Genesis 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, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.
One day after listening to a radio talk program discussion of the Biblical text from Gen. 3:6: "In those days there were giants in the earth...". The host and the guest bandied about UFO and alien theories inserting them into this Biblical reference. Over the years I have heard many thoughtful, speculative, and even ridiculous interpretations of this passage. I thought to do some study for myself from the Christian and Biblical point of view of what this mysterious passage could mean to us today as believers, asking God to give revelation for this intriguing subject.
We read in the NT where Jesus mentioned "as in the days of Noah so shall it be in the days of the coming of the Son of man..."
Consider Noah's day was a type or shadow, that is an example for our day, according to the scripture. Notice Ecc. 1: 9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us."
So if there were "giants in the earth" before and it "shall be" again as in the "days of Noah", what might we observe? Are there giant aliens, demons, geneticly modified humans, or what is out there for Christians to be wary of?
We know the New Covenant ushered in many changes and in the New Testament, so the characters have "morphed" or changed forms and/or names. One example is the mention of the "gods of wood and stone" men worshipped (meaning they served, honored, and paid reverence to).
Now most Christians would scoff at the ridiculous idea of serving those ancient stone idols, yet think nothing of fundraising for, serving, and bringing "sacrifices" to remodel the church building and fund the organization they faithfully support and attend! Then we put a man in charge of it all, give him the title of "pastor" and you now have the face and voice associated with the wood and stone now called it a "church".
Always remember, the temple in the New Testament is the body of Christ; it is never a physical building or ministry, as clearly stated by Paul in ICor. 3:16 - "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"
Another example of the transition from a letter people to a spiritual people is where Israel after the flesh becomes Israel after the spirit. That is, "born again" Israel is the church, "in which there is neither Jew nor Greek-Eph.2) Natural Israel (the OT church) did not follow Jesus, nor did their religious leaders). "For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel": Rom 9:6 The article about Who is the Israel of God? is a must read to clear up the confusion regarding the relationship between natural Israel after the flesh and spiritual Israel in which there is "one body" in Christ.
Many more types and examples could be listed, the point being....
Genesis 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, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.
Unfortunately, because our two sons have been exposed to heavy metal rock, I was led to consider many of these so-called musicians are demon possessed and they manifest the appearance of their demon rulers. Their ability to influence and manipulate youth is supernatural, given their hideous appearance, depressing, death-filled lyrics, and ungodly noise.
Other kinds of earthly giants who are "mighty", "proud", and have reputations of fame and earthly glory are the Hollywood elite, political leaders, media giants, financial giants of banking and business.....
...And yet there is one more significant group:
Can you name any Christian giants in the "ministry"?
Fill in the blanks :__ __ __ ___ We all know their names.
In Genesis 6:4 we would like to note the following phrases:
· "giants in the earth"
· "sons of God"
· "daughters of men"
· "they bare children'
· "the same became mighty men"
· "men of renown."
We will refer to the Bible and the dictionary for precise meaning of these scriptural terms:
Giants in the earth?: "Giant: a person or thing of unusually great size, power, importance, etc.; major figure; legend: a giant in her field. "
Giants stand out from the crowd, are larger than normal, and outstanding in size. The giants are in the earth. The earth is of the world and even man himself was made from the earth and likened in scripture to vessels of earthly clay. Jesus spoke of this as we read in John 3:31 - He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. 1 Corinthians 15:47 - The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven. 2 Corinthians 4:7 - But we have this treasure in earthen vessels
"Sons of God"?: -According to the scripture, who are "sons of God"? John 1:12 - But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Then the NEW Testament "sons of God" refers to Christians who have been born again.
"daughters of men"?: -Who are the spiritual daughters of men in the NT? These are identified as : "MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS (her daughters) AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH " -Revelation 17:5.
Jesus Christ did not invent the fractured and schismatic church world. Those are the daughters of the flesh, i.e. of men who became spiritual fathers. Harlots is a feminine, plural, noun, so these spiritual daughters are from their spiritual mother (Babylon) who has received the seed of carnal man.
Exodus 34:16 gives the church an example of this: " And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods." When Christians or denominations make a "god" or an idol out of a man by lifting him up, glorifying his name, creating a movement, denomiation, or ministry (which calls itself a "church"), it causes God's people to go after these gods which they have made. The "Lutheran" church, Ellen G. White, John Wesley, and the current crop of Christian idols are some examples which have been set up and have corporate groups of followers that identify with their leader or denominational doctrine as much or more than they do with the Living Christ.
The prophet Isaiah spoke to God's people for both then and now when he said: in Isa. 4:1 "And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.." Could the seven women be the seven representative churches of Revelation 2-3? Could the seven churches feed on their own doctrine and wear their own spirtual coverings which is "What we believe..."? And could they be called by the name "Christian" in order to take away their reproach? Paul sternly rebuked the Corinthians for doing this. 1 Corinthians 1:12 - "Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ." .
