Angels and Demons

Warnings and Approach

The Bible is our ONLY authority on the topic of angels and demons.

Outside sources are not authoritative and, therefore, MUST be viewed as unreliable.

Personal visions, dreams, and experiences are not authoritative and, therefore, MUST be viewed as unreliable.

Lastly, angels/demons themselves are not authoritative and, therefore, MUST be viewed as unreliable.

OUR DOCTRINE OF ANGELS AND DEMONS MUST BE FORMED EXCLUSIVELY FROM THE WORD OF GOD.

Fascinatingly, the Bible never explicitly provides us with a doctrine of angels and demons.

The Pentateuch gives us a doctrine of what it means to be a Covenant people.

The Prophets give us a clear doctrine of judgment upon sin paired with God’s redemptive work.

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John give us a clear doctrine of Jesus.

Romans gives us an explicit understanding of the Gospel.

The Pauline letters give us a clear doctrine of how to live as the church.

Revelation gives us a clear doctrine of Christ’s glory and His impending return.

HOWEVER, NO BOOK (OR PASSAGE) IN THE BIBLE GIVES US A COMPREHENSIVE DOCTRINE ABOUT ANGELS.

Consequently, our doctrine of angels is that of a theological piecemeal discerned throughout the entirety of Scripture.

Inherently, this means we may not all agree on everything.

However, we must remember that our doctrine of angels and demons is neither primary or secondary doctrine--this is tertiary at best. (Salvation and Orthodoxy is not on the line).

On the other hand, we are not given freedom to be lazy or inventive in our study, for in this particular topic, it is quite easy for us to become idolatrous and sin against God--in fact, this is exactly what Satan wants!

Definitions and Descriptions:

Angels: Messengers of God or supernatural being, either good or evil, with greater than human powers (BEB)

Angels are not deceased humans—there is ABSOLUTELY ZERO instruction in the Bible that humans become angels when we die.

We do not get wing in heaven

We do not become angels, we receive RESURRECTED bodies!

Jesus did not become and angel

Angels (and demons) are created by God as bodiless minds; that is, they are spiritual beings instead of material beings—this concept is easily defensible because angels (and demons) are able to appear in both dreams and visions AND communicate with their audience.

We learn that angels are invisible and powerful—but we lack detail (Col. 1:16)

Colossians 1:16 ESV

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

From Jesus we learn that angels cannot die of natural causes (Lk. 20:36)

From Jesus we learn that angels do not marry and do not procreate (Mt. 22:30)

Interestingly, when angels do appear in human form, it is never as a woman or child.

***Highly Subjective*** Many believe that the “sons of God” mentioned in Gen. 6:1-6 speaks of fallen angels that possessed mankind and distorted the human race.

Only four angels are named in the Bible (two good and two bad):

Gabriel (Dan. 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19)

The Archangel Michael (Dan. 10:13; Jude 9; Rev. 12:7-9)

Archangel simply means chief angel

Satan (Hb. accuser) is implied to be an angel/spirit working against God (Job 1:6; 1 Chron. 21:1; 2 Cor. 2:11)

The Prince of the Kingdom of Persia (Dan. 10:13)

There appears to be some sort of distinction within the angels in rank and classification:

Rank: There is at least one chief angel (archangel)--the wording allows for more than one archangel

Classification: It appears that Cherubim are different from the other angels; however, we do not know for certain.

Both the Hebrew mal’akh and The Greek angelos (which we get our English word angel), simply means messenger; thus, term provides some definition.

Much of what we see of angels in the Bible is that of serving as a messenger from God—not so much the other way around.

