I am continually amazed by the reluctance of men who claim to love the
truth, know the truth, and embrace the truth, but refuse to engage with anyone
who wants to discuss the truth. Several years ago I asked a friend about his
relationship with his pastor. He indicated his love for his pastor and their
close friendship until he asked about Bible a doctrine his pastor did not want
to discuss. For no other reason than asking his pastor’s opinion on a matter of
doctrine, their relationship cooled and then ended.
His comment reminded me of my relationship with my first pastor, who
steadfastly refused to address matters of doctrine and issues of curiosity in
the Bible. I suppose this chapter will provoke the ire of some who claim to
love the Bible, know the Bible, and embrace the Bible, but do not want to consider
an uncomfortable topic taught in the Bible.
This chapter is divided into seven parts.
The Elect Angels - Five paragraphs. The author discusses ranks of angels, demons, the election and reprobation of humans, a difference between elect men and angels, and several theories related to elect Angels. The Westminster Confession and the Westminster Larger Catechism are cited. Johannes Wollebius, W. G. T. Shedd, John Calvin, R. L. Dabney, Jonathan Edwards, and Augustine are mentioned.
The Reprobate Angels – Seven chapters. Four citations are included, from Augustine, Calvin, Francis Turretin, and Gottschalk. Additionally, comments by Edward Polhill, Jonathan Edwards, Samuel Rutherford, Loraine Boettner, Karl Barth, and Gottschalk are considered and/or criticized.
Angelic Supralapsarianism – Five paragraphs. The author suggests a chart of the logical order of
the decrees for the reprobate angels:
1. Decree to create all angels
2. Decree to preserve some angels in holiness
3. Decree to permit the others to fall
4. Decree not to elect any of the fallen
angels
5. Decree to predestine the fallen reprobate
angels to eternal punishment
The Elect Angels and Christ – Three paragraphs. The author discusses the election of angels not being an election “in Christ” to salvation because they never sinned.
The Relation Between Elect and Reprobate Angels and Humans – Five paragraphs. The views of Augustine, Anselm, Richard Wurmbrand, Jonathan Edwards, and Thomas Watson are mentioned.
Their Predestined Destinies – Four paragraphs. “Elect Angels are predestined to happiness and glory, but all reprobate angels will be sent to eternal Hell with reprobate men (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10). Like reprobate men, they will glorify God in being justly tormented forever for their sins. Since they are older, never sleep, and have sinned far more than any human, they will be tormented far more. Like reprobate men, they will be forced to bow the knee and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10 – 11) … They will offer forced and grudging worship to Christ, even as they were forced to submit to Him when He cast demons out and overthrew Satan on earth. The elect angels, by contrast willingly worshiped Christ at His birth (Luke 2:13 – 14) and continue to do so in Heaven (Revelation 5:11 – 12; Isaiah 6:1 – 3 with John 12:41).”
Conclusion - The author cites a portion of a C. H. Spurgeon sermon.
