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ANGELS, FALLEN
42
It is of interest to note that, taking Paul's epistles together with the exception of Hebrews, the word `angel'
occurs thirteen times, or, if we include the passage where it is translated `messenger' then fourteen times in all. It
will be seen that where the word `angel' is used at the rate of one reference to an epistle in Paul's epistles other than
Hebrews, it is used at the rate of one reference to a chapter in that epistle. Then, if we include the number of times
the word angel occurs in the epistles of Peter, Jude and the book of Revelation, we must add eighty-one more
occurrences to the number, making in all, from Matthew to Acts 12, Hebrews, and to the end of the New Testament
164 occurrences, as over against eleven occurrences in Paul's pre-prison epistles, two in 1 Timothy and none in the
Prison Epistles!
While we readily admit that doctrine cannot be proved by the mere number of occurrences of any particular
word, the presence and the absence of such related terms as `angels' and `principalities' cannot be easily accounted
for apart from purpose and intention. `Angels' are ministering spirits, but by the very nature of the word
`principalities' hold precedence in rank, and if that difference be evident between these heavenly powers, it follows
that there must be the same difference between the callings of the two epistles that employ these terms with such
discrimination.
The Hebrew believers are never said to be `far above' angels, but by virtue of the revelation of Ephesians 2:6,
the Ephesian believer is seated potentially `far above' even principalities. The inclusion of the word `angel' in this
Alphabetical Analysis of terms used in teaching Dispensational Truth is justified by the light it throws upon the
distinctive callings of Hebrews and Ephesians. These callings are more fully discussed under the respective
headings HEBREWS2, EPHESIANS p. 275, THREE SPHERES5, ADOPTION p. 40, MYSTERY3, and other related themes.
ANGELS, FALLEN. An examination of the early chapters of Genesis most surely justifies the primeval prophecy
concerning the enmity that should exist between the seed of the serpent and the seed of the woman. In this article
we hope to exhibit as far as possible the teaching and meaning of Genesis 6.
`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' (Gen. 6:1,2).
The fifth chapter of Genesis is `The book of the generations of Adam' and his sons together with their ages are given
down to Noah and his three sons `And Noah was five hundred years old: and Noah begat Shem, Ham and Japheth'
(verse 32). At verse 9 of chapter 6 the book of the `generations of Noah' is introduced which extends to Genesis
9:29 where it ends with the words: `And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years: and he died'. The
first eight verses of Genesis 6 belong to the previous section, `The book of the generations of Adam' as the
following structure given in The Companion Bible will show:
A 5:1,2.
Unfallen Adam: a `son of God' (Luke 3:38).
B 5:3-5.
Fallen Adam, and his years. The total 930, and the first 130.
C 5:6-27. The progeny of Adam, and their deaths.
D 5:28-32. Noah, and his promise of `comfort'.
A 6:1,2.
The fallen angels: `sons of God'.
B 6:3.
Fallen Adam, and his years. The total 930 and the last 120.
C 6:4-7.
The progeny of the fallen angels, and their threatened destruction. The Nephilim.
D 6:8.
Noah and his possession of `grace'.
It will be seen that this book of the generations of Adam falls into two parts. Genesis 5:1-32 recording the
genealogy of the natural descendants of Adam, while Genesis 6:1-8 introduces the abnormal and the unnatural. In
the structure given above it is already assumed that `the sons of God' are `fallen angels' and that the progeny of their
illicit marriage were the Nephilim - a word left unexplained in the structure. These subjects we must now consider,
and the following sequence seems to be the most helpful.