The word “angel” means, “messenger”. Originally, all angels were
with God in heaven, but later the angel Lucifer rebelled against God, so he and
those angels that followed Lucifer were cast out from heaven.
Angels are created beings (see Psalm 148:1-5; Colossians 1:16,17).
Psalm 148:2 refers to angels and heavenly hosts, and Psalm 148:5 indicates that
such angels and heavenly hosts were created. Colossians 1:16 says that Christ
created all things in heaven. The Bible always refers to angels in the
masculine gender, but no sex is ascribed to angels. Angels are immortal beings,
do not marry, and apparently do not reproduce (see Luke 20:35-36). They are innumerable
(Hebrews 12:22). Angels are spirits, but have become visible at times (see John
20:12). Michael, the Chief Angel or Archangel (Jude 1:9), appeared to Daniel
(see Daniel 10:18-20). The angel Gabriel appeared to Zachariah (see Luke
1:11,19).
A. Holy Angels.
Those angels that do not follow Lucifer are holy angels. The holy
angels are now above man in power (see Psalm 8:4-5). But in the coming Kingdom
of God, man will judge angels (see 1 Cor. 6:3). In his incarnation, Christ was
made a little lower than angels (see Hebrew 2:9).
At his resurrection, Christ was restored to glory, so he is above
angels in power (see Hebrews 1:4-14). We are not to worship angels; rather we
worship only God. One of the functions of angels is to worship God (Rev.
5:11-13). God sends angels to communicate with people (for example, see Luke
1:11-13). Angels are ministering spirits who care for the saints from infancy
until death (see Hebrews 1:14; Matthew 18:10; Psalm 91:11). Angels observe what
happens on earth, and rejoice when a person receives eternal life (see 1 Cor.
4:9; Luke 15:10). Angels will accompany Christ when he returns to earth (see
Matt. 25:31).
B. Fallen Angels.
Lucifer, the chief angel who sinned and fell from the grace of
God, is known by various names. He is known as Satan—”adversary” (1 Chron.
21:1), the Devil—”slanderer,” the Dragon (Rev. 12:9), the Serpent (Gen. 3:13),
and a Murderer and the Father of Lies (John 8:44). God is superior to Satan,
but he allows Satan to rule this world until the return of Christ. So Satan is
called the god of this world (see 2 Cor. 4:4), and the prince of this world (see
John 12:31). Satan deceives people, even transforming himself into an angel of
light (see 2 Cor. 11:14).
The Bible describes Satan by showing him as the power behind evil
world rulers. Satan was the power behind the King of Tyre, described in Ezekiel
28:11-19. The King of Tyre is described, but also Satan is described (see
Ezekiel 28:12,15,17). Satan was full of wisdom and perfect in beauty until he
became wicked. Satan also was the power behind other world rulers. His
pride—wanting to be superior to God—led to his downfall (see Isaiah 14:12-15). At
one point, Jesus revealed that Satan was working through even the Apostle Peter
(see Matt. 16:23). Satan tempts us to follow the ways of the world rather than
the ways of God. Like Satan, who through pride disobeyed God, we too are led
away by our pride. “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and
the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of
the world” (1 John 2:16, King James Version). Demons (Luke 10:17) are those
fallen angels who follow Satan. Some demons are in chains awaiting judgment (2
Peter 2:4) and other demons work together with Satan to promote evil in the
world (see Ephesians 6:12).
Demons are called by various names such as “unclean spirits” (Mark
1:23-27 King James Version), “evil spirits” (Luke 7:21 KJV), “seducing spirits”
(1 Tim. 4:1 KJV), or “foul spirits” (Mark 9:25 KJV). They can posses the bodies
of individuals ( see Mark 5:1-9). One who is possessed may appear to be insane,
and he may have superhuman physical power (Acts 19:16). Demon possession may
cause physical maladies ( see Matt. 9:32). Demons may speak through the mouths
of those possessed ( see Mark 5:7,8). Demons lead people to sin (John 8:44). Demons
may give special powers such as the power to foretell the future—the spirit of divination
(see Acts 16:16). Christians should beware of those who practice demonic
activity such as witchcraft (Gal. 5:20); sorcery (Acts 8:9-11); and consulting
with the spirits of the dead (see Deut. 18:9-12).
Satan and his angels were judged by the sacrifice of Christ and
his resurrection (see John 12:31,32). But Satan is still promoting evil in the
world. In the end, Satan and his angels will be thrown into the lake of fire
(see Rev. 20:10; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6). Christians can avoid succumbing to Satan
and his angels. The demons are afraid of God (see James 2:19). Christians can
rely upon the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit to protect them from Satan
(see 1 John 4:4). When encountering demonic activity, they can pray in the name
of Jesus (see John 14:14).
(For details and for free course visit <www.missionstraining.org>)
