The Butterfly Believer

The Butterfly Believer 

The Butterfly Believer 

By John Boda 

Introduction 

The Bible often uses metaphors in comparing creation to the Kingdom of God, and even in 

comparing God himself. For example, followers of Christ are known as sheep, and Christ is the 

"Good Shepherd". (John 10:11) 

In speaking of Jesus Christ as the soon coming king, mighty in war and power, he is called, "The 

Lion of Judah”. (Rev. 5:5) The lion is called the "King of Beasts" and Christ is called "The 

King of Kings. (Rev 19:16) It may come as a surprise to many that Jesus was also referred to a 

lowly crawling bug! In Psalms 22:6, in reference to Jesus prophetically speaking of his terrible 

suffering, it states, "I am a worm and not a man". We are told to "consider the ant and be 

wise" in Proverbs chapter six, with the idea that the little ant, with its diligence and hard work, 

puts the lazy man to shame! The are many other metaphors and analogies throughout scripture, 

linking an Eagle to God, linking dogs to wicked, immoral people, and not just with the animal 

kingdom, but also with trees, plants, wind, stars, and many more. It seems that God has set up 

the created world as a classroom of sorts, to help us see and understand the spiritual world. Of 

course, we will never fully understand the spiritual realm from this side, but if the natural world is 

a shadow and a guide, we can learn a great deal simply by paying attention to it! 

In fact, although it may not be a sin, it is a downright shame if we miss it! 

In another one of my writings, (The Magnificent Mundane e-book) I probe deeply into the Old 

Testament character named Job, and how, even though he comes through his ordeal much 

better than his three friends, he still had his defects. One of them being that he seemed to talk too 

much! (Job 40:4-5) But another defect is much more subtle, namely, that he seemed to have 

missed seeing God all around him through the things that God had made. Read Job 38-42 and 

see God's long lecture to Job where he constantly brings up all sorts of wild animals, snowflakes, 

stars and constellations and many other natural things that Job seemed to have missed in his 

understanding of God, who created them all. 

Many years later, under the guided pen of Paul, God states it plainly; "For since the creation of 

the world his invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are 

made, even his eternal power and godhead, so that they are without excuse." (Rom 1:20) 

Transformation 

My main text for this grace note is found in II Corinthians 3:18: 

"But we all, with unveiled faces, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being 

transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."  

These verses, and many others, tell us that true believers in Jesus are both changed, and are 

being changed the first change is when God's salvation comes to us through our faith reaching 

out to his grace. That initial change, called salvation, is instant, and requires no effort or work 

from us! 

However, the second change occurs as we begin to walk the Pilgrim way and begin to learn and 

become more like Christ. His second part is called "sanctification" and this part DOES require our 

cooperation and partnership. We must never confuse the two! Notice the verse says that we "are 

being transformed"......it is a process, and one that lasts our entire lives on this side of eternity.  

In theological terms there is a past-present-future aspect of God's plan of salvation for us: 

1. The past - Justification 

(Salvation by grace - totally from God to us except requiring our faith.) 

2. The present - Sanctification 

(Our present state of becoming more like Christ. This is a partnership of both God and man) 

3. The Future - Glorification (This is our ultimate perfected state in eternity!) 

Returning once again to our present state as Christ followers, we are being sanctified. The word 

sanctification simply means "To be made holy and be set apart". 

This is what God is doing, as we allow it, making us holy and setting us apart for him. This does 

not mean we become weird religious extremists who war against the world! (Some people really 

do believe this) No, rather, it involves largely inward and internal work in our hearts. Jesus himself 

was constantly accused of NOT being holy or set apart because of his association with sinners, 

prostitutes and the riff- raff of society. But he was the only one who ever was perfectly holy and 

sinless! His accusers got it wrong, as do many in the church today who also believe more in 

externals and focus on the outward only. 

Sanctification is basically becoming more like Jesus in every way! This is most likely what John 

the Baptist had in mind when he said, " He (Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease." 

(John 3:30) 

The word "Transformed" in our text of II Corinthians 3:18, is a combined word in the original 

Greek; "Metamorphoo" - which comes from two words: 

Meta - To change place or condition 

Morphoo - To completely change or alter one's form. 

To metamorphoo means to be totally transformed from one thing to another! Very similar to the 

process of "Metamorphosis" by which a tadpole becomes a bullfrog, or a caterpillar becomes a 

butterfly! (Now you'll never forget that word metamorphosis!) 

Or you may recall the old TV series called "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", remember what term 

was used when they transformed into action heroes? 

They would "Morph" into them! 

OK, the plain fact is that all of us mortals need to "morph" into a new creature as well in order to 

enter into God's presence. We need both an outward and an inward transformation! Our inward 

hearts become transformed upon salvation, and then sanctification is the process of that inward 

change growing and revealing itself outward into all of our lives. 

Jesus, unlike us, needed no inward change because he was perfect and holy, yet even his 

earthly body needed to be transformed to enter the presence of God the Father. At one point in 

his ministry, Jesus went up to a mountain and was  

"Transfigured” and appeared to the few disciples with him to be glowing in light, full of God's 

glory. He was also speaking with Moses and Elijah, who also were in this glorified state. The 

Greek word for "Transfigured" is......(. take a guess) .....  "metamorphoo"! 

To become transformed is not an option! We are commanded in scripture to allow this process to 

occur in Romans 12:2: "...be transformed (Metamorphoo) by the renewing of the mind".  

Another aspect of the meaning of transformation and "metamorphoo" is this: 

To be changed into that which we truly are. Once again, this means that our initial salvation must 

work its way out into all of our lives! We don’t become saved by just saying a little prayer and then 

go back about our lives expecting nothing and not seeing any change! That is more like witchcraft 

and magic. No, God's plan for all of us is to become completely transformed into the new person 

he has in mind for each one of us! 

To help give you a better picture of Biblical transformation, I want to now show a close, but very 

different counterfeit. Sometimes seeing the counterfeit, we can see and appreciate the real deal 

much better. 

There is another Greek word which is also translated "Transformation" or to "be transformed" in 

several places in the Bible, but this word's meaning is vastly different! The similar, yet different 

Greek word is: 

Metaschematzo - this word means to be changed outwardly only, but with no change at all 

inward! Hypocrites, those who appear one thing but really are another, can be directly linked to 

this word and idea. 

