Alien Theories from a Christian Worldview

Alien Theories from a Christian Worldview

In February of 2026, this month, President Trump ordered the government to release any files on UFOs, aliens, and extraterrestrial life. Whether anything significant will actually come of this remains to be seen. Astrophysicist, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, recently said in an interview that if he were Trump, he would have instead said, “I want any government agency that has an alien, to bring forth the alien.” At this point, he said, you would not need documents. He said that somewhat jokingly, but if we really think about it, would visible proof of an alien actually convince the world of their existence? With professional costumes and the rise of AI video these days, anyone could be fooled. For this reason, most of us don’t trust what our eyes see on the internet anyway. Even long before the days of AI, this suspicion mindset has led many to disbelieve that the United States ever landed on the moon. The culture we live in today has an increased interest in extraterrestrial life more than ever. Certainly, this has been spurred on through all the Sci-Fi movies and TV shows we have watched over the years, along with all the unexplained UFO sightings, and government secrecy in places like Antarctica. A few years ago, there were the “drone sightings” in New Jersey, New York, across the Northeast, as well as in a few other states in the year 2024. These were the green lights in the night sky. Many were unconvinced that they were actually drones because many things just didn’t add up. Was it some kind of government psyop? Military surveillance? Foreign state actors spying on us? Or was it some kind of extraterrestrial technology observing humanity? What do they want? Who do they want? And what are they? Is it possible to really know?

From here, we will explore and evaluate various alien theories from a Christian worldview.

Theory 1:

The most popular theory for aliens from a Christian perspective is that they are actually demons, fallen angels. They are called “fallen angels” because they were kicked out of heaven when they rebelled against God, following after their leader, Satan/Lucifer. In 2 Corinthians 11:14 it says, “even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” The principle here is that Satan and the fallen angels with him can disguise themselves into something other than what they are. If they want, they can appear to be good and righteous. And if they can do that, then they can certainly appear to be something like extraterrestrial life. The definition of extraterrestrial is “originating, existing, or occurring outside the earth or its atmosphere.” Angels would fit this very definition since they were created before the world was made (Job 38:4-7). Angels are extraterrestrial beings. They also differ from one another in their level of power and authority (Eph 6:12). So do fallen angels disguise themselves as “aliens,” making humanity believe that they come from some other world and civilization? Or are the things we see on TV put there through the guidance of these demons, because that is how some of them actually look?

Some have suggested that the kings, presidents, and prime ministers of the world are not actually the ones in charge, that there is a secret organization behind them operating in the shadows, and controlling human events; and that, behind this mask of human faces, there are demon entities leading and telling the world leaders what to do. They may even operate through the means of threatening people that if they do not cooperate, then an alien invasion will come to destroy all life on earth. While I do not think there is anyway to verify if that is true or not, there is certainly some truth to it as Ephesians 6:12 says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” The devil is also called “the ruler of this world” (Jn 12:31; 16:11; 2 Cor 4:4; Eph 2:2). Satan operates a kingdom of darkness (Col 1:13).

There is a time coming called “the day of the Lord” when God’s wrath will be poured out on the earth to cleanse it from all evil and to refine the earth for His eternal kingdom of love, peace, and harmony. This is when Jesus comes back again. But just before He pours out wrath upon the earth, He will rapture/deliver His people, the Christians, from the coming judgement. Some Christians speculate that during this time, the fallen angels will pose as aliens who took people away in judgement and they will take more people away if the world does not worship them and do everything as they say. And other Christians speculate that it will be a secret rapture, and during this time, the fallen angels will deceive all of humanity into believing there was a great alien abduction for the reason why so many people have disappeared. However, I do not believe in a “secret rapture,” though I still think that it remains possible or that multiple raptures are possible. But I will not defend that reasoning here, as that is not the subject of this article.

