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From the earliest recorded time we have gazed skyward at the miriads of celestial bodies and wondered if we were alone. It is the bondage of time and space which holds us from exploring the infinity of the universe. Yet from every continent throughout history, there has been made written record of heavenly phenomenon, advanced beings and incomprehensible creatures. In ancient times, as man often did when he failed to understand or was frightened by what he witnessed, the wonders he saw became the objects of his worship.
Since the early days of radio and the thousands of sci-fi movies today, we continue to express in our imaginations the speculation of interaction with the unknown.
One written record that has stood the test of time, the Bible, contains an amazing story of a Creator's love for man. But when studied carefully, many of our deepest curiousities about the purpose of the universe become clear. Are there other life forms elsewhere described in the Bible and do they interact with men? The answer is a definative yes!
Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God Created the Heavens and the earth". It is very important to note that it states "in the beginning": The definition of TIME is different for God and men. There is no time constraint or restriction on GOD . For this reason He can be in all places at one tme and is able to see past, present and future as one event. It is the reason Jesus could walk on water (Mathew 14:26) or appear through locked doors (John 20:19). When Lucifer usurped the sovereignty of God in some eons past by saying"I will...",he became a prisoner of time and preordained events (Isaiah 14:12-15).
You and I are also guilty of this sin and are likewise 'trapped' until these events are played out as revealed thoughout the Bible and ending with the book of Revelation. Time will continue to exist until God is again "all in all" when eternity will begin again!
Our definition of time is for a unit of measurement related to planetary movement and physical states; and as Einstien stated, it is relative to our place in it. Since there is no constraint on a 'time-less' God, He could have made everything in one second, "a thousand years" or a billion if he wanted to! Understanding this will help you have an answer for difficult questions.
Genesis 1:2 "And the earth was formless and void and dark
ness was on the face of the deep...." The American
Standard Bible notes "waste and emptiness.
Documented earth history indicates a time when the earth was
struck by a meteor about 65 million years ago which ended
the age of dinosaurs. Click to go to:
The Bible differentiates between three heavens: The 'heaven' directly above earth where the birds, insects and clouds are; the 'second heaven', where stars and celestial bodies exist; and the 'third heaven', as described by the apostle Paul in IICorinthians 12:2, where God lives. The creation of the 'heavens' was accomplished by the Son of God, Jesus Christ, as expressed in Colossions 1:16 "For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things have been created by Him and for Him. And he is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." The tremendous diversity and beauty of our own planet and it's still many unresolved mysteries should give us a clue to the possibilities of God's infinite and diverse creation throughout the universe. Do not limit God to only what our finite minds can comprehend! Open your heart and mind to what the limitless Creator could do with an entire UNIVERSE at His disposal!
Genesis 2:1 "Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts". A 'host' is defined as 'multitude, crowd, gathering or army'. As I have stated, there are three separate heavens. This verse clearly indicates the plural of heaven and thus the hosts were inclusive of each. The reference to the 'heavenly hosts' are many thoughout the Bible.
David, in the book of Psalms 33:6 "By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their hosts." Refering back to our beginning in Genesis 2:7 "Then the Lord God formed man of the dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being ".
Psalms 103:20-22, David exclaims "Bless the Lord all you His hosts; you who serve Him, doing His will... Praise Him all His angels; praise Him all His hosts". It is here where we see the existance of two seperate entities; angels and hosts.
Isaiah 45:12 "It is I who made the earth and created man upon it. I stretched out the heavens with my hands , and I ordained all their hosts." Again the prophet reiterates in 45:18 "For thus says the Lord who created the heavens, he is the God who formed the earth and made it. He established it and did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited...."
Nehemiah 9:6 "You alone are the Lord. You have made the heavens, the heaven of heavens with all their hosts . The earth and all that is on it. The seas and all that is in them. Thou dost give life to them all."
Who are these 'living beings with whom we share the breath of life'? Their number is immeasurable as the stars of the universe they inhabit (Jeremiah 33:22). Some of these are call 'angels',
described elsewhere in the Bible as eternal,
powerful beings, guardians and protectors of human beings,
and the army of God.
Most follow God but one third fell from grace
with Satan. 'Cherubs', 'saraphim' or 'living creatures' are also
part of the beings who live in the 'third heaven. Along with
the angels, they contiually serve and glorify God in His
heavenly kingdom and accomplish His puposes on earth.
They have interacted with us from the beginning of creation
and will continue to do so into eternity. (See all the scripture verses below).
It is of utmost importance to realize that worship of
angelic beings is expressly forbidden in scripture. Some
new cults are reportedly trying to manipulate the powers for
their own purposes. Remember that Satan and his
fallen angels are working to deceive the human race into
following them!
