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Chapter 13: The Great Reversal

Supernatural

December 13, 2020 • Chris Reighley • Acts 2, Deuteronomy 32:8–9, Genesis 11

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: From Babel to Pentecost—A Cosmic Inversion

From Genesis to Acts, the story of Scripture is a tale of rebellion and restoration. In Genesis 11, God judged the nations at Babel, dividing humanity by language and dispersing them across the earth. In Acts 2, He reversed that judgment—not by erasing the diversity, but by supernaturally uniting it under the Lordship of Christ.

This chapter, The Great Reversal, explores how Pentecost was not merely the beginning of the church, but the launch of God’s plan to reclaim the nations. As Heiser explains, Pentecost was God’s counterstrike against the spiritual rebellion at Babel. The divided tongues of fire, the sound of rushing wind, and the miraculous speech were all symbols of divine commissioning, echoing prophetic visions and calling the church into a mission that was deeply supernatural.

Heiser points out that Paul’s apostolic mission wasn’t just about evangelism—it was an infiltration into enemy-held territory. Every city reached with the gospel was a blow against the principalities and powers. The Great Commission (Matt. 28:18–20) wasn’t only about discipleship; it was a divine declaration of war on the dominion of darkness.

This chapter reframes the church’s origin story as part of an ongoing spiritual battle—a cosmic reversal of rebellion, powered by the Spirit of God, and focused on the redemption of all nations.

Chapter Outline: The Great Reversal

I. Recap: The Mission and Mandate

  • Matthew 28:18–20 – Jesus declares all authority in heaven and on earth.
  • The disciples are sent to all nations, not just Israel.
  • The nations once disinherited at Babel (Deut. 32:8–9) are now the focus of the mission.

II. Acts 2 – The Day of Pentecost

A. Supernatural Signs
  • Rushing wind and divided tongues of fire (Acts 2:1–4)
  • Both symbols of divine presence in the Old Testament
B. Reversal of Babel
  • Crowd gathered from “every nation under heaven”
  • Each hears the gospel in their own language (Acts 2:5–11)
  • Greek words diamerizo (“divided”) and suncheo (“confused”) directly link to Babel (Gen. 11:7–8; Deut. 32:8)

III. Babel and Its Reversal

  • Genesis 11:7–8 – God confuses languages and scatters humanity
  • Deuteronomy 32:8 – Nations are divided and assigned to lesser elohim
  • Acts 2 – God reverses the judgment by reuniting people through the gospel in the Spirit’s power

IV. Divine Commissioning Imagery

  • Wind = theophany (e.g., Elijah, Ezekiel, Sinai)
  • Fire = divine presence (burning bush, Mount Sinai)
  • Pentecost echoes the commissioning of prophets and kings—but now the whole church is commissioned

V. Paul’s Mission and the Cosmic Conflict

A. Spiritual Warfare Language
  • Ephesians 6:12 – “We wrestle not against flesh and blood”
  • Ephesians 1:20–21; Colossians 2:15 – Christ is exalted over rulers, powers, authorities
B. Paul’s Unfinished Journey
  • Romans 15:22–28 – Paul’s desire to reach Spain was more than geography—it was theological
  • He wanted to push the gospel into the westernmost reaches of the Gentile world

VI. Why This Matters

  1. The Church Is Not a Social Club—It’s a Supernatural Strike Force
    • Pentecost was a spiritual military commissioning.
  2. The Gospel Is a Reclamation Tool
    • The nations were once given over to other gods; now they’re being brought home.
  3. We Are in a Real War
    • The mission of the church is not neutral—it is contested by spiritual forces (Eph. 6:12).
  4. Our Mission Is Global and Cosmic
    • Whether across the street or across the sea, we are reclaiming territory.
  5. Victory Is Guaranteed
    • Christ has all authority—and He is with us to the end (Matt. 28:20).

Key Scriptures

  • Acts 2:1–13 – Pentecost and divine empowerment
  • Genesis 11:7–8; Deut. 32:8–9 – Babel and the disinheritance of the nations
  • Matthew 28:18–20 – The Great Commission
  • Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 2:15; Romans 15:22–28 – Spiritual war and Paul’s strategy

Reflection & Discussion Questions

  • How does understanding Pentecost as a reversal of Babel change your view of the church’s mission?
  • In what ways are you “entering enemy territory” with the gospel?
  • How can your prayer life reflect the reality of this spiritual war?

Key Takeaway

Pentecost wasn’t just the birth of the church—it was a declaration of war against the powers that once ruled the nations.

What Babel divided, the Spirit reunites. And through the gospel, the Great Reversal is underway—until every nation bows to Jesus.

This study was taught by Chris Reighley to the Sunday Night Bible Study at Rolling Hills Community Church in Lago Vista, Texas in 2020

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