SONS OF GOD - STARS

This post will continue identifying other names used for angels in scripture.

“sons of God” - I gave a bit of attention to this phrase in my study of Genesis regarding the “sons of God” that chose to procreate with the daughters of men and whose offspring became giants (fallen ones), mighty men of renown.

Genesis 6:1–4 “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.”

Though many deny this interpretation, I think it is the only reasonable interpretation since there is no reasonable explanation for normal procreation between human men and women to produce children that were so distinct from their peers. I believe Jude makes reference to these rebellious angels in his letter.

Jude 1:6–7 “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”

Jude is making reference to angels who left their own habitation and went after “strange flesh.” The Greek for strange makes reference to flesh that is different from their own.

The first chapter of Job also gives support to the term "sons of God" referencing angels.

Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.

It would seem that there is a time of discussion in heaven between God and His angels regarding their interactions with men. The writer of Hebrews tells us that they were created as “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.” (Hebrews 1:14) Satan evidently continues to present himself on these occasions to “accuse the brethren,” as stated by John in Revelation 12:10 and as the story of Job so vividly pictures.

Not until the New Testament is the phrase “sons of God” applied to men in reference to those who believe on Jesus for their salvation. I think it was Chuck Missler that I heard give a very reasonable explanation regarding the term “sons of God” referencing direct creations of God. It wasn’t until New Testament times that men could become a “new creation” in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Job also refers to the sons of God as witnessing the creation of the earth; this would also support this term as a reference to angels.

Job 38:4–7 “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”

The verse in Job above also connects the “sons of God” with the “morning stars.” There are other places in scripture that reference angels as stars.

Revelation 9:1 “And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.”

This “star” is obviously making reference to a heavenly being.

Revelation 12:3–4, 9 “And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. 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 as soon as it was born…. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

This section from Revelation specifically connects “the third part of the stars of heaven” to the devil’s angels that were cast out of heaven with him.