In the Old Testament, we have ‘sons of God’ mentioned in the book of Genesis and the book of Job. Let’s begin by looking in the book of Genesis. Genesis 6:1-5 says, “And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the SONS OF GOD saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. 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. 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. And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Who are these SONS OF GOD?

Let’s compare this portion with Job 1:6, “Now there was a day when the SONS OF GOD came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.” Let’s also read Job 2:1, “Again there was a day when the SONS OF GOD came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.” There is no reason for us not to assume that both of these portions are referring to the same type of creature. Realizing that these SONS OF GOD had the ability to “present themselves before the LORD”, we realize that these are angels…fallen angels. In Genesis 6, these SONS OF GOD are fallen angels who took on the form of men and laid with the “daughters of men”…earthly women! They bore offspring to them and these were mighty, or huge, men. What ever happened to these corrupted bloodline? Genesis 7 contains the account of the flood, where every man, woman, and child were killed, except for Noah, his wife, their three sons, and their three wives. Whatever happened to these angels? I believe we find the answer to that question in Jude 6, “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.”

In the New Testament, we have seven references to the SONS OF GOD, however these are NOT fallen angels. In the New Testament, all these references apply to those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as their savior. Let’s look at a few of those verses to illustrate that truth.

  • 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.”
  • Romans 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the SONS OF GOD.”
  • Philippians 2:15, “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the SONS OF GOD, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.”

What a remarkable work of God in our lives, that through faith in His Son, He makes us to be HIS CHILDREN. Although, without doubt or contradiction, all those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ are the children of God, there is a practical side of this truth that we need to be aware of. 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 tells us, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” The Lord wants more than just the title of Father, He wants to work in a practical way as our Father. For that to happen, we must separate from those things that dishonor our Father, so that we might draw close to Him and enjoy the fellowship and fathership of our loving Lord. Is He your Father? Does He operate in your life as your Father? (236.10)