The Bible Says That!? - Misunderstood Bible Themes Pt. 1
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Intro
What is something about Heaven, hell, or the supernatural that turned out not to be true?
Today, we’re exploring two ideas that are common in popular culture and even in several Christian circles, but don’t hold up when examined through Scripture.
Misconception #1: Satan can read your mind
Have you ever been told that Satan can read your mind? If so, tell me why you learned this or where you learned it from? Based on what biblical story or Scripture can you point to to support this idea that Satan can read your mind?
Why do we assume Satan can read minds?
Read:
1 Kings 8:39
Jeremiah 17:9-10
Psalm 139:1-4, 23-24
1 Cor. 2:11
Matthew 5:27-28
What do these say about who does and does not know about your own inner thoughts?
Read:
Matthew 4:5-7 – Satan quotes Psalm 91:11-12
Job 1:6-12
Luke 22:31 – Satan “asks” for access to tempt Peter, suggesting limits to what he does/doesn’t know.
Matthew 8:29 – Demons respond asking if Jesus came to torture them.
James 2:19 – Even the demons believe there is one God, and shudder.
Revelation 12:12 – Satan knows his Time is short.
What do these passages say about Satan’s knowledge and it’s limits?
What implications are there if Satan CAN read minds? What does that do with our relationship with God?
How does it change our fight against temptation if Satan can’t read our minds?
What does it say about the power of our spoken prayers and thoughts?
Read: 1 Peter 5:8-11
How should we resist Satan?
Misconception #2: We become Angels when we die
Remember to check out my previous series on Death and afterlife as well as Angelology and Demonology. This explains more of the nuances of this topic, but we’ll cover a little bit here.
Where does this idea come from? (TOM AND JERRY! BUGS BUNNY!)
Why are we sometimes taught that we become angels when we die?
Bodily descent-spiritual ascent model: where the body remains in the grave and the soul/spirit ascends to be with God in heaven forever. Most commonly thought among people in the church. Culture has influenced this model as the primary picture of death and afterlife. Most common among non-Christians, new believers, and long-time believers as well.
Bodily Descent-spiritual ascension-Spiritual descent- reunion-resurrection model: where the body remains in the grave and the soul/spirit goes to heaven to be with Jesus and later returns with Jesus at which time the body is raised, transformed, and reunited with the soul/spirit to inhabit the new earth. This model is usually chosen by those who have read and studied books like the Book of Revelation and have explored some of the complex issues surrounding death and afterlife.
Descent-resurrection model: where the body and soul/spirit remain united in the grave asleep until Jesus returns, at which time they are resurrected to inhabit the new earth. This model is most commonly seen in the language of the Gospels as characters refer to death as “Sleep” including Jesus. Seen in writings that emphasize the Resurrection, and the writings of Paul
Descent to separate places-reunion-resurrection model: where the body remains in the grave and the soul us stored in Hades/Sheol/paradise, which is itself part of the grave [location unknown] and the two are raised together and transformed at Jesus' second coming to inhabit the new earth. Think of passages like John 11:1-14 and Luke 16:19-26 that talk about Lazarus. Think also of Luke 23:43 with the Thief on the cross with Jesus who will be with him in Paradise.
However, none of these perspectives or supporting passages say anything about becoming an angel when we die.
Read:
Matthew 22:30
Luke 20:34-36
1 Cor. 6:1-3
Hebrews 1:13-14
What does this verse explicitly say about this topic?
Here are a few additional characteristics of angels that we haven’t mentioned yet.
Matt 22:30– Angels are asexual –yet are often described as appearing as young men (at the tomb after the resurrection.)
Angels are not all-knowing– Matt. 24:36; Eph 3:10; 1 Pet 1:12
Angels are concerned with the salvation of Humans– Luke 15:10; Eph 3:10; 1 Tim 5:21; 1 Pet. 1:12
Only two are ever named– See Daniel references from last week.
Gabriel– Luke 1:19
Michael– Jude 9; Rev. 12:7
A Hierarchy exists among angels with the presence of archangels– Matt 25:41
Why do people find comfort in the idea of becoming angels?
How does understanding your future as a glorified person change your view of eternity
How can we gently correct his misconception when it comes up?
What SHOULDN’T we say to those who have lost a loved one? What SHOULD we say?
Take Away
Satan is not God’s equal. We are not angels in disguise. We are image bearers of God (Gen 1:26-27) not angels. Nor are angel’s image bearers of God. That is unique to humanity.
Your thoughts?
For more on this, Read Revelation 4-5 and note the differences between angelic beings and redeemed humans.