By Doug Batchelor
An Amazing Fact: During World War II, radar engineer Percy Spencer discovered something new while working with a magnetron. He noticed that a chocolate bar in his pocket had melted unexpectedly. On a hunch, Spencer then placed popcorn kernels near the magnetron, and the kernels promptly popped. This experiment confirmed that invisible microwaves produced by the magnetron were causing water molecules in the food to vibrate rapidly, generating heat. Recognizing the potential for cooking food, Spencer and his employer, Raytheon, developed the first microwave oven, initially called the “Radarange.” It stood six feet tall and weighed approximately 750 pounds!
Today, we take for granted that a potato, which would typically take 55 minutes to cook in an oven, takes just five minutes to bake in a microwave. That is invisible power at work—something most of us in this modern world of technology accept without a second thought.
But beyond radiation, there are other kinds of invisible realities with just as real an impact on our physical dimension. This spiritual realm is as real as microwaves, yet it often goes unnoticed or is completely disregarded by our modern world.
First, what do I mean by “invisible realities”? The word “invisible” describes something that cannot be seen with the naked eye or detected by the usual means of perception. It can refer to entities, like angels or the Holy Spirit, or phenomena that are hidden from humanity’s five physical senses.
In light of this brief definition, the apostle Paul asserts: "For since the creation of the world His [God’s] invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead" (Romans 1:20).
Of course, most people today struggle to believe in the spiritual realm. But what concerns me is that even faithful churchgoers are more prone than ever to believe that the angels and demons so often mentioned in the Bible aren’t real—that they are nothing more than metaphors.
I don’t believe this was always the case. Before Adam and Eve sinned, they had the spiritual equipment necessary to perceive and communicate with angels. Their spiritual receivers were fully functional, allowing them to interact with the supernatural dimension. However, after sin entered the world, humanity lost this ability. We became spiritually blind, losing our capacity to tune into the unseen realm surrounding us.
However, don’t miss this—Paul says that those who don’t believe in the spiritual realm are actually “without excuse” (Romans 1:20). But why is this so important to address in our everyday world?
"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" (Ephesians 6:12).
The Bible really does want us to believe that angels and demons are actual realities because belief or unbelief in them will affect how we act in our physical realm. So let’s take a brief look at some examples of these invisible realities and what it all means for you today.
The Invisible World
One of the most thrilling examples of seeing the invisible is found in 2 Kings 6, a story featuring Elisha, the prophet who asked for and received a double portion of Elijah’s spirit.
This story begins with the king of Syria making war against God’s people. He devises a plan to ambush Israel’s army and discusses it with his council. However, we’re told how his plans are foiled: "The man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, 'Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are coming down there.' Then the king of Israel sent someone to the place of which the man of God had told him. Thus he warned him, and he was watchful there, not just once or twice" (vv. 9, 10).
Elisha, “the man of God,” often warned the king of Israel about an enemy ambush, allowing the Israeli army to evade the trap. This happened multiple times, deeply frustrating the king of Syria, who began to suspect that there was a spy among his servants.
But one of the king’s advisors, perhaps someone who knew what happened to the leper Naman a few chapters previously, explained, "'Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.' So he [the king of Syria] said, 'Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him'" (vv. 12, 13).
Determined to capture Elisha, the king of Syria sends a massive army to Dothan, the small village where Elisha is staying and where only a tiny regiment of Israeli soldiers would have been stationed. The Syrian army surrounds the city at night, intending to seize the prophet the next day.
Early in the morning, Elisha’s servant wakes up and, upon seeing the Syrian army surrounding the city, panics. He rushes to Elisha, exclaiming, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” (v. 15). Isn’t that what we do? We see overwhelming obstacles in the gospel work and believe that the devil has already won!
But notice how Elisha responds. He says calmly, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (v. 16).
Doesn’t this remind you of what the New Testament says? "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).
I believe that’s why Elisha prayed, “LORD, … open his eyes that he may see” (2 Kings 6:17). At that time in history, God’s people needed a special revelation so that they could rely on Him. Thus, God immediately answered Elisha’s prayer, and the servant’s eyes were spiritually opened to see the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding them.
This heavenly army was invisible to the servant until his spiritual eyes were opened. The same thing must happen to us, especially as we navigate the reality of the last days of Earth’s history.
Modern-Day Encounters With the Invisible
The reality of the invisible affecting the visible is not limited to biblical times. God’s people today are still experiencing the impact of these unseen spiritual forces.
For instance, the book God’s Smuggler tells the story of “Brother Andrew,” a Dutchman who became known for smuggling Bibles into communist countries until his death in 2022. When attempting to transport Bibles into Soviet-bloc nations, he would pray for God to blind the eyes of border guards to the Scriptures hidden in his vehicle. His prayers were answered in astonishing ways, allowing him to continue his soul-saving outreach without detection.
Notice that in spiritual warfare, God will open some eyes and close other eyes to fulfill His will.
Just about every time I speak in a new city, I hear stories from believers who attest to the reality of the spiritual warfare in their lives. Whether it is feeling a sudden urge to pray for protection, experiencing an unexplained sense of peace during a crisis, or sensing a warning, these encounters with the invisible realm remind us of the active role it plays in our daily lives.
Let’s take a look at Daniel chapter 10, where we find another dramatic account of spiritual warfare. Daniel, while fasting and praying for understanding, receives a vision. An angel appears to him, explaining that he had been delayed by the prince of Persia, a demonic force, for 21 days until Michael, the chief prince, came to help (v. 13). Again, the Bible doesn’t hesitate to highlight the reality of spiritual battles occurring behind the scenes of our visible world.
