UFOs

Fred R. Coulter—April 25, 2009

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• What are UFOs?
• Are they angels?
• Are they men?
• Are they demons?
• Are they human inventions?

We see in 2-Kings 6 that God open the eyes of the servant of Elijah so that he saw that all around Elijah were chariots of horses and so forth. He said, 'There are more with us than with them.' That is referring to the Syrian army.

In Dan. 4 we have an indication—and we'll see another place in the book of Dan.—that the angels rule the world. There are angels set over all nations, angels and demons.

Apparently, as we'll see later on, Michael is the archangel over Israel. All of this we'll find in the book of Daniel. Gabriel is the angel over all of the events leading up to the events of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Here in Dan. 4 is a very interesting place in the Scriptures, because this is an epistle from King Nebuchadnezzar. He was hated by the Jews because he took them into exile into Babylon. What did God tell Jeremiah to tell the Jews when they saw the armies of Nebuchadnezzar? Don't fight against him because he is my servant of punishment to you!

Not many people think of Nebuchadnezzar as a servant of God. He was in that particular case. Since he was the first of the great empires that were going to be established from that time forward, God dealt with him directly. Also through Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

Right here it starts out, Daniel 4:1: "Nebuchadnezzar the king, to all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: 'Peace be multiplied to you. It seemed good to me to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me. How great are His signs! And how mighty are His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation'" (vs 1-3).

Then Nebuchadnezzar says, 'Here I was minding my own business. I had a dream and the dream was here was this great tree and all the birds of heaven were roosting in it. It was banded with an iron band and then cut down, but the roots remained.'

He didn't know what this was, so he asked Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, meaning the one in whom are the gods. So, Daniel told him the vision. We find out what the vision was.

Verse 16: "Let his heart be changed from a man's and a beast's heart be given to him. And let seven times pass over him…. [that's seven years altogether in figuring time] …This matter is by the decree of the watchers… [angels and demons who are watching] …and the demand by the word of the Holy ones… [those are also referring to angels] …so that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He will, and sets up over it the basest of men" (vs 16-17). That is true! Just think about it!

Belteshazzar declared it, and he told him what it would be.

Verse 22: "It is you, O king, for you have become great and strong, for your greatness has grown and reached unto heaven, and your dominion to the end of the earth. And as the king saw a watcher and a Holy one coming down from heaven…" (vs 22-23).

Remember, John 6 Jesus said, 'What would you do if you saw angels ascending and descending on the Son of man?' So, there's a whole spirit world out there that our eyes do not have the frequency to see. They have to be opened spiritually in order to understand it.

"…and saying, 'Cut the tree down and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots of it in the earth, even with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the animals of the field until seven times pass over him.'" (v 23).

You know the rest of the story. Nebuchadnezzar was told that this was for him. If he would have repented, he probably could have avoided it. Remember, if at any time God speaks concerning a nation or an individual, that if they repent He will change His mind. You can think of two or three incidents:

Ahab—Elijah was told to go to Ahab and say, 'You're the worst evil man around, look at how evil you are. I'm going to destroy you. So, Ahab repented and put on sackcloth and ashes. Elijah didn't get all the way back to where he was going, and God said, 'You go back and talk to My servant Ahab.' What, I just told him that You were going to kill him! 'Well, he's repented and I'm not going to do it, yet.'

So, if Nebuchadnezzar would have repented, this wouldn't have come upon him. What happened?

Verse 27: "'Therefore, O king, let my advice be pleasing to you, and break off your sins by righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor, so there may be lengthening of your prosperity.' All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar" (vs 27-28).

Verse 29: "At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of the kingdom of Babylon." He was looking out at the view. Something happens when you get up high and look out and see. So, he was exalted.

Verse 30: "The king spoke and said, 'Is this not great Babylon that I have built for a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?'…. [How great I am!] …While the word was yet in the king's mouth, a voice fell from heaven, saying, 'O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken. The kingdom has departed from you'" (vs 30-31).

So, for seven years he was driven out. Can you imagine? He didn't shave, didn't cut his fingernails or toenails. All he did was go out there and look like he was insane and eat grass with the cattle. After seven years he was brought back.

