What are Angels?

Lesson 5 – What are Angels?

I have heard people say that angels are…

1. The Doctrine about Angels

a. Definition: Angels are created spiritual beings who possess a mind, will and emotion. They exist in the realm between God and man to help execute God’s will.

b. Central passage:

Hebrews 1:14 ESV

Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

c. How do good angels help believers?

·

Hebrews 1:14 ESV

Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

They serve us.

·

Acts 12:7 ESV

And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands.

Protect and rescue us.

·

Acts 27:23–24 ESV

For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’

Comfort and encourage us.

·

Luke 16:22 ESV

The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried,

Carry us to heaven, comfort us in death

2. The Doctrine of Satan

a. Definition: Satan is the highest angel that rebelled against God and continues to oppose God, His ways and His people.

b. Central passage: ; Ezekiel 28:12-19

Isaiah 14:12–15 ESV

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit.

c. Who was Satan? See Ezekiel 28:12-14

The highest angel created by God.

d. Why did Satan rebel against God?

· Ezekial 28:17

He became proud and corrupt.

·

Isaiah 14:13–15 ESV

You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit.

He became self-consumed and made himself like God.

e. How was Satan defeated?

·

Hebrews 2:14–15 ESV

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

Jesus through His death on the cross.

·

Revelation 20:10 ESV

and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Through being tossed into the lake of fire.

3. The Doctrine of Demons

a. Definition: Demons are angels that fell with Satan and work with him to disrupt God’s ways, to derail God’s people and to deceive the world.

b. Central passage:

Jude 6 ESV

And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day—

c. What do we know about demons?

·

James 2:19 ESV

You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

They believe in God.

·

Daniel 10:10–14 ESV

And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.”

They can interfere with God’s work

·

Luke 8:27 ESV

When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs.

They can possess people; they like lonely places, they cause people to harm themselves.

·

Luke 8:28 ESV

When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.”

They know who Jesus is and are afraid of Him.

“So What?” Section

· How can true followers open themselves up to Satan’s influence?

Through anger, bitterness, and resentment.

· How can a church be open to Satan’s influence?

o

Through false teaching and false teachers.

o

Through quarrels and discord; arguments, resentments.

· How can true followers stand against Satan and his demons?

o

Be self-controlled; alert; resist him; stand against him by faith.

o

By resisting him.

o

By putting on the armor of God.

Developing Biblical Values

I have discovered… __________________________________________________________________________

I believe… ____________________________________________________________________________________

I will… ________________________________________________________________________________________

Write out a prayer to God in response to what you have learned in this lesson…

This weeks accelerated growth projects:

o Read the Gospel of Matthew.

o Read Chapter 8 in “Know What You Believe” by Paul E. Little.

o Memorize .

o Share what you have learned with a friend.

o Bring a Bible to church and take Sermon Notes.