This word is found in the Bible as well in II Corinthians 11:13-14 

"For such false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming (metaschematzo) themselves 

into apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself transforms (metaschematzo) 

himself into an angel of light" 

Satan and all false apostles are transformed, but only outwardly as metashematzo instead of 

God's purpose and plan of metamorphoo! Satan is the original hypocrite! He appeared as 

something else in the Garden of Eden, and in fact we are told that he can appear as "an angel of 

light". Probably the greatest human hypocrite is Judas, who fooled everyone (Except Jesus) for at 

least three years with only having an outward change. 

This false transformation means being changed into something that you really are not inside. 

God's method of true transformation means that we are changed into something outwardly that 

we really are inside. The change is an outward movement of something true, real and sure 

inwardly, an inward change caused by a divine act of God in us. 

So, what's all this got to do with butterflies? A lot! As I mentioned earlier, the process of 

transformation from a caterpillar to a butterfly is called "metamorphosis", a direct same meaning 

as the Biblical word for transformation which God does in his people. Just as all the blueprints of 

a complete, beautiful, adult butterfly are inside that ugly little helpless, crawling caterpillar, all the 

blueprints of God's character are condensed inside our human hearts upon receiving God's 

salvation by faith. 

I sincerely believe that we can gain solid insight, blessing and encouragement by knowing about 

the links between the metamorphosis of a butterfly and the metamorphosis of a believer. After all, 

God made them both! The process is all about change and growth as we go on our journey, let's 

get into it! 

Therefore, we do not lose heart, even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward 

man is being renewed day by day.  

II Cor. 4:16 

The Butterfly & Believer Analogy 

1. Three - Part Beings 

Fact: 

Butterflies belong to the insect family, and as such they consist of three parts. 

1. An external skeleton 

2. A main body part 

3. Three pairs of legs 

The clear teaching throughout the Bible is, in the general broadest sense, human beings also 

have three parts: 

1. Spirit 

2. Soul 

3. Body 

But due to the entrance of sin in the world and into the human heart, the spirit part of all people is 

dead and unable to connect with God, who exists in the spiritual realm. But once a person 

becomes a Christ - follower and enters into the new life imparted by God through Jesus, their 

human spirit is now made alive and joined with a brand-new Spirit, the Holy Spirit of God!  

So even though every person is created as a three - part being, it is only true followers and 

believers in Jesus who have their spirits made alive to connect with God. (This wonderful ability is 

available to everyone and is a free gift from God's grace to us, so no one can boast and claim 

any personal exclusive treatment. But we must access it by faith in God's grace through Jesus, 

something many people simply refuse to do, or think isn't necessary.) 

So, this analogy of the three - part butterfly is linked only to the believer in Christ. (Many scholars 

believe that just as God is three - part, Father - Son -Spirit, when we enter into fellowship with 

him, we regain that three-part link to our creator) 

Before we move on to the next point, here is a great scripture that reveals the three - part aspect 

of believers in Jesus: 

Now may the God of peace sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul, and 

body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

I Thessalonians 5:23 

2. Four Stages of Growth 

Fact: 

Butterflies have four stages of change and growth in their lives. 

1. An egg 

2. A Caterpillar 

3. A Pupa 

4. A butterfly 

As I explained in my introduction, this process involves a major changing into new and different 

forms, a complete process known as "metamorphosis". 

This is directly linked to all believers in Jesus, not only in general typology, but also in specific 

wording. The exact word used for authentic spiritual "transformation" in many scriptures is 

"metamorphoo", the exact word where metamorphosis is derived from! 

(See Rom. 12:2 / II Cor. 3:18) 

Believers also have four stages of major growth and change as they are being transformed, just 

like butterflies: 

1. Salvation: 

The initial entry into this new life and journey is what has been called becoming born again. Initial 

salvation comes when a person reaches out by faith into God's free gift of grace through Jesus. 

When that is done, he/she receives a completely new life on the inside, and then the rest of their 

lives are spent on a journey towards Christ, and allowing that new life to grow and be revealed 

increasingly. In essence, God places his DNA and all the blueprints of his awesome nature inside 

of us, but it is only as a seed that needs to grow. Much like the butterfly egg and then caterpillar, 

each one has all the DNA and blueprints of a mature, beautiful butterfly within them, yet much 

growth is needed to see that final result! 

Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, 

he cannot see the kingdom of God." 

John 3:3 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away, 

behold all things have become new. 

II Corinthians 5:17 

The next three parts of growth and change of believer's lives are three stages of growth all within 

one aspect called: Sanctification. This is seen clearly in I John 2:12-14, where the Apostle John 

addresses three distinct groups of believers: 

1. Children 

2. Young men 

3. Fathers 

I won't take the time now to type the verses out, but please look it up! He even repeats his 

address to each one twice, as if to emphasize the importance of the stages. 

Further insight into the child stage is seen in I Peter 2:2. 

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your 

salvation. 

Further insight into the young man stage is seen in a few verses. 

Therefore, let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity. 

Hebrews 6:1 

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking 

anything. 

James 1:4 

All of us who are mature should take such a view of things, and if on some point you think 

differently, that too God will make clear to you. 

Philippians 3:15 

Concerning the father stage, (Which is the rarest), clear insight is found by the Apostle Paul, who 

described himself in that stage; 

Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, 

for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the Gospel. 

I Corinthians 4:15 

Paul also speaks more of the growth process several chapters later. 

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, but when I became a man, I 

put away childish things. 

So in summary, we have the four stages of growth in the life of a believer. 

1. Salvation 

2. Child 

3. Young Man 

4. Father 

Just like all butterflies also have four stages of growth. 

1. Egg 

2. Caterpillar 

3. Pupa 

4. Butterfly 

I personally find that very interesting, very encouraging, and also very humbling, as I may only 

still be in the caterpillar/child stage!  

3. The Incubation Period 

Fact: 

Butterfly eggs take time to hatch, and must be dependent on several variables, the most 

important being temperature. 

Also, most butterfly eggs become darker just before hatching. 

When God's word is sown into a believer's heart, like a seed, it requires time and specific 

conditions to take root and grow. Just as God's grace plants the seed (or egg) it is also God's 

grace which creates the ripe conditions which facilitate growth. 

This concept was taught clearly by Jesus in what is known as "The Parable of the Sower" in Luke 

Chapter Eight. The Sower sows seed on to the path where it is trampled on, and the birds eat it 

up. Then he sows seed on to the rocks where it withers because it cannot take root. Then he 

sows among the thorns which grow and chokes the crop. It was not until he sowed seeds on 

good soil that it took root, grew, and yielded a large crop. Jesus then explained his teaching 

saying the seed was the Word of God, and the good soil was a person ready to receive it with a 

good heart, who hears the word, retains it, and then goes on to grow more and more. 

