by Randy Maugans
Download article as PDF-The Mystery of The Sons of God
A listener wrote, asking about the terms “sons of God” (ben Elohim) in Genesis 6:2 and Romans 8:14 (the email is copied below). As the email indicates, there is no small amount of confusion regarding the nature and identities of these “sons (daughters)”, especially when the term “nephilim” is brought into view. I was led to put down my present understanding on the matters of this mystical subject, and to blunt some of the “junk” history and theology being promoted by ambitious book authors such as Steve Quayle, Tom Horn, and a slew of others who draw theology from the pseudipigraphical “Book of Enoch” rather than the plain words of scripture.
This is not, by any means, exhaustive; but is based on the ongoing independent research The Threshing Floor has conducted over the last several years. It is timely, as we move deeper into the period chronicled in the Book of Revelation, where i
t is clear that the great wars between two kingdoms moves into the Earth realm to play out the final scenes.
Terms:
A little background into the words referred to as “sons” in scripture:
“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.”-Genesis 6:1-2
sons- ben- a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc; child, colt, daughter, of first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance-Hebrew Lexicon)
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”-1John 3:2
sons-teknon-from the base of timoria; a child (as produced):–child, daughter, son.
root word: timoria-vindication, i.e. (by implication) a penalty:–punishment.
timoreo-to protect one’s honor, i.e. to avenge (inflict a penalty):–punish.
time-a value, i.e. money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy, esteem (especially of the highest degree), or the dignity itself:–honour, precious, price, some.
In the Greek of the KJV, son is also rendered from:
huios-apparently a primary word; a “son” (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship:–child, foal, son. (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance-Greek Lexicon)
A related term worth bearing in mind for this study is huiothesia- the placing as a son, i.e. adoption (figuratively, Christian sonship in respect to God):–adoption (of children, of sons)(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance-Greek Lexicon) ,this word translated as “adoption” in the King James Bible, and used only by Paul in Romans,Galatians , and Ephesians.
The terms “sons of God” in both Hebrew and Greek can be viewed as roughly equivalent in definition for our purposes. But, it is noted that the more prevalent Greek word is huios, and upon more careful scrutiny of the usage of these two Greek words, both rendered as son/sons in English, there seems to be a distinction that is best termed “spiritual” or redeemed sonship—and it is one that clearly divides the sons of God between old and new testaments. A study of usage of these three words in the New Testament reveals a distinction in the condition of these beings. The distinction is profound, it is spiritual, and it has to do with the New Birth. This distinction is found in:
Revelation 12:4- And his (the dragon’s) tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child (teknon) And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child (teknon) as soon as it was born.
5 And she brought forth a man child (huios), who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child (teknos) was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
Language usage in scripture is never accidental, and many times we glean new understandings from digging into etymology. Revelation 12 clearly renders a distinction between the (man)child being stalked by Satan and the actual child who is delivered–the teknon vs. the huios. Where Satan expects a human child under the bonds (condition) of sin and wrath, instead this child is a huios, or child of YAHWEH. Vine’s Expository Dictionary better elaborates this:
teknon “a child” (akin to tikto, “to beget, bear”), is used in both the natural and the figurative senses. In contrast to huios, “son” ), it gives prominence to the fact of birth, whereas huios stresses the dignity and character of the relationship.
This understanding should inform the study that follows, and open up additional inquiries into these two, distinctive, renderings of “sons”. It also demonstrates the concept of a spiritual (new) birth versus the state of human (carnal) child birth.
YAHWEH’s “Replacement Program”
God is into “replacement theology”, spiritually. The “sons of God” in Genesis and Job were clearly another creation separate from man—were they angelic creations? Scripture does not really tell us…but I tend to think they were not for reasons I will briefly note in this article. That aside, I think it is clear these creatures were at some point separated from YAHWEH’s purposes.
It is clear that the Father intended for the “other” creature—humans—which descended from Adam to become something more than this present estate…he was a creation with a unique destiny, which was prophesied in Genesis 3:15- And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Notice how this “seed” concept comes up early in Genesis? It is the same thread which I explored in the second part of the “Spirit of Adoption” study.The bottom line is: there are TWO seeds, two creatures competing for dominance in the creation. Only one wins—the other becomes extinct. Likewise in the angelic realm there is a warfare that comes into play in the physical realm (the creatures made “a litle lower than angels”) —it is a spiritual overlay: the angelic wars in the heavenlies (see Revelation 12) and the wars between the beings created by one of the two seeds: Christ’s or Satan’s. Only ONE is to BECOME the “sons of God”.
