What Does God Really Want? - Michael Heiser

A pagan invited Dr. Heiser onto his podcast due to their shared worldview that divine beings are allotted to nations by a most high god—Yahweh—who punishes nations for rebellion. Hercules asked what Yahweh truly wants, to which Dr. Heiser responded that Yahweh desires all nations to abandon false gods and return to Him, a message fulfilled through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, offering reconciliation to the Gentiles as promised to Abraham. The Bible’s use of the term "Elohim" refers broadly to supernatural beings, not solely the unique God of Israel, who alone possesses sovereign attributes like omnipotence and omniscience. The so-called gods of nations are corrupt and doomed, while Yahweh is sovereign over all. The chief adversary, Satan—the rebel from Genesis 3—is the leader of these fallen beings and lord of death, but through Jesus’ ministry and the establishment of God’s kingdom, Satan’s authority is broken, and believers are no longer under his claim, affirming Yahweh’s ultimate rule over all spiritual powers. This worldview connects ancient texts, biblical theology, and a call to forsake other gods for the one true God who longs for restoration of all nations #god #jesus #gospel #holyspirit #saved #salvation #grace #love #michaelheiser