Just like butterflies who need good timing and conditions to hatch eggs, likewise, all believers in 

Jesus need good soil and conditions to make his seeds take root and grow!  

Also, it is interesting that the butterfly/caterpillar eggs often become darker just before hatching. 

This is also the experience of many people upon initial salvation. Just when things seem to get 

dark and hopeless, God comes through! and I speak from personal experience as this is exactly 

what happened in my case a few years ago. For me, everything in my life was OK, I had no big 

problems or health issues, but rather it was an inward sense of utter hopelessness and despair. I 

knew that if I continued that pathway that it was a dead end and there was no hope in sight. 

Many times, just before the egg hatches (spiritually) many people come to the end of their ropes, 

both inwardly and in many outward physical aspects as well. 

Before we move on to the next point, here is an interesting scripture that relates: 

We have also the prophetic word made sure, which you do well to heed as a light that 

shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 

II Peter 1:19 

4. Divine Providence & Forgetting What is Behind 

Fact: 

A Caterpillar's first meal is often its own eggshell. The eggshell is the only thing left of its 

previous life. 

This is an interesting fact: How convenient to, upon entering into the world, your first all-important 

meal is served in bed, (so to speak) and is sitting there just for you!  

This incredible reality has a two - part link to all believers in Jesus, one dealing in the vertical from 

God, and the other in the horizontal involving our part. 

1. Providence and personal care by God for every one of us. 

2. Pursuing a pathway of forward motion, forgetting what lies behind by an act of our will daily. 

Scripture references for God's personal care and providence number in the thousands! The entire 

Bible is saturated with this assuring truth. But one of the most well-known, and loved passages, is 

the short chapter of Psalms twenty three. (Go and read it now, I just did and all six verses took a 

whole 30 seconds) 

Concerning the other practical truth to glean from this, the moving forward and forgetting what lies 

behind, here is probably the top passage on it: 

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those 

things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press 

toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  

Philippians 3:13-14 

One note of caution: Even though the little caterpillar devours his eggshell with the spiritual 

implication that we totally sever all roots and connections to the past, this does not mean 

necessarily cutting off all non - believing people or connections. 

My point, and one that is Biblically sound, is largely dealing in internals, as opposed to externals. 

We must move forward on our journey, reaching forward by faith each day to what God has for 

us, while at the same time, discarding our internal roots and desires which lead toward sin and 

rebellion. 

5. Feed & Seed 

Fact: 

The main source of food for adult butterflies is nectar from flowers. As they gather nectar, 

they also pollinate at the same time. 

The main source of food for all believers in Jesus is The Word of God. Both, the written (Logos) 

called The Bible, as well as God's word spoken (Rhema) by all true ministers. (In no way do I 

mean to indicate that the spoken word of men can equal or add to the finished and sealed Word 

of God - The Bible. Rather, Godly men/women can speak God's word to reveal and communicate 

what is already written, but in no way can add to it.) 

As we feed on God's Word, we also are witnesses at the same time. We tend to think of 

witnessing in the old church way of preaching, teaching and knocking on doors, while all valid and 

good, this is NOT the real meaning of the word in scripture. To witness - means to simply be 

WHOM you are as a believer in Jesus! It is a noun and not a verb in almost every Biblical 

passage. 

So, while we hear, study and feed on the Bible, we also are witnesses by simply being who we 

are to everyone around weather we utter a spoken word or not! 

But Jesus answered him, saying 'It is written, man shall not live by bread alone. 

Luke 4:4 

And he (God) said to me, "Son of man eat what is before you, eat this scroll, then go and 

speak to the house of Israel. 

Ezekiel 3:1 

6. The Source of Life 

Fact: 

The heat and light of the sun is extremely important to butterflies! They need specific heat 

temperatures and light to fly, to move, or even live. Only when their body temperature is 

85-100 degrees Fahrenheit can they fly normally. If the air temperature is cooler, they will 

bask themselves in the heat of the sun in order to fly. On cloudy days not many butterflies 

are seen! This is true, even for the various times throughout the day when the sun is 

partially blocked by clouds, butterflies will often stop flight and wait until the sun returns. 

All believers in Jesus are always totally dependent upon him for everything! Christ is the head 

and we are the body; it is the head which controls all the rest. 

All through the Bible, God and Christ are referred to as light, and all that is against God is linked 

with darkness. Jesus even called himself, "The Morning Star" in Revelation 22:16 

We are told specifically that "God is light" in I John 5. All believers are constantly told to walk 

and live in that light. The analogy is very clear, just like butterflies, we are dependant upon God's 

light both within and without not only to lead us, but for our very lives! 

The Lord God is a sun and a shield; The Lord will give grace and glory. No good thing will 

he withhold from those who walk uprightly.  

Psalm 8411 

7. Life is a Vapor 

Fact: 

Most adult butterflies live only for about two weeks in the summer, others have a life span 

of only a few months 

(Except Monarchs which can be even shorter) 

In comparison to eternity, all our lives appear very, very short and fleeting! In fact, they don't even 

really compare, the Bible compares our lives to a brief vapor, or puff of smoke, which appears for 

a while, then vanishes. 

For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes 

away. 

James 4:14 

Most scientists believe our planet is around 4.5 billion years old, and even that is less than a drop 

in the bucket in light of eternity. In fact, the most enduring and long-lasting things in the universe - 

stars - don't even compare, even though some exist burning fuel for many trillions of years! 

Yet, all believers, like butterflies, exist for a determined period however short that may be. Yet 

believers, (unlike butterflies), have a free will and are made in God's image, and can choose to 

fulfill God's plan for us or not. To get a grip and know that all life is a vapor considering eternity is 

really a wonderful mindset to have. It allows us to make the very best of our time, and even when 

we are relaxing in recreation, we still sense being a part of the whole and big fabric that God is 

weaving. 

Lord, make me know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how 

frail I am. Indeed, you have made my days as hand breadths, and my age is as nothing 

before you - certainly every man at his best state is but a vapor. 

Psalm 39:4-5 

So teach us to number our days so that we may gain a heart of wisdom. 

Psalm 90:12 

Lord, what is man that you take knowledge of him? Or the son of man that you are mindful 

of him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow. 

Psalm 144:3-4 

8. Putting off the Flesh 

Fact: 

A molting caterpillar's skin is inelastic, because of that; it needs to be shed periodically as 

the caterpillar grows. Most caterpillars molt four to six times with the last time creating the 

cocoon, or pupa. Every time it molts its old skin, it is able to eat greater quantities of food 

and grow even more. 

