Tusting Servant Bible study lessons intends to emphasize the spiritual realm's influence and impact on both the Old Testament and the New Testament teachings. Have you ever read a passage in the Bible and felt like you were missing something? Like you walked into the middle of a conversation? Many of us have been taught that the Bible's story is primarily about God and humanity. While that's true, it's not the whole picture. There is an entire unseen spiritual world, full of activity, that forms the backdrop for everything that happens on Earth. For many, this topic can feel a little "spooky" or strange because it's rarely discussed, but understanding it unlocks a much deeper and more exciting view of God's plan. The Bible studies on our site focus on the actual scriptures to reveal biblical truth, as opposed to denominational doctrine and church traditions. We pray that all who read Trusting servant Bible study lessons, will examine the scriptures to see if what the Bible study lessons says is so. More importantly, Trusting Servant prays that all who read their Bible studies, will allow whatever biblical truth God the Holy Spirit reveals to them, to change the way they make decisions, so that they will obey God more.
Acts 17:11 English Standard Version
11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so
Ecclesiastes 12:9-13 English Standard Version
Fear God and Keep His Commandments
9 Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care. 10 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth. 11 The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. 12 My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. 13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
Let's get started, at the beginning, with the Creation story. In the beginning, there was God, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity. And God created the heaven and earth, and all their hosts.
The Creation account of Genesis chapters 1 and 2 reveal God's plan for the universe and both his created spirit being and human being families. What can be known about God and His character, can be understood through prayerful study of passages throughout the Bible touching on God's Creation of the heavens and earth and His reactions to rebellious choices of both His spiritual and human families revealed in the first eleven chapters of Genesis.
Romans 1:18-23 English Standard Version
God's Wrath on Unrighteousness
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Let's pull back the curtain on one of the most fascinating and overlooked realities in the Bible: God's heavenly host, often referred to by scholars as the divine council. Think of it as God's royal court, a heavenly staff meeting, or a celestial advisory board. This isn't a new or strange idea; it's woven throughout the pages of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation. It's the assembly of created spirit beings who serve the Most High God, participating in and witnessing His grand cosmic plan.
Right away, this might raise a question for you. If there's a council of "gods," does that mean the Bible isn't monotheistic? This is a crucial point of confusion, and the answer lies in a single Hebrew word: elohim. This word can be used to refer to the one true God, Yahweh (as in Genesis 1:1). However, it can also refer to lesser, created spiritual beings. The context of the passage tells us who is being discussed. The Bible is clear that there is only one supreme, uncreated Creator God, but He is not alone in the spirit world. He has a created heavenly family.
One of the clearest windows into the “divine council” is Psalm 82. The psalm opens with a dramatic courtroom scene: "God presides in the great assembly; he renders judgment among the ‘gods’" (Psalm 82:1, NIV). Here, the word for "God" and "gods" is the same: elohim. The verse could be translated, "Elohim stands in the council of El; he judges in the midst of the elohim." It's clear that one supreme Elohim is calling a meeting to judge a group of subordinate elohim. These lesser elohim are fallen angels.
So, who are these "gods" or “elohim” that God is judging? They are not rival deities from other religions. From a biblical perspective, they are powerful, created “spirit beings”. The Bible calls them by many names: "sons of God," "holy ones," "angels," and "watchers." They were created by God to be part of His family and to carry out His will. They are powerful and intelligent, but they are not all-powerful or all-knowing. They are creatures, and Yahweh is the Creator.
Once you know to look for it, you'll see the council's presence in many familiar stories. Go back to the very beginning, in Genesis 1:26, where God says, Let “us” make mankind in “our” image, in “our” likeness." For centuries, this has been interpreted as a reference to the Trinity. While it certainly includes the Trinity, the original Hebrew audience would have also understood this as the king, God, addressing His heavenly court. He is announcing His plan to His council, just as a human king would.
We see this plural language again at the Tower of Babel. As humanity unites in rebellion against God, He says, "Come, let “us” go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other" (Genesis 11:7, NIV). Again, God is not talking to Himself. He is addressing the members of His heavenly council, decreeing a plan of action that they will help to execute.
The book of Job gives us an even more explicit picture of a council meeting. The story begins, "One day the angels [literally, the sons of God] came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them" (Job 1:6, NIV). This is a formal gathering, a scheduled meeting in the heavenly throne room. The members of the council are giving a report on their activities, and God engages them directly, initiating the dramatic test of Job's faith.
Perhaps the most detailed description of the divine council in session comes from the prophet Micaiah in 1 Kings 22. When asked to give a true prophecy to the wicked King Ahab, Micaiah says, "I saw the LORD sitting on his throne with all the multitudes of heaven standing around him on his right and on his left. And the LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab to attack Ramoth Gilead and be killed there?’" (1 Kings 22:19-20, NIV). What follows is a brainstorming session where spirits volunteer for the task, showing that God genuinely involves His council in the carrying out of His decrees.
The prophet Daniel also provides a majestic vision of this heavenly court, which he calls the “Divine assembly”. He describes seeing the "Ancient of Days" take His seat on a fiery throne. "Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened" (Daniel 7:10, NIV). This is a scene of cosmic judgment, and the entire heavenly host is present as witnesses.
So let's get started, at the beginning, with The Creation Story. In the beginning, there was God, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity. And God created the heaven and earth, and all their hosts.
Actually, our first Bible Study Lesson is going to be on what our class is now studying, Angels and Demons.