Recently, I had the privilege of sitting down with renowned biblical scholar Rick Renner to discuss his groundbreaking new book, “Fallen Angels, Giants, Monsters, and the World Before the Flood.” This extensively researched work, complete with 44 pages of detailed footnotes, provides one of the most comprehensive examinations of pre-flood Earth I’ve encountered. What struck me most about our conversation was how relevant these ancient biblical accounts are to understanding the unprecedented changes we’re witnessing in society today.
The Reality of the Supernatural
One of the most fascinating aspects of our discussion centered on how modern society tends to dismiss the supernatural. Yet, as Rick pointed out, we’re seeing an increasing mainstream interest in phenomena that the Bible discussed thousands of years ago. Major news outlets and even government bodies are now openly discussing topics like UFOs and unexplained aerial phenomena. Tucker Carlson and other prominent media figures are bringing discussions about the Nephilim into mainstream conversation. This shift in public discourse seems to align with biblical prophecies about the end times, particularly Jesus’s words about signs and wonders in the last days.
Noah’s Ark: More Than Just a Story
Rick shared his personal journey from skepticism to belief regarding Noah’s Ark. What began as casual interest led him to conduct extensive research, eventually taking his film crew from Moscow to eastern Turkey to investigate what’s known as the Dupur site. He spent two months examining the massive ship-shaped object with archeologists, geologists, and local historians. The timing of this discovery is particularly significant – the remains were first identified in May 1948, the same month Israel was reestablished as a nation. This convergence of events adds another layer to the prophetic implications of our times.
The World Before the Flood
Through his meticulous research, Rick has uncovered striking parallels between our current era and the world before the flood. He explained how the Book of Genesis describes beings called “Watchers” who abandoned their heavenly positions and mated with human women, producing hybrid creatures known as the Nephilim. This account isn’t isolated to the Bible – it appears in various ancient texts, including the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Book of Enoch, which were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls. These hybrid beings, often referred to as giants in the Old Testament, filled the earth with violence and corruption, ultimately leading to God’s decision to send the flood as a cleanup operation.
Signs of the End Times
During our conversation, Rick highlighted Jesus’s prophecy in Matthew 24:37, which states that the conditions before His return would mirror those of Noah’s time. We discussed how current developments in artificial intelligence, genetic modification, and the increasing confusion over human identity echo the boundary-crossing that occurred in ancient times. The Greek word for transgression, as Rick explained, literally means “to intentionally cross a boundary or barrier” – a concept we see manifesting in various ways today.
Rick particularly emphasized Jesus’s words in Luke 21:11, where He speaks of “great signs from heaven” and “fearful sights.” The Greek word used for “from” (apo) specifically describes things descending from the heavens, while the word for “fearful sights” (phobetron) was the ancient Greek word for monsters. This prophecy seems particularly relevant given our current cultural obsession with both extraterrestrial phenomena and the emergence of what could be considered modern “monsters” through technological and biological manipulation.
The Challenge and Hope for Modern Christians
Despite the sobering nature of these topics, our discussion wasn’t doom and gloom. Rick emphasized that just as Noah preached for 120 years while building the ark, we’re living in a period of grace. He drew an interesting parallel between the pre-flood world’s embrace of “diversity, equality, and inclusion” with modern DEI initiatives, noting how both periods were marked by a radical breaking down of established boundaries. However, this time is also an opportunity for the church to reach out to those who are lost and confused in our rapidly changing world. We discussed numerous examples of people finding freedom and identity in Christ, even after being deeply entrenched in contrary ideologies.
Historical Context of Current Issues
One of the most enlightening parts of our conversation was learning about historical precedents for current social issues. Rick shared fascinating information about the ancient city of Smyrna, where the cult of Sibyl included priests who underwent gender transformation procedures – proving that many of today’s challenges aren’t new to the church. These priests, who began life as men, underwent surgical procedures to alter their anatomy and were said to be among the most beautiful women in Smyrna. This historical perspective offers valuable insights for how we can approach similar issues today with both truth and compassion.
The Power of the Holy Spirit in Modern Times
Rick’s personal testimony about the transformative power of the Holy Spirit was particularly moving. Having been saved at age five and later experiencing the baptism of the Holy Spirit in 1974, he emphasized how crucial this spiritual empowerment is for Christians today. His journey from a small town outside Tulsa to becoming an influential voice in Moscow, running satellite networks and reaching millions, demonstrates what’s possible when biblical foundation meets spiritual power. He now owns two satellite networks, including one national channel covering all of Russia, reaching influential leaders throughout the region.
Learning from Spiritual Giants
Our conversation took an inspiring turn as Rick shared about his mentors and influences, including Kenneth Hagin, Oral Roberts, Derek Prince, and Kathryn Kuhlman. He described how he would attend as many Katherine Kuhlman meetings as possible to “saturate in the anointing of God.” Their impact on his ministry underscores the importance of learning from those who’ve gone before us. Rick’s approach to ministry – combining deep scholarly study with spiritual power – offers a model for balanced, effective Christian leadership in our complex times. He particularly credited Derek Prince’s example of teaching from the Greek New Testament as influential in his own ministry, though he jokes that he “took it to another level.”
Conclusion: Hope in Challenging Times
As we concluded our time together, Rick offered an encouraging perspective on current events. While we may be seeing increasingly bizarre and challenging situations in our world, we’re also witnessing unprecedented opportunities for the gospel. The church isn’t entering these end times weak and defeated, but equipped with the power of God and the unchanging truth of His Word.
This conversation with Rick Renner left me more convinced than ever that understanding biblical prophecy and history isn’t just academic exercise – it’s crucial for effectively ministering in our current cultural moment. His new book, “Fallen Angels, Giants, Monsters, and the World Before the Flood,” provides essential context for understanding both ancient history and current events through a biblical lens. As we see ancient patterns repeating and prophecies potentially unfolding, we can take comfort in knowing that God has equipped His church for such a time as this.
The parallels between Noah’s time and ours serve as both a warning and an encouragement. While they alert us to the seriousness of our times, they also remind us that God always provides a way forward for those who seek Him. As Rick emphasized, this could be the greatest moment in church history – not despite the challenges we face, but because of them. The prophets of old saw our day and longed to be part of it. We’re not just surviving these challenging times; we’re called to thrive in them.
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