The Spiritual Realm - What Is It?

These are a few of my thoughts with regard to the spiritual realm. This realm is in a different dimension, different from space and time as we know it, and yet curiously interwoven with the natural realm in which we exist physically.

The realm of the spiritual may be compared to a universe parallel to the natural, but only in the sense that it coexists with the natural. This is nonetheless not a perfect comparison; there are certain important differences between the spiritual and the natural.

1.   The spiritual is not exactly parallel to the natural. It is rather more accurate to say that the natural is a shadow of the spiritual. A shadow is a poor representation of reality, and specific features of an object cannot easily be deduced from its shadow. Depending on the ambient conditions, the appearance of a shadow may vary and not appear the same at different times and places. While the substance may not change, the shadow is subject to change, and there is a severe limitation to the accuracy of what can be seen in a shadow.

2.   The spiritual is not governed by natural laws. Natural laws are a representation of spiritual principles. Therefore while the natural is subject to the spiritual, the spiritual is not subject to the natural. There are two principles in the spiritual, from which everything else arises: the principle of authority, and the principle of rebellion.

3.   Because the spiritual is not governed by natural laws, it is impossible to interpret spiritual events according to natural laws. In the spiritual, for example, 2+2 may or may not be equal to 4, depending on the principle of the operator. Because parameters have different meanings and frames of reference, natural laws cannot be used to validate spiritual occurrences.

4.   Spiritual occurences can sometimes be validated by observing their effect in the natural. Hence, while one may not be able to say "if 2+2 = 4 in the natural, it must also be so in the spiritual", one may be able to say "if xyz has happened in the spiritual, it is verifiable in the natural by its visible effect".

5.   The spiritual realm is a realm of infinites and absolutes - infinite knowledge, absolute values. There are no grey zones or DMZs in the spiritual. Not surprising, if there is infinite knowledge. Grey zones are a result of uncertainties, and there is no such thing as uncertainty in the spiritual.

6.   Time, space and the five senses are restrictions to which the natural is subject – a restriction that has no hold on the spiritual. For this reason, the natural mind is not equipped to comprehend spiritual things in the same way as a spiritual mind. 

7.   The spiritual supersedes the natural. Spiritual events determine what happens in the natural, and not vice versa. But because both realms are interfaced, events in one realm invariably affect the other.

I have written the majority of this from my experience. It is not exhaustive, and questions and contributions are welcome.

Genial,
Good write up.

please tell me; If as you say, the spiritual is not governed by natural laws, then why does mankind suffer a spiritual consequence as a result of his natural actions or decision e.g. hellfire.

Why does the physical act of sowing a seed bring about spiritual multiplication of harvest?

I was wondering what your thoughts are on this. I feel that the spiritual state of mankind is also governed by his physical actions.

I agree that the natural realm is governed by the spiritual. However I also believe that the spiritual is also affected by the natural. Your statement above seems to concur with me.

@Genial,

I enjoyed much in your first post on the thread. However, as a Christian I'm persuaded that the spiritual and the natural are mutual/interrelated. Certainly, the physical realm is mostly governed by the spiritual realm; but then, the physical/natural actions of man have direct influence on the spiritual realms.

The example of prayer and worship is a scoring factor on the statement that the activities in the physical influence the spiritual. It is man who prays "let Thy Kingdom come", and then God responds with power and glory. Man's activities in this respect will influence the response of the Spirit - either for good or bad. Another example thereto is the 'sowing' of our financial gifts on the physical plane; and the consequent spiritual harvest that follow such actions.

Ultimately, God rules over all things. And in His sovereignty, He does not impose anything on man. In the divine economy, the heavens rule over the earth; but the actions of man on the earth influence the response of the heavens.

Cheers.

@Genial,


Prayer and worship are spiritual activities that occur on earth in the physical world. That they are spiritual activities does not negate their physical aspects.


Aye!



Read my post carefully: I don't think I suggested that it was the other way round.

Besides, if man's prayer does not influence the response of the spiritual realms, then it is highly improbable that man should need to pray in the first place. "Ask and it shall be given" - does not suggest an idea of "whatever you ask shall have been asked in heaven!"

Spiritual authority has its place - as in the case of binding and loosing. However, man's activities have a huge part to play in influencing the response of the spiritual realm.


It does not follow in all cases. A man first has to repent and believe in Jesus Christ before mercy and forgiveness are received. In the same vein, it is not to be misconstrued for the idea that a man's repentance on earth is only showing that he has first repented in the spiritual realms before it manifested in the physical.

I'm sure that I did not suggest that the physical realm does not influence the spiritual. Perhaps you should read point 7 of the original post again.


See above. There is a difference between "influence" and "govern".


Quite accurate. This is one example where a physical action holds the key to the spiritual.

What would you say about gates?