The Literal Meaning of Genesis
BOOK ELEVEN iGya!
earth, and less completely than the saints and the angels beyond the heavens in life eternal, but none the less enjoying a happiness that is real.
CHAPTER 19
The creation of the angels.
25. One might propose the theory that some angels could be happy in their own fashion while uncertain of their future sin and condemnation, or at least of their eternal salvation, without the hope that eventually by some change for the better they would become certain of their future lot. But this theory is unfounded and can hardly be admitted.
Of course, one might say that these angels have been created for tasks in the world and assigned to be subject to other angels more sublime and blessed,>> so that for the faithful performance of their offices they may receive the blessed and more sublime life, in the hope of which they can rejoice and even now be rightly called blessed. If it was from this class of angels that the Devil and his companions in sin fell, their lot is like that of men who fall from the justice of faith,°° sinning because of a similar pride, either deceiving themselves or giving assent to their seducer.
26. Let those who are able maintain this theory of two classes of good angels: the supercelestial angels, among whom the angel who fell and became the Devil was never numbered, and the mundane angels, among whom he was numbered. For my part, I confess that at the present time I can think of no basis in Scripture for this theory. But I have felt constrained to ask if the Devil had any foreknowledge of his fall before it happened, lest I should say that the angels were uncertain, or at one time had been uncertain, about their own beatitude. Hence, it is not without reason that I expressed the opinion that from the beginning of creation, that is, from the beginning of time or of the creation of the Devil himself, he fell and never stood in the truth.