Supernatural
September 20, 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: The God of gods and the Council of Heaven
We live in a world fascinated by the supernatural—from Marvel movies to ghost stories, from ancient mythology to modern fantasy. But what if the Bible actually affirms something more startling than fiction? What if the spiritual world is not only real, but far more structured, populated, and active than we’ve been taught?
In this pivotal second chapter, Dr. Michael Heiser invites us to confront a truth the modern church often overlooks: The gods are real—but they’re not equal. The Bible uses the term ʾelōhîm not just for the one true God, but for a whole category of divine beings who dwell in the spiritual realm. These aren’t mere literary metaphors or ancient myths repackaged—they’re members of a real, functional Divine Council that appears throughout the biblical narrative.
Heiser shows how passages like Psalm 82, Daniel 7, and 1 Kings 22 unveil the reality of a heavenly bureaucracy—a spiritual administration where Yahweh sits enthroned, surrounded by beings He created, governs, and at times delegates responsibility to. These ʾelōhîm are real, but they are not rivals to God. They are created beings, subordinate to Him.
Why does this matter?
Because it reveals that God’s heavenly family mirrors His earthly one. It deepens our understanding of our identity, our mission, and our destiny. We were created to dwell with God, alongside His other divine imagers. To fully grasp who we are in Christ—and what we are being prepared for—we must understand the supernatural framework of Scripture.
As we explore this unseen realm, the question is not whether these beings exist. The real question is: Are we willing to let the Bible say what it says, and believe it?
Chapter Outline: The Unseen Realm – God and the Gods
I. The Gods Are Real
A. The Divine Council Is a Real Spiritual Assembly
- Psalm 82:1 – “God has taken His place in the divine council.”
- Psalm 89:5–7 – God is feared “in the council of the holy ones.”
- Daniel 7:10 – Myriads minister before the Ancient of Days.
- 1 Kings 22:19–23 – A glimpse into heavenly deliberation.
- Job 1–2 – Satan among the sons of God in the heavenly court.
B. Understanding the Hebrew Term ʾelōhîm
- Not just a name for God—but a description of where a being belongs (the spirit world), not who it is.
- Used for:
- God (Yahweh) – Genesis 1:1
- Demons – Deuteronomy 32:17
- The Dead – 1 Samuel 28:13
- Takeaway: ʾelōhîm refers to a class of spiritual beings, not divine equality.
II. Council Structure and Business
A. God’s Heavenly Bureaucracy
- Terms of Nature – What they are: spirits, holy ones, stars
- Terms of Status – How they relate to one another and God: council, assembly, court
- Terms of Function – What they do: angels, ministers, watchers, seraphim, cherubim
B. Examples of Council Activity
- Deliberation – 1 Kings 22
- Testing – Job 1–2
- Decrees and Judgments – Daniel 4
III. Why This Matters
- The Divine Council Shapes Our Understanding of God’s Government
- God could control everything directly—but He chooses to govern with His heavenly family.
- This reflects how He works with us, His earthly family.
- Heaven’s Structure Mirrors Earth’s—And Vice Versa
- Understanding the divine bureaucracy gives meaning to human hierarchy and accountability.
- God values participation, relationship, and partnership with His imagers—both heavenly and earthly.
- This Shapes Our Destiny
- The story doesn’t end with God ruling alone—it ends with believers joining in that rule (1 Cor. 6:3).
- To understand our future, we must revisit Eden—when heaven and earth, and both of God’s families, dwelt together.
Reflection & Discussion
Why are we so fascinated by the supernatural?
Ecclesiastes 3:11 – “God has set eternity in the human heart.”
Romans 1:18–23 – Even when suppressed, the truth about God and His invisible qualities remain evident.
Key Takeaway
The gods are real—but Yahweh alone is Most High.
The unseen realm isn’t a fantasy; it’s the forgotten context of the Bible.
God governs both heaven and earth—and He invites us to rule with Him.
This study was taught by Chris Reighley to the Sunday Night Bible Study at Rolling Hills Community Church in Lago Vista, Texas in 2020