In the New Testament, we are warned about false human teachers, but we are also cautioned against deceiving spirits. Jesus warns us about false prophets and false messiahs in Matthew 24:24 and Mark 13:22. Colossians 2:8-10 instructs us to reject corrupt theology based on the philosophies of worldly spiritual teachings. 1 John 4:1-4 instructs us to test the spirits and reject those that lead people away from the teachings of Jesus and his apostles. Galatians 1:8 warns against the false gospel preached by anyone, including fallen angels. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 states that false teachers pretending to be godly are like Satan, who masquerades as an angel of light. Additionally, Colossians 2:18 states that angels shouldn’t be worshiped or prayed to.
Continue readingCategory Archives: Supernatural Beings
Essays about the various supernatural entities mentioned in the bible.
Cherub and Noah’s Ark
I came across an interesting concept regarding the Cherubim that surround God’s throne and Noah’s Ark. It’s not a particularly important theological point, but I found it interesting either way. Noah had three categories of animals on his Ark along with his family. Unclean land animals (carnivores, scavengers, certain kinds of herbivores), clean land animals (herbivores, with specific anatomy), and flying creatures both clean and unclean (Genesis 7:2-3). This representation depicts the four cherubim.
Continue readingA Tale of Two Seeds
Who is Satan? Is Satan attacking people in the Old Testament, or is this God’s judgment? The Bible says God doesn’t tempt us (James 1:12-15), but rather is Satan is the tempter (Matthew 6:13). Yet oftentimes in the Old Testament when bad things happen scripture says that God was testing Israel (Deut 8:16, Deut 13:3, Judges 2:22). It seems that the revelation of Satan’s role is revealed more and more throughout scripture until the time of the Messiah (or Savior). The Gospel reveals him as the true enemy because he is the serpent whose head will be bruised by the Messiah (Gen 3:15). Satan is rarely mentioned in the Old Testament. Hence, some people believe that Satan either is a metaphor or is an agent of God to exact judgment, rather than a rebel. However, Jesus and the apostles define him as a real spiritual enemy of God seeking to devour us (1 Peter 5:8).
Continue readingTrinity vs One God
Is God one person or three persons? The Bible says God is one (Deut 6:4). Yet the Gospels suggest Jesus claimed to be God in the flesh. John 1:1-14 says, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and was God, and the Word became flesh as Jesus. Matthew 1:23 quotes from Isaiah 7:14 and Isaiah 8:8-10, stating that a virgin will conceive a child, and his name will be Immanuel (meaning “God with us”). Lastly, Daniel 7:13 alludes to a messianic king called the “Son of Man,” who descends from heaven and rules the world. Jesus refers to himself as the Son of Man in many places, such as in Luke 5:24, where he demonstrates that, like God the Father, he has the authority to forgive sins. The Holy Spirit that came upon Jesus (John 1:32-34) is given only to those who believe (John 14:16-17), and this “Holy Spirit” is the spirit of God. Yet, Jesus said that the Father will send the Spirit in John 14:16-17, but in John 16:7, He says He will send the Holy Spirit. Does this show that Jesus and the Father are “one,” as he says in John 10:30?
Continue readingSatan’s True Agenda
In recent years, subliminal messaging in various media has promoted the idea that Satan works for God as an executioner of God’s judgment rather than against God’s will. It’s even accepted by some that Satan is a misunderstood victim of God’s wrath rather than an enemy that will receive punishment on Judgment Day. If that’s true, then why was Jesus sent to defeat him?
Continue readingNephilim, Giants, and Demons
What are demons? The Bible describes them as unclean spirits, but what exactly is an unclean spirit? Are there Giants in the Bible? Where did they come from? Are they the angel-human hybrids? Who are the fallen angels? Why are they called Sons of God? Are they angels, the sons of God (a divine council), or giants? Are they connected to demons somehow?
Continue readingThe Hosts of Heaven
To the ancient world, the sun, moon, and stars were seen as living creatures, not just balls of gas or rocks in space. That is why pagan cultures worshipped them, but to the Israelites, they were just members of the host of heaven who served God. Who are the Hosts of Heaven? According to the Bible, there are Angels, Cherubs, Seraphs, and Sons of God in the Heavens. There are various beings in heaven, and they differ in appearance and roles. To the Bible believers, the spiritual beings in heaven are not gods, but servants of the Most High God. However, to the pagan nations, they were seen as part of a pantheon of gods. That’s how other ancient tribes ended up worshipping them as deities and praying to them, which the Bible frowns upon, even in the New Covenant (Colossians 2:18, Hebrews 1:14).
Elohim:
Elohim (אלוהים) is the plural version of Eloah (אלוה), which means god in the generic sense. In scriptures that say “you shall have no other ‘gods’ before me”, the word “gods” is translated from the Hebrew Elohim. For example, Deut 10:17 says For Adonai (the Lord) your God is God of gods and Lord of lords. ‘God of gods’ is translated from Elohim of Elohim. However, Elohim has another linguistic function that allows it to function as a singular. Usually, “im” at the end of a word in Hebrew makes the word plural, like “s” at the end of a word in English. However, some words can function as concretized abstract plurals. Meaning they take the plural form but are functionally singular. The Hebrew word for water, “Mayim” (מַיִם) functions the same way. Mayim has “im” on the end, but it often refers to a singular body of water. Concretization can be both singular and plural. In English, we have concretized singular words like “sheep”. When there are multiple of them, we still use the word “sheep” instead of “sheeps” because of this system.