Verse 34: "And at the end of the days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored Him Who lives forever, for His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. And all the inhabitants of the earth are counted as nothing; and He does according to His will in the host of heaven… [all the angels] …and among the inhabitants of the earth. And none can stay His hand, or say to Him, 'What are You doing?' At that time my reason returned to me. And the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. And my advisers and my lords sought me out…" (vs 34-36).

'Oh yes, king, it's so good to see you. You look so well. Oh my, they sure took good care of you after you came out of that ox crib over there. My you look so much better with your hair cut and your beard trimmed and the crown on your head.' Kissy-kissy! 'Treat us nicely, King Nebuchadnezzar.'

"…and I was established in my kingdom, and surpassing greatness was added to me…. [here's the sum of the matter]: …Now, I Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are Truth and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to abase? (vs 36-37).

Sound a little bit like New Testament. What was it that Jesus said? Those who exalt themselves shall be humbled and abased! Unity of the Scriptures.

But the point it is that there are angels, watchers and Holy ones along with Satan and the demons who rule this world behind the scenes.

That's why you've heard reporters say about Washington, D.C. When you get to Washington the atmosphere changes and everybody thinks differently.

• What's the power behind it? It's certainly not for good!
• How about when Stalin came into power?
• Hitler?
• Mao tse Tung?
• Everything changed and became a frenzy!
• How about Pol Pot in Cambodia and all of the killing and the stacking up of the heads?

When the demons are let loose to rule it's almost like the whole nation is possessed. I think that's what's happening in Zimbabwe; it's a terrible mess! And in Darfur? It happens in every nation when nations turn away from God, then they're turned over to demons instead of angels!

Dan. 10—after Daniel fasted and was praying and he saw a vision and fell into a deep sleep on his face. Here's something very important to understand: If you fall on your back, that's for Satan. When you worship God, you fall on your face!

I used to pastor a church in Salt Lake City, Utah, and that was Mormon land, and they have this big museum and they have something showing how Joseph Smith had a vision from God and he fell on his back. That wasn't from God! If it was from God he would have fallen on his face and the message would have been different. The message given to him, while he was on his back, was, 'Joseph Smith, the church has died out, I'm going to raise it up with you.' That's what he was told.

If it were from God, he would have fallen on his face and it would have been, 'Joseph Smith, My Church has never died out because I promised it would never die out, and just 50 miles down the road is a Church of God Seventh Day. If you want to know about Me, go down there.'

Daniel 10:10: "And behold, a hand touched me, which set me trembling upon my knees and the palms of my hands. And he said to me, 'O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, give heed to the words that I speak to you and stand upright, for to you I am now sent.' And when he had spoken these words to me, I stood up trembling. Then he said to me, 'Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard….'" (vs 10-12).
Regardless of how long it takes, does that mean your words are not heard? No! they're heard! But sometimes God wants to know if you are really in earnest. If you say a short prayer: O God, help me do this and run out and do your own business, it might not be answered.

Here Daniel was fasting and praying and seeking God, and his words were heard from the day that he spoke.

"'…And I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days…. [this is Gabriel] …Then lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; for I had been there alone with the kings of Persia'" (vs 12-13). To do what? To carry out the will of God concerning those kingdoms! That's what he was there for!

Verse 14: "'Now, I have come to make you understand what shall happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision is yet for many days.' And when he had spoken such words to me, I bowed my face toward the ground, and I became dumb" (vs 14-15).

Daniel 9:18: "O my God, incline Your ear and hear. Open Your eyes and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name. For we do not present our supplications before You on account of our righteousnesses, but because of Your great mercies. O LORD, hear; O LORD, forgive; O LORD, hearken and do. Do not delay, for Your own sake, O my God; for Your city and Your people are called by Your name" (vs 18-19).

We can pray that prayer for the Church of God today, as well. This is an excellent example of how you pray and beseech God when you're down at your lowest and you don't understand what's going on, things are miserable. That's a good example on how to pray.

