Expert: Elder Greg Madden - 9/24/2006

Question
My understanding is that one third of the angels fell. Could any of the non-fallen angels fall now or in the future? I also, though I believe that the fallen angels simply will not repent, would like to know wether or not if they wanted to, they could be forgiven? My persuasion is that Jesus was human and therefore could pay only for human sin, although I am aware of a verse that says something to the effect of "reconciling all things wether they be things in earth or things in heaven,etc." but this verse says "THINGS" so I am not much persuaded that this is referring to fallen angels. Thank you.

Answer
Anon,

Thanks for your question. You are correct that the arch angel Lucifer rebelled against God, deceived one third of the angels in heaven into fallowing him, and was cast out of heaven.

Rev. 12:3
And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

Rev. 12:4a
And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth...

Re 12:9
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

You are also correct about Jesus Christ dieing for the sins of mankind, not angels.

1Cor. 15:3
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

1Peter 1:12
Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.


Let me see if I can answer your following questions...

1."Could any of the non-fallen angels fall now or in the future?"

This is an area of speculation, so please take it as such. My opinion would be that if they did not follow satan in his rebellion in the eon's past, then they would not do so now. I can give you no scriptural basis for this, but I think I am correct.

2."I also, though I believe that the fallen angels...whether or not if they wanted to, they could be forgiven?"

The answer is that angels, unlike we humans, were given the power to choose but were not give the right to choose. Mankind however, was given both. One of the greatest gifts given to us is the power of choice.

Deut. 30:19
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life that both thou and thy seed may live:

Joshua 24:15a
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve...

Therefore the angel’s sin was their rebellion in obedience to God's design for them. So when they sinned against God, there was no sacrifice for there sin like there is for man. Jesus became a man, and as a man lived a perfect sinless life so that He could become the sacrifice for our sins. This has not happened for satan and the fallen angels. Therefore the choice they made has eternally doomed them.

Please let me know if this helps,
Elder Greg Madden