:1–2).
- At Sinai, the elders saw God and ate with Him (Ex. 24:9–11).
II. The Concept of Holiness
A. What Is Holiness?
- Hebrew: qadosh — “set apart,” “distinct,” “other.”
- Holiness is not first about behavior; it’s about being aligned with God’s presence (Lev. 19:2).
B. God’s Otherness
- God is uncreated, perfect, and the source of life.
- Our realm is imperfect, mortal, and common.
III. Ritual and Sacred Boundaries
A. Ritual Laws Taught Supernatural Truth
- Symbolic acts and restrictions reinforced God’s presence and character.
- Laws about blood, sex, death, and food pointed to life, not morality.
B. Uncleanness and the Loss of Life
- Blood and fluids represented life. Their loss represented mortality.
- Touching death was incompatible with divine presence.
IV. Sacrifices and Substitution
- Sacrifices allowed life to be preserved in the face of God’s holiness.
- Substitution taught that God desired mercy, not destruction.
- Day of Atonement rituals reinforced God’s power over life and death.
V. Sacred Space and Realm Distinction
A. Heaven and Hell on Earth
- Not all ground is the same: some places are sacred, others profane or even demonic.
- Israel’s tabernacle/temple was holy ground because God was present.
B. Eden and the Temple
- The temple design reflected Eden:
- Lampstand = Tree of Life
- Cherubim = Guardians of Eden
- Lush decorations = Garden imagery
VI. Fulfillment in Christ: Sacred Space Redefined
A. Holiness and Access to God
- We are sanctified through faith in Jesus (Heb. 2:14; 1 Cor. 3:16–17).
- Jesus’ death makes us clean—even though He died outside the holy city (Heb. 13:12).
B. Jesus Overcame the Unclean
- He was crucified where sinners belong.
- His death and resurrection sanctify us to become holy ground.
C. We Are Now the Temple
- 1 Corinthians 3:16–17 – “You are God’s temple.”
- 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 – “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.”
VII. Why This Matters
- God’s Holiness Still Requires Purification
- Jesus is our access point to sacred space.
- Everything Jesus Did Had Supernatural Meaning
- From wilderness temptation to resurrection, He reclaimed holy ground.
- We Are the Temple Now
- God’s presence resides in us.
- We bring sacred space into the world wherever we go.
- Sacred Space Is Missional
- Eden was lost, then imaged in the tabernacle and temple.
- Now, believers extend Eden into the world—until the New Jerusalem.
Key Scriptures
- Leviticus 19:2 – “Be holy, for I am holy.”
- Exodus 24:9–11 – Meal with God on the mountain.
- Hebrews 2:14 – Jesus overcomes death.
- 1 Corinthians 3:16–17; 6:19–20 – Believers are God’s temple.
- Revelation 21–22 – The New Eden.
Reflection & Discussion Questions
- How does the biblical concept of “sacred space” shape your understanding of worship?
- What does it mean to you that God’s presence now dwells in you?
- How should this affect how you live, work, and relate to others?
Key Takeaway
- Sacred space is not just a place—it’s a presence.
- Where God dwells, holiness reigns. And now, through Christ, He dwells in you.
- You are the temple. You are the holy ground. So walk worthy.
This study was taught by Chris Reighley to the Sunday Night Bible Study at Rolling Hills Community Church in Lago Vista, Texas in 2020