Angels, Demons, and Spiritual Warfare

Basics of our Faith

Good Evening

Intro into why we are doing this

Been wanting to for a while

may become a morning series

So, what is Theology

The study of religious things

the study of the nature of God and religious belief

There are technically 4 types of theology within our christian faith

they are historical theology

the development and history of Christian theology

biblical theology

study of the doctrines of the bible

arranged either chronologically or historical

practical theology

the study of how things apply to us

We have Christology

study of Christ

Theology Proper or Paterology

study of God

There are a lot

and we are going to get into today

Systematic Theology

Its essentially just a study of things that are put into some sort of system

it takes all the information in the bible about something

and puts it together

Give some examples

Today is all about the spiritual realm

Now, this could be a pretty deep dive

A book if your interested in this is supernatural by Michael Heiser

he does a deep dive

We are going to look at Angels, Demons, the Devil and spiritual warfare tonight to kick things off

So, Lets get started

Scripture

We are going to be all over the bible in this series

but our first scripture to open this up is

2 Kings 6:15–17 CSB

15 When the servant of the man of God got up early and went out, he discovered an army with horses and chariots surrounding the city. So he asked Elisha, “Oh, my master, what are we to do?” 16 Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid, for those who are with us outnumber those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed, “Lord, please open his eyes and let him see.” So the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw that the mountain was covered with horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

So Elisha’s servant thought they were outnumbered

it sure looked that way

but he couldn’t the whole picture right

There was much more going on than what his eyes could see

Why, Because there is another dimention around us right

One we cant see

but one we need to be aware of

Because what goes on up there

has consequences down here

So, what is out there in the spiritual world

what is it that is all around us

For the most part

the other beings are called Angels

What are Angels?

Mentioned 108 in OT

165 in NT

Now, we know that they are spiritual beings

Hebrews 1:13–14 “13 Now to which of the angels has he ever said: Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve those who are going to inherit salvation?”

They are created beings

Psalm 148:1–5 “1 Hallelujah! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights. 2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly armies. 3 Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars. 4 Praise him, highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens. 5 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded, and they were created.”

That means that angels were created beings

entirely separate from humans

at no point will we ever become angels

or will angels ever become human

Angels are Spiritual beings

There are 3 types of spiritual or heavenly beings..

refer to book

There are also ranks of angels

see book

Only 2 angels… outside of satan

are named

Now what attributes to angles have

they have a moral capacity

2 Peter 2:4 “4 For if God didn’t spare the angels who sinned but cast them into hell and delivered them in chains of utter darkness to be kept for judgment;”

so they can choose between right and wrong

They have an intellectual capacity

they intelligently know there’s more than they know

1 Peter 1:12 “12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—angels long to catch a glimpse of these things.”

The have an emotional capacity

they experience things like joy

Luke 15:10 “10 I tell you, in the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.””

They are powerful

they are mighty

Psalm 103:20 “20 Bless the Lord, all his angels of great strength, who do his word, obedient to his command.”

They are limited in space and knowledge

Luke 1:26–27 “26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.”

Gabriel had travel from god to Nazareth

Mark 13:32 “32 “Now concerning that day or hour no one knows—neither the angels in heaven nor the Son—but only the Father.”

They dont know everything that will happen

They don’t get married

Matthew 22:30 “30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like angels in heaven.”

they dont have the same types of relationships that we have

they are immortal

they dont die

Luke 20:34–36 “34 Jesus told them, “The children of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are counted worthy to take part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. 36 For they can no longer die, because they are like angels and are children of God, since they are children of the resurrection.”

When were angels created

probably the first day of creation between

Genesis 1:1–2 “1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.”

How many angels are there

Luke 2:13 “13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:”

Daniel 7:10 “10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from his presence. Thousands upon thousands served him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was convened, and the books were opened.”

So… A LOT

So, what do angels do?

The Glorify and worship God

Psalm 148:2 “2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly armies.”

Job 38:6–7 “6 What supports its foundations? Or who laid its cornerstone 7 while the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”

They Obey Gods will

Psalm 103:20 “20 Bless the Lord, all his angels of great strength, who do his word, obedient to his command.”

They administer Gods Judgement

2 Samuel 24:16 “16 Then the angel extended his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, but the Lord relented concerning the destruction and said to the angel who was destroying the people, “Enough, withdraw your hand now!” The angel of the Lord was then at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.”

They serve as Gods representative

Zechariah 1:9–11 “9 I asked, “What are these, my lord?” The angel who was talking to me replied, “I will show you what they are.” 10 Then the man standing among the myrtle trees explained, “They are the ones the Lord has sent to patrol the earth.” 11 They reported to the angel of the Lord standing among the myrtle trees, “We have patrolled the earth, and right now the whole earth is calm and quiet.””

They accomplish Gods work

Matthew 28:2 “2 There was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it.”

They protect us

guardian angels

see book

Will announce Christs return

1 Thessalonians 4:16 “16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.”

A couple of things to remember about Angels

we don’t worship them Revelation 19:10 “10 Then I fell at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers and sisters who hold firmly to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, because the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.””

We dont pray to angels

1 Timothy 2:5 “5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,”

Now, what about Demons….

