In this month’s StickerFolk subscription, we’re learning that there is more to God’s creation than what we can see.

We know the world around us. We can see the trees, touch the ground, watch the sunrise, and hear the birds outside our windows.

But Scripture also tells us about a reality we cannot see with our physical eyes: the unseen spiritual realm.

And if we’re honest . . . this realm can be a little intimidating to think about.

We hear about angels, demons, Satan, and spiritual powers, and it’s easy to become curious . . . or even a little afraid. Sometimes we want to know more than Scripture tells us. Other times, we would rather avoid the subject altogether.

But what if we approached the unseen realm the same way we approach the rest of God’s Word?

In Colossians 1:15-20, Paul reminds us that Jesus is the image of the invisible God and that He created all things through Him and for Him. That includes what we can see and what we cannot.

So let’s take a closer look at seven categories of spiritual beings mentioned in Scripture because the more we understand the unseen realm, the more we will understand how great Jesus’s authority is over it.

Angels

Angels are created spiritual beings who serve God and carry out His purposes. Scripture shows them worshiping Him, delivering messages, and ministering according to His will.

In Luke 1:26-38, the angel Gabriel visits Mary to announce that she will give birth to Jesus. Psalm 103:20 describes angels as mighty ones who obey God’s commands, while Hebrews 1:14 calls them ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation.

Angels are not independent powers acting on their own authority; they belong to God and serve His purposes.

Cherubim

Cherubim appear in several significant moments throughout Scripture. In Genesis 3:24, God places cherubim at the entrance to the Garden of Eden after sending Adam and Eve out. Later, Ezekiel 10 describes cherubim in a vision connected to God’s glory and His throne.

These passages associate cherubim with God’s holy presence and His rule.

They are not simply the little winged “babies” we sometimes see in artwork. Scripture presents them as awe-inspiring heavenly beings connected to God’s holiness and glory.

Seraphim

In Isaiah 6:1-7, Isaiah sees the Lord seated on a throne, surrounded by seraphim.

The word seraphim often means “burning ones.” In Isaiah’s vision, these heavenly beings call to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” (Isaiah 6:3).

Their worship emphasizes God’s absolute holiness, and their presence reminds Isaiah of the holiness of the One seated on the throne.

The Living Creatures

Revelation 4:6-11 describes four living creatures surrounding God’s throne. They are depicted distinctly and continually praise God, declaring His holiness and giving Him glory, honor, and thanks.

The imagery is unusual, and we may not understand much about John’s vision. Still, the purpose of the scene is clear: God is worthy of worship.

The living creatures do not draw attention to themselves; their worship points to the One who sits on the throne, the Lord God Almighty.

Satan

Scripture also speaks plainly about spiritual opposition.

Satan is a created, rebellious spiritual being who deceives, tempts, accuses, and opposes God’s people. In Matthew 4:1-11, he tempts Jesus in the wilderness, attempting to turn Him away from obedience to the Father.

While he may tempt us, Job 1:6-12 shows that Satan’s actions are subject to God’s limits. He is not equal to God, nor does he possess unlimited power; Satan has limitations, and our God sets those limitations.

Revelation 12:9-10 describes him as a deceiver and accuser, but Scripture also points toward his defeat. We should take spiritual opposition seriously, but we don’t need to live in fear of Satan.

He is a created being, and his power is limited.

Demons

Demons are evil spiritual beings who oppose God’s purposes. In Mark 1:23-27, an unclean spirit recognizes Jesus and responds to His command. The people witnessing the encounter are amazed because even the unclean spirits obey Him.

James 2:19 makes another striking observation: even the demons believe that our God is the one true God—and they shudder at that fact.

These passages show us that demons recognize and respond to Jesus’s authority. They cannot simply treat Him as another spiritual power among many; He alone is in control.

Rulers and Authorities

Paul uses terms such as “rulers” and “authorities” when writing about powers in the spiritual realm.

We see these terms in Ephesians 6:12, where Paul reminds believers that our struggle is not merely against flesh and blood. Colossians 1:16 tells us that all things, including thrones, dominions, rulers, and authorities, were created through Christ and for Christ. Colossians 2:15 describes Christ disarming rulers and authorities through His victory.

Still, Scripture does not give us enough information to construct a detailed hierarchy of every spiritual power. Scripture does make clear, however, that these powers are all under Christ’s authority. They were created through Him, and they are subject to His rule.

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As we continue studying these seven categories this month, it’s easy to get fascinated by the details. We may want to know exactly what every spiritual being looks like, how the unseen realm is organized, or what happens beyond what we can see.

As we seek and study, some questions may remain unanswered, and that’s okay.

Our goal is to know the God who created the unseen realm, not to know every little detail about it.

Colossians 1:15-20 gives us the foundation we need:

Jesus is the image of the invisible God.

All things were created through Him and for Him, whether visible or invisible.

He is before all things and above all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Through His blood shed on the cross, He brings us peace.

The unseen realm is not outside of His authority. Nothing in all of creation is.

We should recognize spiritual opposition, take God’s Word seriously, and remember that our struggle is not merely against what we can see.

But we don’t have to approach the unseen realm with fear or endless speculation, either.

We can approach it with confidence in Christ.

The angels serve Him.

The heavenly beings worship Him.

Spiritual enemies recognize His authority.

And every power, visible or invisible, exists under the rule of the One who created all things.

So as you study Colossians 1, don’t stop at what you discover about the unseen realm.

Look at Jesus.

Consider His authority, power, and supremacy.

The more we understand who Christ is, the less we need to be consumed by what we don’t know about the unseen.

Christ is the goal, and Christ is the reward.

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