One can be born again, of either Jesus or Satan. Jesus chooses his own…Satan isn’t fussy, he wants ALL humanity! I have talked about this in shows I did the last six months or so, in the context of the “generations” which all flow into ONE generation/bloodline: that of Christ’s. All other “bloodlines” are scheduled for extinction when we move out into the universe/heaven.
Orders of Beings
There are also distinctions between the orders of created beings that need to be observed in understanding this subject. The angelic realm of archangels/angels; powers/princes/rulers (both fallen, and the angels who are servants of God), the demonic realm (disembodied spirits—likely the vanquished Old Testament sons, now under the control of Lucifer), and the human realm which is comprised of the two bloodlines, or generations—spiritually. It is a state of transition in this life, spiritually, as humans choose life in Christ, or become hybrid demonic beings—the second death:
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.“-Revelation 2:11
” Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.“-Revelation 20:6
I think as we learn more about the “pre-creation”, through research of people like Paul Sandhu and John Ackerman (and some other scripturally-based researchers), we see a picture of the created beings that is richer, more complex, and incisive than the straight line views offered by X-tianity (the mainstream “organized”, churches). Humans are a separate creation from the angelic—but there is warfare in both realms and it appears to converge upon the Earth in the Book of Revelation.
While many popular writers equate the Genesis 6 sons of God to fallen angels, scripture (and increasingly, historical and mythological research) do not seem to make the case. If we equate the nephilim with the fallen sons of God, then I do not believe the nephilim were angels—nor do I think they were “human”, but a separate, earlier creation. Men and angels are very distinct creations which Paul tells us in:
Hebrews 1:4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. 5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
Paul, here, breaks down the order of angels and men—-and the Godhead—as very distinct. Peter, as well, points out the distinctions between humans and angels:
“Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.” -2Peter 2:11
I think it is expressly the will of the Father for us to understand all this as it appears we, the remnant, will even war with these fallen angels, the demonic spirit realm, AND the hybrid humans who are entering into the “second death”, and have authority and power to deal with them!
As the listener points out: it is very much an issue of the “Condition or Quality” of the being. Specifically, it is the spiritual state which divides the vanquished ben Elohim of Genesis from the humans who are the elect, or adopted huios. Satan and his demonic hordes have no authority over huios, or the redeemed sons/daughters of the Most High—those born and bought by the sacrifice of the Lord, Jesus Christ:
“Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”-1John 5:1-7
The listener email question:
Tue, Dec 29, 2009 :
I was listening to part one of the “Adoption” broadcast this morning and noticed something apparently unrelated to the theme of the show but in another sense fits the overall meme of adoption, and that was this verse.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Sons: Greek 5207: Kinship-child, foal, son)
I’m sure it’s been debated ad-nauseum, but the term “Sons of God” is often bandied about with regards to Genesis 6:2 and is often used in reference to “fallen angels” and by extension, the “Nephilim” (Sons: Hebrew 1121: Son, Grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition.)
I’m not sure if this phrase can be interpreted the same from the New Testament Greek and the Old Testament Hebrew, but I found it interesting that in the context of adoption we are considered in “Kinship” or as a “Child” of God but that in the Hebrew, that there is also reference to a “Condition or Quality” It makes me wonder how this gets woven into a fallen angel, for if the Angel was indeed fallen then that “Condition” would no longer exist in terms of God’s Kinship.
There will be three groups of beings in the Lake of Fire with ‘The False Prophet’ and ‘The Beast’ … (1) the Fallen Angels, (2) the Hybrid Angel/Human race before the flood and afterward and (3) all humans who never availed themselves of the Father’s (Yahweh), plan and bowed the knee to His Son – Jesus Christ. Christ shed His Blood and became ‘The Way’ for humans to be bought back to God. There ARE NOT TWO SEEDS!
In other words; when Adam sinned and consequently fell, Satan “legally” usurped through deception, Adam’s GOD given dominion and from that point on
—->, ALL are sinners in need of atonement which could ONLY come from a spotless and sinless sacrifice, the One and Only begotten of The Father… Jesus.
