Supernatural
September 27, 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: From Eden to Eternity
Before the throne, before the rebellion, before the cross—there was Eden.
In this powerful chapter, Dr. Michael Heiser shifts the spotlight from the supernatural realm to our own identity and purpose. If God rules the invisible realm through His divine council, then what about the visible realm—our world? What role were we meant to play?
Heiser takes us back to the very beginning—not just to Adam and Eve, but to Eden as God’s home, His divine headquarters. There, heaven and earth overlapped. God dwelt with His spiritual and human families in one place, and He shared His authority with both. Just as He governs through a divine council in the unseen realm, so too He designed humanity to act as His earthly council—His imagers, ruling and stewarding creation under His kingship.
To be human, then, is not just to bear the image of God—it is to be His image. We are created to represent Him, to rule on His behalf, to multiply His presence across the world. This chapter reminds us that Eden was not just a beginning—it was a blueprint. And though we lost it through sin, God’s plan has never changed. In Christ, we are being restored to our original destiny: ruling with Him in a new Eden, where heaven and earth are united once again.
Chapter Outline: Once and Future Kings
I. Eden – God’s Home Office
A. Earth Was Not Eden Genesis 2:8
- Eden is planted in the earth, not synonymous with it.
- Eden is sacred space, distinct and holy.
B. Purpose in the Garden Genesis 2:15
- Adam was tasked to “cultivate and keep” it—language of sacred stewardship and priestly service.
C. Purpose on Earth (Outside the Garden) Genesis 1:28
- Be fruitful, multiply, subdue the earth, and rule—Eden’s blessings were to expand outward.
- Humanity’s original mandate was kingly and missional.
D. Eden Was Adam and Eve’s Home Genesis 2:15–25
E. Eden Was Also God’s Home
- Garden of God – Ezekiel 28:13; 31:8–9
- Holy Mountain of God – Ezekiel 28:14
- God’s presence, like in the tabernacle and temple, dwelled here with both human and divine family.
II. God’s Imagers
A. “Let Us Make Man in Our Image” Genesis 1:26–27
- God announces this to His divine council—not to the Trinity.
- The divine beings didn’t create us, but we are made to reflect both God and His heavenly family.
B. What the “Image of God” Is (and Isn’t)
- Not abilities like intelligence or morality (which vary).
- Being an imager is about representing God—it’s a status, not a skillset.
- You don’t lose the image through sin—it’s intrinsic to being human (Genesis 5:3; 9:6).
C. Image-Bearing Is Sacred
- All humans are sacred image-bearers—from conception to death.
- This undergirds a biblical worldview of justice, dignity, and calling.
D. Idolatry as a Counterfeit
- Ancient kings erected idols to project their image. God places humans to project His.
- Misrepresenting God distorts our calling.
III. Two Councils, One Destiny
A. Back to Eden – Heaven on Earth
- The Bible’s end mirrors its beginning: Eden is restored (Revelation 21–22).
B. Human Believers as God’s Restored Family
- Children of God / Sons of God
- John 1:12; Galatians 3:26; 1 John 3:1–2
- Adopted into God’s Family
- Galatians 4:5–6; Romans 8:14–16
- Heirs of God and Co-Rulers with Christ
- Galatians 4:7; Titus 3:7; James 2:5; Revelation 2:26–28; 3:21
- Partakers of the Divine Nature
- 2 Peter 1:4
- Tree of Life Restored
- Revelation 2:7
IV. Why This Matters
- God’s Original Plan Was Eden Everywhere
- The garden was to spread across the globe through human participation.
- The Plan Wasn’t Abandoned After the Fall
- God repeated the Eden mandate post-Flood (Genesis 8:17; 9:1).
- Jesus Is the Key to Eden’s Restoration
- Through Him, we are restored as rulers, co-heirs, and holy imagers.
- Being an Imager Changes Everything
- Every person has sacred worth.
- Every calling can be kingdom work.
- Every decision reflects the character of the King we represent.
- We Are God’s Agents of Redemption
- Not passive passengers—active participants.
- The restoration of Eden has already begun in the hearts and hands of God’s people.
- Freedom Misused Destroys Eden
- Only in Christ, the perfect Image, can we live as God intended.
Reflection & Discussion Questions
- What does it mean in your daily life to be an “imager” of God?
- How should knowing that Eden was God’s “home office” change how we understand heaven and earth?
- In what ways can your work, relationships, or leadership reflect Eden’s restoration?
Key Takeaway
- You were made for Eden.
- Not just to dwell in it, but to extend it.
- You are God’s image-bearer, His representative, His royal steward.
- And one day soon, you will reign with Him—once and future kings, in a garden renewed.
This study was taught by Chris Reighley to the Sunday Night Bible Study at Rolling Hills Community Church in Lago Vista, Texas in 2020