This point is closely related to point number #4 of "Forgetting What Lies Behind". But in point #4, 

the old skin is eaten and consumed, as a one-time act of entering into the new life. That was in 

relation to salvation for believers. This point is not just a one-time act! It is a continual "putting 

away" of all that is contrary to God in our lives, and it is within the on-going process that the Bible 

calls - Sanctification. 

When the Bible, especially the New Testament speaks of "The Flesh", it does not mean our 

physical skin or even anything external at all. But rather, the flesh speaks of our inward, sinful 

desires which spring out of a corrupt sinful heart. They are in direct opposition to the fruits of the 

Spirit which God gives to his followers. So, in speaking of, "The Flesh, I am not speaking of any 

rejection of our physical bodies, or any person, or physical thing at all (Even though some may be 

wrong) yet, the flesh deals with internal heart desires and motives, and we are told to put those 

things off and away by the grace God gives! 

A caterpillar may molt four to six times, but we need to do it constantly all through our journey on 

this earth as believers! Note, every time a caterpillar does, it is able to grow! It is the same for 

believers who desire to move forward and grow even more. 

And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 

Galatians 524 

9. The Sanctified Life 

Fact: 

When a caterpillar is ready to pupate, it attaches itself to a plant or object and weaves a 

patch of silk which hardens into a cocoon. While in the cocoon, the caterpillar is shut out 

from the outside world, and the incredible transformation into an adult butterfly begins! 

This process is called metamorphosis. 

As stated in my introduction, the word sanctification basically means to become set apart and 

made holy. This is God's will for all believers! But this point is also the most misunderstood and 

liable to be twisted in meaning. 

When we allow God to sanctify us more, it involves largely internal actions. We must never make 

the mistake that God wants us shut out increasingly from the world around us! We must interact 

with people, culture and society! Jesus did this and was constantly accused of NOT being holy 

and who he said he was because of his accusers falling into this error! 

This point warrants another study in itself, but allow me to say that, yes, we are to shun the world 

and move away from it. But the word- world (Kosmos) - as seen in scripture can have different 

meanings. Sometimes it means the actual physical round earth, sometimes it means the people 

of this earth, and often it means an ordered system of influence fueled by Satan which is moving 

directly against God. This last meaning is the world which all believers must shun and resist, but 

love people and become an influence of good within the culture without hiding from it. 

So, like the caterpillar, who weaves a cocoon to hide itself, we as believers must always be 

working with God the Holy Spirit to allow a spiritual cocoon to be woven over our hearts. 

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, 

soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

I Thessalonians 5:23 

Therefore, we do not lose heart, though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we 

are being renewed day by day. 

II Corinthians 4:16 

10. The Struggle to Emerge 

Fact: 

As the nearly developed butterfly begins to emerge from the cocoon, a struggle ensues. In 

the attempt and struggle to break free, it actually causes the proper circulation of fluids 

and strengthens the new-born butterfly's wings, preparing it for first flight. Without this 

struggle, the butterfly would eventually emerge, but greatly handicapped and unable to fly, 

and then soon after begins dying. 

It seems that the closer believers get to God and becoming more sanctified, also the more there 

is a struggle and difficulty! All of us have corrupt hearts and live within a fallen world, and God 

must do an immense work to draw us out, and that work involves pain and struggle in us. But that 

struggle is bitter-sweet! Bitter while it is going on, but very sweet in its fruit and result! We need 

the struggle to break free, just like the emerging butterflies. 

Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith 

produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and 

complete, lacking nothing. 

James 1:2-4 

11. Heads or Tails? 

Fact: 

God has designed a unique built-in protection system against attacks from birds, 

butterfly's natural enemy. When a butterfly is at rest, with its wings folded up over its back, 

its tail closely resembles the antennae on its head! Many even have colored dots on their 

wings which look like eyes. Its actual head is often dark and inconspicuous. 

This fools birds into attacking the tail, allowing the butterfly to escape only slightly 

wounded to live another day. 

Many butterflies are able to fly with as much as half their wings missing, so these attacks 

are usually not lethal. This same protection system is built into many caterpillars so that 

predators can't tall the head from the tail. 

Whenever a person becomes a new creation in Jesus, they become a believer and also become 

completely joined with the Lord! 

But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him. 

I Corinthians 6;17 

Our arch enemy, Satan, will attack in a variety of ways through deception, accusation, and 

temptation, yet none of that will ever be fatal to believers in Christ. 

We are joined with Jesus and are his now and forever! In fact, scriptures tell us that Jesus 

actually is the head, and we are the body. We are one with the Lord, so I believe that our enemy 

is at a huge disadvantage in telling the head from the tail! 

This point may also have been alluded to by God in speaking to Satan in the Garden of Eden 

when he said.  

He (Jesus) will crush your (Satan) head, and you (Satan) will strike his (Jesus) heal. 

Genesis 3:15b 

Another passage which highlights this is in Acts 9:4-5 when Jesus confronts Saul for persecuting 

the Church. Jesus says, "Why are you persecuting me?" 

In other words, Saul was in pursuit attacking the people of this new faith called The Church, yet 

Jesus clearly links it to himself as if Saul is attacking him directly. 

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me under the shadow of your wings. 

Psalm 17:8 

For in the time of trouble, he shall hide me in his pavilion. In the secret place of his 

tabernacle, he shall hide me; he shall set me high upon a rock. 

Psalm 27:5 

12. Fellowship & Feeding 

Fact: 

Often, butterflies can be seen in groups gathered around a puddle or damp place. This is a 

common behavior called puddling.  Puddling sites are often along dirt roads or paths in 

the fields where water regularly accumulates and then evaporates, leaving concentrated 

mineral deposits. Butterflies visit these sites, after the water has gone, and feed on the 

nutrients left behind. Tests have shown that the most attractive element they desire is 

sodium, a component of salt. 

Throughout the Bible, believers are likened to sheep. Jesus even called himself, "The Good 

Shepherd" (John 10:11) 

One important characteristic of sheep is that they never feed alone! In fact, they do very little 

alone as there is safety when together under the guiding hand of the shepherd. They congregate 

and feed together! This speaks of fellowship for all believers, like the butterflies, we need each 

other! Fellowship is vital for both our protection and growth. The food for all believers is always 

God's word! Reading and meditating in the scriptures bring much more than just good 

information, but also vital food for our souls. I also find it very interesting that the most attractive 

element is salt! 

You are the salt of the earth. 

(Jesus speaking) Matthew 5:13 

Do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together. 

