Some time ago I was asked a question regarding angels in an e-mail by one of our students at BCLR. The very same question came up in a Wednesday Night Small Group recently, so I figured there was enough interest in this one to post my answer here. Maybe we can start collecting questions and schedule our own Q&A night one of these evenings. So here it is…
Q: If there is no sin in heaven how did the angels sin?
A: Great Question. Here are some initial thoughts for now…
1. The Holy angels in heaven can no longer sin. This is why they are
called “elect” or “chosen” in 1 Tim 5:21 and “holy” in Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26; and
Rev 14:10. The holy angels have been specifically set apart by God and are confirmed in their allegiance to God.
2. One day Satan and all those that follow him will be cast into the
lake of fire Rev 20:10-15 and there is no possibility of a future
rebellion in the eternal state. The presence of sin will be barred
out of the new heavens and new earth forever. Neither Satan nor any other angel will be allowed to incite another rebellion after this time.
3. At this present time, Satan still roams about the earth seeking someone to devour (1 Pet 5:8). He is the accuser of the faithful (Zech 3:1; Rev. 12:10 ). He seeks permission from God to afflict us (Luke 22:31). And as Job 1:6 and 2:1 indicate he may even make appearances before God in heaven do so.
4. God is in absolute and sovereign control of all things (Psalm 103:19, Psalm 115:3). Not even Satan has freedom to do as he pleases. God was not caught off guard or surprised by Satan's fall but allowed for it and ordained it. The fall of Satan, demons, and man was all included in the
plan of God, as well as the solution in Christ (Acts 2:23; Rev. 13:8).
5. A final question that you may or may not be asking is "how was Satan tempted in the first place
if he was created good?" I know of no definitive answer for that. God
was not the author of his temptation, since God is not tempted by evil
and does not tempt anyone (James 1:13). All that God created was good (Gen. 1:31) including the angels.
Angels were created with the ability to choose, as man was and Satan out
of his own heart and without any external temptation or compulsion
desired what did not belong to him. The idea "what if I could be like
God" sprang out of his own mind and is the same trick he pulled on Eve
(Gen. 3:5). Our temptation was introduced by him. His temptation
originated in himself.
That's the best I can do for now. Keep them coming! Soon you guys will soon make a theologian out of me!
In Christ Alone,
Pastor George
Q: If there is no sin in heaven how did the angels sin?
A: Great Question. Here are some initial thoughts for now…
1. The Holy angels in heaven can no longer sin. This is why they are
called “elect” or “chosen” in 1 Tim 5:21 and “holy” in Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26; and
Rev 14:10. The holy angels have been specifically set apart by God and are confirmed in their allegiance to God.
2. One day Satan and all those that follow him will be cast into the
lake of fire Rev 20:10-15 and there is no possibility of a future
rebellion in the eternal state. The presence of sin will be barred
out of the new heavens and new earth forever. Neither Satan nor any other angel will be allowed to incite another rebellion after this time.
3. At this present time, Satan still roams about the earth seeking someone to devour (1 Pet 5:8). He is the accuser of the faithful (Zech 3:1; Rev. 12:10 ). He seeks permission from God to afflict us (Luke 22:31). And as Job 1:6 and 2:1 indicate he may even make appearances before God in heaven do so.
4. God is in absolute and sovereign control of all things (Psalm 103:19, Psalm 115:3). Not even Satan has freedom to do as he pleases. God was not caught off guard or surprised by Satan's fall but allowed for it and ordained it. The fall of Satan, demons, and man was all included in the
plan of God, as well as the solution in Christ (Acts 2:23; Rev. 13:8).
5. A final question that you may or may not be asking is "how was Satan tempted in the first place
if he was created good?" I know of no definitive answer for that. God
was not the author of his temptation, since God is not tempted by evil
and does not tempt anyone (James 1:13). All that God created was good (Gen. 1:31) including the angels.
Angels were created with the ability to choose, as man was and Satan out
of his own heart and without any external temptation or compulsion
desired what did not belong to him. The idea "what if I could be like
God" sprang out of his own mind and is the same trick he pulled on Eve
(Gen. 3:5). Our temptation was introduced by him. His temptation
originated in himself.
That's the best I can do for now. Keep them coming! Soon you guys will soon make a theologian out of me!
In Christ Alone,
Pastor George
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1 comments:
Didn't God create evil as well?
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