Jesus alludes to the kingdom of God and the woman in Luke 13:20 20 And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
This passage speaks to how easy it is to get our eyes off Jesus and onto men and be seduced into the Rev. 18 woman that becomes a snare to the people of God. What happens when Christians lift up, exalt, and magnify a man, whether he be a media star or even a local pastor to whom we ascribe undue power and position?
"the same became mighty men"?: "Mighty" defined as: mighty hero, mighty king (ruler) proud tyrant" These "children" born from their church world mothers, have indeed become mighty in the church world and become the dubious "heros" of Christianity. Even the "world" acknowledges and gives honor to these "heroes" of faith such as best selling authors (and pastor "kings"). We also have our television and media Christian "mighty men" with their weekly programs.
"men of renown": Renown: 1(a name b) reputation, fame, glory. A name? Fame? Glory? ??? Maybe we ought to rethink and re-read some scriptures Jesus spoke: Luke 6:26 - Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets."
Now there's a red flag for you as is this: 25 "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister";. These large ministries attribute their success to God's blessing on them yet this is contrary to scripture. The famous large ministries all have their staffs, boards, and corporate structure usually built around one person whom they all serve to further "the ministry". Who is serving who we ask? Try inviting Brother TV minister over for dinner and prayer this weekend and see.
"Oh Rory, you are just jealous and throwing stones at God's servants" some might say. "Those men have nothing to do with GIANTS in the Bible, scoff, scoff.. Obviously God has BLESSED them to become so great."
Now I admit, I am not as smart or sharp as a lot of folks, especially those who rise to the top of politics and such. But apparently some of them know a giant when they see one! Take for instance former Senator Zell Miller (D-Ohio) who was blessed to speak in Brother Rod Parsley's megachurch back in 2005. Bro. Senator described Rod Parsley as "one of the giants that’s coming along."
Here's another revealing passage that comes to bear in regard to how men actually SEEK to become giants:
Genesis 11: 4 And they said, Come, let us build us a city, and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven, and let us make us a name; lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. :5 And Jehovah came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
Do you realize history is repeating? Can you see the builders of ancient Babylon have reappeared in our day and are building their cities of mega churches/ ministries/ and personal kingdoms thinking they are reaching up to God with them? And just like the builders of Babylon, oh how they love to make *names for themselves, whether it be their name or the one on their 501c3 business-ministry license. Gen 6:4 - There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that"
These giants easily fulfill 2 Timothy 3:6 "For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts". Yes, they are welcomed right into the church "house" and lead away captive the women (daughters) of the Harlot church, who are in runaway pursuit of "the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh".
And if the Sunday service doesn't satisfy your desire for "The Life You've Always Wanted", just turn on TBN; -you can bring a giant home right into your family room and he will just love to eat your dinner and gobble up as much as you want to feed him. Giants need to eat a lot you know... And once you start feeding a giant, they are a lot like stray animals, always coming back for more and more and more. Just get on their mailing list if you doubt. *see the article "Those Wonderful Titles"
It is an amazing contrast that as Jesus achieved some fame they sought to kill him. The temptation of Jesus bears mention: Mt.4:5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple..." Note the devil took Jesus to the high place in the temple that his disciples described in: Mark 13:1 - And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!
Sound familiar? You see, Jesus could have cast himself down to serve an earthly religious structure that men are admiring of; it was not deliverance from the temptation of suicide that was being offerred.. And every time His disciples or followers tried to take him and promote Him in the eyes of man, Jesus hid Himself. John 6:15 - When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone..
Rather than seeking fame and a large "ministry", Jesus did not practice the self-promotion so commonly practiced in the church world. Even His own family urged Him to advertise and promote His ministry!!: John 7:3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. John 7:4 For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world."
That's right, Virginia, His carnal "brethren" were all for Jesus using worldly means to promote His "message. Why did they think in terms of using worldly promotion? The next verse gives the truth: "For neither did his brethren believe in him." And neither do these Christian self-promoters with their body guards, "faith partners", telethons, and laying up of their treasures here on earth contrary to what Jesus spoke.
Notice:
Matthew 8:4 - And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
Mark 7:36 - And he charged them that they should tell no man
Mark 8:26 - And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.
Mark 8:30 - And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.
Mark 9:9 - And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.
Luke 8:56 - And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.
Consider the present day famous and mighty Christian giants of renown in light of these scriptures:
John 7:18 - He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory:
John 5:41 I receive not honour from men.
John 5:43 if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. Have we ever institutionalized that one in our day! Just consider the "big" name ministries, colleges and Bible schools, books, and crusades promoted in Christianity. Why we even have our own magazines, publishing houses, and music companies. Everything for sale, by the way.