Hebrews 10:25 

Conclusion 

I have tried to show how a butterfly, in all of its stages of growth, is analogous to the growth and 

spiritual development of all believers in Jesus. Some may think this type of analogy is a bit of a 

stretch, and that's OK.  

However, also from scripture, are clear indications that we would do well to pay attention to God's 

created world to see and learn more about him.   

But the basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! By taking a 

long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see 

what their eyes as such can't see - eternal power for instance, and the mystery of his 

divine being. 

Romans 1:19-20 The Message 

In conclusion, here are some practical points to consider in light of this study. 

1. Practice the Presence of God 

All believers have God's Spirit inside of them and are being transformed all the time. We make a 

huge mistake if we think this process occurs only when we are doing spiritual things! (If that were 

the case, all growth and sanctification would depend on us, and if that were true, none of us 

would ever get there!) 

Is a butterfly a butterfly only when it is flying? Or is it still a butterfly if it is at rest on the ground? 

Of course, a butterfly, (Or caterpillar) never ceases to be what it is regardless of what it is doing at 

any moment. Likewise, if we are believers in Jesus and are on the journey, we are still believers 

on a journey and being transformed when we are at rest sleeping, playing in recreation, working 

at our jobs, as well as praying, worshipping and serving in church. 

We must develop an attitude and mindset of practicing the presence of God, of being aware of 

God in everything we do.  

2. Don’t' strive to become what only God can make you become. 

A good phrase to remember and one that can be derived from scripture is this: 

We do what we can do, and God does what we cannot do. 

We are also told that Jesus is the 

"Author and finisher of our faith" 

(Heb. 12:2) 

Jesus not only started it, but he is fully able and promises to bring it all to completion. 

Jesus called himself "The Alpha and The Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and 

the end". 

(Rev. 22:13) 

This really means that God is not only the beginning and the end, but also everything in between 

as well! At no point on our journey do we ever take the reigns, or say, "Thanks God, but I'll take it 

from here!" 

We could learn a lot from butterflies in that they are content to be who they are without pretense. 

Jesus told us to take a look at the sparrows and learn this lesson, also look at the lilies of the 

field. 

Sanctification DOES require our partnership, but we must remember that it is God who causes 

any growth or change! What is required on our part is faith in the transforming power of God's 

grace. 

3. Grow in Grace 

Every living thing has one thing in common - they grow and change!  

If we cease to grow/change, there only remains one alternative – death. The same reality holds 

true for our spiritual growth. God has a specific plan and outline for each one of us that he 

designed exactly for us. But we can never get there without growth and change. (I even believe 

that eternity will include an aspect of growth as well. God is so big and beyond understanding, 

that even in a glorified eternal state, it will require stages of growth in knowledge and grasping 

forever to know him more) 

When we watch a butterfly in flight, with its zig zag motion, it may not look graceful at all! But I 

view all butterflies as small reminders of God's grace to me. They each have gone through the 

process of metamorphosis, and now they continue to grow and change as a mature, adult insect. 

No matter where we are on our journey, our story is not much different. All believers must go 

through a similar metamorphosis, and we must all continue to allow grace to change and 

transform us. 

So, the next time that you see a butterfly outside on a summer day, I hope and pray that you can 

think about some of these things. Allow it to shift your thoughts toward God, who is never very far 

away from any of us. 

John Boda 

www.magdane.com 

The Prodigal Son

This is one track from an entire CD we did last Christmas 2015. It is very unusual in that it consists of poetry-rap set to cool jazzy grooves! My friend Michael Mark is the poet, and I did all the music grooves. This one is all on the Prodigal Son and the coolest version you ever will hear!

Giantology - The Study of Giants in the Bible

Giantology

John Boda

 The study of Giants in the Bible and their possible true purpose to serve Satan in a master scheme to directly attack and stop God’s master plan and purpose through Jesus Christ

Why embark upon this study? What practical application could any of this possibly have on us here and now today?!

Firstly, I want to cover this topic because it is written about in the Bible! God put it there, and every word and topic placed there is important to read and understand how it fits within the big picture of the kingdom of God. Although it is written about, most people, and sadly even most Christ followers, have little to no understanding and concept of this history and reality. (There are actually at least 75 verses on this subject in the Bible.)

Secondly, I believe that upon gaining an understanding of this truth, it can, and will, have practical application to all of our lives today!  

Understanding the subject of giants in the Bible will offer us a possible, and very likely, explanation for two of the most puzzling mysteries of the Old Testament, which are often stumbling blocks for would be believers, and are also used as ammunition to refute the Bible by unbelievers, and portray God as a tyrant rather than a loving father. (These two mysteries will be discussed upon conclusion) Once we accept the possibility of this explanation, our vision can become enlarged, our faith can grow deeper, and our love and trust in a loving Sovereign God will move to a higher level! All this will affect our daily lives here and now as we live as modern day Christ followers thousands of years after these events occurred.

“The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came into the daughters of man and they bore children unto them. These were the mighty men of old, the men of renown." Gen. 6:4

Two verses before we are given insight into the possible source of these Nephilim;

“The sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were beautiful, and they took women for themselves of all whom they choose.” (Genesis 6:2)

Who were the sons of God, and who were these Nephilim that they possibly produced?

The words, "Sons of God" in Genesis 6:1-4 is"Ben-Elohim" in Hebrew, all other occasions it is used refers to angels. Job 1:6, 2:1, 38:7/ Dan. 3:25. Basic Bible interpretation is that if other places use the word in one way, most often, the place in question will most likely be the same. (Some people think the sons of God were offspring of Seth)

Another reason to believe these were fallen evil angels is because of Jude 6 - It speaks of the angels that sinned and left their "habitation"-Hebrew - Oiketerion - which means - house or body. They left their previous spiritual house and body to appear and become flesh and blood. This has happened before with good angels - see Gen. 18:1-22, 28:10-19/ Heb. 13:2

One of the main reasons many people don't believe these were fallen angels is because of Matthew 22:30, where it states that angels do not get married and seemingly don't have sexual relations. But those that hold this view always overlook one important fact in this verse:

Jesus stated that Angels, in heaven, do not marry! The fallen ones we are speaking of have come to earth and have taken on human form!

Also, many believe that angels are either sex-less of female, but the fact is ALL THE ANGELS IN THE BIBLE WERE ADULT MEN IN APPEARANCE. There is not one mention of a female, or child angel anywhere in the Bible! (Plus they are all male)

The Nephilim were a species of giants that lived all through Canaan, which is now modern Israel. This is a generic term, which is also translated "giants" in many Bibles. There were at least six nations of these giants:

1. Rephaim

2. Anakim

3. Zamzummim

4. Emim

5. Avim

6. Horim

It is really amazing that even within many churches, the official explanation for many of these verses and names are that they were simply tall people as we all know, giants didn’t really exist except in old fables like Jack & the Beanstalk! However we totally miss the plain truth of these scriptures if we fall for that!

