What are Angels, Satan and Demons? Part 1

Up to this point, when discussing God’s creation, we have limited our discussion to the physical realm. But there are also spiritual creatures God has created called angels and demons. Satan, a demon himself, is considered the head of the demons.

Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Angels

Angels are created spiritual beings with moral judgment and high intelligence but without physical bodies.

They are God’s warriors and as a group are often referred to as the host (or armies) of heaven. They have not always existed; they are part of the universe God created.

Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Nehemiah 9:6 ESV

“You are the Lord, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you.

Angels do not have physical bodies.

They are normally unseen in their working.

They demonstrate moral judgement in good ways and bad.

2 Peter 2:4 ESV

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment;

Angels have great power

Psalm 103:20 ESV

Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!

They are called “mighty ones” (Ps. 103:20) and are “greater in might and power” than unrighteous humans (2 Peter 2:11). Even so, God demonstrates a greater love for humans than for angels, for “God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness” (2 Peter 2:4). In contrast, when Adam and Eve sinned, though they were cast out of their paradise, they were not cast into hell. And instead of putting them in chains, God made clothes for them, covering their shame (Gen. 3:21 – 23).

But, they also serve as examples to us in the way they,

Worship the Lord

Isaiah 6:2–3 ESV

Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”

They way they are obedient to the Lord.

We should, therefore, be aware of the unseen presence of angels as we go about our daily lives. They may be joining us in worship, protecting and guarding us, or even visiting us as strangers seeking hospitality (Heb. 13:2). But we are not to pray to or worship angels.

Revelation 19:10 ESV

Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Questions for Review and Application

1. How are the angels like us? How are they different from us?

2. What is the primary role of angels in the world today?

Grudem, Wayne A.; Grudem, Wayne A.. Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know . Zondervan. Kindle Edition.