Today, we’ll continue to uncover the realities of the invisible realm, as seen in scripture. This is something every believer must understand in order to walk with the Lord, overcome the enemy’s tactics, and bear fruit for the Kingdom of God.
Here in the West, many people are convinced that spirits, angels, demons, and the supernatural are just figments of someone’s vain imagination. The Sadducees were like that. They did not believe in spirits, angels, or resurrection (Acts 23:8). This is too often the case with people today. They are only aware of the natural physical world.
The apostle Paul, who had many revelations from the Lord, and was even caught up to heaven, realized the invisible realm was more real than the natural world he lived in. He understood it was eternal and the things he could see were only temporal.
"... while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18
That’s why he also wrote,
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:1-2
So we have these two exhortations from scripture (although there are many others), to focus on things that are not visible to our naked eyes. It may seem foolish to some, but it is actually the wisdom of God. Everything in the natural can be shaken. The invisible Kingdom of God can never be shaken.
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. Hebrews 12:28
As we shared in our last post, our citizenship is in heaven, the City of God, and the home of the redeemed.
Let’s look at one of my favorite Old Testament stories that makes clear the distinction between the visible and invisible realm. It deals with the prophet Elisha and his servant.
Elisha had been used of God repeatedly to warn the king of Israel of the Syrians planned attacks.
Horses and Chariots of Fire
8) Now the king of Syria was making war against Israel; and he consulted with his servants, saying, "My camp will be in such and such a place."
9) And the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, "Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are coming down there." 10) Then the king of Israel sent someone to the place of which the man of God had told him. Thus he warned him, and he was watchful there, not just once or twice.
11) Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, "Will you not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?" 12) And one of his servants said, "None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who
is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom."
13) So he said, "Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him." And it was told him, saying, "Surely he is in Dothan." 14) Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city.
15) And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" 16) So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."
17) And Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:8-17
Notice how the prophet prayed; “Lord open his eyes that he may see.”
Elisha did not live his life oblivious to the invisible realm around him. He knew he was not alone, and that God’s forces had been released on his behalf to carry out God’s plan.
This is exactly how the apostle Paul prayed for the church at Ephesus (Ephesians 1:17-23) and how we should pray for ourselves and others.
We must learn to operate in this truth as we serve the Lord, knowing He is no respecter of personality. What He did for Elisha, He will do for us as we put our trust in Him and believe His Word.
The book of Psalms describes God’s protection and the ministry of His angels for everyone hidden in His secret place, through intimate fellowship and obedience (Psalm 91). These angelic beings live in the invisible realm, though at times manifest their presence in the visible, as we’ll see later in this series.
We’ll pick it up here again next time. Until then, may God our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ continually bless and keep you.
James Brown CST 07/05/2024