Lecture Notes: The Spiritual Realm and the Gods of the Nations

Key Themes

• Understanding the gods of the nations through scripture and history
• The supremacy of Yahweh over other gods
• The influence of ancient mythology and how it relates to scripture
• The story of the Tower of Babel and its implications
• The concept of covenant in biblical terms
• The significance of Jesus's sacrifice and the New Covenant
• The impact of idolatry and the war for spiritual influence

The Divine Assembly

• Governance: God governs with sons; emphasis on Jesus's supremacy over other gods.
• Supremacy of Yahweh: Illustrated through biblical examples like Baal and the judgments in Egypt.

Historical Perspective

• Belief in God(s): Historically, humanity questioned the nature of gods, not their existence.
• Cultural Attributes: Different cultures attributed specific qualities to their deities.

Examples from Scripture

• Psalm 104:3, Isaiah 19:1, Deuteronomy 32:26: Yahweh rides on the clouds, a symbol of supremacy.
• Exodus: Plagues as judgments on Egyptian gods.
• 1 Samuel 5: The Philistine god Dagon falls before the Ark of the Covenant.

Mythological Beings

• Reality of Demons: Ancient nations worshiped real spiritual beings, not mere myths.
• Origin of These Beings: Considered to be cast down from heaven, rulers in different realms.

Genesis 11 and the Tower of Babel

• Unified Language: Humanity in one language, powerful enough to defy divine order.
• Divine Dispossession: God's response by scattering peoples into different nations.

Deuteronomy 32 and the Sons of God

• Biblical Translation: Importance of accurate textual interpretation.
• Sons of God vs. Sons of Israel: The former is a more accurate translation, indicating divine beings with jurisdiction over nations.

The Covenant

• Importance of Blood: Blood seals covenants, illustrating the seriousness of divine agreements.
• Jesus's Sacrifice: Establishes a New Covenant, breaking the old through his resurrection.

Idolatry and Worship

• Gods of the Nations: These required brutal human sacrifices, unlike Yahweh.
• Rome and Worship: Persecution based on maintaining favor with their gods.

Culture and Spiritual Influence

• Discipleship of Nations: Who influences culture - the church or demonic powers?
• Transformation: Believers are called to transform and not conform to worldly patterns.

War for Worship

• Cultural Discipleship: Influence through media, arts, and societal norms.
• Role of Believers: Called to embody and reflect the kingdom of God.

Conclusion

• A Call to Action: Embrace identity in Christ and push back against cultural conformity.
• Dominion and Authority: Believers have authority to influence and transform culture as part of God’s kingdom mission.