Jesus and Alien Life?

How would Jesus think about the subject of “aliens”?

Before we get to some of the more “juicy” thoughts on this subject, let’s do some homework on the explicit term as it is in Scripture.

In the King James translation of the Scriptures, the term “alien” is explicitly mentioned 15 times—

Exodus 18:3
Deuteronomy 14:21
Job 19:15
Psalm 69:8
Isaiah 61:5
Lamentations 5:2
Ezekiel 23:17
Ezekiel 23:18
Ezekiel 23:22
Ezekiel 23:28
Ezekiel 48:14
Ephesians 2:12
Ephesians 4:18
Colossians 1:21
Hebrews 11:34

In each of these instances, the historical use of the term which we in english today hear as “alien” simply meant someone foreign, unknown, outcast, or perhaps considered unwelcome. The term alien is used to describe someone you do not know.

In the fourth commandment of God’s law, the term “stranger” is used. It could just as easily be translated “or the alien that is within your gates”. That is, someone who was not an Israelite could also benefit from the Sabbath rest which God was desiring to give to all humanity. In fact, the same Hebrew word that was used in the fourth commandment to refer to the “stranger” was the same term translated “alien” in Moses’ statement regarding the naming of his son to tell the story that he had been “an alien in a strange land”.

Because Jesus grew up with the Old Testament Scriptures, these would have been His own familiar terms of reference on the subject. When exploring the Gospel narratives, we see that the Israelites had, by and large, a contemptuous stance to anyone not Jewish. In other words, towards the “aliens”, they were not very friendly, though God had explicitly given them commandments for proper treatment and inclusion to those outside of the Israelite faith. Jesus, on the other hand, consistently demonstrated a loving and inviting disposition toward Gentiles, whether Romans, Samarians, Syrophoenicians or Greeks. Jesus related to “aliens” with that love which God called all humans to practice, the love of neighbor as oneself. This practice of loving the foreigners made Jesus unwelcome to certain leaders of Jewish society, and ultimately was one of their supposed justifications for rejecting Him. (See John 4, 8:48, 10:16, 12:20-22)

Yet after Jesus revealed the Father’s love for all, His disciples followed in His example, though with some difficulty, even after Pentecost, to embrace and build community with the “aliens”. There were many challenges including the transference of certain Jewish rituals and traditions into the Gospel faith, as well as the rejection of certain common Gentile or “alien” practices. This conflict led to numerous councils and epistles to help bring harmony and reconciliation to the often disputing groups. (See Acts 6, 11, 15).

Let us now shift gears to another conceptualization of “alien” from the Scriptures.

Are there creatures in Scripture presented as foreign or “alien” to all humans in general? Are there other created intelligences which are not of the human race? Let us look at three helpful Scriptures—

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. — John 1:14

For verily He [Jesus] took not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed of Abraham. — Hebrews 2:16

“ …the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.” — Revelation 14:10

Starting from this last Scripture, we are introduced to a very curious picture. The larger context of this Scripture is quite ominous and even fearful, but for our purposes it helps us to identify and distinguish two kinds of beings that are here on the earth. With the help of the other two Scriptures we are introduced to the Word of God in human flesh, to the nature of angels, and the seed of Abraham.

This description of “the presence” should peak our attention. When Jesus was here, shortly after being called “the Lamb of God” He would go on to say—

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.” — John 1:51

Jesus, who is the Word made flesh, called the Lamb, says angels shall be seen ascending and descending upon the “Son of man”. This language alludes to humanity united to divinity with angels attending as ministers.

Are these “angels” human or something else?

The Bible reveals that angels were in existence before humans were even on the scene of existence. (See Job 38:7)

Some have thought that angels were humans that had died, but we also find that angels were sent to guard the way to the tree of life before any humans had died. (See Genesis 3:24)

Among human lines “aliens” is used to describe foreigners and strangers. However, when people use the term today to describe intelligent entities that are non-human, what are they referring to?

Returning to the Scripture in Revelation, we are introduced to the subject of “the presence of the holy angels and the presence of the Lamb” as distinct realities. Thus, we can infer in the light of other Scriptures that people speaking of “aliens” today could simply be referring to the holy angels. It should also here be noted that while this Scripture highlights “holy” angels, it is implied that there may or could be “unholy” angels as well.

The larger context of Scripture mentions people experiencing “torment” saying “tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels…”. This language mirrors a little of an event in the life of Jesus where a man possessed of evil spirits cried out in the presence of Jesus, “have you come to torment us before the time?” (See Matthew 8:29). These evil spirits would be “unholy” angels, contrasted with “holy angels” as in this Scripture. The reason for the torment among some humans could simply be that they are internally filed with evil or unholy spirits / angels, while they are in the presence of others surrounded by messengers of God, that is, of holy angels.

The belief in and use of the term “aliens” in our contemporary times may simply be a way that some are trying to articulate their increasing awareness and understanding of the presence of something among us which is beyond human.

And according to Jesus and the Bible, they are among us.

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. — Hebrews 13:2