Supernatural: What the Bible Teaches about the Unseen World And Why It Matters

by Michael S. Heiser

As we noted earlier, in Old Testament times, Bashan was ground zero to demonic gods and the realm of the dead.

“Bulls from the land of Bashan” is a reference to demons, the powers of darkness.

Salvation is not gained by moral perfection. It is a gift that comes by grace, through faith (Eph. 2:8–9). That in turn means salvation cannot be lost by moral imperfection. What is not at all gained by performance cannot be lost by poor performance. Salvation is about believing loyalty—trusting what Jesus did to defeat Satan’s claim and turning from all other gods and the belief systems of which they are a part.

we are instruments of God in the same way Paul was an instrument of God, then why was he so much more influential and effective? One difference is that Paul understood what his life was about. He believed the powers that had dominion over the earth were real—and that the power behind and within him was greater.

They believed the spiritual conflict was real and that, ultimately, they couldn’t lose. We’re living proof that they didn’t.

That wasn’t a denial that God was omnipresent—in all places at all times. Rather, it was a way of marking the territory on which he chose to meet with his people.

While God is everywhere, he specifically dwells within each believer. Believe it or not, you are sacred space.

They hadn’t won—they were still under judgment and as doomed as ever. That’s why this odd passage ends the way it does, with Jesus “gone into heaven” and seated “at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him” (1 Pet. 3:22).

Jesus’ death and resurrection—complete with an announcement to the demonic powers of his victory​—​was symbolized in baptism.

The Greek word for “conscience” often refers to an ability to tell right from wrong. But that isn’t the case here.

The Greek word can also point to making a commitment—and a good one, not a foolish one.

Early church baptismal rites included a renunciation of Satan and his angels because of this passage.

First, understand that believers are holy ground, the dwelling place of God’s presence—the glory of the Old Testament.

Because God became man in Jesus Christ, his mortal followers will become divine—and members of the same family.

We turn what’s actually a nearly inconceivable idea—that we will one day be as Jesus is—into a performance obligation.

a re-fashioned divine council that already participates in our Father’s kingdom.

We were created to be like him. He is free. If we do not have genuine freedom, we cannot be like him—by definition, we would not be like him.

To what end, here and now, are we God’s family council? To participate with God in liberating people from darkness. To show people how to live justly and with mercy—imitating God for those who need the illustration. To defend and spread truth about the true God in a hostile world under the dominion of envious divine intelligences. To enjoy life as God intended it.