Verse 20: "And while I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin, and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the Holy mountain of my God; yea, while I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel… [we know that Gabriel is an angel, but he appeared as a man] …whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, came to me…" (vs 20-21). Angels fly; they don't need wings; they can propel themselves, having the ability to do so.

"…about the time of the evening sacrifice. And he made me to understand, and talked with me, and said, 'O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you insight and understanding' (vs 21-22).

So, Gabriel gave Daniel the 70-weeks prophecy, which was about when the Messiah would come. Let's see something else having to do with Gabriel.

This is why I say that Gabriel was the angel in charge of all of the events leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ. You know the account of Zacharias, who became the father of John the Baptist.

Luke 1:11: "Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. And when he saw the angel, Zacharias was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, 'Fear not, Zacharias, because your supplication has been heard; and your wife Elizabeth shall bear a son to you, and you shall call his name John. And he shall be a joy and exultation to you; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great before the Lord. And he shall never drink wine or strong drink in any form, but he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.'" (vs 11-17).

Verse 18: "Then Zacharias said to the angel, 'By what means shall I know this?….'" Very good instruction. If it truly an angel of God don't doubt it.

"'…For I am an old man… [he forgot to read about Abraham] …and my wife is advanced in years.' And the angel answered and said to him, 'I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak to you, and to announce this good news to you. But behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day in which these things shall take place, because you did not believe my words, which shall be fulfilled in their time'" (vs 18-20). That's a good one to think upon!

Later Gabriel appeared to Mary. So, we have with Gabriel:

• the 70-weeks prophecy
• the prophecy of John the Baptist
• speaking to Mary about the begettal of Jesus in her womb

There are angels. Here the Bible identifies them so we cannot necessarily call these unidentified flying objects or UFOs.

There are demons, but demons do not have the ability to manifest themselves in bodily form as a man. They appear as apparitions or a shadow, or what is referred to in the English as a ghost. Neither angels nor demons can cohabit with women to create angels.

God did something very interesting with Gen. 6. It's actually men who became giants. But since the Jews do not accept the New Testament, they can't find the answer, because the answer is when Jesus said that 'angels do not marry nor are given in marriage,' which is also another key important thing to understand: The New Testament interprets the Old Testament.

What we have here in this case is Dan. 9 gives the prophecy of the coming of the Messiah by Gabriel, and now Gabriel takes care of the actions leading to its final fulfillment!

There can also be included in UFOs there can be things very similar to the Northern Lights, only in a little different form. What the Northern Lights—Aurora Borealis—and the equivalent in the Southern Hemisphere—Aurora Australis—is that the way the light shines when it's completely dark in the winter, and the only light reflected is actually reflecting off the particles of magnetism that's coming from the sun.

Coming from the sun all the time is the magnetism necessary, the magnetic energy, which comes in at the Poles, North and South, and keeps the earth turning on its axis. The other magnetic power that affects the earth is Jupiter. Jupiter is a very huge gaseous planet, which absorbs most of the asteroids that could hit the earth.

When you see the Northern or Southern Lights, people not knowing that could look at that and say that it is an unidentified flying object. You could also have it as an angel passing through the heavens showing some of his glory. You could also have it as some demons who come and present a vision and say—whatever they may say, some say they are Christ or other angels.

Remember this: If he's angel of God he's going to speak the words of God! He's not going to tell you to do something contrary to the Word of God. It could be that.

Then the last thing that UFOs could be, is some kind of flying machine that men have made and we don't know about it, yet. Look how long it was that they had the stealth fighter, and a lot of people out in Nevada thought when these stealth fighters were in their experimental stage in flying around, that these were unidentified flying objects.

They would come in and have these big landing lights, and they would come into a secret airbase and no one could get there and see. So, there were all kinds of stories of UFOs and, of course, that was a manmade object.

What do they have now that we don't know about? Don't know! So much for UFOs!

Scriptural References:

• Daniel 4:1-3, 16-17, 22-23, 27-31, 34-37
• Daniel 10:10-15
• Daniel 9:18-22
• Luke 1:11-20

Scripture referenced, not quoted:

• 2 Kings 6
• John 6
• Genesis 6

FRC: bo
Transcribed: 3/16/18