Dear Associates, Students and Friends:
God’s creation is much different and more complex than most people understand. Most Christians believe God has creation set into three neat categories: God (falsely considered to be a trinity), angels, and humans. The usual story is that some angels fell from grace and became evil spirits. God created mankind to “fix” the angelic fall. Then mankind fell in turn. What a mess!
In reality God the Father created “the firstborn of every creature” (Colossians 1:15), the pre-incarnate Christ. God the Father and Christ planned the subsequent creation. While we are told only about specifics of creation that focus on earth and mankind, God the Father and Christ created other Sons of God, then angels and other spirits. The heavens and the earth were created (Job 38:4–7; Psalm 89:5). On the sixth day man was created in Adam (Genesis 1:26–31 and 2:7ff). From Adam came Eve, and all of us are their offspring (Acts 17:26). In the first four verses of Genesis chapter 6 is a short passage about the “Sons of God” who had intercourse with the “daughters of men.” From them came nephilim who were hybrid beings, of mixed divine and adamic lineage. Such “matings” took place before and after the flood. The offspring performed many great deeds and their evil led the rest of mankind in their evil as well.
This month’s article, “Idolatry and the Sons of God,” develops further information from Scripture regarding idolatry incorporating and expanding on the work of Dr. Martin from chapter 28, “Who Are the Sons of God” in his book The Essentials of New Testament Doctrine, from his article “Idolatry – The Curse of Religion,” and his articles on ancient religion. 1 Very little comes from non-biblical sources.
The physical creation is complex beyond our human comprehension (Romans 11:33), with many wondrous intelligent creatures set forth throughout that creation. Only after our spiritual resurrection will we even begin to understand the intricacies of God’s creation. As participants in the first resurrection, during the millennium and the Great White Throne judgment (1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; and Revelation 20:4–6) we will be able to study and learn the details of God’s creation with resurrected spirit bodies and spirit-filled minds. We will communicate on every level with all of God’s intelligent creatures. It is they that Paul writes about, most of whom are in pain at this present moment — as many of you are:
“For the earnest expectation of the creature [creation] waits for the manifestation of the sons of God [that includes you]. For the creature [creation] was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him [God] who has subjected the same in hope, Because the creature [creation] itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.”
Romans 8:19–23
In subsequent articles I will examine other topics related to idolatry. First I anticipate publishing at least one other article giving further details about the Sons of God from Scripture: their actions, their failures, God’s punishments upon them, as well as their future redemption. God punished the Sons of God and it was severe punishment indeed, a judgment of death was put upon them for their unrighteous judgment of the peoples of the nations. This is declared in a Psalm by David and carried out during the time of Jeremiah. 2
From man’s point of view, everything God has done in creation has apparently failed. Think about the situation for a moment:
Again, what a mess! Everything appears to be total chaos and failure! In the history of creation, only one individual has been totally obedient to God the Father in every single thing He did — the man Jesus Christ:
“… he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death …
Wherefore God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.”
Philippians 2:8–10 (see Ephesians 1:21)
By His obedience Christ saves all and everyone. In God’s plan, only Christ’s obedience is important:
“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”
Romans 5:19
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Those who cannot communicate with us (for whatever reason) because of circumstances in your lives, should know that we will continue to communicate to you through the ASK website, through recorded shows when possible, with information you need to read, study, and more fully understand God’s Word.
However, please, always recognize that studying God’s Word must be your first consideration. The ASK website and all ASK materials should never be substitutes for the Bible. We are merely tools to help you understand the Word of God in the fullest way possible. With God’s blessing and your support ASK will continue to be a useful tool in teaching about God. You have our personal thanks for all you do.
David W. Sielaff
David@askelm.com
1 Chapter 28 of Essentials is at http://www.askelm.com/essentials/ess037.htm. “Idolatry – The Curse of Religion” is at http://www.askelm.com/doctrine/d070101.htm, “The Secret of Ancient Religion Revealed! – Part 1” is at http://www.askelm.com/doctrine/d030201.htm, and “The Secret of Ancient Religion Revealed! – Part 2” is at http://www.askelm.com/doctrine/d030301.htm.
2 The offspring of the Sons of God and the daughters of men also have an interesting history as told in the Bible, until the last of them were killed off during the time of David.
3 The Sons of God in the past are not to be confused with the nation of Israel as God’s Son or with you and me as sons and daughters of God. We are the children of God, born again now (Romans 8:16–21, 9:26; Galatians 3:26; and 1 John 3:9–10).
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