Where in the Bible does it explain pre-creation events: fallen angels, rebellion, that sort of thing?

Sincerely,
Angelic Interests

Dear Angelic Interests,

The rebellion of the angels is not necessarily a pre-creation event.  The Scriptures never directly tell us when the angels were created – they may very well have been created during the six days of creation (Gen 1:1-31).  Having said that, the Bible gives very few details regarding the spiritual battle happening in the spiritual realm.  There is no one area of the Bible that addresses the topic.  Instead, we have a smattering of verses sprinkled throughout the Text that give us a glimpse into the heavenly realm.  Here are a few:

1. The devil has angels that follow him (Matt 25:41)
2. The devil and his angels have been banished from God’s presence by Christ’s sacrifice (Rev 12:9-11)
3. The devil’s angels are also called ‘demons’ (Lk 11:15-18)
4. Satan pretends to be an “angel of light” (2 Cor 11:14)
5. These sinful angels will not be spared by God (2 Pet 2:4)

Those are a few of the more noteworthy passages on the topic.  God gives us a minimal view into the heavenly battle over mankind, but what He does show us is exceedingly impressive.

Is saving money in a 401K retirement account considered "storing up for yourselves treasures on earth"? (Matthew 6:19)

Sincerely,
Investor

Dear Investor,

Saving money is not a bad thing, but falling in love with money and hoarding it is.  God tells us that christians should be good stewards of whatever He gives us… and that includes money (1 Pet 4:10).  Jesus gives the parable of the talents and uses the example of men saving and investing as a positive example (Matt 25:14-30).  The Proverbs mention the industrious ant as an example of preparing and saving (Pr 6:6-8).  If we are careful and smart with money, that makes God happy… unless we begin to worship that money.

Greed (Pr 1:19), covetousness (Col 3:5), and the love of money (1 Tim 6:10) are always sins.  It is a good thing to save for the future as long as we are content with whatever the Lord has given us (Heb 13:5).

Is being a vegetarian a sin?

Sincerely,
Meat Man

Dear Meat Man,

Absolutely not!  Adam and Eve were vegetarians (Gen 1:30).  It wasn’t until Noah that God taught mankind to eat animals (Gen 9:1-4).  In the New Testament, Paul wrote that you could eat just vegetables (1 Cor 8:13).  Paul was dealing with a doctrinal issue of meat sacrificed to idols, but still he made it clear that there isn’t anything wrong with avoiding meat altogether.  Although unnecessary (and bacon-less), a vegetarian lifestyle is perfectly Biblical.

Does the devil know what you’re thinking?

Sincerely,
Mind Games

Dear Mind Games,

Only God knows all the thoughts and intents of the heart (1 Chr 28:9).  If the devil knew all the thoughts of man, he wouldn’t have even wasted time tempting Jesus (Matt 4:1).  We do know that there are times when the devil has placed thoughts into the minds of men (Jhn 13:2).  However, that isn’t the same as seeing into our minds.  Introducing an idea into someone’s mind is very different from controlling them or seeing the deepest intents of their heart.  The devil doesn’t have that kind of power.  He is certainly clever and wickedly capable (1 Pet 5:8), but he isn’t omniscient.

If God is a spirit, does He have eyes?  Is there Scripture regarding this question?  I know the Bible talks about God seeing us, and His eyes are upon us, but does He have eyes?  Thank you for you help.  God bless.

Sincerely,
Looking Over My Shoulder

Dear Looking Over My Shoulder,

God says His eyes roam to and fro throughout the earth (2 Chr 16:9), therefore, God does have eyes.  However, we must use that term in the loosest way.  God isn't human, hence, He wouldn't have human eyes.  God is a spiritual being (Jhn 4:24) and would have spiritual eyes.  Your guess is as good as ours as to what those eyes look like.