In conclusion for theory #1, fallen angels disguise themselves as aliens to deceive and distract humanity. They gain power and dominion through people’s sins as the demons rule and control people by creating a society entrenched in fear, anxiety, and distraction. This is the opposite of the frequency of heaven, which is God’s love, joy, and peace. Whatever it takes, the demons just don’t want us to focus our attention on God or the path of righteousness. Their aim is to take as many people to hell with them.

Some say that all of humanity’s exposure to aliens and UFOs in our lives and in movie culture in the recent years has been led by demons for the express purpose of acclimating our minds to more readily believe in the coming deception led by all the fallen angels for when that day does arrive.

Theory 2:

Probably the second most popular theory which may help explain advanced alien technology, is that early on, before the Great Flood destroyed everything on earth, there was an advanced ancient civilization. Certain members within this civilization were fallen angels. They somehow manifested physical form and had intercourse with human women. Those who were born from this were called the Nephilim. Genesis 6:4 says this about them, “The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.” You could think of them like demi-gods. Some say they were destroyed in the flood, and the Genesis account indicates this (Gen 7:21). Others say that somehow some of them survived. According to Genesis 5, the average lifespan in those days for a person was to live over 900 years. Imagine how much the brain could learn over this time, how many inventions could be made? Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla lived only a fraction of this time, yet they brought the world from no electricity to the light bulb and beyond. In 2027, the United States will be 250 years old as a country. Think of all the history and inventions that have been produced in that short time by people with short lifespans. It would seem to reason then that if everyone had around 900 years to live, much greater technologies could have been developed. And if they had the help of extraterrestrial angelic beings, how much more so? Maybe the fallen angels or Nephilim were able to make it to the moon, Mars, or some galaxy beyond to populate a planet. We don’t know. It is also possible that the moon or Mars had a livable atmosphere in prior days, but some cataclysmic event could have destroyed that. As far as the earth goes, it has been suggested that there was a pole shift which changed the geological cold places to hot and hot places to cold. Perhaps there is some ancient civilization with advanced technology hidden beneath the snow and ice of Antarctica, and maybe that’s why the government is so secretive about it. There is something they don’t want us to know…

However, it should be mentioned that Noah built the ark out of gopher wood. Was he just following God’s command? Was it easier, cheaper, or more feasible to make it out of wood instead of common materials used today? Or was their technology just not as advanced as we might want to think? Or was it more advanced in some places on earth and less advanced in other places on earth? There are many unknowns. However, what is known is that bronze and iron tools had already been developed, along with musical instruments like the lyre and pipe (Gen 4:21-22).

In summary of theory #2, ancient civilization was more advanced than is commonly thought. Along with the help of fallen angels and long lifespans, humanity could have achieved extraordinary technological inventions and ways of traveling. So what are UFO sightings all about? Are they alien deceptions and distractions? Or are they pieces of machines that certain people or governments found from another civilization that they now occasionally choose to test-fly?

Theory 3:

The third most popular theory is that unbeknownst to us, God actually created extraterrestrial life on another planet in some other galaxy far, far away. Now, this cannot be theologically proven, but can it be theologically disproven? Let’s examine the Scriptures. In the creation account, it says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…” (Gen 1:1). This is a summary statement or general statement of what God created “in the beginning.” But what beginning is that? The beginning of everything in existence? Or just our beginning? The story is our story written for us. But what if God were to create life elsewhere in the galaxy? Would He be obliged to tell us? I don’t think so. God can do whatever He wants to. If non-angelic extraterrestrial life was created, perhaps the reason it is not included in the Genesis account is because it is irrelevant to us. We don’t need to know about it. But just because it is not mentioned, does not mean that it does not exist. That would be a logical fallacy called the Argument from Ignorance. Something is not proven to be false simply because it is not mentioned. If you were to ask me what I had for lunch and I said that I had a Chick-fil-A sandwich, does that disprove the possible fact that I may have also had fries with it or a drink? No, it’s just that the main idea of what I had for lunch was that it was Chick-fil-A, and the main item was a sandwich. But to fail to mention the other things does not disprove that I ever had them. Therefore, it is possible for God to have created extraterrestrial life. I don’t think it is the most likely scenario, but it is still within the realm of possibility.

