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Angelology
ANGELOLOGY
(ANGELIC CONFLICT)
1. Major Passages Dealing with the Angelic Conflict (Eze. 28:11-19; Is. 14:12-17; Heb. 1-2; Gen. 3; Gen. 6:1-12; 1 Pet. 3:19-20; 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6; Col. 2:14-15; Eph. 6:10-17; and others)
2. Angels Are Divided into Two Categories:
A. Unfallen, saved angels.
1) Elect angels: (1 Tim. 5:21)
2) holy angels: (Mk. 8:38)
B. Fallen angels.
1) Inoperative demons, imprisoned angels: (2 Pet. 2:4)
2) Operative demons: (1 Cor. 10:20-21)
3) There are Various Types of Angels.
3. There are various types of angels:
A. Cherub, cherubim: highest in order and most intelligent. (Gen. 3:24; Ex. 25:19-22; Is. 37:16; Eze. 1:28)
B. Seraphim: special type, entirely different from cherubim. (Is. 6:2, 6)
C. Evangelizing angels: (Rev. 14:6)
D. Teaching angels: (Acts 7:38, 53; Gal 3:19; Ps. 63; Deut. 33; Zech. 1:9, 11)
E. Ruling angels: called elders. (Rev. 4:4-5:14)
F. Four living creatures: special attendant angels. (Rev. 4:6-5:6)
G. Guardian angels: (Heb. 1:14)
H. Angel of the waters: (Rev. 16:5)
I. Angels guarding the abyss. (Rev. 9:1)
J. Angel of fire. (Rev. 14:18)
K. Watcher angels: (Dan. 4:13, 17, 23)
L. Angels which judge:
1. Trumpet angels: (Rev. 8; 9; 11)
2. Vial angels: (Rev. 16)
4. Angels Have Proper Names.
A. Lucifer: this is Satan. (Is. 14:12)
B. Gabriel: (Dan. 8:16; 19:21; Lu. 1:19)
C. Michael: the warring angel. (Dan. 10; Jude 9; Rev. 12)
5. Satan Is Described by Personal Reference to the King of Tyre. (Eze. 28:12-19)
A. His person (v. 12): perfect balance between wisdom and beauty.
B. His I.Q. (v. 12): highest of created beings.
C. His clothing (v. 13): precious stones.
D. His voice (v. 13): tabrets (voice box) and thy pipes (vocal chords: like a pipe organ)
E. His ministry (v. 14): guarded the Lord Jesus Christ.
1) anointed cherub: means Messianic cherub (cherub of the Messiah)
2) that covereth: means he was a guard in the throne room of God.
3) cherub: highest order of angels.
F. His sin (vv. 15-17):
1) iniquity (v. 15): internal, not external.
2) merchandise (v. 16): refers to Satan's plan.
3) heart (v. 17): refers to his place of thinking.
4) traffick (v. 18): Satan's plan at work.
6. The Fall of Satan or the Five "I wills" of Satan (Is. 14:13-14)
A. "I WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN."
1) ascend into = take over
2) heaven - refers to the third heaven, the throne room of God.
3) This is the arrogance of the CREATURE trying to dethrone the CREATOR.
B. "I WILL EXALT MY THRONE ABOVE THE STARS OF GOD."
1) stars of God - refers to angels (Job 38:7; Jude 13; Rev. 12:3-4)
2) This means, "I will rule the angels."
3) One-third of the angels fell to Satan. (Rev. 12:4)
4) This is ambition for power and authority.
C. "I WILL SET UPON THE MOUNT OF THE CONGREGATION."
1) mount - refers to the seat of government on earth.
2) congregation - refers to Israel.
3) This means, "I will rule mankind from Jerusalem."
4) Satan is seeking Messianic recognition.
D. "I WILL ASCEND ABOVE THE HEIGHTS OF THE CLOUDS."
1) There are about 150 references to clouds in the Bible.
2) At least 100 references to clouds refer to divine presence and glory.
3) Satan seeks glory which belongs to God alone.
E. "I WILL BE LIKE THE MOST HIGH."
1. most high - a title signifying possessor of heaven and earth.
