Bible Doctrine - The Spiritual Realm and Spiritual Warfare

THE SPIRITUAL REALM AND SPIRITUAL WARFARE

THE SPIRITUAL REALM

When God created the universe (Gen. 1:1), He created it multi-dimensional. The universe contains not only the physical realm by which our five biological senses [sight, touch, taste, hearing, and smell] can detect and engage with, it also contains a spiritual realm that can only be detected by our human spirit (Job 32:8; 2 Kings 6:8-23; Daniel 10:12-13). The spiritual realm is an extra-dimensional facet of the universe that runs parallel to the physical realm. Our human spirit can naturally detect the spiritual realm (Job 32:8), but it can only directly engage with the spiritual realm with help from an outside force (2 Kings 6:8-23; Acts 12:6-11). Because we are all born spiritually dead [with the exceptions of the First Adam and the Last Adam [Jesus Christ] who were born spiritually alive (1 Corinthians 15:45)], none of us have the innate ability to detect the spiritual realm (1 Corinthians 2:14). We receive that ability at the moment of our salvation [through faith alone in Christ alone] (Acts 16:31), when our human spirit is regenerated by God the Holy Spirit (John 3:6; Job 33:4; Titus 3:5). The angels, on the other hand, have the innate ability to both detect and engage with both the physical realm and the spiritual realm (Job 1:6-7; 2:1-2). They can freely move between [in and out of] the spiritual realm and the physical realm (Job 1:6-7; 2:1-2). The natural abode of the angels is in the spiritual realm (Jude 1:6). Actions that occur in the spiritual realm can have a direct effect on the physical realm (Revelation 9:1-10, 13-19).

SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Spiritual warfare is warfare that takes place in the spiritual realm. Spiritual warfare came into existence at the fall of Lucifer [Satan] and the subsequent angelic conflict (Isaiah 14:12). . . . Before man was created, Satan arrogantly tried to usurp God’s sovereignty (Isaiah 14:13) and tried to be like Him (Isaiah 14:14). Satan recruited one-third of God’s angels to follow him in his rebellion (Revelation 12:4). War ensued in both the spiritual realm and physical realm (Isaiah 14:16-17; Ezekiel 28:13-19). Satan lost the war, was put on trial, and was sentenced to eternity in the lake of fire (Isaiah 14:15; Ezekiel 28:19). Satan appealed the sentence; as a result, an appeal trial was convened to resolve the angelic conflict (Job 1:6; 2:1; Zechariah 3:1-3; Revelation 12:10). The commencement of the appeal trial gave way for the creation of man and the institution of the parallel test of volition. Man’s purpose is to resolve the angelic conflict through his function as a witness for the prosecution [Jesus Christ] in the Angelic Appeal Trial (1 Corinthians 6:3). Man’s positive volition toward Jesus Christ and toward God’s plan for human history gives credence to God’s case against Satan in the Angelic Appeal Trial. . . . When man was created, spiritual warfare was already in action (Genesis 3:1-5, 13). Spiritual warfare spilled over into the human realm at the fall of Adam (Genesis 3:6-7), with the soul of man as the battleground. Spiritual warfare has since been ongoing to the present day and is the cause of many of the suffering and turmoil on the earth.

Spiritual warfare in the spiritual realm often times causes physical warfare in the physical realm (2 Kings 19:35). Events that happen in the spiritual realm can directly effect the physical realm because the spiritual realm runs parallel with the physical realm.

The natural, unregenerate man [an unbeliever in Jesus Christ without a human spirit] is a victim and casualty of any spiritual onslaught. He is powerless to deflect the flaming missiles of any angelic antagonists of the spiritual realm (Ephesians 6:16) because he cannot detect actions that take place in the spiritual realm (1 Corinthians 2:14). In order to successfully engage in spiritual warfare, he must become a believer in Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31), maintain the filling of God the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), learn God’s Word (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16), and grow to spiritual maturity (2 Peter 3:18).

While the battle of physical warfare is the battle for land, resources, and dominance, the battle of spiritual warfare is the battle for control of the soul. The weapon of physical warfare, i.e., bombs and bullets, is useless against the weapon of spiritual warfare, i.e., words and thought. Word versus word. Thought versus thought. The believer must put on spiritual armory and must saturate his soul with metabolized doctrine [epignosis doctrine] if he is to effectively engage in spiritual warfare and deflect attacks from the spiritual realm. The Word of God and Bible Doctrine is the believer’s only effective weaponry in the spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:11, 13-17).

“Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes [strategies] of the devil. For our struggle [our spiritual combat] is not against flesh and blood [against human beings], but against the rulers [highest ranking demon generals], against the powers [authorities of the demon officer corps], against the world forces of this darkness [demon ambassadors], against the spiritual forces of wickedness [the rank-and-file demons] in the heavenly places [the stellar universe, even heaven itself]. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day [this present age], and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:10-17, NASB, emphasis added)

“Casting down imaginations [Satanic, demonic, and human viewpoint], and every high thing that exalteth itself [wars] against the knowledge of God [divine viewpoint], and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ [taming every thought to be in line with the thinking of Jesus Christ]” (2 Corinthians 10:5, KJV, emphasis added)

“That you may be filled with the knowledge [epignosis] of His will [sovereign purpose and design] in all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (Colossians 1:9b, NASB, emphasis added)