Online Bible Study
LESSON ONE-THE INVISIBLE WAR
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It is necessary to use "spiritual discernment" to understand spiritual things.
Perhaps one of the best examples of natural and spiritual discernment is
recorded in II Kings chapter 6. It records the story of a natural battle in
which troops of the enemy nation of Syria had surrounded a small town
called Dothan where the prophet Elisha was staying. When Elisha's servant,
Gehazi, saw the great host of the enemy he became fearful. Elisha prayed
that God would open Gehazi's spiritual eyes so he could see the angelic
hosts surrounding and protecting them. On this occasion, God actually
opened the natural eyes of Gehazi and allowed him to visibly see the
superior forces of God aligned for battle. The story of this battle at Dothan
is similar to present spiritual conditions in the Church. There are some, like
Elisha, who see clearly into the realm of the spirit. They know there is a
conflict occurring, have identified the enemy, and recognize the greater
forces of God that assure victory. There are others like Gehazi, who with a
little encouragement, will be able to open their spiritual eyes and no longer
be fearful of and defeated by the enemy. But sadly, there are many people
who, like those in the city of Dothan, are spiritually sleeping. They do not
even know that the enemy has surrounded them and is poised for attack.
TWO SPIRITUAL KINGDOMS
Within the natural and spiritual realms of which we are speaking there exists
separate kingdoms which are ruled by natural and spiritual leaders.
NATURAL KINGDOMS:
All men live in a natural kingdom of this world. They live in a city or village
which is part of a nation. That nation is a kingdom of the world. A natural
kingdom is a territory or people over which an actual king or political leader
is the sovereign ruler. The Bible speaks of these natural kingdoms as
"kingdoms of the world". The kingdoms of the world have come under the
power and influence of Satan:
Again, the Devil taketh Him (Jesus) up into an exceeding high mountain, and
sheweth Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith
unto Him, All these things will I give thee, if you wilt fall down and worship
me. (Matthew 4:8-9)
John 5:19 sadly reminds us that "the whole world is under the control of the
evil one".
SPIRITUAL KINGDOMS:
In addition to the natural kingdoms of this world there are two spiritual
kingdoms: The Kingdom of Satan and the Kingdom Of God. Every person
alive is a resident of one of these two kingdoms. The Kingdom of Satan
consists of Satan, spiritual beings called demons, and all men who live in sin
and rebellion to God's Word. These, plus the world and the flesh, are the
spiritual forces of evil at work in the world today. The Kingdom of God
consists of God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, spiritual beings
called
Perhaps one of the best examples of natural and spiritual discernment is
recorded in II Kings chapter 6. It records the story of a natural battle in
which troops of the enemy nation of Syria had surrounded a small town
called Dothan where the prophet Elisha was staying. When Elisha's servant,
Gehazi, saw the great host of the enemy he became fearful. Elisha prayed
that God would open Gehazi's spiritual eyes so he could see the angelic
hosts surrounding and protecting them. On this occasion, God actually
opened the natural eyes of Gehazi and allowed him to visibly see the
superior forces of God aligned for battle. The story of this battle at Dothan
is similar to present spiritual conditions in the Church. There are some, like
Elisha, who see clearly into the realm of the spirit. They know there is a
conflict occurring, have identified the enemy, and recognize the greater
forces of God that assure victory. There are others like Gehazi, who with a
little encouragement, will be able to open their spiritual eyes and no longer
be fearful of and defeated by the enemy. But sadly, there are many people
who, like those in the city of Dothan, are spiritually sleeping. They do not
even know that the enemy has surrounded them and is poised for attack.
TWO SPIRITUAL KINGDOMS
Within the natural and spiritual realms of which we are speaking there exists
separate kingdoms which are ruled by natural and spiritual leaders.
NATURAL KINGDOMS:
All men live in a natural kingdom of this world. They live in a city or village
which is part of a nation. That nation is a kingdom of the world. A natural
kingdom is a territory or people over which an actual king or political leader
is the sovereign ruler. The Bible speaks of these natural kingdoms as
"kingdoms of the world". The kingdoms of the world have come under the
power and influence of Satan:
Again, the Devil taketh Him (Jesus) up into an exceeding high mountain, and
sheweth Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith
unto Him, All these things will I give thee, if you wilt fall down and worship
me. (Matthew 4:8-9)
John 5:19 sadly reminds us that "the whole world is under the control of the
evil one".
SPIRITUAL KINGDOMS:
In addition to the natural kingdoms of this world there are two spiritual
kingdoms: The Kingdom of Satan and the Kingdom Of God. Every person
alive is a resident of one of these two kingdoms. The Kingdom of Satan
consists of Satan, spiritual beings called demons, and all men who live in sin
and rebellion to God's Word. These, plus the world and the flesh, are the
spiritual forces of evil at work in the world today. The Kingdom of God
consists of God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, spiritual beings
called