2. Satan's purpose is to be like the Most High, possessing authority over heaven and earth.
7. The Pattern of Angelic Negative Volition Is Expressed in Two Ways:
A. Satan's negative volition is expressed by his 5 "I wills." (Is. 14:12-14)
B. Angelic negative volition expressed by their rejection of Christ. (Heb. 2:2)
1) (Heb. 2:2) - For the word spoken by angels was steadfast.
a. The "word spoken" was a message of salvation provided for fallen angels in eternity past.
b. Apparently the offer was made by God the Father, and the message was delivered by the elect angels to the fallen angels.
c. Having accepted whatever salvation offered them, some angels were securely saved.
d. They used their positive volition toward the message.
2) (Heb. 2:2) - And every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward.
a. "every transgression and disobedience" refers to every act of negative volition committed by all fallen angels in eternity past.
b. "a just recompense of reward" means to get what you deserve, and refers to a final exclusion from salvation and a final destination of the lake of fire for all fallen angels who rejected whatever form of salvation that was provided for them.
c. The content of the message of angelic salvation is not stated in Scripture.
d. The work of Christ at Calvary was not the message. Christ died only for the sins of the world. (1 Jn. 2:2)
3) Hebrews 2:2 is given to us as a warning to all mankind who may reject the message of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
The warning is this: Since God the Father provided a means of salvation for fallen angels in eternity past, and His decision was to exclude all fallen angels from further opportunity for salvation once the provision was terminated, mankind is warned that there will also be a final exclusion from further opportunity for salvation of all members of the human race once their opportunity is terminated.
(Heb. 2:3) - "HOW SHALL WE ESCAPE if we neglect so great salvation?" Answer: We can't escape!
4) This emphasizes the fact that negative volition toward the Word of God--LIVING and WRITTEN--is the bad thing in both mankind and angelkind. Negative volition always leads to rejection of Jesus Christ.
8. To resolve the angelic conflict an "inferior creature" was placed on ONE planet, earth. (Heb. 2:7; Ps. 8:3-5)
9. Man's faith (positive volition) directed toward Jesus Christ resolves the angelic conflict.
A. The issue: Will man, an inferior creature to angels, equipped with free will identical to that of the angels in eternity past, choose for or against the plan of God for mankind?
B. If one individual with volition identical to that of the angels accepts Jesus Christ as Savior, this proves the folly of Satan's objection. (See Operation Footstool, III. Angelic Conflict Resume). If an inferior creature responds to Jesus Christ, a superior creature is certainly under indictment, judgment. (Heb. 1-2)
C. The Body of Christ will be equal in number to the number of operative demons loose in the universe, and when Christ returns from heaven with the Body of Christ at the second advent, Operation Footstool is culminated. Each Church Age believer removes one operative demon from planet earth so that the millennium begins with no demonic influence. (Col. 2:15)
D. Holy, elect angels in heaven rejoice over one sinner that repents. (Lu. 15:7-10)
1) Why do the holy angels rejoice? Every time one member of the human race accepts Jesus Christ as Savior, the angelic conflict is further resolved, and the holy angels have the immutability of their own position confirmed.
2) Since the termination of the offer of angelic salvation in eternity past, the volition of both holy and fallen angels are locked in position.
a. Holy angels are locked in positive volition.
b. Fallen angels are locked in negative volition.
10. Results related to the angelic conflict.
A. Regenerate man is positionally higher than the angels in Phase 1 because he is "in Christ." (Eph. 2:6)
B. Regenerate man is experientially higher than angels in Phase 2 because Christ's life is his life. (Col. 3:4)
C. Regenerate man is physically higher than angels in Phase 3 because he has a resurrection body like unto Christ's glorious body. (Phil. 3:21)
11. An understanding of the angelic conflict answers several questions, some of which are these:
A. Why man?
1) To glorify God. Every time man chooses Christ, God is glorified.
2) To resolve the angelic conflict through positive volition toward Christ.
3) To demonstrate God's perfect justice and righteousness in sentencing perhaps billions of fallen angels to the Lake of Fire.
B. Why sin?
1) God permitted sin to demonstrate by means of salvation that His absolute righteousness (+R) and His justice (J) could meet his love (L) and His eternal life (EL) and not be inconsistent with the nature of God.
