The Unseen World
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12
In the Bible are numerous references to the unseen world. The Old Testament prophets interacted with the unseen world. In 2 Kings 6, the King of Syria sent an army to surround Israel. When the prophet Elisha’s servant awoke to horses, chariots, and a great army surrounding the city, he was quite shaken. He said to Elisha, “What shall we do?”
Elisha assured his servant by saying, “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Elisha could see into the unseen world. He prayed, asking God to open the eyes of his servant that he too may see. God opened the eyes of the young man and he saw that the mountain surrounding Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire. The horses and chariots had been there all along. They were simply unseen.
In Daniel 10, Daniel comes face to face in a vision with a heavenly being who explains to Daniel that Daniel’s prayers have been heard, but the answer was delayed because of a twenty-one-day battle that had been taking place in the unseen world.
In the New Testament Jesus and the apostles interact with the unseen world. Jesus frequently rebukes and casts out demons. On one occasion, Jesus rebukes Satan when Peter is speaking. Behind the scenes, in the unseen world, Satan was using Peter to carry out his agenda. While on earth, Jesus was keenly aware of the unseen world.
Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians that our battle is not against flesh and blood enemies but against authorities of the unseen world. Our enemies may be alive and well, but they are defeated and disarmed through the blood of Jesus which was poured out on the cross. We have spiritual armor of truth, righteousness, and peace. With faith as our shield and God’s Word as our sword, we are prepared to fight life’s daily battles knowing that the victory over those in the unseen world is already ours through Christ.