Thoughts on "Supernatural" by Michael S Heiser - Chapters 11 & 12

 Chapter 11- Supernatural Intent

What jumped out to me in this chapter was the 3rd temptation of Christ. I never quite understood what the appeal of this temptation was as Jesus already was going to rule the nations, being the son of the Most High. Why would he be tempted by Satan who promised Jesus something that Satan had no control of? Knowing that after Babel, God assigned other nations outside of Israel to lesser gods to manage shines some light on this event. Satan assumed God was merely planning to reclaim the nations and didn't realize the plan went deeper than that. He was also planning to conquer sin and death. If Satan had known that, he wouldn't have encouraged or allowed Jesus to be killed. 

Chapter 12 - The Cloud Rider

The Daniel passages below are taking on a whole new meaning to me. Before, I think I was reading it too literally. I thought the horns were human leaders, and I was watching for a pact between 10 world leaders and then three of those would fall under control of one leader. But what if the horns are referring to supernaturals instead of humans? These lesser gods are fighting a battle in the spirit realm that creates effects in the physical world. I just get a "you are here" feeling when I read Daniel 7: 21 and 25. Maybe the war isn't a physical war but a cultural one? I read an article (on the internet, so it needs to be taken with a grain of salt) that one in 10 people from ages 16 to 35 are unable to hold a full-time job because they are "too sick," and most of these cite mental health issues as the reason. This is on the increase. The classic line from Ghostbusters comes to mind for some reason. Dogs and Cats living together - mass hysteria! That seems to be where we are today. The whole JK Rowling controversy is case in point. She has been accused of being "trans-phobic" over something she said, and I tried to find something in what she said that would make people thinks so, and I just don't see it. If anything, she seems to be on their side, but speaking the truth about gender being a real thing. What was said from what I understand. We are definitely living in times of mass hysteria. This definitely brings home the point that Jesus could return any day now. I don't understand the "time, times and half a time" but some biblical scholars say that means 3 1/2 years. I'm not so sure about that though. 


Passages read: Daniel 7 - Ezekiel 1

Daniel 7: 21 - As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and defeating them, until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgement in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.

Daniel 7: 25 - He [the horn] will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time. 26 But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. 27 Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey Him. 



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Why I think the Pre-trib rapture makes sense

  There are pre-tribulation theories, mid-tribulation theories, and post-tribulation theories. I used to think differently, but after hearing various arguments for each, I believe the pre-trib explanation makes the most sense. I used to think that was just wishful thinking, but now I see the reason behind it. 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 is what most pre-trib believers point to. In 2 Thessalonians, Paul is trying to clear up some confusion from people being told that "the day of the Lord" had already happened. Paul says that "the man of lawlessness" will be revealed AFTER the one who holds him back (the Holy Spirit on the Earth) is taken away (2 Thes 2:5-7) The Holy Spirit dwells inside those who have accepted Jesus' gift of salvation - The Holy Spirit won't leave them, so it follows that they will be taken away as well. Those who accept Jesus as their savior are referred to as the "bride of Christ," and while some men I know are very uncomfortable ...
Read more

Thoughts on "Supernatural" by Michael S Heiser - Chapter 8

Image
 Chapter 8 - Sacred Space In this chapter Heiser points out some things I have completely missed or misunderstood. 1) While I knew about the Yom Kippur ritual of sacrificing one goat "for the Lord" and symbolically placing the sins on another goat (the scapegoat) and sending it out into the desert, I never understood the full reason behind it. I totally missed that the Israelites had been making sacrifices out in the desert to demons to try to appease them so they would be left in peace. Not knowing this, by reading the passage I assumed those sacrifices were to God, but they weren't doing it in the right place, bringing it to the tabernacle gates. My NIV says they were making sacrifices to the "goat idols" so I should have caught the problem. The Dead Sea Scrolls use the proper name Azazel which was the name of a demon. The goat is often associated with worshiping Satan, so I wonder if this is the connection. Not understanding that these Israelites were hedging...
Read more

Thoughts on "Supernatural" by Michael S Heiser - Chapters 3 & 4

Image
 Chapter 3 - Once and Future Kings I guess the things that struck me most about this chapter is the idea that God and other supernatural beings lived in Eden - they weren't just stopping in for visits. Also, that the serpent who tempted Eve (Lucifer) wasn't literally in the form of a snake, but the snake is a metaphor for this spiritual being who hoodwinked her.  Also that when God said "Let us make man in our image." He wasn't talking to the other members of the Trinity but to the High Council. I'm still not sure about that one. Chapter 4 - Divine Rebellions What I found interesting about this chapter is the notion that Jude and 2 Peter are incorporating ideas from 1 Enoch even though 1 Enoch isn't considered part of the inspired cannon of the Bible. This is the part about the "sons of God" fathering children with "daughters of man" to create the Nephilim. Genesis 6:4 refers to them as "heroes of old, men of renown." This wa...
Read more