2) The issue has always been volition. Will man, created inferior to angels, and equipped with the same type of free will, choose for or against the Lord Jesus Christ? (Heb. 1:4-14; Heb. 2; Col. 2:10-14)
C. Why suffering?
1) Suffering demands the operation of volition to use or not use God's grace. God demonstrates that man's volition after salvation can make decisions compatible with His will and His Word.
2) Blessings come to the believer through sufferings when the Word of God is applied from his frame of reference by using the faith-rest drill and the concept of longsuffering.
3) People who are occupied with Christ can suffer long.
12. Angels have something equivalent to the human soul. (Eze. 28:11-19; Is. 12:13-14)
A. Satan has perfect wisdom and wisdom implies an inner life--a soul life.
B. Satan has self-consciousness--implied from "I will."
C. Satan has volition--stated in the five "I wills."
D. Satan has mentality because he has wisdom.
E. Satan has emotion because he appreciated his own plan, otherwise he would not be involved in the angelic conflict.
F. Satan has a conscience--norms and standards based on his own thinking.
G. Satan's nature--the originator of evil.
13. Mankind is under angelic observation. The angels learn about the divine judgment of God by watching the human race. (Lu. 15:7, 10; Eph. 3:10; 1 Tim. 5:21; 1 Pet. 1:12; 1 Cor. 4:9; 6:3; 11:10)
14. Through the fall of man Satan gained control of the earth, but not necessarily control of man on earth. Faith in Christ frees a man from Satan's domination. (2 Cor. 4:4; Jn. 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Eph. 2:2)
15. Fallen Angels are Sentenced to the Lake of Fire. (Mt. 25:41)
16. The Four Falls of Satan.
A. First fall. (Is. 14:12-14)
1). Moral fall.
2) Took place in eternity past.
3) Satan, as Lucifer, falls from his original condition as a sinless angel, to an angel who had sinned, resulting in the loss of his perfect moral condition.
B. Second Fall. (Is. 14:12; Rev. 9:1)
1) Heavenly fall.
2) Takes place at mid-tribulation.
3) Satan is cast down from heaven to planet earth.
C. Third Fall. (Is. 14:15; Rev. 20:1-3)
1) Bottomless pit fall.
2) Takes place at the second advent.
3) Satan is cast off planet earth into the bottomless pit for 1,000 years.
D. Fourth Fall. (Eze. 28:18; Rev. 20:10)
1) Lake of fire fall.
2) Takes place at the end of human history.
3) Satan is cast into the lake of fire forever.
17. The Three Comings of Satan to planet earth.
A. His coming to the Garden of Eden. (Gen. 3:1ff)
B. His coming at mid-Tribulation. (Rev. 9:1)
C. His coming at the end of the millennium. (Rev. 20:7-9)
18. The Strategy of Satan.
A. With unbelievers.
1) He blinds their minds. (2 Cor. 4:4)
2) He promotes the deification of man--man by man's ability can solve man's problems. (Gen. 3; Col. 2:8; Is. 14:14)
B. With believers.
1) He accuses believers and gets believers to accuse believers. (Rev. 12:9, 10)
2) He tries to keep believers away from God's Word.
a. (Gen. 3:1) - "Yeah, hath God said . . ."
b. (1 Chron. 21:1) - illustrates how Satan got David to ignore the Word of God.
3) He attempts to get believers to ignore the will of God.
a. Operational will of God (Gal. 5:7)
"Ye did run well in the beginning. Who cut-in and broke your stride that you should not obey the truth?"
SATAN BREAKS YOUR STRIDE--and you get out of fellowship.
b. Geographic will of God (1 Thes. 2:18)
"But Satan hindered us."
