Return of the Nephilim - Part 1

by Pastor Gary C. Price

Throughout the Old Testament there are references to giants. In each case, they are portrayed as adversaries of God’s people. But if these giants existed then, where are they now?

Nephilim is the Hebrew word for giant and it is derived from the word Naphal which literally means "to fall down or lie prostrate." As such, the Nephilim are really the fallen ones. In this teaching, we will be examining how the Nephilim operated in the Old Testament and how they are at work in the world today.

“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” Genesis 6:4

There were giants in those days caused by the sons of God joining themselves with the daughters of men. These unnatural unions birthed men who were extraordinary. We can see depictions of these mighty men throughout history, i.e. in Greek mythology with figures like Hercules, or even in modern-day superheroes like Superman, Spiderman, Batman, etc.

 

The word “know” here means to have sexual relations with. In the Hebrew, this actually reads to “make of them what we are.” These men wanted to sodomize the angels so that the angels would become as they were, defiled and reprobate. These are just two illustrations given by the Bible of what happens when the Nephilim have succeeded in getting mixed into the people and taking over the culture. In each case, God’s reaction is the same: utter destruction.

The book of Jude urges us to contend earnestly for the faith. We are also given insight into the character of end time deceivers, whom God says will be like those angels who left their first estate - days of Noah - and those who attempted to go after strange flesh in Sodom - days of Lot (Jude 1:6,7).

We know that Jesus gives the days of Noah and of Lot as examples of what it will be like in the end times. In order to understand this fully, we must examine what Jesus said about the end time events and the nature of the people at that time.

In Matthew Chapter 24, Jesus gives signs for discerning the end times. His first caution is that we take heed so that no one deceives us. Why? Because there will be many false Christs appearing. The word Christ literally means anointed, so Jesus is saying that there will be many false anointings. How can you tell the difference? By the Word of God.

The Word and Spirit MUST agree. The Spirit will not confirm and attest to the mind and will of man. Our mind has to be transformed so that we speak the word of God with power. This involves a process of dying to everything you are and have known so that God can enthrone your life.

Jesus then says there will be wars, pestilences, famines, and earthquakes; all of which are the “beginning of sorrows.” A better word for “sorrows” is birth pains. The world is travailing as it awaits the manifestation of the sons of God. From within the soul of man, an eternal age is being birthed that will usher in the kingdom of God. God has planted within each Christian seeds of a new life, and this life is ebbing, flowing, and growing (Romans 8:22-23).

When creation picks up that someone is crossing over, it begins to convulse because time and space must release eternity. In Egypt, God commanded “Let my people go!” It took a warfare to get the Israelites out of Egypt and it will take a spiritual war to get God’s people out of the bondage of this world. At the sound of God’s command, all earthly surroundings begin to convulse as people begin to answer God’s call. They have stepped up to the plate and said, “God I will obey. I will sever earthly ties and come up higher to another level in the eternal realm.”

This is not appealing to many because it requires denying one’s self, picking up a cross daily, and following Christ. Jesus came to die. He was manifested in the flesh for this purpose. The Bible says that people are made subject to bondage all of their lives due to the fear of death (Hebrews 2:15). You must settle in your heart that you are not here to save your earthly life. You are here to offer your life as a sacrifice to God. Ultimately, to perish for the sake of the gospel. That is why Stephen was able to preach in the streets; why Paul could be imprisoned, beaten, and shipped-wrecked. You must have an inner conversion (your own personal death and resurrection) in order to endure what Jesus says WILL happen.

As the birth pains begin, Jesus says “they” will deliver us up to be killed. They will betray us. They will be offended. They will hate us. Who are they? The ones who are closest to us; our brothers, sisters, parents, children, kinsfolks, and friends (Mark 13:12; Luke 21:16). Why are these betrayals occurring? Because the wheat and tares part company in the midst of persecution.

False prophets will lure many with messages centered on earthly prosperity and success. Those who want to save their lives will forsake Christ in an attempt to escape their own deaths. But those who endure to the end will be saved. The word for “end” here is telos meaning finality. It actually refers to a finish line; when the race has been run and concluded. Everybody is saying that they are “saved” but the question is have you endured until the end? The spirit of Antichrist is being preached into people’s souls so they are more faithful to the personalities of men than to Christ. This end time army will be made up of people who have sought God for His instruction and that are willing to be sent.

The devil is paving the way for our persecution through the movies, television, music, etc. as the world is becomes more desensitized to acts of violence. We are headed into a realm where representing Christ will cost you and only those who are sincere will represent Christ under these conditions. Yet, this will also be a time when the church really multiplies because with heavy persecution comes the real power of God to stand as a witness.

Before the end can come, the “Gospel of the Kingdom” must first be preached in all the world. What is this Gospel of the Kingdom? It is a message, attested to by signs and wonders, proclaiming that there is another King with another Kingdom that is not of this world. There is a people that is going to endure heavy persecution to bring the Gospel message. The persecution takes place because you are preaching about another kingdom that by mandate will bring about the destruction of this current worldly kingdom. The response from the masses will be to lead you and take you up to the authorities. This is what it means to be witnesses.

“But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony.” Luke 21:12-13