What are spiritual beings?
What Are Spiritual Beings?
A spiritual being is a created entity that exists outside the limitations of physical matter and time. These beings are real, personal, powerful, and active, though typically invisible to human perception. According to Scripture, there exists an entire unseen realm populated by various spiritual beings, both holy and fallen, which interact with the affairs of mankind and participate in the cosmic battle between good and evil.
God Is Spirit
Jesus Christ Himself taught that "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24, NKJV). As the uncreated, eternal, triune Creator, God exists independent of the material universe. He cannot be contained in space, represented by an image, or manipulated by physical means. As Moses reminded Israel, “You heard the sound of the words, but saw no form; you only heard a voice” (Deuteronomy 4:12, NKJV). God alone is infinite, self-existent, and unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.
Created Spiritual Beings
God, who is spirit, also created other spiritual beings for His purposes. Colossians 1:16 declares, “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him” (NKJV). These include what we call angels, archangels, cherubim, seraphim, and even the “sons of God” who appeared before the Lord in Job 1:6. These are intelligent, moral, and powerful beings, but they are not divine.
Psalm 148:2 says, “Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts!” (NKJV). These "hosts" form what is often called the heavenly council or divine council—a term used descriptively, not implying equality with God. Psalm 89:6–7 teaches, “For who in the heavens can be compared to the Lord? Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened to the Lord? God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be held in reverence by all those around Him” (NKJV). There is a hierarchy and order among the spiritual beings, but none rival God.
Types and Functions of Holy Spiritual Beings
Angels are “ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14, NKJV). There are varying ranks and assignments among them, including:
Archangels: The only named archangel is Michael (Jude 1:9), who is described as “one of the chief princes” (Daniel 10:13) and protector of Israel (Daniel 12:1).
Cherubim: These guard the holiness of God (Genesis 3:24; Exodus 25:20).
Seraphim: Mentioned only in Isaiah 6:2, these beings proclaim the holiness of God and minister in His presence.
The Angel of the Lord: This unique figure often appears as a theophany or Christophany—God Himself in angelic form (e.g., Exodus 3:2–6).
Fallen Spiritual Beings and Powers of Darkness
Satan, originally a created angelic being, fell due to pride and rebellion (Isaiah 14:12–15; Ezekiel 28:12–17). Revelation 12:4 indicates that he drew a third of the angels with him, who now serve as demons and unclean spirits (Matthew 12:24; Revelation 12:9). Ephesians 6:12 refers to this dark hierarchy: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (NKJV).
Other references include:
Demons/unclean spirits (Mark 1:34)
Sons of God who sinned (Genesis 6:2–4; Jude 1:6)
Watchers (Daniel 4:13, 17)—likely angels tasked with oversight
False gods/demons behind idols (Deuteronomy 32:17; 1 Corinthians 10:20)
Christ’s Supremacy Over All Spiritual Beings
The Lord Jesus Christ is exalted far above all spiritual powers. Ephesians 1:20–21 says that God “raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion” (NKJV). At the cross, Christ triumphed over them: “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:15, NKJV).
The Destiny of Spiritual Beings
Holy angels will serve God forever in His presence (Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 5:11–12). Fallen angels are destined for eternal torment: “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels’” (Matthew 25:41, NKJV).
The Bible affirms that God created all things, both visible and invisible (Colossians 1:16), and this includes a hierarchy of spiritual beings who serve purposes either aligned with or opposed to His will.
Let’s break this into categories for deeper study:
1. God as the Supreme Spiritual Being
God alone is eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent (Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 40:28; Jeremiah 23:24). He is spirit (John 4:24), not a creature but the uncreated Creator. His transcendence (Isaiah 55:8–9) is balanced by His immanence (Isaiah 57:15), meaning He is above the spiritual realm yet actively working within it.
2. The Angelic Host: Loyal Spiritual Beings
Angels are created spiritual beings who “excel in strength” and “do His word” (Psalm 103:20). They are never to be worshiped (Revelation 22:8–9), and they always carry out the will of God, whether it be delivering messages (Luke 1:26–38), executing judgment (2 Kings 19:35), or ministering to the saints (Hebrews 1:14).
There is a structured order among angels, implying ranks and functions:
Archangels: The term is used only of Michael (Jude 9), who contends for Israel (Daniel 10:21; 12:1).
Cherubim: Guardians of divine holiness, first seen guarding Eden (Genesis 3:24), and associated with God’s throne (Ezekiel 10).
Seraphim: Burning ones who declare God’s holiness (Isaiah 6:2–3).
Watchers (Daniel 4:13): Likely referring to holy angels who observe human affairs.
The Angel of the LORD: Pre-incarnate appearances of Christ (e.g., Genesis 22:11–18; Exodus 3:2–6), not a created being.
3. Fallen Angels and Demonic Powers
These are those who did not “keep their proper domain” (Jude 6). They are spiritual rebels under the authority of Satan, formerly known as Lucifer (Isaiah 14:12–15; Ezekiel 28:13–17—interpreted symbolically of Satan by many theologians).
Scripture reveals a stratified opposition:
Principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness, spiritual hosts of wickedness (Ephesians 6:12): These phrases refer to organized, high-ranking demonic powers. They oppose God’s people through deception, temptation, and influence over earthly systems (Daniel 10:13).
Demons (daimonion): Referred to in the New Testament as unclean spirits (Mark 5:8–13). They seek embodiment, influence minds, and oppose God’s work (2 Corinthians 4:4; Matthew 12:43–45).
Demons can’t die but are destined for judgment (Matthew 25:41). Their warfare is against the saints but within the sovereign allowance of God (Job 1–2; Luke 22:31–32).
4. The Divine Council and the “Sons of God”
Psalm 82:1 and 1 Kings 22:19 depict God as presiding over a divine council. This assembly of spiritual beings functions beneath God’s supreme authority. The phrase “sons of God” (bene elohim) is used in Genesis 6:2; Job 1:6; and Job 2:1.
From a Baptist theological standpoint, interpretations of Genesis 6 vary:
Angelic view (Correct View): That these sons of God were fallen angels who procreated with human women.
Sethite view (Wrong view that makes zero sense with Scripture): That they were godly men from Seth’s line intermarrying with ungodly Cainite women. Baptists generally favor the Sethite interpretation, especially in dispensational circles, due to concerns about angelic beings physically cohabiting.
5. Satan: The Chief Adversary
Satan is the “accuser of the brethren” (Revelation 12:10), the “god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4), and “the prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2). He tempts (Genesis 3; Matthew 4), deceives (2 Corinthians 11:14), blinds (2 Corinthians 4:4), and accuses (Revelation 12).
Yet his power is limited. He is not omnipotent or omnipresent. God uses even Satan’s actions for His own sovereign purposes (Job 1:12; Luke 22:31).
6. Spiritual Warfare and the Believer
Believers are engaged in a war not against flesh and blood but against spiritual wickedness (Ephesians 6:12). Victory is not achieved through rituals or incantations but through submission to God (James 4:7), the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10–18), prayer (Ephesians 6:18), and faithful obedience to the Word.
Our authority over the spiritual realm is derivative, not autonomous. We resist Satan through Christ’s name (Matthew 10:1; Luke 10:19–20) but must not become presumptuous (Jude 9).
Conclusion
Spiritual beings are real, and they play an active role in the plan of God. However, none are like the Lord. Believers must remember: “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4, NKJV). Let us walk by faith, put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10–18), and trust in our Sovereign King who rules over every realm—seen and unseen.