All these were an evil giant species! These were not just tall people, like today's NBA players, they were the product of the breeding of......please stay with me......fallen angels and human women! This is not some new, weird teaching! This has been established with solid Bible interpretations by many scholars, and has been the most reasonable conclusion to this text, along with others, for hundreds of years. It is the most accepted view by the most respected teachers today.

(Part of the problem lies in two ways to interpret the Bible, a science called “Hermeneutics”; Those who interpret it literally, believe in the literal meaning of the words, in other words, Jonah got swallowed by a big fish, Balaam’s donkey spoke to him, and there were an evil giant species in ancient times! Those who interpret figuratively, believe that these verses, and others, are only metaphors for something else, in other words, Jonah got overwhelmed and swallowed up by fear, Balaam’s donkey was just really just a way of saying he heard a voice calling him a dumb____, and all these mentions of giants were either tall people or just a way of saying “big problems”!)

As you may suspect, although there are some scriptures which must be seen figuratively, I believe in the literal interpretation of the Bible, as most students do who believe that the Bible is the Word of God.

Let me be up front about my belief right away:

Giants were the early attempt of Satan to corrupt the human family, thereby preventing the coming of Jesus, the promised seed of the woman!

Rather than type out several pages of my explanations and reasons for this, I will simply give a very brief, but detailed list of my notes with plenty of scriptures for you to look up, also, please know that I will not spend the time to get into the detailed study of why all these names mean what they do, but know that others have, others who are scholars, and the name meanings are a matter of fact. (If you do want a more in depth word study on these, I can get it to you!)

Giant Fact List

1. The most dominant race of giants in the Bible were the Rephaim. They controlled a large valley near Jerusalem. Joshua 15; 8, 18:16

"The Valley of Rephaim"(Giants) is mentioned 7 times: II Sam 5; 18, 23:13/ I Chron. 11:15, 14:9/

Isaiah 17:5/ Joshua 15:8, 18:16

"Og" was a famous Rephaim giant recorded in 22 verses! Key ones - Numbers 21:33-35/ Deut. 3:1-11

(He slept in a bed approx 13-18 feet long, later the Ammonites were so amazed at his size, and they made his bed a museum piece!

Many centuries after Og's defeat by Israel, they still sang praise to God for the victory. Ps. 135:10-11, 136:17-20

Og was the last enemy Israel had to overcome before entering the Promised Land.

"Bashan" is near Jerusalem and the place where Og lived, it was commonly part of what was called, The Land of Giants. Duet 3:13/Josh 15:8

2. Anakim - were another race of giants who lived here: Num. 13:22, 28/Duet.1:28, 2:10, 11:20-

21/Josh 11:21 Under Joshua's command these giants were almost completely wiped out except for in Gaza, Gath and Ashdod. Josh.11:22/Zech 9:6

The most famous giant in the Bible, Goliath, was of the Anakim species from Gath, he was approx 10-13 feet tall. One of his brothers had 24 fingers and toes and was killed by David's nephew Jonathon. II Sam 21:15-22/I Chron. 20:4-8

3. Other giant races were:

The Zamzummin- who lived after the flood, but were supernaturally wiped out by God! Duet 2:19-20

The Emim - another giant race,

Duet. 2:10-11

Avim & Horim - yet more giant races, Duet. 2:1, 2, 22-23

4. The Nephilim - All these giant races came under the same generic name of Nephilim - which literally means to "fall" "throw down" or "attack" The root Hebrew word in "Naphal" which also means "bully" or "Tyrant"

(Rephaim was also a generic characterization name for all giants)

5. This word - "Rephaim" is often translated "dead" in many English Bibles, but there are other words used for dead and death, and the best translation is literal giants.

They will never be resurrected:

Ps.88:10/Is 26:14

Most were drowned in the flood and doomed to hell: Job 26:5

All giants were evil, immoral and wicked: Prov. 2:18, 9:18

Giants had no understanding of God and his ways! Prov. 21:16

6. There is a special place, different from hell and the lake of fire, reserved for all giants:

Tartarus - used in II Peter 2:4, the only place in the Bible this word is used, and in context, Peter is speaking of the angels that sinned. Most believe referring to these angels and their gross mixture with women. Many scholars have linked these giants as being the root historic truth beneath all the Greek Mythology stories of mighty men like Zeus, Hercules, Apollo and others! One of the reasons many make this connection is that the only other place "Tartarus" is used is in Greek Mythology when speaking of the prison for deposed gods! In Mythology, Tartarus is the subterranean prison of the giants who rebelled against Zeus. (Also see Jude 6 which is considered a parallel passage) Another reason is that one of the chief fallen destroying angels who is released from the bottomless pit during the tribulation will be “Apollyon”, which has the exact same root name as Apollo, and both mean “Destroy” and many believe are one and the same. (Revelation 9: 11)

The Flood

In order to understand more of this text, we must look at the context and will focus on Genesis 6:5-13

Wickedness, violence, evil continually, all flesh corrupt....this is the description we are given in these few verses of the world just before the flood. God is about to do an incredible and terrible act of judgment and destroy, not only nearly all people, but all land animals and birds as well! Many people, even serious Bible students, have difficulty with understanding how a loving God could send a horrific flood over the entire earth, and destroy ALL land bearing life except Noah, his family, and the animals with him! (Because of this seemingly difficult problem, and to “help God out”, some believe once again in the figurative sense that the “entire earth” didn’t really mean that, but the entire populated earth at that time, which would mean a flood only in a small portion of the world) (I have serious problems with that view!)

Once again, there is more here than meets the eye in a surface reading! As evil and wicked as people can get today, this seemed to be something far worse. It seems like every human being was actively pursing evil and violence! Today, although there are plenty of evil people, most people are decent, moral and have   consciences which steer them to a sense of right and wrong.

To understand what the underlying horrific evil and wickedness was here that caused God to act like he did, all you have to do is extrapolate on what has been presented so far.

1. Evil, fallen angels descend to earth in human form and begin a widespread program of rape and violence creating a new species of half human-half fallen angel giants.

2. According to the book of Enoch, these giants and the fallen angels also proceed to teach and instruct mankind in every possible way to rebel against God and commit unspeakable evil.