4) Satan attempts to get the eyes of the believer off of the Lord Jesus Christ.
a. Eyes on self. ( 1 Cor. 1:10-11; 1 Ki. 19:10)
b. Eyes on materialistic things. (Heb. 13:5)
c. Eyes on people. (1 Cor. 3:1-3)
5) To get believers to fear death. (Heb. 2:14-15)
19. The following reasoning explains why believers in Christ have a guardian angel.
A. Jesus Christ became a man through physical birth.
B. By birth, Christ was lower than the angels.
C. Christ now in His humanity sits at the right hand of God the Father. (Heb. 1:13)
D. In His humanity, He is now higher than the angels because of where He is seated. (Heb. 1:13)
E. In Christ, believers are positionally at the right hand of God the Father.
F. Believers are therefore positionally higher than angels.
G. Because believers are higher than angels, believers have a servant--a guardian angel. (Heb. 1:4-14)
ANGELOLOGY
OPERATION FOOTSTOOL OVERVIEW
1. Operation Footstool Defined:
A. The word "footstool" is an idiom in ancient languages that means that your enemies have been conquered.
B. Operation Footstool refers to God's strategy and tactics in the Angelic Conflict whereby Satan and all fallen angels are removed from planet earth at the second advent to pave the way for the millennial reign of Christ.
C. Operation footstool is mentioned in Ps. 110:1; Heb. 1:13; 10:13.
2. The following steps are required as necessary in dealing with Satan and demons in Operation Footstool:
A. Virgin birth.
B. Cross: death, burial.
C. Resurrection (of humanity of Christ).
D. Ascension.
E. Session at right hand of the Father.
F. Formation of the Body of Christ (the Church).
G. Rapture.
H. Cleansing the Bride (Church) of human good in preparation to return with Christ.
I. Second advent.
J. Satan and demons removed from earth.
3. Angelic Conflict Resume.
A. God created angels with volition.
B. Satan acted independently of God: 5 "I wills."
C. God sentenced Satan. (Mt. 25:41)
D. Satan impugned the character of God: "How can a loving God cast His creatures into the Lake of fire?" (Human viewpoint does not consider the entire essence of God, but only considers love.)
E. God's answer: "I will create man with volition, just like I created angels with volition; however, I will create man lower than the angels. Then, if even one man, created lower than the angels, uses his volition to follow Me, this will imply that you, Satan, could have followed me, if you had so chosen. Because you didn't, but could have, I have condemned you to the Lake of Fire. You see, Satan, the issue is volition. You chose not to follow Me, but could have. Now, let's see if even one man, created lower than the angels, will use his volition to follow me, and thereby, justify My condemning you to the Lake of Fire."
F. Every time a member of the human race, created lower than the angels, chooses for God, the character of God is vindicated, and Satan loses his argument.
G. God has injected man into the Angelic Conflict for the purpose of resolving the conflict which began in eternity past between Satan and God.
H. VOLITION IS THE ISSUE!
4. Conclusion.
A. When the number of Church Age believers (Body of Christ) equals the number of operative demons (fallen angels operating on earth under Satan's command), the rapture of the Church will occur.
B. Seven years later, at the second advent, every Church Age believer will return to earth with Christ.
C. Each Church Age believer will then participate in removing his demon counterpart from planet earth, to prepare the planet for the 1,000 year reign of Christ, free from Satanic and demonic influence.
D. Operation Footstool is concluded.
Angelic Conflict
Standing Against the Devil
Ephesians 6:11
Outline Statement: The method of standing against the methods of the devil.
Eph. 6:11: - Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Put on the whole armour of God,
Put on = 2pp. a.m.imp. enduo = to clothe one's self
aorist: ingressive: a process to be begun.
mid: the believer puts on the armour himself.
imp: a command to put on every piece of spiritual armour one piece at a time.
the whole armour = acc. sing. panoplia = a complete suit of armour (both offensive and defensive)
1. This refers to every piece of spiritual military equipment necessary for fighting the spiritual battle of the angelic conflict:
truth (v. 14)
righteousness (v. 14)
gospel (v. 15)
faith (v. 16)
salvation (v. 17)
prayer (v. 18)
that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
that - pros - prep. introducing a final purpose clause = the end result being that
ye = acc. pl. su = you; refers to every born-again believer
may be able = p.a.inf. dunamai = to be able
pres: progressive: the continuous ability
to stand = a.a. inf. histemi = to stand = to stand fast, be firm, be permanent, endure.
aorist: standing fast at the moment of Satanic attack
1. This whole clause implies that no believer has to ever be defeated by Satan under any circumstances.
against the wiles of the devil.
against = pros = prep. introducing unfriendly actions = against
the wiles = acc. pl. methodos = strategies
of the devil = gen. sing. diabolos = devil; reference to Satan.
