The Unseen Realm

We're beginning a journey into 'The Unseen Realm,' a series inspired by the groundbreaking work of the late Dr. Michael Heiser.  Long before my formal training as an ordained minister, I've held a deep conviction: there exists a realm, often overlooked and arrogantly dismissed, where forces of good and evil—angels and demons—actively engage in the affairs of humanity and all creation.  I firmly believe that the Bible becomes profoundly clearer when we intentionally acknowledge this reality, reading it with the conviction that it means precisely what it says.  Ironically, those who boast of their intellectual prowess often find these truths too fantastical, attempting to conform all things to the limitations of human reason.  This, in itself, is a form of pride, embodying the very essence of God's ultimate adversary, Satan.  Indeed, these individuals often occupy positions of influence in academia, even within seminaries where clergy are educated and trained.  They are lauded as scholars, professors, and scientists, or even as religious figures in the so-called "cult of science." Proverbs 14:12 warns us: "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death."  Therefore, as we embark on this series, we must first confront the nature of Satan and his enigmatic relationship with God.

The Classic View of Satan
The figure of Satan looms large in our collective consciousness, a figure of darkness and rebellion. But who is this enigmatic being? The scriptures paint a portrait of a fallen angel, once a glorious inhabitant of heaven, radiating with beauty and wisdom. Ezekiel's vision unveils this majestic creature, adorned with precious stones, moving amidst fiery stones, perfect in his ways until iniquity was found in him.  Pride, that insidious poison, swelled within him, whispering promises of power and equality with God. Isaiah echoes this fall from grace, recounting the ambition of the morning star, Lucifer, who dared to ascend above the heights of the clouds, to make himself like the Most High.
But this rebellion against the divine order led to a catastrophic downfall. Cast out from the heavenly realm, Satan became the tempter, the adversary, seeking to draw others into his rebellion. He prowls like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, whispering doubts and temptations, as he did with Jesus in the desolate wilderness.  He offered dominion over earthly kingdoms, a shortcut to power, if only Jesus would bow down and worship him. But the Son of God, steadfast in his obedience, resisted the allure of the evil one.
Satan, the evil one, stands in direct opposition to God and all that is good.  He is the father of lies, the deceiver, who masquerades as an angel of light, seeking to blind the minds of unbelievers. He works through deception and destruction, sowing discord and tempting humanity towards sin.  He is the thief who comes only to steal and kill and destroy, seeking to rob us of the abundant life that God intends for us.
Yet, for all his power and malice, Satan is a defeated foe.  He is a creature, not a creator, and his power is ultimately limited, subject to the sovereign authority of God.  Though he may rage against the light, he cannot extinguish it.  Though he may prowl the earth, he is a prisoner on a leash, his ultimate fate sealed.  The victory has already been won through Christ, and those who stand firm in their faith need not fear the schemes of the evil one.

Another Perspective
In the weeks ahead, we'll be expanding our understanding of Satan and the forces of darkness, moving beyond traditional views to incorporate the groundbreaking insights of Dr. Michael Heiser, author of "The Unseen Realm" and numerous other influential works, alongside other scholarly resources. We'll also be drawing upon our rich Wesleyan heritage to enrich this exploration.  We'll discover that the commonly held understanding of Satan and "the fallen" is often simplified and incomplete, shaped by tradition, translation nuances, and perhaps even a touch of intellectual pride.
What if, as Heiser suggests, Satan and other dark spiritual entities are part of a complex social order existing beyond our normal perceptions, a realm often referred to as heaven and hell? What if, as the Scriptures hint, this society is structured around something called "The Divine Council," a heavenly assembly where God interacts with both loyal and rebellious spiritual beings?  We'll delve into these fascinating questions, examining the biblical evidence and exploring the implications for our faith. Join us on Sundays as we unpack these concepts in our sermon messages, and for a deeper dive on Wednesday nights with Pastor Dan's class, as we seek to understand the unseen realm and its impact on our lives.