Introduction
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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.”
Ephesians 6:11-14
Why bother to study about The Spirit World?
Paul received his calling and wisdom directly from God
Gal 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Gal 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Gal 1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews; religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
Gal 1:14 And profited in the Jews; religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
Gal 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, (on the road to Damascus)
Gal 1:16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
Gal 1:17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
Gal 1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
Gal 1:19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.
Gal 1:20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.
In Ephesians Paul was writing that God’s eternal purpose was to establish and complete His body, the Church of Christ.
Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Every good warrior knows his enemy – and so should every Christian – our enemy comes in many forms with superhuman powers and abilities – often as an angel of light
Paul was teaching in Corinth about false prophets & teachers.
2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (angel of light means a pure and holy angel – light being the emblem of purity and holiness)
We live on a spiritual battlefield – there is a constant battle going on all around us – we just can’t always see it.
Daniel had been taken captive from Israel by Nebuchadnezzar and held captive in
Babylon where he found favor. Even after Babylon fell, Daniel continued to find favor under Darius the Mede and then Cyrus the Persian. Daniel had received visions of prophecy about the fall of Babylon to the Medes and Persians, and then to Greece led by Alexander The Great. Daniel had received visions about the AntiChrist and The Great Tribulation. At this point, King Cyrus has already sent some of the Israleites back to rebuild Jerusalem and The Temple. Daniel is now nearing the end of his life during the 3rd year of Darius. Daniel has now been fasting for 3 weeks seeking another vision from God about what was to happen.
Dan 10:1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.
Dan 10:2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
Dan 10:3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
Dan 10:4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel; (The Tigris)
Dan 10:5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man (Gabriel the angel) clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:
Dan 10:6 His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.
Dan 10:7 And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.
Dan 10:8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.
Dan 10:9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.
Dan 10:10 And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.
Dan 10:11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.
Dan 10:12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
Dan 10:13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia (an evil angel) withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael (an archangel – special guardian of the affairs of Israel), one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. (Angels are not omnipotent or omnipresent – neither are they omniscient)
Dan 10:14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.
This study is not all there is to know – it is only what God allows us to know with suppositions made by man’s reasoning.
God warns us clearly that our feeble minds are not capable of understanding Him.
Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
Isa 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
God seems to tease us with just enough knowledge to amuse himself.
The main purpose of this study is to make you turn to The Word Of God for answers – not to Quija Boards, Tarrot Cards, etc.
We will be discussing the spirits in the world.
● Angels – good & bad.
● Archangels – Highest ranking angels – Like Michael who commands the angelic army of Heaven.
● Cherabim – Angels who are proclaimers and protectors of God’s glory and holiness – Like Lucifer who was the guardian of the Throne of God.
● Seraphim – Angels who praise and announce the holiness of God – Like Gabriel who announced to Mary the coming birth of Christ
● Thrones & Dominions – Ranks of good and evil angels having dominion over each other.
● Principalities & Powers – Ranks of good and evil angels having dominion over people.
● Age Rulers of Darkness, Wicked Spirits, Fallen Angels, Demons, Seducing Spirits – Evil angels.
● Spirits In Prison – A special class of fallen angels (not Satan’s) bound in Tartarus, not the hell for men, whose sin caused the flood.
● Satan.
● Man.
● The Holy Spirit.
● Angel Of The Lord – When God appears as an angel – Like one of the 3 who visited Abraham.
We will be discussing where the spirits in the world come from, where they are now, and where they will be for eternity.
We will be discussing how these spirits got to where they are and how they will get to where they are going.
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