Things to Learn Form This Verse
1. The armour used in fighting the angelic conflict is put on in the same manner as a person gets dressed: one piece at a time.
2. Implication: There is no one shot experience that totally equips the believer for the spiritual battle he faces in life.
3. The Christian armour: truth, righteousness, gospel, faith, salvation, Word of God, prayer. (vv. 14-18)
4. Christian armour is both offensive and defensive. (to be studied in verses 14-18)
5. Satan is the believer's arch-enemy.
6. Satan has more than one strategy.
7. The believer has the ability to overcome Satanic attack anytime, anywhere, under any circumstance.
Angelic Conflict
Satan's Table of Organization
Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Eph. 6:12)
Outline Statement: We are in the battle and the devil is our adversary. He has the equivalent of a military table of organization. He is completely organized for battle.
For we wrestle
we = believers in the Church Age
wrestle (kale) = This word implies a struggle, a contest, a battle in which one of the combatants will be victorious.
not against flesh and blood,
against (pros) = against (in the sense of being face to face with) in conflict until the end.
flesh and blood = a reference to human beings
but (alla) = conjunction of contrasting possible adversaries: human beings or the devil.
against principalities,
principalities (arche)
1. By interpretation, refers to the highest order of demons on Satan's Table of Organization (STO).
2. By analogy, these demons would be comparable in rank to Commanding Generals in a military organization.
against powers,
powers (eksousia)
1. By interpretation, refers to officer-type demons with authority and power in STO.
2. By analogy, these demons would be comparable in rank to the various levels of the officer corps in a military organization.
against the rulers of darkness of this world,
rulers of darkness of this world = (tous kosmokratoras tou skotous toutou) = world-rulers of this darkness
1. By interpretation, refers to non-commissioned officer-type demons in STO.
2. By analogy, these demons would be comparable to non-commissioned officers in a military organization.
against spiritual wickedness in high places.
spiritual wickedness in high places (ta pneumatika tes ponerias en tois epouraniois) = the spiritual powers of wickedness in the heavenlies
1. By interpretation, refers to the multitude of the lowest ranks of demons in STO.
2. By analogy, these would be comparable to the PFC's in a military organization.
Things to Learn From This Verse
1. Life is one continuous battle.
2. The battle is against Satan and his organization.
3. Satan is highly organized for the battle of the A/C.
A. Before the session of Jesus Christ at the right hand of the Father, Satan's primary attack was directed toward the Person, Jesus Christ.
B. After the session of Jesus Christ at the right hand of the Father, Satan's primary attack is directed toward the human race.
4. The believer is brought face to face with the demon forces of this world.
ANGELIC CONFLICT RELATED TO COLOSSIANS 2:15
Col. 2:15 - and having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Introduction
A. Note that this verse makes three important statements:
1. "and having spoiled principalities and powers,"
2. "He made a show of them openly,"
3. "triumphing over them in it."
B. Several bits of information must be understood to fully appreciate the implications of this verse:
1. The Biblical concept of the Angelic Conflict must be understood. (See the Doctrine of the Angelic Conflict)
2. The Biblical concept of "Operation Footstool" must be understood. (See the Doctrine of Operation Footstool)
3. The etymology of the Greek word ____________ "thriambos" must be understood. (See Addendum)
4. The historical Roman Triumphal procession must be understood. (See Addendum)
5. The relationship of the Greek word "thriambos" to the Roman Triumphal Procession must be understood. (See Addendum)
6. The verse should be studied from a grammatical perspective.
Colossians 2:15 Exegeted
and - does not exist in manuscript
having spoiled - apekdusamenos - nominative case, singular, masculine gender, aorist tense, middle voice, participle of apekduomai = to defeat, to destroy, to annihilate, TO NEUTRALIZE, to disarm an enemy (a military term).
nominative singular: relates the word to the subject, Jesus Christ.
constantive aorist: views all that Christ did on the cross to entirely neutralize the enemy, Satan and his fallen operative demons.
middle voice: used as an active voice indicating that Christ Himself was responsible for neutralizing the enemy by His work on the cross.
instrumental participle: indicates the means by which the action of the main verb is carried out.
the main verb is "He made a shew of" them.
