The Unseen Realm: A Question & Answer Companion

Douglas Van Dorn

• Publisher: Lexham Press
• Year: 2016
• eBook ISBN: 9781577996927
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Biblical Criticism & Interpretation

Part I—God

Question 1. Who made us?

The LORD God made us.

Gen 2:7. Then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.

Pss 100:3–4. Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Pss 119:73. Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.

Question 2. What else did the LORD God make?

The LORD God made all things in heaven and on earth, both visible and invisible.

Isa 44:24. Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: “I am the LORD, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself.”

John 1:1–3. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.

Col 1:16. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

Heb 1:2. In these last days [God] has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

Question 3. What is God?

God is spirit.

Deut 4:12. Then the LORD spoke to you out of the midst of the fire. You heard the sound of words, but saw no form; there was only a voice.

Isa 31:3. The Egyptians are man, and not God, and their horses are flesh, and not spirit.

John 4:24. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

Acts 17:29. We ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.

Question 4. How does God exist?

God exists as one eternal uncreated being,a in three eternally distinct persons.b

a Mark 12:29. Jesus answered, “The most important [law] is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one’ ” (quoting Deut 6:4).

Gal 3:20. An intermediary implies more than one, but God is one.

Jas 2:19. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

b Matt 3:16–17. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Matt 28:19. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

2 Cor 13:14. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

1 Pet 1:2. According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood.

Question 5. Who are these three persons of the Godhead?

The three persons of the Godhead are God the Father,a God the Son,b and God the Holy Spirit.c

a Deut 32:6. Is he not your father, who created you, who made you and established you?”

Pss 89:26. You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation.

Isa 63:16. You are our Father … O LORD, our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name.

Matt 6:9. Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

Matt 16:17. Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

Gal 1:1. Through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead.

b Pss 2:12. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way.

John 1:1–3. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:17–18. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

Rom 9:5. The Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

Heb 1:2. In these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed t...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Preface
• Notes to Readers
• Part I—God
• Part II—The Lesser Gods
• Part III—The Sons of God
• Part IV—Divine Council
• Part V—Sin, Rebellion, and the Fall
• Part VI—Rebellion before the Flood
• Part VII—Rebellion after the Flood
• Part VIII—The Promise Anticipated
• Part IX—The Promise Fulfilled
• Part X—The Good News
• Question Index