There are other 'sons of God' whom the scriptures called 'Nephilim' or 'giants' in Genesis 6:2-4. The result of their relationships with earth women gave birth to "...the mighty men...men of renown". Goliath, who David killed with a sling and stone, as well as his brother were described as being nine feet tall and having six fingers on each hand! Hardly a description of a normal human being. Could the Greek myths have originated from tales about such men? Is it possible that the extraterrestrial encounters documented by the hundreds be part of the hosts that co-inhabit this universe and share with us the 'breath of life'?
Isaiah 34:4 is one of many verses dealing with the ultimate end to this universe:"And all the host of heaven will wear away, and the heavens shall roll together as a scroll: all their hosts shall fall down, as the leaf falls from a vine or as a falling fig from the fig tree.". Isaiah 51:6 "Lift up your eyes to the heavens and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner..."
If 'host of heaven' meant 'angels' in this passage, it would contradict other scripture which tells us that they are eternal (can never die) and do not marry! (Mathew 22:36) So here we see again this distinction between the mortal 'Nephilim' and other inhabitants of the physical universe in contrast with the angels and other immortal inhabitants of the spiritual 'third heaven'.
One major secular theory of the origin of the universe is called the "rubber band theory". It states that the universe started out with the big bang from a 'singularity' , but conservation of mass will eventually cause it to collapse onto itself and compress back into another 'singularity'. Recent findings are pointing out what the Bible has already written: That the universe is flat and an unknown force is requred to keep gravity from pulling it back together again! It is amazing to see the Biblical references to God stretching out the universe and it ulimately roll together as a scroll! IIPeter 3:10 "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night: in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat..." This is a graphic picture of the final destruction of the known universe. Jesus, who 'holds all things together' will call it back unto Himself. HE is the great 'singularity'.
Revelation 21:1 "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth passed away...." But the promise to those who believe God's word and accept His Son Jesus as the payment for sins, will not die but inherit the new earth and live with Him forever: John 3:16.
Here are just some of the passages where visible angels interacted with men:
Genesis 18 and 19: The Son of God and two angels came to Abraham and Sarah to tell them they were going to have a child. The two angels were to continue to the city of Sodom to witness the evil there and to warn Abraham's brother Lot to flee the city before God destroyed it.
Genesis 32: The Angel of God met Jacob at Mahenaim.
Exodus 3:2 The Angel of God speaks to Moses from the burning bush.
Exodus 14:19 The Angel of God went before the children of Isreal as a pillar of smoke by day and as a pillar of fire by night.
Numbers 22:22-35 Balaam encounters an angel along the road to Moab.
Judges 2:1-4 The Angel of the Lord speaks to the sons of Isreal at Bochim.
Judges 13:3-21 An angel came to Manoah and his wife to tell them they would have a son who would deliver them from the philistines. His name was 'Samson'.
IISamuel 24:16-17 David sees the destroying angel.
Daniel 3 Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego are delivered from the fiery furnace of Nebuchadnezzar.
Zechariah chapters 3-6 An angel shows prophesies to Zechariah
Mathew 1:20, 2:13 and 19 An angel appears to Joseph in a dream on several occasions. Once to tell him it was OK to take Mary as his wife. Then to warn them to flee from Herod and the last to tell them it was safe to return home.
Luke 1:11-13 The angel Gabriel appears to Zacharias to tell him he and his wife would have a son. The son became John the Baptist.
Luke 2:9-13 An angel announces the birth of Jesus to sheperds.
Mathew 3:2 Angels minister to Jesus after His temptation.
Luke 22:43 An angel appears to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane just before His crucifiction to give Him strength.
Mathew 28:2-5 An angel rolled back the stone of Jesus' tomb. He tells Mary Magdalene and the other Mary that Jesus has risen.
Acts 5:19 An angel rescues the apostles out of prison.
Acts 8:26 An angel speaks to Philip.
Acts 10:3 An angel appears in a vision to Cornelius.
Acts 12:7-11 Peter is freed from prison by an angel.
Some passages where invisible angels intervened in human events:
IIKings 19:35 In one night, the Angel of the Lord killed 185,000 Assyrians threatening Jerusalem.
Daniel 6:22 An angel 'shut' the lion's mouths for Daniel.
Acts 12:23 Herod is struck down by an angel.
Hebrews 13:2 Paul admonishes us to entertain strangers, "for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
Passages with Cherubim or other heavenly creatures:
Genesis 3:24 A Cherubim is set to guard Eden.
Ezekiel, chapters 10 and 11. Ezekiel's ecounter with the 'wheels' , the Cherubim and living creatures.
God's promise to you! Psalm 91:11 "For he will give His angels charge conserning you, To guard you in your ways."
Come back soon!
A personal Message from the Author
Author: Michael Ecklund
March 6, 1998
