This author, J. Garton challenges the idea that evil spirits came from the Nephilim, which Michael Heiser and others teach.
Besides Garton’s reasons why the spirits of Nephilim can’t be demons, I would add these points:
• If demons didn’t exist until after the Nephilim died in the Genesis flood, how could Cain, Adam’s son have been willing to kill Abel if he didn’t have a murderous spirit and probably others like jealousy driving him to hate that severely?
• If all of the fallen angels were locked in Sheol after they fell (so they couldn’t now be in the heavenly realms and in people), how were fallen angels able to procreate with humans to produce the Nephilim?
• The number of deceased Nephilim who died then can’t account for the billions or trillions of demons that are always available to affect people today. Billions or trillions is tiny compared to how many stars there are in the universe, our sun being an average sized star:
One person, the demoniac had a legion of demons in him, which is 2,000. People who have delivered people from demons have often found more than 100. Most people today are probably demon driven in some way: lust, hate, lying, jealousy, the love of money, etc.. Currently, there are 8 billion people. There are always enough demons looking for willfully sinning people they can control in their specific specialty, for example: lust demons, spirit of pride, hate, lying, etc..
How this works:
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Where Do Demons Come From?
Some people claim demons are the spirits of the Nephilim (giants) that died during the flood. Supposedly, the Nephilim are the offspring of fallen angels that had sexual relations with human women. The children of this unholy relationship are said to be hybrid creatures (half human-half angelic). When the Nephilim died during the flood, it’s believed that the Nephilim became evil spirits/demons that roam the earth to this day, possessing humans and animals.
The idea that the spirit of the Nephilim become demonic spirits is not a doctrine taught in the Bible. The concept of the Nephilim turning into demons is a doctrine derived from the Book of Enoch.
“And now, the giants, who are produced from the spirits and flesh, shall be called evil spirits upon the earth, and on the earth shall be their dwelling. Evil spirits have proceeded from their bodies; because they are born from men, and from the holy Watchers is their beginning and primal origin; they shall be evil spirits on earth, and evil spirits shall they be called. As for the spirits of heaven, in heaven shall be their dwelling, but as for the spirits of the earth which were born upon the earth, on the earth shall be their dwelling. And the spirits of the giants afflict, oppress, destroy, attack, do battle, and work destruction on the earth, and cause trouble: they take no food, but nevertheless hunger and thirst, and cause offences. And these spirits shall rise up against the children of men and against the women, because they have proceeded from them.” The Book of Enoch 15:8-11 R.H. Charles (emphasis Added)
However, the Book of Enoch myth about the Nephilim/giants becoming demons can’t be true, because the Septuagint (The Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament) debunks that myth.
“And they are laid with the giants that fell of old, who went down to Hades with their weapons of war: and they laid their swords under their heads, but their iniquities were upon their bones, because they terrified all men during their life.” Ezekiel 32:27 LXX2012
According to the Septuagint, the spirits of the Nephilim don’t dwell on the earth; they dwell in hell. The Nephilim are not demons. The Nephilim were mighty warriors that fell in battle (died), and their spirits are in hell just like any other wicked person is sent to hell.
Not only does the Septuagint debunk the Book of Enoch myth about demons, but another problem arises from the Book of Enoch. The Book of Enoch contradicts itself. The Book of Enoch claims fallen angels taught humanity about demons before the Nephilim supposedly became demons.
Kasdeja (a fallen angel/watcher) “showed the children of men all the wicked smitings of spirits and demons…” Chapters 7-8 discusses how the fallen angels taught their wives and the rest of humanity special secrets. “Thou seest what Azâzêl hath done, who hath taught all unrighteousness on earth and revealed the eternal secrets which were (preserved) in heaven, which men were striving to learn.” Chapter 9:6
“And heal the earth which the angels have corrupted, and proclaim the healing of the earth, that they may heal the plague, and that all the children of men may not perish through all the secret things that the Watchers have disclosed …” Chapter 10:7
So, before chapter 10, the Book of Enoch claims the angels already corrupted the earth by teaching humanity hidden knowledge. However, how did Kasdeja teach humanity about demons if the Nephilim haven’t been declared demons until the events in chapter 15:8-11? Obviously, this is a contradiction in the Book of Enoch. …
So, What is the True Origin of Demons?