Remember, the Father is the Judge and the Son, being His Equal, fulfilled the redemptive demands for sin. From the foundations of the Earth or Universe for that matter, Yashua set aside His Glory He had WITH the Father and was born through a virgin and lead a sinless life and chose to be the one time sin offering for the sole redemption of Mankind only (no other created being anywhere in the Universe!).
Question(s): Since when have you started to espouse serpent seed doctrine… or any version thereof? Does anyone on Threshers have discernment and see the need and have a voice? One of your own has been deceived… and is no-one of you going to have the guts (in love) to correct him? Or have you ALL lost your way?
One can espouse an opinion of scripture (whether right or wrong), but it must stand up and be confirmed by scripture to be Truth.
Matthew 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
2Corinthians 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
1Timothy 5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
I cannot sit by and watch your demise without shouting to all, WAKE UP BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!
Bill
I was trying to find a few places in scripture where the phrase “two or three” was used. While I did find some, I misused them to the extent of correcting or bringing an accusation against Randy. That was not my intent.
Randy, I publicly apologize for my stupidity in using those scriptures incorrectly… I’m sorry!
I was thinking about Truth and how it is verified…
Deu 19:15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
I do “know” that Satan’s biggest deception was and continues to be that the fallen angels i.e. ‘sons of God’ did in fact mate physically with the daughters of men and did pollute the bloodline and that is why the Father had to destroy the world at the time of the flood. The same came back shortly afterward and will again in the end of times.
We cannot capitulate on this doctrine. To do so is what the so-called churches have done for years. Let us not go back and waver from what we KNOW is TRUE!
Bill
Apology received on the “two or three witnesses” accusation. That said, what you wrote of substance is a question of OPINION on a specific subject: that fallen angels = nephilim=sons of God. You can continue to hold that opinion, I disagree based on my best inquiries—but I am still open to compelling arguments.
That you equate basic doctrines of salvation to this belief is error. Jesus Christ came into the world and made the atonement to rescue souls from the kingdom of Satan. Nothing else. The “fall” was result of the deception of the serpent, Nagas, who we may call Satan or Lucifer. This is not “serpent seed” doctrine, it is scripture.
One does not need to believe, one way or the other, the dubious identity of nephilim/sons of god as angels, or not to grasp salvation. I do not ever teach this as salvational doctrine one way or another.
There is clearly deception afoot in the “Christian UFO” movement, so called. I have actively argued for years against holding identifications which are not explicit in scripture—but allowing these subjects to be taught and discussed. In the end these things are SPIRITUALLY discerned by those who have the Mind of Christ—and not their OWN opinions.
The article above is an ongoing study, as are some of the guests’ work in presenting on subjects like creation/pre-creation, catastrophics, or paranormal events. Threshing Floor is, was, and will continue both open inquiry into the mysteries—AND present/promote sound doctrine. These are separate areas of study, but doctrine overrides inquiry.
Man has always been distinctly different from any other creatures.
Bill says that there was never a Hybrid race through an angel/ human seed mix.
Scripture clearly says that the ” fallen angels” left their first habitation to descend to earth , finding the daughters of man comely.
Why would the scripture need to put refrence to the attractivness of daughters of man if it was disconnected to the next statement – and they took wives from those they chose ?
This would indicate having consumated relations and bearing of children would it not?
I am not sure but think it is also connected to the idea we are told the angels do not marry / reproduce.
So the angels had to become something else in order to have this relationship so we are told they ” left their first habitation ( assuming as I am here it referrs to their angelic bodies ,) in order to have these relations with man.
And , scripture says, the offspring are what we men refer to as the ” mighty man of old” or other Gods.
It is also quite clear that these fallen ones are permenently disembodied and can only find temporal embodiment by posessing a human creature. They wander the earth looking for human dwelling.
Thus some humans become victims wittingly or not to having their bodies taken over by squatting fallen spirits.
Are angels immortal though?
I think perhaps their disembodied incomplete spirits are but that only man is given a new immortal body like the one given Jesus at His resurrection.
The Hybrid man / angel must be unable to achieve this so sad but true the offspring must never have the same advantages and possibilities given man as an ongoing work twords Christlikness , given to man by God as intended