3. These giants keep raping and attempt to produce more and more part-human children, until eventually after hundreds of years; the entire earth was populated by this evil, gross mixture of genetic cross-breeding! This was Satan’s master plan, to so contaminate the human race with this breeding program that the seed of the woman - Jesus - could never be born into the human race and redeem mankind!

It is almost perfect logic, and it almost worked!

However God IS perfect, and cannot be out smarted and nothing can possibly alter or stop his plans! Noah and his family were somehow the only ones who were, uncontaminated, and also righteous God-seekers. (Possibly only Noah, but his family may have been saved through him)

How do I know this? Is this just a wild guess? No! Again, we must dig deeper into the text to find deeper answers.

Genesis 6:9 states that Noah was both, "just and perfect"

The original Hebrew word for perfect is Tamiyn - which means perfect, sound, free from blemishes in sacrificial victims.

Instead of saying he was perfect, it would be acceptable to also say, he was unblemished! Tamiyn is the very word used later to describe the required animal sacrifice brought unto the Lord, which had to be unblemished, and free from contamination in every way!

Noah was chosen by God because he was righteous AND because he was unblemished by this evil satanic cross-breeding program.

Also notice verse twelve, that "all flesh had corrupted their way". All flesh, except Noah and his family were the only ones saved.

The Second Time Around

Question: If this interpretation is true, and God wiped out all the corrupt flesh of sub-human giants and their children by the flood, then why do we find giants again in Canaan when Joshua enters it?! (And also even later when young David encounters Goliath?)

This is not a problem to this interpretation at all! Please carefully read Genesis 6:4 once again for a solid clue; It says that “there were Nephilim on the earth in those days”, “and also afterwards”. The most basic answer is that Satan thought that this was such a great plan, and that he came so close to success, that he tried it again! After all, he knows God’s word even much better than any of us or anyone at that time, and what did God promise to Noah right after the flood? God promised to never flood the earth again, and even sent a rainbow to seal his promise and new covenant to Noah and mankind. Satan knows that God CANNOT break his word! So there was no way the earth would be flooded again to stop this evil plan by Satan, so why not try again?!

However this second time, the plan was slightly altered and more focused on one area due to the new information that was given by God. (This proves that Satan does not know all things as God does, and he must wait for new intelligence and information to alter and adapt his strategy).

The new information was found in Genesis 12:1-3 when God called Abraham and informed him that he was the one who would head a new family and nation by which the coming Messiah would be born through. Furthermore, God revealed that a specific land was also tied into this plan, the land of Canaan.

So before, all Satan had was a general idea that the Messiah would be born through a human woman of the human race somewhere on earth at some time in the future. But now, with this new information, he had it greatly narrowed down into specifics as to which nation, and what specific area! 

Does this all sound like a little too far fetched? Was there really any giants found later in Canaan?

“All the region of Argob, with all Bashan, was called the land of giants.” (Deuteronomy 3:13) This verse is speaking of the land of Canaan just before Joshua was commanded to go in and wipe them out!  It was so full of giants; they called it “The Land of Giants”!

Even more specifically close to Jerusalem, there was a valley which was controlled by giants called “The Valley of Rephaim” or “The Valley of Giants”. (Joshua 15:8, 18:16)

What seems clear by these verses is that after the flood, Satan sent the Elohim again to cross breed with human women producing the evil Nephilim giants, but concentrated all his efforts in one area – Canaan – because this is the specific area which God sent Abraham to begin a new family and nation.

But God was clearly protecting Abraham and blessed him in every way! However, the plan continued until the entire area was infested with giants waiting for the conquest of Israel later with Joshua. Once again, it almost worked! Moses first sent out spies into the land to gather information before they entered to battle, and the spies came back in great fear, why?

“We came to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey and this is its fruit. Nevertheless, the people who dwell in the land are strong, the cities are fortified and very large, and we saw the descendants of Anak there.” (Giants)

“…all the people we saw in it are men of great stature.”

“…there we saw the giants and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”

Numbers 13: 27, 28, 32, 33

There were twelve spies sent out, and ten came back with this bad report of great fear, only two, Joshua and Caleb were full of faith and hope and believed that God would be true to his word and give them the land.

This story is often preached and even told in Sunday school, and I remember it often when I was a little kid, but not once do I remember being told the specific reason WHY the ten spies came back with such a bad report of great fear! (The most common answer is they were afraid of the strong armies there, because giants are only fables and must be a metaphor for giant armies)

But I cannot accept that view in light of all the verses stating that giants infested this land!

If you keep reading this text in Numbers, because of the fear of giants these ten brought back, the whole congregation of people complained and God tells Moses that they have “Rejected Me” – and God comes very close to wiping them all out right there! In other words, Satan’s plan almost worked again! (God didn’t destroy them because of Moses’ interceding for the people, but destroyed only the ten fearful spies instead – Numbers 14: 11- 38.)

But even Joshua’s conquest didn’t seem to wipe them all out because much later, we still find at least one family of giants still there, taunting Israel and God! It took the young David’s divinely empowered sling shot to kill their champion – Goliath! (As stated before, it seems that this time, God finally put an end to this plot himself and supernaturally destroyed the remaining evil races of giants. (Duet. 2:19-20) and seems to have helped and assisted any nation who went against the giants, no matter how evil the nation was themselves.

Book of Enoch

Once again, I stress that although the evidence is extensive in scripture, I still would not be dogmatic on this issue 100%. However, it is the very best explanation and most solid interpretation of these verses, and should be considered as a possible and even most likely interpretation.

So far, we have stayed with the Biblical record, as the Bible is the Word of God and completely true and factual. But there also exists much extra-biblical support through other accounts, which, although we cannot completely trust them, yet, many are historical and can shed light and support to the Bible. (However, if we find contradictions and opposing facts, we must always disregard the extra-biblical first)

You should recall the amazing character named Enoch, who was the seventh from Adam, and one of only two people who never died, but were taken alive up to God’s presence. (Elijah was the other one) There is a very old book supposedly written by him that contains specific details of the Elohim, Nephilim, and even lists names of the fallen Angels!

(I say supposedly written by Enoch because no one knows for sure, and there were many others who wrote books and used ancient Biblical names to gain support.)

However, two things about this book cause us to give it serious attention;

1.       Fragments of it were discovered among the Dead Sea Scrolls dating back to 300 BC. – meaning that the scribes who copied it considered it very special, and included it among their copies of Old Testament books.