Demons are fallen angels. Satan and his angels (fallen angels) are disembodied spirits that possess people, not Nephilim.
It Was Satan that Possessed a Physical Serpent in the Garden of Eden.
“So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:9 …
Paul said: “an angel of Satan, [was sent] to buffet me.” (2 Corinthians 12:7 Douay–Rheims/Vulgate) — Note: An angel of Satan. Some translations read a messenger of Satan, but the Greek word is the word often translated as “angel [“aggelos” – ed.].” This angel/messenger could have been a fallen angel put on assignment, so to speak, to give Paul’s ministry a hard time. The angel could have manipulated and enticed people to attack Paul and his work. Nonetheless, this messenger/angel of Satan was not a Nephilim spirit.
It was Satan that possessed Judas, not a Nephilim spirit
“Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot…” Luke 22:3
If Satan (a fallen angel) can possess animals and humans, so can the fallen angels that were cast out of heaven with Satan. …
Satan and Demons Perform Miracles
The Book of Revelation says that the spirits of demons are sent out to work miracles (Revelation 16:14). Nephilim are never described in the Bible as performing signs and miracles. This can only be something performed by a fallen angel with supernatural powers.
“whereas angels, who are greater in power and might….” 2 Peter 2:11 …
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12
Aren’t All the Fallen Angels Locked Up in Hell?
Some people think all the fallen angels are locked up in hell, so they assume demons can’t be fallen angels. They base their assumption on the following passages:
“For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.” 2 Peter 2:4
“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.” Jude 1:6 …
The Book of Isaiah proves not all the fallen angels were locked up
In Isaiah 24:21-22 it says, “And it shall come to pass in that day, thatthe LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.” — This proves there are fallen angels who have not been punished or locked up yet, like Satan, but will in the future.
Several scholars agree that Isaiah 24:21-22 is a reference to a future punishment and imprisonment of fallen angels, which means there are fallen angels that are not bound in hell.
“the invisible rulers of the darkness of this world,” as the antithesis to “kings of the earth” shows. Angels, moreover, preside, as it were, over kingdoms of the world (Daniel 10:13, Daniel 10:20, Daniel 10:21).” Jamieson, Robert, D.D.; Fausset, A. R.; Brown, David. “Commentary on Isaiah 24:21”. “Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible.
“When Yahweh brings universal judgment on the world again, He will sovereignly punish all unfaithful authorities both in the heavenly realm (evil angels, cf. Daniel 10:13; Ephesians 6:12) and in the earthly (cf.Matthew 8:29; Revelation 12-13; Revelation 19:19; Revelation 20:2; Revelation 20:10). Rulers are the particular individuals in view.”Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable
“(21) The Lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high . . .—The prophet’s utterance becomes more and more apocalyptic. He sees more than the condemnation of the kings of earth. Jehovah visits also the “principalities and powers in heavenly places” (Ephesians 3:10) or “on high” (Ephesians 6:12). Perhaps identifying these spiritual evil powers with the gods whom the nations worshipped, and these again with the stars in the firmament, Isaiah foresees a time when their long-protracted rebellion shall come to an end, and all authority and power be put down under the might of Jehovah (1 Corinthians 15:25).” Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
Ephesians 6, was already quoted, which shows there are fallen angels given authority over certain realms….
Conclusion
Like Satan (a fallen angel) who is free to roam the earth (Job 1:7, 1 Peter 5:8), other fallen angels are also free to walk the earth, which are also known in the Bible as demons. It’s time the church cleanse itself from the false teachings it derived from the Book of Enoch and other extra-biblical literature.
J. Garton
08/28/2019
These two passages are interesting regarding the Nephilim theory of the “sons of God” [bene elohim] being fallen angels that knew the daughters of men:
Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God [bene elohim] came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.
Job 2:1 Again there was a day when the sons of God [bene elohim] came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the Lord.
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