The Sons Of God In Genesis 6 & The Angels In Heaven: A Critical Distinction

In the interpretation of the words “sons of God” in Genesis chapter 61, some have rejected
the “sons of God” = “angelic creatures” interpretation on the basis that in Matthew 22:30
Jesus said, "For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in
marriage, but are like angels in heaven." Since this seems to say that angels are
fundamentally non-sexual beings, then the “sons of God” = “angelic creatures”
interpretation of Genesis chapter 6 is set aside. But what is overlooked is that Jesus’
statement is that it is the “angels in heaven” who are non-sexual beings. It is a portion of
the angels who are fallen, then, who are identified in Genesis chapter 6 as those who do
not abide by their designated domain (Jude 6) and sin by gross sexual immorality with
“the daughters of men” (Genesis 6:2; 2 Peter 2:4), which is strange flesh (Jude 7),
committing these fallen angelic creatures to pits (Greek: tartarus) of darkness (2 Peter
2:4), also known as the abyss (Greek: abussos; Luke 8:31; Revelation 9:11; 11:7; 17:8;
20:1, 3).

The distinction that Jesus made by saying that it was “the angels in heaven” that are non-
sexual beings in Matthew 22:30 is also made in many other passages by phrases such as,
“angels in heaven”, “angels of heaven”, “His angels” or “His mighty angels”, “Michael
and his angels”, and other passages that speak of angels that are sent by God from and/or
return to heaven. Examples and further listings of such passages would include:

Matthew 22:30 (see also: Matthew 18:10; Mark 12:25; 13:32)

"For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels
in heaven." (This and all quotes are NASU, unless stated otherwise)
Matthew 24:36
"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but
the Father alone."
2 Thessalonians 1:7 (see also Matthew 13:41; 16:27; 24:31; Revelation 1:1; 3:5)
…and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be
revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire…
Revelation 12:7
And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The
dragon and his angels waged war…
Mark 13:27 (see also Luke 1:19, 26; 2:15 22:43; Acts 12:11; Revelation 1:1; 22:6, 16)
"And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four
winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven."

1
The three primary interpretations of “the sons of God” in Genesis chapter 6 are
presented in the document, “Holly Hills Bible Church – 10 Revelation Appendix Item –
June 21, 2009 - Genesis 6:1-22 – Supplemental Handout - page 1 of 1” and the nearly
identical document “Holly Hills Bible Church – 14 Genesis series – March 2, 2008 -
Genesis 6:1-22 – Noah Walked with God – Supplemental Handout - page 1 of 1”.