Demons, are evil angels who sinned against God

they not continually work evil in the world

since they are still angels

they must have the same attributes as those we have already discussed

They were created good, but became evil by Gen 3.

So somewhere between Gen 1:end to Gen 3 they fell

because at the end God said it was good right

Genesis 1:31 “31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good indeed. Evening came and then morning: the sixth day.”

Genesis 3:1 “1 Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You can’t eat from any tree in the garden’?””

2 Peter 2:4 “4 For if God didn’t spare the angels who sinned but cast them into hell and delivered them in chains of utter darkness to be kept for judgment;”

Jude 6 “6 and the angels who did not keep their own position but abandoned their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains in deep darkness for the judgment on the great day.”

Now then, who is Satan

Lets see what the bible says about Satan

Satan is an angel

Matthew 25:41 “41 “Then he will also say to those on the left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels!”

Satan was created by God

Colossians 1:16 “16 For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through him and for him.”

Satan served as a Cherub,

a high ranking angel

Ezekiel 28:14–16 “14 You were an anointed guardian cherub, for I had appointed you. You were on the holy mountain of God; you walked among the fiery stones. 15 From the day you were created you were blameless in your ways until wickedness was found in you. 16 Through the abundance of your trade, you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I expelled you in disgrace from the mountain of God, and banished you, guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones.”

Satan Rebelled against God

Isaiah 14:12–15 “12 Shining morning star, how you have fallen from the heavens! You destroyer of nations, you have been cut down to the ground. 13 You said to yourself, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will set up my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of the gods’ assembly, in the remotest parts of the North. 14 I will ascend above the highest clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” 15 But you will be brought down to Sheol into the deepest regions of the Pit.”

The sin of power and pride right

Satan now opposes God in every way

Zechariah 3:1–2 “1 Then he showed me the high priest Joshua standing before the angel of the Lord, with Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. 2 The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! May the Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Isn’t this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?””

So, how do satan and his demons relation to us

whats the MO we could say

well, I guess the first question to answer is

do they still mess with us today?

and the answer is yes

there is not reason for us to believe that they do not still mess with us

But let us remember they are created

and they are limited

Can Christian’s be processed

no

but we can be messed with

well, the deceive us

1 Corinthians 10:20 “20 No, but I do say that what they sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons!”

False religion, doctrine, philosophies

They attack us

Romans 16:17–20 “17 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid them, 18 because such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites. They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words. 19 The report of your obedience has reached everyone. Therefore I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise about what is good, and yet innocent about what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”

They promote division, doubt

and cults, try to get as close to the lord as possible in order to fool you

They temp us

1 John 2:16 “16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s possessions—is not from the Father, but is from the world.”

worldliness, anger, worry

Satan blinds unbelievers

2 Corinthians 4:4 “4 In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

which keeps us from the truth

Now, there is a spiritual war going on right now

we all know this

its not a natural war, but a spiritual war

Ephesians 6:12 “12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.”

There are actually 2 kingdoms at war

2 Corinthians 4:4–6 “4 In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’s sake. 6 For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.”

There is the kingdom of God

John 18:36 “36 “My kingdom is not of this world,” said Jesus. “If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.””

Our God over the universe wants people to be saved

2 Peter 3:9 “9 The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.”

Kingdom of Satan

Ephesians 2:1–2 “1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins 2 in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient.”

The god of this world who wants people to burn in hell

Revelation 20:14–15 “14 Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.”

Now, the beauty in all of this warfare is that we know how it ends

and we are on the winning team!

Revelation 20:10 “10 The devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet are, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”

Satan and his minions will be destroyed

So as christians we don’t fight FOR victory

rather we fight FROM victory

1 John 4:4 “4 You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

1 John 5:4–5 “4 because everyone who has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith. 5 Who is the one who conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

But, we still have to fight

every single day!

And if we want to survive,

we have to fight this spiritual battle God’s Way

And how are we to fight?

Ephesians 6:13–18 “13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God. 18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.”

The armor of God

It is a reflection of the character of God

spiritual warfare is about character

according to Scripture, Christian character includes the pursuit of truth, godliness, righteousness, love, joy, peace, gentleness, kindness, patience, perseverance, meekness, humility, self-control, compassion, thankfulness, forgiveness, contentment, and unity

The Belt of truth

A true understanding of who Jesus Christ is

The breastplate of righteousness

not self righteousness

but positional righteousness in Christ

The shoes of the Gospel of Peace

going on the offensive

taking the good news to the world

The Shield of faith

Faith in who God is

Faith in what Jesus Christ has done

Faith that stands against the attempts of the devil to deceive us

The helmet of salvation

we already have victory through the blood of Jesus

The sword of the spirit

the word of God

know the word

wield the word

We also have prayer

remember, we have the God of all creation at our side

Prayer and the Holy Spirit are the only things that keep us from falling into the schemes of the devil

Now, one last thing that I would like to point out is this..

we as humans are truly special and are truely set apart

See when God created us he created us in his image right

we don't see that of the angels

and finally, we are offered salvation

the fallen angels the sinful angels

were not offered salvation

they will meet the fate they were destined to as soon as they sinned

yet us, due only to the amazing grace and mercy of God are offered forgiveness

And that is something that we should not take for granted

Amen

Any questions?

Lets Pray