04/26/10 TODAY IS THE DAY...
An example of mistakenly interpreting the Bible according to human/demonic wisdom, rather than according to what it actually says is when it is erroneously said that the Genesis account of the Sons of God cohabiting with Daughters of men is referring to angels or fallen angels cohabiting with humans. The Bible says no such thing.
The reason this is important is because countless numbers have been ensnared by cults that use this error to turn people from the truth and purity of the Bible and gospel message. People turn to the cults because few churches are teaching the word of God clearly and with Divine power. The lost and ensnared are being sacrificed to the cults.
While in Charleston today I sat on a bench at a shopping center and struck up a conversation with a young man. I discovered he was a follower of Arnold Murray, who has many strange beliefs. Among other things, he believes that Cain was the offspring of Satan and Eve. This leads into the other false belief that angels or fallen angels cohabited with human women.
The main problem is, people are looking for Christians with Bible knowledge and when they cannot find them, they turn to those outside of Christianity for answers. Unfortunately, those who do not believe the truth are more informed about their errors than Christians are about the truth and they are more successful at drawing others into their viewpoint.
Since I knew about Murray's beliefs, I started pointing this young man to the Biblical truth. Some of his errors were easy to dismiss, by an honest look at the word. However, our time together was short. We exchanged emails. I have written him, but have not received a reply.
Let me share two things.
I. A Quick Look at the Passage.
II. The Origin of This Interpretation.
I. A Quick Look at the Passage...
A. Genesis 6:1-7
1 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,
2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years.
4 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 bore children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.
5 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.
6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
7 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 repents me that I have made them.
B. The Only Parties in this Passage Are Humans...
1. Overall Message...
There is not one single reference to angels or fallen angels in this passage. In order to get angels out of this passage we have to read it into this passage. Even if we use the Jude passage, it does not say that the Sons of God were angels or that the angels cohabited with humans.
2. Verse By Verse...
vs 1 ...MEN began to multiply... DAUGHTERS were born to them. Nothing angelic in this verse.
vs 2 In the Bible, SONS OF GOD is used in reference to Adam, Jesus, angels and redeemed men. However, each place makes it clear, as in this passage, there is no mention of angels, must humans. The Sons of God are the righteous and the Daughters of men are the unrighteous. Earlier, in 4:26 we are told that men began to call on the name of the Lord. Also, these men took to themselves wives, which is a human arrangement, not an angelic one.
vs 3 My Spirit shall not always strive with men... This is strictly addressing God's relationship with humans, not angels.
vs 4 the Giants are not said to be anything other than powerful men. The cohabitation was between men and women, who conceived and bore children, which angels do not do.
vs 5 Man's deeds and thoughts were evil, not the thoughts and deeds of angels.
vs 6 God was grieved with the wicked development of humans, not angels.
vs 7 God declared His intent to destroy mankind, not angels. Even animals would be destroyed, but no mention of angels.
This is a totally human scenario.
II. The Origin of This Interpretation...
I believe this angel/human relationship was first mentioned in the so-called book of Enoch and entertained by Jewish teachers in ancient times. It became part of the verbal traditions and has manifested itself in these last days.
