Chapter 22

The Spirit World

God, Angels, and Man

Understanding the spirit world gives some insight into many of the problems we face in our modern world. This is one area of teaching that is often ignored, or else taken to the extreme. Either way, one may be spiritually burned. Again, it is important to go to the only authoritative source of knowledge on this subject, the Bible.

God Is Spirit

The Gospel of John tells us that: "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24). God is invisible to the natural human eye. John 1:18 says, "No man has seen God at any time." Paul described God in these words: "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen" (1Timothy 1:17). Notice that God is eternal, immortal, and invisible.

If you believe in the true God, you believe in a spirit being by whom everything else came into being. Some philosophers teach that spirit is good and material is bad. But that idea is wrong. Paul wrote about both worlds: "For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible… all things have been created by Him and for Him" (Colossians 1:16). "And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good" (Genesis 1:31) – even the material world.

Satan and Angels Are Spirits

The Bible reveals that God is not the only spirit being. Angels are spirit beings created by God as seen in Colossians 1:16 quoted above. The Bible teaches that Satan, the enemy of God and man, is a spirit being of indescribable evil. He is referred to in Ephesians 2:2 as "the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience." He is the fallen archangel described in Ezekiel 28:11-19 and Isaiah 14:12-17, which we will look at later.

Man Is Also Spirit

Before we take a closer look at the nature of angels, let us look at the fact that man is spirit, soul, and body. Notice that order – spirit, soul, and body. We normally refer to man as body, soul, and spirit. But God says that man is spirit, soul, and body, thus emphasizing the spiritual nature of man. Man is more than a soul and body: "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1Thessalonians 5:23). Hebrews 4:12 agrees when it says, "the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit." There is a distinct difference between the soul and spirit of a human being.

Man's contact with God is through the human spirit. This makes us far superior to animals. The Apostle Paul wrote:

		1 Corinthians 2:11, 14
	11	For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.
	14	But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

Since man is capable of communication and fellowship with God, he can also communicate with spiritual beings who are in rebellion against God. Therefore, mind reading, sorcery, witchcraft, and other occult practices may work under certain conditions.

The Existence of Angels

The Bible has many references to angels. Many different writers affirm the existence of angels and their involvement in the affairs of men. There are so many references that we can barely scratch the surface.

Jesus Affirms the Existence of Angels – Jesus taught about angels many times. For example, He taught that children are guarded by holy angels who have access to God the Father in heaven: "See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you, that their angels in heaven continually behold the face of My Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 18:10). Christian parents should commit their children to the care of the Lord who assigns His guardian angels to watch over them. But, never put your trust in angels instead of God.

God the Father would have put more than 12 legions of angels at Jesus' disposal, had He asked. Seventy-two thousand angels would have rushed to His side to save Him from arrest and crucifixion! However, He chose not to call for help in order that the Scriptures might be fulfilled (Matthew 26:54).

Angels will accompany Jesus at His second coming. He said, "The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness" (Matthew 13:41). Another time He said, "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:38).

For one who knows Jesus, it is enough that He affirmed the existence of the spirit world. However, the Bible's account does not stop there. Other writers also affirm its existence.

Paul & John Affirm the Existence of Angels – Paul mentions angels and the spirit world in several places, among which are Colossians 2:18 and 2Thessalonians 1:7. The Apostle John speaks of angels throughout the book of Revelation. According to John, there will apparently be a marked increase in the activity of angels and demons, at the end of this age.

Peter & Jude Affirm the Existence of Angels – Peter says very clearly that Jesus is now in heaven at the right hand of God "after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him" (1Peter 3:22). Even Jude, though it is only one chapter, refers both to Satan and the archangel Michael in verse nine. These are only a few of references to the spirit world throughout Scripture.

The Nature of Angels

Contrary to popular opinion they are not the spirits of people who have died. Each angel was individually created by God before the creation of the earth and man. According to Job, the sons of God, a name for angels in the Old Testament, were present when God laid the foundation of the earth. In Job, God said:

		Job 38:4-7
	4	"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth! Tell Me, if you have understanding,
	5	Who set its measurements, since you know? Or who stretched the line on it?
	6	On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone,
	7	When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?"

At times they become visible and look exactly like men. That can be seen from Daniel 9:21 and other places. Christians are exhorted, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it" (Hebrews 13:2). The only way to entertain an angel without knowing it, is for the angel to look like a human. Such a visit by angels happened to Abraham and Sarah, as well as other people in the Bible.

Furthermore, the Bible describes angels as intelligent beings, able to reason and plan. We are told in Ephesians 6 that the devil, a fallen angel, makes evil plans against God's people. They are also stronger in might and power than human beings (2 Peter 2:11). Their movements are quick (Daniel 9:21KJV), and there is a very large number of them (Revelation 5:11). The heavenly angels are holy because Jesus said in Mark 8:38 that the holy angels would come with Him on His return to earth. In the next chapter we will see that some angels fell into sin with Satan.

The Activity of Angels

Now that we have seen what angels are like, let's see how they spend their time. What do they do? According to Isaiah 6:1-8 and Revelation 4 and 5, they serve and worship God. They were sent to minister to Christ after the temptation and they delivered special messages from God to men and women in both the Old and New Testaments. An example of this is the appearance of the angel Gabriel to Mary to announce the birth of Jesus (Luke 1:26-27).

Angels also serve the people of God. They protected Daniel in the lions' den (Daniel 6:22) and delivered the Apostle Peter from prison (Acts 12:7). They acted as guides to Israel during the exodus from Egypt (Exodus 14:19) and to Philip when he was directed to the chariot of the Ethiopian eunuch to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts 8:26).

They have an important part in the government of God over mankind. They took part in the revelation of the Word of God to man (Acts 7:53, Galatians 3:19, Hebrews 2:2). Now, they observe the activities of local churches (1 Corinthians 4:9, 11:10, 1Timothy 5:21).

Angels are intelligent and powerful. That being the case, the Apostle Peter says that it is foolish to treat them lightly. He spoke of some unwise men who are:

		2 Peter 2:10-11
	10	… Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties,
	11	whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord.

Make It Personal

Caution needs to be exercised in dealing with the supernatural world. Do not fall prey to talking directly to angels. Keep your prayer directly with the Father through the Spirit, in the name of Jesus. Praise the Lord for the ministry of His angels sent forth to render service to those who are heirs to salvation.

		Hebrews 1:14
	14	Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?

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