However, it should be mentioned that on the first day, God created the earth, the sun, and the spatial realm of the universe. He may have created other planets on this day as well. But on the fourth day, God created the moon and stars. This could include planets as well, since planets appear to us as stars (Gen 1:1-19). Then on the fifth and sixth day, God created animals and people. But as I said, just because it does not specifically say God created other beings on other planets, that does not mean that it did not happen. After all, the creation of angelic beings is not even mentioned in the Genesis account, but we know that they were in existence during this time as they watched God create the earth, as God laid its foundation (Job 38:4-7).

In summary of theory #3, God is not obliged to tell us anything, and especially not everything. He is God and does as He pleases. The universe is so vast, and so it remains a possibility that God could have created life elsewhere.

Theory 4:

The fourth theory is time travel. The theory states that aliens are actually just human beings who have traveled back in time from some far distant future. One aspect of this theory is that they come from a time and place where the earth is destroyed, and so they live somewhere in outer space and have come back in time in an effort to change the timeline to preserve the earth’s existence. There are several theological problems with this theory. First, the endgame in God’s plan is for the earth to be destroyed. Not utterly, but thoroughly purged and refined from evil so that everything that remains will be pure. Then all evil will be cast into the lake of fire, where there will be no coming back. This means that if anyone were to travel back in time after the “earth’s destruction,” it would be the pure and holy God worshippers who are living in a paradise of an earth. But they would have no reason or motive to travel back in time to extend the evil and suffering of earth. It would be a futile pursuit. Secondly, no one can escape from God’s presence (Psalm 139: Rev 6:15-17). You can’t just fly to Mars or to some distant galaxy to escape God’s coming judgment and refinement. No one can hide from God. He’s the One who created the universe, and so He is bigger than all of it. Therefore, it would be completely unfeasible to believe that those who reject God and decide to worship the devil and to worship themselves, that they would find any way of escape.

The third theological problem with the alien theory of time travel is that it is a very problematic issue when it comes to the subject of God’s sovereignty. That is, God’s rulership and orchestration of human events. Would He allow time travel? If so, for what reason and to what extent? This theory clashes with Bible verses like Isaiah 46:9-11 which God says:

For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.

If God declares the end from the beginning, that means He is ultimately in control of the timeline. How much freedom He gives to humans individually is a subject of much debate within Christianity, as He has given to each at least a measure of free-will. But if His ultimate purposes will stand, that means no one can thwart it (Job 42:2). People cannot change the reality that God has determined will ultimately be the reality.

However, having said this, there is a minuscule possibility for time-travel to exist, provided that it does not change the timeline period, or does not change the timeline contrary to what God has decided to permit. There is a verse in Daniel 7:25 that speaks of the coming antichrist who will “intend to make alterations in times and in law.” Does this mean he will try to change the timeline, to make a wormhole in the universe and time travel? What exactly is the CERN project anyway? What are they really up to? That interpretation of Daniel 7 is a more “out there” idea. Most interpreters think it has something to do with changing calendars, religious festivals/ceremonies, laws, the length or progression of events, or something like that. It’s a future prophecy, so no one really knows for sure what it means.

In summary of theory #4, future humans traveling back in time to change the timeline is a very unlikely scenario since it clashes with theological doctrines regarding God’s sovereignty over history and His ultimate plan for the future.

Theory 5:

The fifth theory is that many of these UFO sightings are actually angels. Like, the good kind. They are watching us—observing us—recording us. Certain passages in the Bible like Revelation 20:12; Malachi 3:16; Ezekiel 9:3-4 speak about books that have the good and evil deeds that people have done written in them. From this, we infer that the angels are the ones doing the writing, recording everything they see. They are God’s ministers to gather evidence for judgment for those who do evil, and to write about the good things for those who have faith in God, to remember their times of faithfulness. This reason might have more of a sentimental value to it, and for the purpose of honoring those who have faith in Him.