John 5:44 "How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?" When we were in the church world, it became nauseating to hear the flowery, puffery, men-honoring introductions of visiting preachers. And even, God forgive us, the "glory-to-the-pastor" testimonies fostered in some churches.
Did you notice how Jesus pointed out the religious leaders would get honor from one another (other men) and this would hinder their ability to believe His Word?
Notice the style of Jesus in John 5:13 (ASV): But the man who was healed did not know who it was, for JESUS HAD SLIPPED AWAY while there was a crowd in that place".
Surely Jesus missed a golden opportunity to pattern the showmanship style of countless other "name brand" ministries in our day. What Jesus should have done was taken that fella by the hand, and skipped him around the temple a few times so folks would know the healer was in the house.
Preferably while wearing His white, Italian made Jewish robe, Rollex diamond hour-glass watch, and Gucci sandals. He missed his chance to give a 50 minute sermon to proclaim his "vision for the church" too, and especially the chance to receive some tithes and offerings from the great crowd in the place in order to finance His ministry. This is completely unlike the preachers who rarely or never pass up the opportunity for a bit of "seed sowing" from the folks and love the center-stage attention. Elaborate church platforms and lighting bear witness to who is seeking the attention of the crowd.
But wait, isn't it "Jesus the same yesterday, today, and forever" supposedly living inside the glorified media preachers and preacher-ettes? Remember again John 5:41 "I receive not honour from men." So who's getting the glory for these ministries? Ahhh, it's back to Genesis to understand; " the same became mighty men", "men of renown."
Are mighty Christian men of renown's spiritual forerunners mentioned in scripture, especially the New Testament Church? Do the Italian suited and shoed evangelists, prophets, and healers have more in common with the scriptures about Jesus' ministry and the apostle's or some of these Characters from scripture:
-Acts 8:9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: 10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. 11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries
13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip..when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power.. 20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money". Yet today we have an industry of Christianity selling "annointed" cloths, Holy Spirit Crusades, Books on "blessings", CD's and sylibus's, impartation, conferences.... the list is endless. 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness... -Peter told him.
In 3 John :9 another character clue is mentioned as what happens to a man who is lifted up: "I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.. Simply put, a single man in charge of a church that loved his position and "preeminence" is defined: Superior to or notable above all others; to stand out . That one verse probably gives 99% of all the tele-preachers and mega church pastors a serious heart-check and exposes who is really running their ministries.
Acts 20:30 gives another clue: "Also of your own selves (Christians) shall men arise (become lifted up), speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after themselves". The fact that we have a gazillion churches filled with Christians who bear little to no resemblance to Biblical believers bears witness as to what and who is making the disciples to look like. But as long as they go to church, pay their tithes, and support their pastor with loyalty, they get plenty of assurance they are on the road to the promised land.
Rev. 2:14 "But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate ..." The Lord brought mention of both Balaam and the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes in forceful terms in this passage. Let's see if we can apply this word to Christianity today. Simply put, Balaam, a messenger and servant of God sold out for personal gain and was impressed by the gifts and status of the men Balak sent to him. "And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they. He was drawn away from obedience to God by his respect of persons and because God knew what was in his heart..
Jesus said John 5:41 I receive not honour from men.
The spiritual giants of this present world are the stars and famous of God's people. Re-read the definitions of mighty men of renown. Those who build the visible, manmade kingdoms of "the earth" certainly appear to fill the type and shadow of the OT reference in Genesis. Put them in their organizational "temples" and you have God's people following them in idolatry, preferring their words and ministries in place of personal study and prayer. And the people still continue to bring their gifts, sacrifices, and offerings to the modern idols of stone and wood called "churches".
We all need studying of God's Word, especially the manner and ministry of Jesus, Paul, and the believers in Acts, do we get a truthful picture of what real Christian ministers look like. And there is not one flashy, self-promoting, self-serving, glorified one in the bunch. Period.
Sadly, it is God's people who magnify and enable these men to become the spiritual giants they are. Jeremiah 5:31 - The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
Drawing close to God's Word and Spirit will enable us to take the sword of the Spirit and cut off the head (leadership and influence) of these religious giants so Christ can reign in us.
May God grant you the courage to see why God said in Revelation. 18:4 "Come OUT of her MY people....", and again, Just as Jesus came and called His sheep out of the apostate Judaic church of His day, so is history repeating and He is once again calling His sheep out of the apostate Christian church of these last days.
· 1Cor 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every
man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and
the head of Christ is God.
· Exodus 20:5 - Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them,
nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a
jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the
children unto the third and fourth generation of them
that hate me.
· 2 Corinthians 6:16 - And what agreement hath the temple of
God with idols?
· James 2:1 - My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
Sept. 2006
-Yours in Christ,
Rory Moore