They warn of danger (Gn. 19:15)

They announce good news (Lk. 2:8-14)

They provide instruction—Moses receiving the Law (Acts 7:38; Gal. 3:19)

They provide procedural direction (Acts 8:26)

However, angels are assigned to keep people from something forbidden by God—the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:22-24)

God sends angels to protect His people:

Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego from the Fire (Dan. 3:28)

Daniel from the Lions (Dan. 6:22)

Peter set free from prison (Acts 12:6-11)

God sends His angels to care for His people

He nourishes Hagar and Ishmael through an angel (Gn. 21:14-20)

He nourished Elijah when he was highly discouraged (1 Kings 19:1-8)

Sometimes God sends His angels to enact judgment

Sodom and Gomorra (Gen. 19:1)

The Destroying Angel (2 Sam. 24:15-16; 2 Kings 19:35; 1 Chron. 21:15)

An Angel killed Herod Agrippa (Acts 12:21-23)

Angels will appear with Christ when He comes to judge the earth (Mt. 25:31)

Angels are inferior to Christ and stronger than us:

Jesus is shown superior to the Angels by the author of Hebrews (Heb. 1:1-4)

Hebrews 1:1–4 ESV

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

Jesus is more powerful and authoritative to both the angels and demons (Mt. 12:28; Mt. 26:53)

Angels are not all-knowing—they do not know when the end will be (Mt. 24:36)

Angels worship or glorify God—especially the Seraphim/Cherubim (Is. 6:1-5; Ez. 10:2-22; Rev. 5:11)

Worship of Angels is PROHIBITED in the Scripture (Col. 2:18)

Colossians 2:18 ESV

Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind,

Angels refuse to receive worship (Rev. 22:8-9)

Angels are superior to us in strength (2 Pt. 2:11)

Angels are superior to us in created order (Heb. 2:7-8)

Demons: Fallen angels, divinely created supernatural beings who, under the leadership of Satan, rebelled against God. (BEB)

Our English word for demon comes from the Greek (daimon), which contextually means a false deity—an evil spirit opposed to God.

Hebrew has no single word for demon; rather, uses the term spirit instead.

The Bible teaches us that demons/evil spirits are Angels that sinned and were cast down/out—including Satan

We learn that demons are rebellious angels (2 Pt. 2:4)

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;

We learn that demons did not remain in the position God created them (Jude 6)

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—

We learn that Satan is over the rebellious angels (Matt. 25:41)

Matthew 25:41 ESV

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

We learn that Satan has been evil/sinning from the beginning of time (1 Jn. 3:8)

1 John 3:8 ESV

Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

In both the Old and New Testaments, the word spirit is used to describe demons, this term is frequently paired with and adjective to lead the reader to understand the nature of the spirit.

Evil spirit (Jdg. 9:23)

Afflicting spirit (1 Sam. 16:14)

Lying spirit (1 Kings. 22:22)

Confusing spirit (Is. 19:14)

A spirit of harlotry (Hos. 10:13)

Unclean spirit (Mt. 10:1)

A spirit of infirmity (Lk. 13:11)

A dumb and deaf spirit (Mk. 9:25)

An evil spirit (Acts 19:12)

Demons work to destroy—especially Satan

He disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14)

Jesus refers to Satan as the ruler of this world who will be cast out (Jn. 12:31)

False teachers often appear as angels (Gal. 1:8)

Demons primarily:

Deny and Challenge God’s Word (Jn. 8:44; Gen. 3:1)

Deny, Modify, and Distort Death, Heaven, and Hell (Gen. 3:4)

Promote Human Independence from God (Matt. 16:23)

Work within individuals to take control of their thoughts—this is referred to as Demon possession (Lk. 8:30; Lk. 22:3)

When taken as a whole, with relative security we can state that both Satan and Demons are Angels that rebelled against God and presently fight against God through their attacks on humanity and rejection of God.

What do we do with all this?

Our focus must ALWAYS singularly be on the Lord and His glory

Idolatry is to worship anything but the Lord

Idolatry is to desire anything more the Lord

Our enemy is ALWAYS trying to deceive us

He wants us to discount the authority of God’s Word

He wants us to discount the goodness of God

He wants us to discount the pleasure we have in God

He wants us to reject the presence of God

He wants us to justify our disobedience

Our Lord may send His angels to help us, but He has given us His Spirit as our PRIMARY Comforter!

No angel is better than God

No demon is stronger than God

Remember, we are to put on the armour of the Spirit to wage war against Satan—not to go looking for angels (Eph. 6:10-18)

Ephesians 6:10–18 ESV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,