Why would God stop doing this for His people today? But notice that Daniel prepared his body (fasting) and his heart (praying) before God could unveil the otherwise invisible world to him!
To be clear, God uses the invisible world for more than just His people’s physical protection. Another amazing account of the invisible world influencing human actions is found in Numbers 22. Balaam, a prophet for hire, had been summoned by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. Despite God’s warning not to go, Balaam stubbornly set out on his journey. Along the way, however, Balaam’s donkey saw an angel of the Lord standing in the path with a drawn sword. The donkey turned aside, but Balaam, unable to see the angel, beat the donkey for its disobedience.
So God opened the donkey’s mouth, speaking through it, and then opened Balaam’s eyes to see the angel. The angel warned Balaam of his dangerous greed and instructed him to speak only what God told him. God will use the invisible world to deter His wayward prodigals from taking the wrong path. Are you listening for God’s correction?
The Need for Prophetic Insight
In our modern age of Balaam-like religion, the gift of prophecy, a gift unseen by the vast majority of people, is essential for God’s church. It provides guidance and insight into spiritual realities and the plans of the enemy. In the story of Elisha, the prophet’s ability to foresee the enemy’s plans and warn the king of Israel was crucial for the nation’s survival. Prophecy helps us navigate the challenges of our faith journey by revealing God’s plans and the enemy’s strategies.
However, many Christians today give little regard to prophecy, viewing it as irrelevant to their daily reality. Yet the Bible teaches that without prophetic vision, people are in danger. “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18 KJV). Prophecy equips us to avoid invisible spiritual pitfalls and align ourselves with God’s will, which is revealed in His law. The rest of the text says, “Happy is he who keeps the law.”
Indeed, ignoring these prophetic insights can lead to spiritual blindness, making us vulnerable to the deceptions and attacks of the enemy. Just as the king of Israel heeded Elisha’s warnings to avoid ambushes, we must pay attention to the prophetic messages given to us through Scripture and God’s last-day messages.
Remember, you will know the truth of a prophet by the fruits of their work. "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them (Matthew 7:18–20)."
For What Purpose?
We’ve seen that the story of Elisha and the Syrian army demonstrates the power of God to protect and deliver His people. But there is a purpose in God’s course of action—to reveal His character in a world that can perceive Him only “dimly” (1 Corinthians 13:12).
Back to our story …
When the Syrian army approaches Elisha, the prophet prays for God to strike them with blindness. God answers, and the army becomes confused and disoriented. Elisha then leads them into the heart of Samaria, where they find themselves surrounded by Israeli forces.
But notice what happens: Rather than ordering their execution, Elisha instructs the king of Israel to feed them and send them back home! This act of incredible mercy magnificently reflects the teachings of Jesus, who said, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head” (Romans 12:20).
Elisha’s actions demonstrate the principle of overcoming evil with good. And get this—by blinding the army physically, God opened their spiritual eyes so that they could see the utter power of His goodness and be transformed!
God’s power is not limited to dramatic interventions; it is also manifested in His still small voice, guiding us through everyday decisions. Many believers, and even former non-believers, speak of God’s guidance in making crucial life decisions or discerning the right course of action in challenging situations. This guidance often comes through an inner conviction or a sense of peace, but this must always be confirmed from Scripture and, hopefully, through the trustworthy counsel of fellow believers.
Understanding the Invisible Kingdom
Jesus taught that the kingdom of God is not something that comes with visible observation: “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20, 21).
This invisible kingdom of God is real and present here and now, influencing our lives and actions by His Holy Spirit. As believers, we are called to live and participate daily in this kingdom, guided by Bible truths and the presence of Christ within us.
The spiritual realm is as real as the physical world we see. Just because we cannot perceive it with our physical senses does not mean it does not exist. Our part is to faithfully embrace the reality of this invisible world, understanding that it shapes us and our relationship with God.
Understanding the invisible kingdom requires living with an eternal perspective. This means prioritizing spiritual growth, seeking God’s will, and investing in eternal values over temporal gains. By focusing on the unseen, we align our lives with God’s purposes and prepare ourselves for the eternal life promised to us—indeed, the eternal life we already have.
Faith is the key to perceiving and engaging with the invisible world. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith isn’t believing that God exists—remember, for Paul, that’s a given. Rather, faith is trusting in God’s promises and the reality of the spiritual realm even when we cannot see it with our eyes. This faith is built through studying God’s Word, prayer, and experiencing God’s presence in our lives.
By developing a deeper understanding of the spiritual realities around us, we can navigate the challenges of this physical dimension with confidence and faith. Discernment is essential in distinguishing between the influence of the Holy Spirit and the deceptive tactics of the enemy (and our own hearts). By seeking God’s wisdom and testing spiritual experiences against Scripture, we can ensure that our engagement with the spiritual realm aligns with God’s truth.
Recognizing the reality of spiritual warfare calls us to actively engage in it through prayer, worship, and living a godly life. Ephesians 6 outlines the armor of God, which equips us to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. By putting on this armor and relying on God’s strength, we can resist spiritual attacks and advance God’s kingdom.
Embrace God’s Reality for Your Life
The invisible world is a reality that the Bible calls us to acknowledge and embrace. Like the microwave’s invisible power, the spiritual realm profoundly impacts our lives, even though we cannot see it. By recognizing the reality of angels and demons, spiritual warfare, and prophecy, we can navigate life with a deeper sense of purpose and confidence in God’s will.
Elisha’s story reminds us to pray for spiritual insight, to see beyond the visible, and to trust in the unseen forces of God’s kingdom. As we live by faith and not by sight, we become more attuned to the spiritual realities that shape our lives and our relationship with God. May we, like Elisha’s servant, have our eyes opened to see the chariots of fire that surround us.