Supernatural
November 8, 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 Battle Behind the Battles
Why was Israel’s conquest of Canaan so intense—so full of divine commands to destroy entire peoples?
The answer lies not only in earthly politics or territorial ambitions, but in the unseen spiritual war rooted in the rebellions of Genesis 3, 6, and 11. In this chapter, Dr. Michael Heiser uncovers how Israel’s physical battles were extensions of a cosmic conflict: Yahweh reclaiming the land from hostile elohim and their giant offspring, the Rephaim, who had polluted sacred space.
The conquest of the Promised Land wasn’t random violence. It was targeted warfare against spiritual strongholds—regions connected to the Nephilim, the sons of Anak, and the Rephaim, all associated with ancient divine rebellion. These “giants” weren’t merely myth—they were physical, territorial threats with supernatural implications.
The battles against kings like Og of Bashan and Sihon weren’t incidental—they were deliberate strikes against the descendants of fallen divine beings. Israel’s holy war was about reclaiming sacred geography for the kingdom of God.
This chapter reframes conquest narratives, showing how the spiritual realm influenced Israel’s mission—and reveals how Jesus’ ministry (and our own) continues that cosmic conflict.
Chapter Outline: Holy War
I. Review of the Three Rebellions
- The Fall – Genesis 3
- The Sons of God and Daughters of Men – Genesis 6
- The Tower of Babel – Genesis 11
These events corrupted both humanity and geography, producing giants and hostile divine powers.
II. Conquest of the Land: Physical and Spiritual Conflict
A. Two Factors Framing the Conquest
- The land was not just occupied by people—it was claimed by rebellious divine forces.
- Israel’s mission was to displace spiritual dominion, not just national enemies.
III. Spy Report and Giant Fear – Numbers 13–14
- Spies encounter Anakim, descendants of the Nephilim (Num. 13:25–33).
- Fear, not faith, leads to rebellion and 40 years of wandering (Num. 14:11–12).
- Giants = spiritual opposition, not just tall enemies.
IV. A Second Chance in Bashan – Deut. 2–3
A. Bashan = “Land of the Serpent”
- Cities like Ashtaroth and Edrei were ancient gateways to the underworld.
- God led Israel straight to the doorstep of supernatural evil.
B. Og and Sihon: Kings of the Rephaim
- Amorite rulers over regions long linked to the Nephilim (Deut. 3:2–3; Num. 13:32–33).
- The defeat of these kings was a spiritual preview of conquering Canaan.
V. Theological Insight: “The Gates of Hell”
- Matthew 16:18–19 – “The gates of Hades will not prevail.”
- Jesus’ words echoed Israel’s earlier battles at demonic strongholds.
- Spiritual geography mattered—then and now.
VI. “Devoted to Destruction” – The Logic of Holy War
- Joshua’s campaigns focused on eliminating the Anakim (Josh. 11:21–22).
- These were not ethnic cleansings but cosmic cleansings—removing corrupted bloodlines and spiritual threats tied to rebellion.
- Incomplete obedience led to failure (Judges 1–2).
VII. Theological Question: How Were There Giants After the Flood?
- The text hints that the rebellion of Genesis 6 had ongoing consequences, either through survival, reemergence, or repetition of the sin.
- The spiritual conflict resumed in Bashan and Canaan, underscoring that divine rebellion has generational consequences.
VIII. Why This Matters
- Spiritual Warfare Has a Geographical Dimension
- Holy war wasn’t just about Israel—it was Yahweh confronting cosmic evil on sacred soil.
- The Conquest Was Theological, Not Ethnic
- Destruction was directed at demonically-influenced powers and bloodlines.
- God’s Kingdom Agenda Requires Courageous Faith
- Israel’s failure came from fear, not powerlessness.
- The Pattern Continues in Christ
- Jesus goes to Caesarea Philippi—another “gate of hell”—and declares His kingdom (Matt. 16:18–19).
- His disciples are the new agents of conquest—not with swords, but with the gospel.
- We Are Still in a Cosmic Battle
- We don’t battle flesh and blood, but powers and principalities (Eph. 6:12).
- Our mission is to reclaim territory—spiritually, theologically, and globally.
Key Scriptures
- Genesis 6, 11; Numbers 13–14; Deuteronomy 2–3
- Joshua 11:21–22; Matthew 16:18–19
- Ephesians 6:12; Revelation 21–22
Reflection & Discussion Questions
- How does understanding the conquest as cosmic conflict shift your view of Old Testament warfare?
- Where are the “spiritual strongholds” in your own life or community that need to be reclaimed?
- How can the gospel be a weapon of holy war today?
Key Takeaway
- Israel’s conquest wasn’t just about land—it was about loyalty.
- It wasn’t only war—it was spiritual reclamation.
- And today, Jesus leads us into battle—not to destroy nations, but to reclaim them.
This study was taught by Chris Reighley to the Sunday Night Bible Study at Rolling Hills Community Church in Lago Vista, Texas in 2020