Perhaps the increase in UFO sightings are angels who are making themselves known, since there may now be a greater presence of them in the earth’s atmosphere, as perhaps the end of the world is soon coming to a close. Maybe they’re making certain observations and reporting back to God to give a report of the evil in society to determine if God’s grace should be extended longer for people to turn from their sin and come to have faith in Jesus Christ, or if God should be quicker about bringing justice to the earth.

Maybe the increase in UFO sightings has to do with a veil being lifted more and more every year from the physical to the spiritual realm as the end of all things draws near. The angels may have been there the whole time, but now the dimensions of reality are overlapping more and more.

Sometimes angels appear human-like, but not all angels are the same. Some of them have very interesting features. Whether those features are how they actually look or if it is just a symbolic description, I do not know for sure. But in Ezekiel chapter 1, these things are described. Ezekiel says that they ran to and fro like bolts of lightning (v. 14). Does that sound like the physically impossible maneuvers that UFOs are said to perform, where they jump from one place in the sky to another and make sudden turns? There is certainly a correlation here. Ezekiel also describes one of these living beings as having a wheel within another wheel and having eyes all around. Some people have reported seeing something like this not too long ago. Anyway, that is the shorthand description. You can read more about it for yourself if you wish.

In summary of theory #5, UFO sightings are angels who are observing humanity and writing information about us for God’s divine purpose and reasons. The activity of angels on the earth is increasing, and the veil between worlds is thinning because our time is almost up…

Conclusion

So, what do I think? I think theories 1 and 5 are the most convincing, and theory 2 could offer explanation for some things if absolutely necessary. Regardless, we need to keep aware of how the devil and his minions may try to deceive us and the whole world. In the end, he will disguise himself and pose himself to be an advocate for humanity, but in reality, he only seeks their destruction. Whether this will involve the subject of extraterrestrial aliens as we see in the movies, I do not know. But I would not be surprised if he brought that hand to the table. For this reason, keep your guard up, hold onto your senses, and do not be deceived as to what may come. Do not let the fear of aliens dictate your reality. Do not let your fascination with them consume too much of your time. God is real, and He is bigger and better than all the supernatural, cosmic, and extraterrestrial things out there. What is much better than knowing what aliens are is knowing who God is—because when you know who God is, you won’t have to worry about aliens. But maybe for you it’s not about worry. Maybe it’s just fascination. Well, my friend, God is much more fascinating than aliens, and knowing Him is transforming.

Seek the God who made you, loves you, and wants to save you from sin and death. He came down from the cosmos and took on the form of a man, Jesus. He left His throne in heaven to suffer alongside us and show us His great love and compassion that He has for us. The evil of humanity was so great, and their hatred so intense, that they wanted Jesus, a perfectly innocent man, to be dead. They wanted to kill God, and so they sent Him to be tortured and to die from the agony of Roman crucifixion. Do you hate God or the idea of God? Do you hold bitterness in your heart against Him? If you were there, would you have yelled, “crucify Him!” because you think that He was the problem? Or because His goodness makes you uncomfortable, and you could not face the darkness within your own heart? Change your mind about this and believe that God is good and that God loves you. He wishes that none should perish, but all should have eternal life through believing in Him (Jn 3:16; 2 Pet 3:9). Death could not hold Jesus in the grave because His life, divinity, and moral perfection overcame death. He rose to life on the third day, having conquered death, so that if we unite to Him through faith, we also shall live after we die. His presence will dwell within us to preserve us from death, and we shall live with Him forever. But God will not force this on you. That choice is yours. Confess your sins to God and believe in Him. He is merciful to all those who call upon Him.