Having neutralized the enemy, Satan and his fallen operative demons, by His work on the cross, Jesus Christ will publicly display His fallen enemies at the second advent.
What Do We Learn About This Word?
1. This word is related to the battle of the Angelic Conflict.
2. The enemy is Satan and his fallen operative demons.
3. The victor is Christ.
4. The place of victory is the cross.
5. The enemy is referred to in Ps. 110:1; Heb. 1:13; Eph. 6:12.
6. "Operation Footstool" referred to in Ps. 110:1 and Heb. 1:13 is part of the Angelic Conflict and must be understood in relationship to Col. 2:15.
principalities - archas - accusative plural arche = principality of spiritual existence.
This word refers to the highest ranking officers in Satan's fallen operative demon Military Table of Organization.
and - kai - connective conjunction = and
powers - tas eksousias - accusative plural eksousia = power.
This word refers to commissioned officers in Satan's fallen operative demon Military Table of Organization.
He made a shew of - edeigmatisen - 3rd person singular main verb, aorist tense, active voice, indicative mood of deigmatizo = TO MAKE A PUBLIC SHOW OF, to make a public spectacle of.
3rd person singular: refers to Jesus Christ as "imperator," (in ancient Rome, a title of honor given to generals); here Christ as the commanding general in charge of the forces of God in the Angelic Conflict.
gnomic aorist tense: denotes the triumphal procession at the second advent as so certain that it is viewed as an accepted fact.
active voice: indicates that Christ, as the Lord of Hosts (Captain of the Armies), leads the public display of His enemies at the second advent.
indicative mood: indicates the reality that the public display of Christ's enemies will take place.
What Do We Learn About This Word?
1. Kittel's Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Vol. 2, on the word "deigmatizo"
"Col. 2:15 - the sense is 'to make a public exhibition' by a display of the vanquished forces before the cosmos, possibly in triumphal procession."
2. The use of this word can only be understood by relating it to the public display of captives in the ancient Roman Triumphal Procession.
3. This word refers to the public display of the conquered enemies of Christ, Satan and his fallen operative demons, at the second advent which concludes Operation Footstool.
4. Only after a person understands the concepts of the Angelic Conflict and Operation Footstool, and understands the process of the ancient Roman Triumphal Procession, does Paul's use of this word begin to make any sense.
5. According to the analogy, Church Age believers represent the Roman soldiers in the triumphal procession. Each believer will share in the triumphal procession by publicly displaying his fallen operative demon counterpart.
them - does not exist in manuscript, but is implied, and refers to Satan and His operative demons.
openly - en parresia - used as an adverb = publicly.
triumphing over - thriambeuas - nominative singular, masculine, aorist tense, active voice, participle of thriambeuo = to triumph over.
nominative singular: relates the word to the subject Jesus Christ.
culminative aorist tense: the action triumph is viewed in its entirety with emphasis on the results of the triumph, i.e., the removal of Satan and all of his fallen operative demons from planet earth at the second advent.
active voice: relates the action of triumph to the subject, Christ.
circumstantial participle: denotes triumph as an attending action of the main verb "to make a show of" them.
What Do We Learn About This Word?
1. The victory of Christ over Satan and his fallen operative demons is completed by casting them off of planet earth at the second advent.
2. According to the analogy, every Church Age believer will have the privilege of removing one fallen operative demon from planet earth at the second advent.
3. By induction, it is concluded that there will be one Church Age believer for every fallen operative demon.
4. If there will be one fallen operative demon for every Church Age believer, it can further be concluded that the rapture of the Church will occur when the number of Church Age believers is equal in number to the number of fallen operative demons loose in the universe today.
them - autous - accusative plural, masculine gender of pronoun autos = them.
This word refers to Satan and his fallen operative demons.
in - en - preposition = in.
it - autoi - dative case, singular, masculine gender of pronoun autos = it.
ADDENDUM #1: ETYMOLOGY OF THRIAMBOS
1. "thriambos" was used from 800 B.C. - 500 B.C. for a hymn sung by Greek fraternities.
