Book Review: The Unseen Realm, Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible, by Michael S. Heiser

 

I first heard of this book, published in 2015, in a podcast interview with N. T. Wright. Dr. Heiser (who passed away in 2023) builds a contextual framework to integrate all of the diverse Bible passages that deal with supernatural beings. In this he calls them elohim, which based on his Hebrew language scholarship credentials, refers to supernatural beings perceived as gods, not just to the one true God. He explains these passages from the viewpoint of the ancient Jews who wrote the original manuscripts. The Divine Council (a committee of gods) consists of those subordinate rulers whom Yahweh convenes as part of His rule of the earth and spiritual realms.

Sadly, many of these rulers rebelled against the true God. Although they had been assigned positions of authority by Him, in their rebellion they chose to lead the humans in their assigned realms to follow in their footsteps, and reject worship of Yahweh for worship of themselves. Following the Tower of Babel, humans were dispersed to various language groups all over the earth. The author points to the grim unanimity of pagan tribes in worshipping false gods in all parts of the earth. (Think of Asherah poles, totem poles, pyramids, and human sacrifice, as examples.)

One of the mysteries is the account of children born from the union of the “sons of God” and the daughters of men, resulting in giants. The mating of gods with humans is common to mythology and pagan religions around the world, and we could treat it as myth, except that elohim having children with human women is in the Bible. (Genesis 6:4) In fact, Goliath was very likely one such offspring, based on his being a giant. (1 Samuel 17:4-7) The insistence by Yahweh that Israel utterly eradicate the Canaanite tribes mentioned is possibly linked to this demonic pollution of their gene pool - He wanted it gone. That Israel failed to complete the task means that there are still remnants of that demonic seed in some humans.

Direct visits by Yahweh to various individuals are put in context — why God chose to meet them in person. These meetings provide insight into the interaction of the spiritual realm with the physical.  The primary point is that He visited them to accomplish His purpose, of building the Kingdom of God on earth. Abraham, Moses, Joshua didn’t choose to do this on their own, but Yahweh appeared to both direct and empower them.

As the author discusses the coming of Christ on earth, and the second coming, the focus is on setting things right according to God’s original plan. The rebellious ‘gods’ or ‘demons’ did not understand the redemption that would be brought by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.  (1 Corinthians 2:8) Jesus’ ultimate plan is that the redeemed, of their own free will, will vanquish evil and serve Yahweh - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - wholeheartedly and in His nature and character, by the empowering of the Holy Spirit. The redeemed will ultimately judge the fallen elohim. (1 Corinthians 6:3) Beyond the unveiling of Revelation, the future is beyond our understanding or the revelation we have now. (1 Corinthians 2:9) We are, however, presently engaged in spiritual warfare, and have direction.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:12-17)

A video summary of this book is on YouTube.

Daniel – the musical, at Sight and Sound Theatre

 

Ronks, Pennsylvania is the middle of Amish country, but the Sight and Sound presentation of Daniel is an intense presentation of faith confronting political power and evil directly. The story of Daniel is presented chronologically (with occasional flashbacks), weaving together the entire biblical story. This includes the historical context of the Babylonian captivity, appearances by the contemporary prophets (Ezekiel and Jeremiah), and of course a faithful presentation of the book of Daniel including both his interactions with Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian religious and political hierarchy, and both Daniel’s and Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams and visions.

 The play is intense. The themes themselves bear the weight of slavery in a foreign land, the constant opposition of evil religious schemers, the risk of imminent death, and the presentation of truth and righteousness to rulers who are not particularly interested. The intensity is matched by the music and special effects. A large LED movie screen covers the entire back of the stage, and the action and sets are integrated so that it is often hard to tell where one ends and the other begins. Just one example - as Ezekiel is telling his vision of the valley of dry bones coming to life, actors on stage are dancing to a spiritual, and behind them is a screen with hundreds more, an army of the resurrected. Belshazzar’s final party is a wild bacchanal with almost the entire cast drinking and dancing until the hand of God appears to write the fateful words on the wall, terrifying all.

 The depiction of dreams is faithful to Scripture. When visions of heaven are presented on-screen, it seems as though the developers are following the scheme set forth in The Unseen Realm, by  Michael S. Heiser. Heaven is on a mountaintop populated with angels and occasional appearances by the pre-incarnate Christ, with a seemingly endless array of stars in the distance. When future empires are depicted by animals, they are terrifying. The statue that Nebuchadnezzar dreams is tangible, flying through the air over the audience. The subsequent statue that  Nebuchadnezzar builds seems impossibly lavish, because it was. (Although the head is on stage, the whole statue is shown only on-screen, but it is depicted ginormously right in front of the Hebrew young men.)

 It is the application of eternal values that is ultimately important. What should we take away from Daniel’s legacy?

•      We must determine in our heart to remain faithful to God in every circumstance and situation, whether trial and tribulation or success, power, and wealth.

•      Our relationship with God requires a significant investment of time spent with Him every day.

•      When God gives us revelation in visions or dreams (or by other pathways), we must understand the meaning, and we must respond appropriately (in obedience).

•       Rulers, regardless of political structure, may or may not respond to God’s revealed standards of justice, mercy and humility. They are often tempted by their power or by others seeking to influence them into horrible sin. We should pray for them irregardless.

The fact that God chooses to display the attributes of His glory - holiness, love, righteousness, mercy, justice - through our lives is our ultimate calling. Neither evil people nor evil spirits (nor the politicians they deceive and enslave) can prevent God from accomplishing His ultimate purpose.