The Fallen Giants: The Nephilim And Their Demonic Legacy

The fascination with the Nephilim has captivated scholars, theologians, and casual readers of the Bible for centuries. These entities, described as giants, emerged in an era of wickedness before the great flood, and their spiritual legacy continues to provoke intrigue, leading us to consider their fate post-mortem. In this blog, we delve into the scriptural references surrounding the Nephilim, their gigantic stature, and the theological implications of their existence beyond death, as understood through the lens of the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible.

### The Origins Of The Nephilim

The Bible first introduces us to the Nephilim in Genesis 6:1-4:

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

2. *"That the sons of God saw the daughters of men 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 man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years."*

4. *"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."*

This passage reveals a time when the 'sons of God' intermingled with 'the daughters of men,' resulting in the birth of the Nephilim, the giants who typified violence and rebellion against God. The term "giants" in this context stems from the Hebrew word *nephilim*, which is often interpreted as "fallen ones."

### The Nature Of The Nephilim

The Nephilim are characterized by their enormous size and strength, often thought of as warriors or conquerors. Their might is intertwined with their lineage, stemming from these illicit unions that went against divine order. In Numbers 13:33, when the Israelite spies report back from the land of Canaan, they express fear and awe at the Nephilim:

*“And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.”*

This verse underscores the terrifying reputation of the Nephilim, indicating that their descendants, like the sons of Anak, were still present long after the flood, continuing their legacy of fear.

### The Great Flood And The Fate Of The Nephilim

As the wickedness of humanity reached its climax, God determined to cleanse the earth through a great flood, as cited in Genesis 6:5-7:

*“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.”*

*“And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.”*

*“And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.”*

In this divine judgment, Noah and his family were preserved, while the rest of humanity, along with the Nephilim, faced destruction. The flood erased the corporeal existence of these giants, leading to questions about their fate in the afterlife.

### The Demonic Spirits Of The Nephilim

What happened to the souls of the Nephilim after their earthly demise? While the Bible does not provide a detailed account, it suggests that these beings could not enter heaven nor hell in the conventional sense. In the aftermath of the flood, they are believed to have become disembodied spirits, often referred to in Christian theology as demons.

This perspective can be supported by the account in Matthew 12:43, where Jesus speaks of unclean spirits:

*“When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.”*

This verse may imply that when the Nephilim perished, their spirits roamed the earth, unable to find a resting place. This aligns with the notion that they are now part of a myriad of evil spirits that haunt humanity.

### Theological Implications

The existence of the Nephilim and their subsequent transformation into demonic entities lead us to explore the implications for humanity. The behavior and influence of these spirits can be seen in various forms of evil throughout history, reflecting their original nature as giants of violence and rebellion. Their legacy, characterized by chaos and moral corruption, has the potential to impact the living.

Hebrews 9:27 provides clear insights on judgment:

*“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”*

For ordinary human beings, this judgment leads to either eternal communion with God or separation from Him. However, for the Nephilim, whose origin is intertwined with sin and rebellion, their state leads them into a different form of judgment—not merely the standard that applies to humanity but a perpetual existence as spirits seeking to lead others away from God.

### Conclusion: The Eternal Impact Of The Nephilim

The story of the Nephilim serves as a cautionary tale reflecting the dangers of straying from divine paths and the insidious nature of evil. They embody a fusion of human ambition and supernatural corruption, illustrating the reality of spiritual warfare that transcends physical existence.

John 10:10 elucidates this reality:

*“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”*

As spiritual beings, the legacy of the Nephilim challenges us to remain vigilant against the remnants of their influence in the world. Understanding the history, nature, and fate of the Nephilim empowers believers to navigate their spiritual lives more wisely and reject the manifestations of evil in contemporary society.

In exploring their narrative through the pages of scripture, we become more aware of the spiritual battles we face, reminding us that just as the Nephilim's existence has a profound story within biblical history, it also echoes in our present reality. The legacy of the Nephilim is a testament to the spiritual realm's power and a prompt to seek the life that Jesus offers—an abundant life characterized by righteousness, truth, and divine purpose amidst chaos.