2. The most famous Greek fraternity, and the only one we know anything about, is BACCHUS, named after the god of wine.
3. The Bacchus Fraternity had both private and public meetings.
4. The private meetings were drunken orgies called "mysteries."
5. During public celebrations, members wore lambs' heads and rams' heads and covered their bodies with skins for parade. As they moved down the street, they sang a "thriambos," a hymn to the god Bacchus. Since music had rhythm, they began to shuffle their feet [dance]. As interest grew in their activity, the decision was made to limit the activity from parade status to one semicircular spot, later called a stage. As time passed, the decision was made to include a plot, later handled by three actors and a chorus. Thus, the meaning of "thriambos" moved from a hymn sung to the god Bacchus to a word for Greek drama. The plots of drama depicted victories of the Trojan War. Hence, the hymns sung during the dramas came to be associated with victory.
From Greece, "thriambos" moves from a hymn sung to a god while shuffling through the street to a hymn associated with victory in Greek drama.
In the Roman Empire the Triumphal Procession originated and was referred to as "triumphus." As Greek became the international language, there was no word to describe the Roman custom of Triumphal Procession. Hence, the word "thriambos" was called on. Over a period of 5-6 hundred years, the period from the 8th century B.C. to the 3rd century B.C., its meaning moved from a hymn sung to the gods while shuffling through the street to a hymn sung during a drama depicting military victory. It was then applied to the Roman custom of Triumphal Procession celebrating military victory through the streets of Rome during which procession enemy captives were displayed publicly, and then killed at the end of the procession.
6. The Roman Triumphal Procession is discussed and described in the following two places:
Roman Civilization, Vol. 1., pp. 216-218.
Marcus Aurelius, p. 199.
7. A general description of a Roman Triumphal Procession:
After an elapse of time during which the Roman army had been off to battle, the victorious army would return home to Rome. The streets would be lined with Roman citizens awaiting the return of their victorious army. The commanding general would enter the city first on a white horse, followed by his army parading the spoils of war and many captives. The captives were chained, one each to their captors. After parading the captives publicly through the streets of Rome the parade headed toward the Mamartine Dungeon. Upon arrival at the dungeon, a signal was given, and each captor slew his captive.
8. "thriambeuo" in the context of Colossians 2:15 represents an analogy between the Roman Triumphal Procession and the consummation of "Operation Footstool." As the Roman captors led their captives through the streets in triumphal procession and then slaughtered them at the end of the procession, so will Christ lead in triumphal procession at the second advent with His army, Church Age believers, leading their captives, fallen operative demons, in procession. The triumphal procession concludes with Church Age believers removing the demons from planet earth at the second advent to set the stage for the millennial reign of Christ.
9. Operation Footstool is now concluded; however, the Angelic Conflict will not be consummated until the Battle of Gog and Magog at the end of the millennium. (Rev. 20:7-10)
10. The timetable relationship of the Angelic Conflict and Operation Footstool:
Period of Angelic Conflict
1 - The Angelic Conflict began in eternity past.
2 - Operation Footstool began when Christ was seated at the right hand of the Father.
3 - Operation Footstool ends at the second advent.
4 - The Angelic Conflict ends at the end of the millennium.
ANGELIC CONFLICT
(Genesis 6:1-4)
Gen. 6:1 - And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,
And it came to pass, - a literary device used to advance the narrative from the subject just discussed to the new subject at hand without having to discuss interim details of history unrelated to the new subject.
when men - HAADAM - a generic term referring to the entire human race; mankind.
began to multiply on the face of the earth, - signifies population growth on planet earth during the antediluvian period.
and daughters were born unto them, - a reference to females, especially an overabundance of females, being born into the human race, as opposed to a balance between male and females.
1. This verse discusses the antediluvian population ratio on planet earth.
2. The antediluvian period is the period of human history prior to the Noahic flood.
3. Apparently there was an overabundance of girl babies born into the human race during this period.
Gen. 6:2 - That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
That the sons of God - BENE HAELOHIM (sons of God)
1. Don't confuse the phrases of O.T. Hebrew with N.T. Greek.
A. "sons of God" in O.T. refers to angels.
B. "sons of God" in N.T. refers to believers.
C. "Son of God" in N.T. refers to Jesus Christ.
2. "sons of God" appears only four times in O.T. as BENE HAELOHIM (sons of God). (Gen. 6:2; Job 1:6, 2:1; 38:7)
3. Since "sons of God" in the O.T. refers to angels, the question here is "fallen" or "unfallen" angels?
A. The message of angelic salvation (Heb. 2:2) has been terminated by the time Gen. 6 takes place, and all angels are locked in the volitional position they hold.