2.       Many early church leaders greatly respected it, read it, and believed it! One in particular was Jude – who most believe was actually Jesus’ half brother. He quotes from the book of Enoch in Jude 14-15. Every time you read this Biblical passage, you are actually reading a direct quote from the book of Enoch! (So we know at least two verses of this mysterious book are the divine Word of God)

I don’t encourage everyone to purchase this book, (I have a copy), as you can get easily sidetracked and go off the deep end! But within context of this thesis, it does fill in much of the missing pieces of the puzzle, and gives validation to this possible interpretation. (The book of Enoch, in addition to giving great detail to the evil actions of the fallen angels and the Nephilim, also links them to Mythology.)

Two Difficult Passages Solved

As I stated earlier, if you can accept this interpretation of fallen angels cross breeding with human women and producing an evil half-breed mix of giants (Nephilim), then it greatly sheds light into solving two difficult Bible passages, and furthermore, re-enforces our understanding of God’s holy and loving character.

If this interpretation is true, (I believe it is), then it reveals a very serious deeply planned attempt by Satan to overthrow God’s revealed plan to bring Christ to the earth by being born of a human woman.

As we have seen, both times the enemy tried this tactic; it came very close to succeeding! Satan is extremely brilliant and far from the bumbling Devil with a pitchfork that we usually see in pictures.

Here are the two difficult Bible passages which many people, believers and un-believers, struggle with;

1. The world-wide flood that wiped out all land based life on earth as an incredible act of judgment by God. Even though the Bible states that there was intense evil at that time, it still seems very harsh and extreme that God would send a flood to destroy “all flesh”, including millions of animal species, and every man, woman and child expect for Noah and his family on the ark! Of course, this could have simply happened because of basic evil, but we also have increased evil around the world, and there have been occasions in history when it seemed it was even more intense. The serious Bible student suspects that there is more here than meets the eye! If this interpretation of Genesis six is correct, then the missing pieces of the puzzle are filled in! In essence; God sent the terrible judgment of a world-wide flood to wipe out Satan’s brilliant plan of cross breeding and infecting the human race with a gross hybrid mix of fallen angels, which would have corrupted the human race completely, and prevent Christ from being born of a woman’s seed, which God promised would happen!  (The support for this has already been stated earlier, of how Noah was the only one left “uncontaminated” and “un-infected”) This also answers why God had to destroy “all flesh on the earth”, as it appears that possibly these fallen angels and giant offspring were also corrupting the animal world also! (It states in Genesis 6:7 specifically that God pronounced judgment against “the beasts, the creeping things and the fowls of the air.”) While the Bible doesn’t reveal it, the book of Enoch states that these fallen angels “began to sin against birds, beasts, reptiles and fish, and to devour one another’s flesh and drink the blood.” (Book of Enoch VII 1-6)

If this is true, then it gives us more insight into why God had to send a devastating flood to wipe them all out! (After the flood when God promised Noah to never flood the earth like that again, I believe it was because God knew that he would never allow Satan to get that far in that scheme again, although he would try) This possible explanation is important and offers us more insight into God’s character, because it shows him to be extremely diligent to accomplish his word and promise, and also shows him to be loving and merciful to Noah and his family who somehow resisted infection. God’s judgment and destruction of the animals and all other people at that time could have been based more on the motivation of saving the world than destroying it!

2. Joshua’s conquest to wipe out all the people of Canaan with God’s protection and blessing! When you read through Joshua, it becomes clear that Joshua was in clear obedience and blessing of God when he killed man, woman, child and animals in every town they conquered. In fact, they got in trouble from God whenever they didn’t, by overlooking some, or becoming tricked by some cities! This seems more than harsh, and many Bible students, even scholars have great difficulty with this passage, so much so, that many people have explained this by believing that the God of the Old Testament was more severe and harsh, while in the New Testament he sees us through his son Christ, so he displays grace, almost as if we have two different Gods! But we know that this cannot be, as Jesus said that he and the father God were one, and if you see Jesus, you were looking at God. Once again, if this interpretation is true concerning fallen angels infecting the human race, then this difficult passage is also seen in a new light. Remember that it says that “there were giants in the land in those days, and afterwards.” (Genesis 6:4) We also know that the land of Canaan was called “The land of giants”. In essence;, it seems that Satan possibly focused his new plan of corruption in this area to welcome Joshua and Israel’s attempted conquest, and hoped to destroy all of Israel, in doing so, would prevent Christ from coming because God had already said that he would bring Christ into the world through Abraham and his seed. Once again, this sheds new light on this difficult passage and ultimately on God’s character! If this is true, God was completely justified in blessing Joshua and causing him and Israel to kill ALL the people of those lands, as they must have been infected and a gross mixture of hybrid fallen angels and human/animals! Also, once again, it seems that this conquest and bloodbath of Canaan was more about God saving the world than destroying it!

Conclusion

I realize that this possible interpretation may seem far fetched, and a stretch, but I remind you that it is the interpretation believed by many respected Bible scholars, not all, but I would have to say probably most. Of course this doesn’t make it right, they could all be wrong! But I believe that we have let the Bible lead the way into this thesis without trying to make it say something it doesn’t. In other words, if I believed this idea, but in my study discovered some verses which seem to contradict this and say otherwise, I would have to discard my ideas and let the Bible lead the way into that new direction.

This is really the most basic way in which science works also! Scientists cling to the best theory they have which best describes things the way things are, that is until some new discovery is made which contradicts it, and then they must follow that pathway. (This is exactly what Einstein did to come up with his new theories, in spite of 200 + years of rigid old school thinking which greatly resisted his findings at first)

I am not dogmatic and 100% convinced of this yet, but the Biblical evidence, and extra-biblical evidence is very solid in favor of this view, and if pressed, I would have to say I’m about 99% convinced at this time!

But what I am 100% convinced of is that God is faithful, God is true to his word and promises, and that God is completely void of any evil! God is love, God is merciful, God is holy, God is wrathful and punishes sin and evil. These things are not at odds with each other, and God is not part holy, part love ….he is completely loving and completely holy, merciful and wrathful. We cannot have a God of love and somehow separate his holiness and justice and wrath, they all make up his character.

This interpretation of these difficult passages best explains some of his actions that can be hard to grasp.

The final summary could also be this; God is bigger than any of us can possibly imagine! We need to grow in trust and faith in him, and if there are Bible passages we don’t understand, that’s ok for now. In the mean time, we must trust him and grow in that direction, and as we grow and learn, some of those passages may be made clear to us. It is the principle of “As you go” as discussed before in our series, as we put one foot forward in faith and walk on this journey, God enlarges our light just a bit, that is, until our next step, let’s keep walking!