subject: Two Realms, One Reality [print this page] I turned on the television a couple of weeks ago and happened to see a debate taking place about whether or not Satan is real. As I listened to the panel members discuss the topic, it became even more evident to me that the closer we get to the return of the Lord, the more common it will be to hear television programs and magazine articles enter into dialogue with the general public about religion, God, and spiritual matters.
People are searching for answers; they want to know about life, death, and what happens beyond the grave. I would go so far as to say the majority of people, deep down, are even frightened about this whole topic. As a result, personal opinions are formed and "logical" conclusions are reached, based on what makes sense to the intellect and what feels comfortable. However, understanding spiritual things can only take place when we move beyond our own opinions, and what we can understand with our natural minds.
Spiritual realities are just as real as the tangible things we perceive with our five senses. There is more to life than what meets the eye; the natural eye that is. There are two realms running concurrently--the spiritual realm, and the physical realm. Both realms are as real as the other. In fact, the spiritual realm is even more real because it is what I like to call the "parent realm." In other words, everything originates there. What we perceive with our five senses changes and pass away, but spiritual realities are eternal, meaning they will exist forever. This is what makes the spiritual realm superior to the natural.
Now, whether or not you believe in a spiritual realm does not negate the truth that it indeed exists! It contains spiritual matter, beings, and activities that affect what goes on in the Earth. In the realm of the spirit, there are forces of good and evil, God and Satan, angels and demons. This may sound like something out of a science fiction movie but it is no fairy tale. It is real and taking place right now. There are two kingdoms in operation: the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Darkness. In the first, Jesus Christ is Lord; the second is headed by Satan and his forces. The battle that rages on a constant basis is for the souls of men.
I know there are those who may ask, How do you know these things are real? How do you know there is more to life than what I can see? I like to use the illustration of electricity. You cannot see the electrical currents that produce light and heat, but you can experience the results of electricity. When you flip a light switch, the lights come on, and when you turn on a gas stove, a flame emerges. What you cannot see produces something in the natural realm that you can see. The same is true with the spirit realm; even though you cannot see the spiritual activity taking place with your eyes, you will eventually see the results of that activity in the Earth.
The questions are, who, and what do you believe? Believing these truths is a matter of faith. Just like electricity, you believe it exists even though you cannot see it. Faith is the main ingredient that allows us to access the reality that there are unseen forces at work, beyond what we can perceive with our senses. At some point we all have to come to a place of believing God or not. We simply cannot go beyond what we believe to be true.
Over the next several weeks, I will be discussing the truth of the spiritual realm from the Word of God, in order to build your faith that it does indeed exist. As you come on this journey with me, ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate the words you read and open your eyes to these things. Ask Him to give you understanding about the realm of the spirit. He doesn't leave anyone in the dark about what is and what is to come. Even if you have never heard this information before, open yourself to the possibility of its truth.
