Dear friends:

My previous message on "the sons of God and the daughters of men," brought an interesting response from Pastor F.M. Riley, who is known for his in-depth study on numerous Bible topics.  Below is his full response on this fascinating subject.

Jim
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Dear brother,
 
    I guess I have heard a thousand times over the years about how "controversial" the passage is in Genesis 6:1-4.  Brother I am personally convinced that the controversy is largely due to the English translation.  When you go to the Hebrew text I don't know how the passage could be made any plainer.  I reproduce the literal meanings of the Hebrew words just as they are given in the Hebrew text.  Decide for yourself what the passage is saying.  And, by the way, I have challenged people over the years to point out one error in this translation.  Not one person has ever taken up the challenge. 

                                                     Genesis 6:1-4

              1    And it came to pass, when Adam began to multiply on
             
                  the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,

              2   That the Ben-ha-elohim saw the daughters of Adam that

                  they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they

                  chose.

              3    And the Lord said, My Spirit shall not always strive with

                  Adam, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be a

                  hundred and twenty years.

              4     There were Nephilim in the earth in those days; and

                  also after that, when the Ben-ha-elohim came in unto the

                  daughters of Adam, and they bare children to them, the

                  same became mighty enosh which were of old, enosh of

                  renown.

    Brother, if you or anyone else can find anywhere in these verses where I have been unfaithful to the Hebrew text, I would appreciate it being pointed out to me. Otherwise, the text stands as written.

    Now any true believer can see for themselves that there are no two lines of descent from Adam involved in this text.  The theory that "the righteous descendants of Seth intermarried with the unrighteous descendants of Cain, and corrupted all of  humanity" is no where taught in this Hebrew text.  Such a theory is pure "hogwash" brought about by shallow Bible study. 

    What the text does plainly teach is that the "Ben-elohim"  [angels...Genesis 6:2; 6:4; Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7] cohabited with the "daugters of Adam" and produced offspring who were not true humans.  These offspring are called "Nephilim" [fallen ones] in the inspired Word of God, and they became famous "enosh" [mortals] of ancient times.  The cohabiting of these wicked angels with wicked women was Satan's attempt to supplant true humanity with people who were not true humans.  If Satan could have pulled it off, then Genesis 3:15 could never have been fulfilled.  That is exactly what Satan was trying to accomplish.  

     The "Nephilim" were destroyed in the flood and became the disembodied spirits known from that time forward as "demons."  But after the flood Satan attempted the same thing all over again, just as is plainly stated in Genesis 6:4, "...in those days, and also after that,..." 

    Brother, the Lord Jesus Himself said, "But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be," Matthew 24:37.  I have a whole file collected over the past 40 some years of accounts of women claiming to have had intercourse with spirits, being impregnated by them, and bearing their children.  New Age literature is filled with claims that the world leaders of the New Age [one world] movement are not true humans, but were fathered by "spirit guides."  Sic! 

    Brother, the Word of God is being literally fulfilled just as it was given in the original Hebrew and Greek texts whether some people like it or not.  When you carefully study Genesis 6:1-4 there is no room for controversy whatsoever.  The controversy is with men who don't want to accept the plain statements of God's Word.  The Word itself is quite clear. 

    I have a Bible study written out regarding this subject, entitled There were Giants in the Earth.  It lays out step by step the whole subject throughout the Scriptures, giving book, chapter, and verse for every point made.  If you or any of your readers would like a copy just send me your request.  (Send to fmrglbd5@aol.com.)

    God bless you dear brother. 

              Pastor F. M. Riley      
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Another reader responded and  said, "I can't believe you sent this email. I've been doing a study on this topic with the intent of writing a book on this theme. My father (a minister - if you recall) used to talk to me about this theme."