by Matt Slick | Nov 9, 2018 | Angels, Questions

The term “sons of God” occurs 10 times in the NASB. In the context of each occurrence, it meanseither angelic beings or people. It first occurs in Genesis 6:2when it refers to the sons of God who took the daughters of men for wives. Their offspring were the Nephilim. So, in this context who were they?

Generally speaking, the Jews and the Christian church all held to the belief that the sons of God were fallen angels who impregnated women. Their offspring again were the Nephilim. The theory holds that this interbreeding program was an attempt to disrupt the messianic line and prevent the Messiah from being born. So, God destroyed everyone with the flood.

The Sethite theory says that the sons of God in Gen. 6:2, 4 are the sons of Seth, who was Adam’s son (Gen. 4:25). They married the morally corrupt Canaanite women (descendents of Cain). Their children were then referred to as the Nephilim. The sethite theory did not come about until the 1500s when the Christian church was criticized for the position of angels having relations with women.

In the book of Job 1:6; 2:1 it seems that the sons of God are angels, possibly both good and bad. God speaks to Satan who was among them. So it’s possible that the sons of God were only the wicked angels, but the context does not necessitate that position. Then later in the book, Job 38:7, it says the sons of God shouted for joy. This seems to be a reference to the good angels.

In the remaining occurrences of the term, they are all in the New Testament and they are speaking of the good people, the godly who have trusted in God.

So, the termhas two basic meanings. It refers to the angels, both good and bad, in the Old Testament. But in the New Testament, the phrase refers to believers.

Following is a table with each occurrence of the use of the term as it is in the NASB.AddressVerseContextMeaningGen.
6:2“that the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose.”Nephilim, the wickedness of man. SOG took wives of womenAngelsGen.
6:4“The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of Godcame in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them.”Nephilim, the wickedness of man. SOG took wives of womenAngelsJob
1:6“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.”SOG could be the good angels and/or bad angelsAngelsJob
2:1“Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the LORD.”SOG could be the good angels and/or bad angelsAngelsJob
38:7“And all the sons of God shouted for joy?”SOG good angelsAngelsMatt. 5:9“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”SOG is those who a godly, trust in GodPeopleLuke
20:36“for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.”SOG is those who a godly, trust in GodPeopleRom.
8:14“For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”SOG is those who a godly, trust in GodPeopleRom.
8:19“For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.”SOG is those who a godly, trust in GodPeopleGal.
3:26“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”SOG is those who a godly, trust in GodPeople

See blueletterbible.org/Comm/jfb/Gen/Gen_006.cfm?a=6002 for more information on the sons of God.

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Angels

I have always wanted to know who the Sons were. Every time I read about it in Scripture that is where my mind starts to ask questions. I looked online and found the article above. It has so many cross-references that have shed some light to answer my question about it. I want to know all there is to know about it so that when I read it in Scripture I will understand it better.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to know more about Scripture. Reading Scripture is how we learn about things we don’t know. If God didn’t want anyone to know about Him, or anything concerning how things were made, He never would have written His Word in sixty-six books for us to read and learn all about Him and the events leading up to the birth of His Son Jesus Christ, His death, and resurrection.

Angels did exist then, and they still do today. God has messengers who will deliver messages to those He So chooses. We never know when we are talking to an angel or entertaining angels. This is why we must be careful how we speak to and treat people.

If you want to know about the Sons of God, read the article above, and do more research if that’s what you choose to do. There will be more information posted here as the Lord leads me in His Word. Until then stay blessed, and stay safe. Have a wonderful New Year.🙏🏾😇

Genesis 6:1-22 KJV

”And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it. And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee.“
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬-‭18‬ ‭KJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1/gen.6.1-18.KJV

Messenger Angels

The title of this cover says: Messenger Angel(s).

Angels as Messengers

I wanted to know more on the subject of angels being messengers of God. I looked online and found this article. I thought I would share it with everyone because I found it to be very interesting to read. I suppose I am a curious person who wants to know everything about everything I read in Scripture. Well, being a minister myself, it is good for me to know about these things just in case I have to explain them to someone should the subject arise. It is better to know than not to know about something. I like studying the things that come across my mind when I am reading.

We know that Gabriel gave Mary, the mother of Jesus a message from God and what was about to take place in her life that was going to change things forever. We know that Gabriel visited Joseph in his dream to tell him everything that was going on with Mary. So, angels are real. There is so much information about the subject online and in Scripture. While you are reading, ask God to show you where it is so you can read about it and see it for yourself. Do your research. Don’t be ashamed. It is better to know about something than to not know about something. Until next time, stay blessed, and stay safe.

Luke 1:5–38

LUKE 1:5–38

“The angel answered him, ‘I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news’” (v. 19).

We have noted that angelos is the Greek word normally translated into English as “angel.” Basically, angelos means “one who brings a message,” and it often refers to human messengers as well as the heavenly host. The biblical authors’ use of angeloswhen recounting angelic appearances indicates that a chief task of these supernatural creatures is to bring a message from on high.

This angelic role is clear in today’s passage, which describes Gabriel’s visit to Zechariah and Mary to announce the births of John the Baptist and Jesus, respectively (Luke 1:5–38). Gabriel is a special emissary, privileged to stand in God’s presence and carry our Father’s word to His servants (v. 19). To receive a visit from an angel is a unique experience, and that explains Zechariah’s fear when Gabriel appeared (vv. 5–12). Contrary to what we might think, angels did not appear before the biblical saints on a regular basis; they only showed themselves to God’s people when they were needed to announce a specific advance in the Lord’s plan of salvation (for example, Gen. 18:1–15). When Gabriel revealed himself to Zechariah, he commanded the priest to name his son “John” and to keep him away from strong drink (Luke 1:13–17). Significantly, to dictate what someone will be named is, in biblical categories, to take authority over him. Yet Gabriel did not claim possession of John for himself. He was speaking on behalf of God Almighty. As a mouthpiece for the Creator, Gabriel and the other angels are invested with God’s authority because they speak God’s commands.

Centuries before Gabriel was sent to Zechariah and Mary, Joshua met another heavenly messenger — “the commander of the army of the Lord” (Josh. 5:13–14a). Angels are not to be worshiped because they are sent from God and are not God Himself. But in this case, Joshua worships the commander (vv. 14b–15). Though angels are created beings, church tradition has seen in this episode an encounter between Joshua and a pre-incarnate manifestation of the Son of God since Joshua is not rebuked for praising the angel like others are rebuked for angel worship elsewhere (Rev. 22:8–9). Many scholars throughout church history have identified the “angel of the Lord” with Jesus Himself.

Coram Deo

Interest in angels is at an all-time high in our culture, and many people long to have an encounter with them. However, while seeing an angel would be a remarkable event, even the angels themselves are far more concerned that we heed God’s messages to us than they are that we see them face to face. We have in Scripture a message from the Lord delivered through the angels (Heb. 2:1–4). It is that message we must trust and obey.