What are the Nephilim? Part 3
It is time to answer the third and final portion of question, what relevance do the Nephilim have in Scripture and in our lives today?
We have identified who and what the Nephilim were. They were a race of giants, the offspring of fallen angels and the daughters of men (Genesis 6:1 - 4). During the conquest of Canaan, their clans are identified as Rephaim, Anakim, Emim, Zamzummin and the Ammorite (Deuteronomy 3).
We have identified how and even why they survived Noah’s flood. The lines continued by the same means and for the same purpose. They continued giving men the tools and the knowledge to do evil, securing worship for fallen angels, proclaiming themselves as gods.
Our current question is much more practical. As the church, and the individual members of it, we are still embroiled in that cosmic battle. But to what degree and to what end?
Jesus and the Gates of Hell
The modern impact of the war between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent can be understood in a geography lesson. Yes. Geography.
In Matthew 16, Jesus and the apostles find their way to Caesarea Philippi. A considerable journey north from the Sea of Galilee, in the Old Testament region of Bashan, the city was nestled in the foothills of Mount Hermon. There Jesus asked them this famous question:
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (v. 13).
After various answers from the others, Peter responds, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (v. 16).
Then Jesus followed with this: “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (v. 17 & 18).
This passage is hotly debated by Roman Catholics and Protestants. The former argue that this is play on words, Jesus changes Simon’s name to Peter, meaning stone. He therefore is the rock upon which the church is established.
Protestants however insist the rock is a reference to Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ. The church will be built upon Christ and His gospel. According to the late Dr. Michael Heiser, these traditional understandings are incorrect. The reference to the rock is the place where they are standing—Caesarea Philippi, at the foot of Mount Hermon.
Looking back, a lot happened there. It was accepted that Mount Hermon is the place where the sons of God came down and cohabitated with the daughters of men (Genesis 6:1 - 4). In Jesus’ day, Caesarea Philippi was also called Panias, having been dedicated to the worship of the demon god Pan. In Old Testament History, Jereboam built an idolatrous worship center there (1 Kings 12). The city was given over to Baal worship from its inception (Joshua 11:17; Judges 3:3).
When viewed from this perspective, the scene takes place at ground zero for demonic activity. Jesus has entered the domain of Baal, the lord of the dead. He makes this proclamation at the foot of the mountain where the Nephilim find their origin. This is a direct challenge to the authority of the devil. His network of principalities and powers have been put on notice. The theological forecast is obvious.
We often interpret Jesus’ phrase, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (v. 18), as a posture of defense. The church will be forced to circle its wagons in order to fend off the fiery assault from the powers of darkness. Once again, according to Dr, Heiser, this simply isn’t correct. Gates are defensive structures, not offensive weapons. The kingdom of God is the aggressor. Standing at the geographical epicenter of demonic activity, Jesus announces defeat. The gates of hell are under assault. They will not hold up against the church. (Heiser, Michael S. Reversing Hermon: Enoch, the Watchers, and the Forgotten Mission of Jesus Christ (pp. 94-96). (Function). Kindle Edition.)
The Church and the Proclamation of the Gospel
In answer to our question, this demonic activity is brought to nothing at the cross. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). Those spirits involved in the deception of the nations have been put to shame (Colossians 2:15). The atonement of His death, burial and resurrection means that neither hell, nor its lord has any claim on the child of God. Indeed, as Jesus said, the ruler of this world has been cast out (John 12:31). He has no power over those who belong to Christ (Hebrews 2:14 - 15).
Recall Deuteronomy 32:8 & 9. “…The Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God. But the LORD’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage.”
After Babel, God disinherited the nations. He gave them what they wanted, a life without Him as their God. He assigned them to the dominion of other, lesser Elohim, who according to Psalm 82:1 - 5, rebelled and became corrupt, perverted justice and exalted evil.
If we are left wondering about the relevancy of the spiritual corruption brought about by the Nephilim, we find it in the great commission (Matthew 28:19 & 20). By God’s design, the nations will be reclaimed through the proclamation of the gospel, one soul at a time. As we make disciples of all nations, we assault the gates of hell. This is our God assigned part in the war, our part in undoing the spiritual corruption that has polluted God’s creation since the fall.
And we do so in hope. Hell will not prevail. God will redeem for Himself a people from every nation, tribe and tongue (Revelation 7:9). One day, we will join them in their song, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb!”
