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)
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