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.
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.
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.