Could more of the angels sin?

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TL;DR:

Angels were created with a will, and some sinned. Since salvation is not for the angels, but for humanity, it appears that their rebellion was a one-time decision; thankfully, humanity has the opportunity to receive Christ’s salvation until the moment of death.

from the old testament

  • God’s sovereign decisions are found throughout Scripture. God chose Abram as the father of the nation of Israel (Genesis 17:1–4). In Deuteronomy 7:6, we see that God chose the nation of Israel as His own people. First Samuel 16:7 tells us David was chosen as king.

from the new testament

  • God’s specific sovereign choice is also found in the New Testament. God chose Mary as the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:30–31). God chose Paul to bring the gospel to the Gentiles, as He told Ananias in a vision: "But the Lord said to him, 'Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel'" (Acts 9:15).
  • The Bible also talks about believers as being "chosen" by God. Ephesians 1:3–4, for example, says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him."
  • First Peter 2:9 says, "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Believers are chosen to be His people and to live differently, in the light and not in darkness.
  • Hebrews 2:16 tells us that salvation is not for the angels.
  • First Timothy 5:21 mentions "elect angels." No matter how a person views the specifics of election, it is clear that God was somehow involved in choosing even the angels who would not sin. When it comes to the angels, since the plan of salvation does not involve them, it appears that God gave them a one-time choice. Those who followed Satan cannot repent and turn to God. Those who did not follow Satan have remained loyal to God and are secure in that decision. The Bible gives us no reason to believe that more angels could sin.

implications for today

The question of whether more angels could sin encourages us to reflect on the nature of free will and the consequences of rebellion against God. While Scripture indicates that angels who rebelled, Satan and his followers, have made irrevocable choices, it reminds us that we, too, are endowed with free will and the responsibility to choose righteousness. This understanding invites us to be vigilant in our spiritual lives, recognizing that the decisions we make can have lasting implications for our relationship with God. Thankfully, we have a choice that is not permanent until we are no longer alive. As long as we live, God wants us to turn to Him (1 Timothy 2:3–4; 2 Peter 3:9). Instead of putting this response off, we should respond to God’s call to salvation, knowing that we are not guaranteed tomorrow. And if we are saved, we should walk in the Spirit (Romans 8) and abide in Christ (John 15), seeking to walk in obedience because of our love for Him and not in rebellion, as the fallen angels did.

understand

  • Angels were created with free will, but their rebellion appears to be a one-time decision, meaning no more angels can sin.
  • Salvation is intended only for humans; fallen angels face punishment without the possibility of redemption.
  • Unlike angels, humans can choose to accept or reject God’s salvation, highlighting the importance of making righteous decisions while there is still time.

reflect

  • How do the concepts of election and sovereignty in the Bible, for both angels and humans, challenge or encourage you?
  • How can you or have you actively responded to God’s call for salvation, knowing that your choices hold eternal significance?
  • How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with God to ensure your decisions align with His purposes, rather than leading to rebellion?

engage

  • What scriptural evidence supports the idea that the rebellion of angels was a one-time decision, and how does this shape our understanding of their nature?
  • How can understanding the finality of angelic choices encourage believers to live with urgency and purpose in their faith?
  • How do the angels’ irrevocable choices encourage us in the opportunity we, as humans, have to respond to Christ?