We have identified who and what the Nephilim were. They were a race of giants, the offspring of fallen angels and the daughters of men (Genesis 6:1 - 4). During the conquest of Canaan, their clans are identified as Rephaim, Anakim, Emim, Zamzummin and the Ammorite (Deuteronomy 3).
We have identified how and even why they survived Noah’s flood. The lines continued by the same means and for the same purpose. They continued giving men the tools and the knowledge to do evil, securing worship for fallen angels, proclaiming themselves as gods.
Our current question is much more practical. As the church, and the individual members of it, we are still embroiled in that cosmic battle. But to what degree and to what end?
Jesus and the Gates of Hell
The modern impact of the war between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent can be understood in a geography lesson. Yes. Geography.
In Matthew 16, Jesus and the apostles find their way to Caesarea Philippi. A considerable journey north from the Sea of Galilee, in the Old Testament region of Bashan, the city was nestled in the foothills of Mount Hermon. There Jesus asked them this famous question:
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (v. 13).
After various answers from the others, Peter responds, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (v. 16).
Then Jesus followed with this: “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (v. 17 & 18).
This passage is hotly debated by Roman Catholics and Protestants. The former argue that this is play on words, Jesus changes Simon’s name to Peter, meaning stone. He therefore is the rock upon which the church is established.
Protestants however insist the rock is a reference to Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ. The church will be built upon Christ and His gospel. According to the late Dr. Michael Heiser, these traditional understandings are incorrect. The reference to the rock is the place where they are standing—Caesarea Philippi, at the foot of Mount Hermon.
Looking back, a lot happened there. It was accepted that Mount Hermon is the place where the sons of God came down and cohabitated with the daughters of men (Genesis 6:1 - 4). In Jesus’ day, Caesarea Philippi was also called Panias, having been dedicated to the worship of the demon god Pan. In Old Testament History, Jereboam built an idolatrous worship center there (1 Kings 12). The city was given over to Baal worship from its inception (Joshua 11:17; Judges 3:3).
When viewed from this perspective, the scene takes place at ground zero for demonic activity. Jesus has entered the domain of Baal, the lord of the dead. He makes this proclamation at the foot of the mountain where the Nephilim find their origin. This is a direct challenge to the authority of the devil. His network of principalities and powers have been put on notice. The theological forecast is obvious.
We often interpret Jesus’ phrase, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (v. 18), as a posture of defense. The church will be forced to circle its wagons in order to fend off the fiery assault from the powers of darkness. Once again, according to Dr, Heiser, this simply isn’t correct. Gates are defensive structures, not offensive weapons. The kingdom of God is the aggressor. Standing at the geographical epicenter of demonic activity, Jesus announces defeat. The gates of hell are under assault. They will not hold up against the church. (Heiser, Michael S. Reversing Hermon: Enoch, the Watchers, and the Forgotten Mission of Jesus Christ (pp. 94-96). (Function). Kindle Edition.)
The Church and the Proclamation of the Gospel
In answer to our question, this demonic activity is brought to nothing at the cross. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). Those spirits involved in the deception of the nations have been put to shame (Colossians 2:15). The atonement of His death, burial and resurrection means that neither hell, nor its lord has any claim on the child of God. Indeed, as Jesus said, the ruler of this world has been cast out (John 12:31). He has no power over those who belong to Christ (Hebrews 2:14 - 15).
Recall Deuteronomy 32:8 & 9. “…The Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God. But the LORD’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage.”
After Babel, God disinherited the nations. He gave them what they wanted, a life without Him as their God. He assigned them to the dominion of other, lesser Elohim, who according to Psalm 82:1 - 5, rebelled and became corrupt, perverted justice and exalted evil.
If we are left wondering about the relevancy of the spiritual corruption brought about by the Nephilim, we find it in the great commission (Matthew 28:19 & 20). By God’s design, the nations will be reclaimed through the proclamation of the gospel, one soul at a time. As we make disciples of all nations, we assault the gates of hell. This is our God assigned part in the war, our part in undoing the spiritual corruption that has polluted God’s creation since the fall.
And we do so in hope. Hell will not prevail. God will redeem for Himself a people from every nation, tribe and tongue (Revelation 7:9). One day, we will join them in their song, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb!”
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