B. Since angels, mankind and animals were commanded to stay within the framework of their own creation in sexual relationship (Jude 6; 1 Pet. 3:19-20; Lev. 18:23) it would be sin to violate this plan.
C. Since angels violated the plan (Gen. 6:2), the violation has to be committed by "fallen angels" because saved angels are locked in positive volition and cannot choose to sin.
D. Conclusion: BENE HAELOHIM in Gen. 6:2 refers to fallen angels.
saw the daughters of men - refers to women; females of the human race.
that they were fair; - refers to being very beautiful; physically attractive.
and they took them wives of all which they chose. - refers to fallen angels (BENE HAELOHIM) using their volition to select wives from among the overabundance of females from the human race.
1. This means that angels married women from the human race.
2. This does not conflict with Mt. 22:30.
A. In Genesis 6, the Bible says that angels married women.
B. In Mt. 22:30, the Bible says that angels have not married in heaven and will not marry in heaven in the future.
C. Conclusion: At sometime between the incident recorded in Genesis 6 and Mt. 22:30, what was once possible at the time of Genesis 6 was no longer possible in Mt. 22:30, and will not be possible in the future.
D. Two thoughts crucial to our thinking:
1) Because angels do not and cannot cohabit with women today or in the future does not imply that it was not possible in the past.
2) If it were originally impossible for angels to cohabit with women, then God would not have needed to command them to stay within their "first estate," i.e., within their own kind.
E. Notes on angels:
1) Angels are invisible to the human race since their bodies apparently consist of light.
2) They could "short circuit" the light and appear to human beings, and also look like human beings.
3) As a higher order of creation, they are extremely attractive and appear as beautiful human beings.
Gen. 6:3 - 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.
And the Lord said, - This is God the Father, the author of the plan, speaking.
My spirit shall not always strive with man, - refers to the Holy Spirit, the illuminator of the Father's plan.
1. This refers to the fact that before the Noahic flood the H.S. would strive with man--tolerating his sin for a certain amount of time--and then judgment would come.
2. This statement applies specifically to the 120 year period immediately preceding the Noahic flood.
3. This has no application for today.
4. The H.S. was tolerating the sins of mankind for the 120 year period preceding the Noahic flood and until Noah delivered his message. (2 Pet. 2:5)
5. The H.S was striving "with man" because there was no need to strive with angels. The volition of angels had already been "locked-in-place," and the destiny of fallen angels had already been determined.
for that he also is flesh:
1. The H.S was striving with man and would continue to strive with man because some humanity still existed as true humanity on earth, i.e., there was some humanity that had still not been infiltrated by the angels.
2. True humanity was given 120 years to decide between God and angels.
3. After 120 years, the flood would destroy the reversionistic human race and the half-man and half-angels.
yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. - This is the length of time left before God would destroy the human race and the half-angel and half-man.
Gen. 6:4 - 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, and the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.
There were giants
1. The word "giants" is the Hebrew word NEPHALIM.
2. It refers to the half-man half-angel children born to the fallen angels who cohabited with the daughters of men.
in the earth - a reference to planet earth where this incident took place.
in those days; - before the Noahic flood.
and also after that, - (literally) because
when the sons of God - refers to the fallen angels
came in unto the daughters of men, - married and had sexual relationship with
and they bare children to them, - these children would have been half-man and half-angel.
the same - this refers to the children of the fallen angels who cohabited with the females of the human race.
became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.
1. This means mighty men of the hero category.
2. Ancient literature contains stories of heroes--mighty men who performed unusual, extranatural or supernatural feats. They were all said to be half-man, half-God.
A, Zeus, the main God, was said to be the father of most.
B. Children: Orpheus, Theseus, Cadmus, Pollux, Perseus, Jason, Hercules, and Castor.
C. Although the literature is called "mythology," it is not entirely myth. It is based on facts--the same facts as presented in Genesis 6.
D. As time went on, the facts were embellished with imagination.