Supernatural: Seeing the Invisible

The supernatural is spectacularly intriguing.  A simple look at our entertainment industries is overwhelming proof.  Mayan prophecy, ESP, vampires, wizardry and witchcraft capture the fascination of a materialism-burdened society.  Dan Brown released another bestseller, “Angels and Demons” to capitalize on the insatiable hunger of our culture for the supernatural.  Interestingly, the book/movie has nothing at all to do with angels and demons!

There is an attractive quality to the mystery of all things supernatural.  The Bible is filled with history and stories of supernatural phenomena.  Jesus, the central figure of scripture, displays the integration of the supernatural and the natural.  He walked on water.  He cast demons out of the possessed.  He healed the sick, the lame and the blind.  He commanded storms and cursed the fig tree.  If one is a follower of Christ, the supernatural cannot be denied.  In fact, the entirety of Christianity is deeply rooted in the invisible realm depicted in the Bible.

Seeing

The Revelation is one of the most read books of the Bible by Christians and non-Christians alike.  The apostle John, after giving a direct message from the Lord to the seven missionary churches throughout Asia, opens the apocalyptic portion of his vision with the following words:

⁽¹⁾ After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” ⁽²⁾ At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. (Revelation 4:1-2)

Verse 2 is another way of saying, “I saw into the supernatural (spiritual) realm…”  The words immediately after this “seeing” begins are of supreme magnitude.  The very first thing he sees is a throne, a place of power, authority and governance.  That throne is in heaven, not on earth.  And there is one seated on the throne.

There are a great many things in our visible world that cannot make any real sense until we see the invisible power which ultimately governs all things.  The answer, the purpose, the meaning behind all things visible is found first and foremost by seeing the invisible.  God.

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This Sunday (May 9, 2010) marks the beginning of our new series, Supernatural, in which we learn what the Bible teaches regarding the unseen world around us.  You’re invited to check it out on our Messages page where you can hear the weekly podcasts and download the message notes and Powerpoints.