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Introduction to Angels and Demons
In the early pages of Genesis, we read about the creation about
the creation of life on the earth, including man, but nothing on
angels. In chapter three, we meet the Serpent, who tempts Eve
to reject God’s command. Later, through prophetic revelation, we
learn more details about the Serpent. We learn Satan was behind
his words to Eve. Who was Satan, where did he come from?
Scripture reveals he was a fallen angel, from a group known as
the
Cherubim.
The Bible gives the names of three angels who play prominent
roles, one being
Lucifer,
later known as Satan who opposes God. The two others serve the
Lord. Their names appear in both Old and New Testaments.
Michael
watches over Israel (Daniel 12:1) and
Gabriel
delivers
messages from the throne of God (Daniel 8:16, 9:21,
Luke 1:19,26). According to scripture, there
exists myriads upon myriads of angels, but we really only know
the name of two (Daniel 7:10), other then some of the fallen
angels.
Scripture presents another world, which exists beyond our
physical senses, an invisible world, one which includes angels,
both fallen and elect. These angels engage with humanity, those
who serve the Lord aid God’s people in advancing the Kingdom of
God. While those fallen angels, who oppose God’s will, work to
prevent the Kingdom of God. For the believer, what we know
about this spiritual world is limited to what scripture tells
us.
In our modern culture, angels get a lot of attention, many
events are attributed to their actions, and this may or may not
be the case. In each case, we need to take the claims and
examine them against scripture. Some events attributed to God’s
angels in our day, may very well be the work of fallen angels
who are at war with God. For this reason, God has given us
scripture so we can get a clear picture of the spiritual world
existing around us, to help us discern between truth and
darkness (I Thessalonians 5:4-5). People claim to have
super-natural knowledge from angels, but many times their
revelations are in direct opposition to scripture. Mohammad
claimed to have spoken to Gabriel, yet Mohammad’s revelations
are contrary to scripture, indicating the source of his
revelation is demonic not angelic.
How does this spiritual world of angels interact with our
physical world, what role do demons and angels play in our
life? What can we expect from angels and demons in our life?
The role these spiritual beings play in spiritual warfare is
greater then most us probably could imagine. By understanding
their role, we can better understand the conflicts we engage
in. Scripture allows us to observe the spiritual world,
through the lives of Biblical characters such as Daniel and
Paul, so we can understand how they influence our own world.
The purpose of this study is to uncover the various aspects of
this spiritual world, which includes angels and demons, and how
they are involved in the life of the saved and lost.
What does Angel and Demon mean?
The name Angel is derived from the Greek word
a[ggeloß Aggelos,
meaning
messenger or envoy, someone sent from God. The Hebrew word is
$alm
Mal'ak
like the
Greek word means messenger. Both Hebrew and Greek words have
been applied to individuals as well as supernatural beings.
This Hebrew word is the source for the book of
Malachi in the Old Testament, meaning messenger. Angels
are messengers from God who serve invisibly for the Kingdom of
God. Other terms used for Angels include “sons of God”(Job 1:6,
21), “Saints” “Holy ones” (Zechariah 14:5) Watchers (Daniel
4:13,17) Stars (Job 38:7, Psalm 148;2,3, Revelation 12:34).
The term for
demon is
daimovnion
Daimonion, translated devil in the
KJV
New Testament, the word means divine or super-natural power. The
word is associated with the power of a “divine” being inferior
to God. The Hebrew word is
ry[X
Sa`iyr, which means hairy, male-goat buck, associated with the
worship of the male goat among the Hebrews. The Hebrew concept
in scripture is the demon’s were the inspiration behind men
turning to idols. The fallen beings were being worshipped
through idols.
"They shall no more offer their sacrifices to
demons, after whom they have played the harlot. This shall be a
statute forever for them throughout their generations." '
Leviticus 17:7
Though the New Testament reveals more about these
demonic realms then does the Old Testament.
What Demons and Angels share in common?
Their creation:
Where did Angels and Demons come from?
The Bible
tells us the Lord created the angels, as perfect and righteous
beings, created all at once. These spiritual beings along with
Lucifer (Satan) had “freedom” to accept or reject worship of
God. Since the Bible defines demons as fallen angels their
origin is the same as angels, they are only fallen.
2 Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts!5 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
For He commanded and they were created.6 He
also established them forever and ever; Psalm
148:2,5-6
Satan led the rebellion against God’s throne
according to the book of Ezekiel (Chapter 28) and Revelation
(Chapter 12:4). These angels rejected God’s authority and
became fallen or “demons” as they are called.. Therefore, it’s
important to remember God did not create demons, God created
angels with free will, who choose to reject Him, thus becoming
demons. Many of the following questions apply to the fallen
angels too. They are eternal like the other angels, they
Time of their creation:
When were the angels created?
When the angels were created they were called the
“Sons of God” because they were a direct creation, of God.
Adam, like the angels is called a “son of God” because he was
the first person created (Luke 3:38).
1Then the Lord answered
Job out of the whirlwind, and said:6 To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its
cornerstone,7 When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of
God shouted for joy?
Job 38:1,6-7
Angels were created at the foundation of the
earth, according to the Lord’s own word in Job, the “sons of
God” shouted for joy at the creation. This would have included
the fallen angels who had not fallen yet.
Their eternal existence:
Do Angelic
beings live forever?
Angels and Demons are eternal beings, like humanity. There
are no more angels being created today, they were created once
at the foundation of the earth. The same number exists today as
existed at the beginning. The fallen angels will have their
eternity in the lake of fire, tormented eternally. They will
share their abode with the lost in the Lake of Fire.
"Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me,
you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and
his angels: Matthew 25:41
10 The devil,
who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone
where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be
tormented day and night forever and ever.
Revelation 20;10
The angels, like humanity are also eternal; they along with
the saints will inhabit Heaven rejoicing in the presence of God,
praising Him in glory. In the book of Revelation, John is
escorted by an angel, at one point John is overwhelmed by what
he sees, and falls down at the angel’s feet to worship him. The
angel rejects John’s mistake, telling him to worship God alone,
the angel then informs John he is a fellow servant
(Revelation 19:10). Jesus talking about our eternity says, we
will be like the angels one day.
30For in the
resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage,
but are like angels £of God in heaven. Matthew 22:30
34Jesus
answered and said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are
given in marriage. 35But those who are counted worthy to attain
that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor
are given in marriage; 36nor can they die anymore, for they
are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of
the resurrection.
Luke 20:34-36
Therefore,
we can see the destiny of humanity is linked to the angelic
realms; the saved will dwell with the angels in eternity, while
the lost will dwell with the fallen angels in eternal dwellings.
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The
nature of Angels |
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Angels are Spirit beings
Angels are beings, which have spiritual
bodies. They can however appear in the physical world,
when permitted by God. In Genesis the Lord who appears
in human form along with two angels, they dine with
Abraham. Later these two angels go on to judge Sodom
and Gomorrah, the men of Sodom attack Lot because he
kept the angelic beings from going out into the city.
(Genesis 18-19)
Since Angels on occasion are able to appear in
physical form, the writer of Hebrews warns that some
people have actually entertained Angels without knowing
their identity.
Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so
doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.
Hebrews 13:2
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Angels are invisible
Angels are invisible; to prevent men from worshipping
them, John the apostle showed us this twice in the book
of Revelation, when he fell down before an angel to
worship. Twice the angel told him not to do
it.(Revelation 19:10, 22:9)
8 Now
I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard
and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the
angel who showed me these things. 9 Then he said to me,
"See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow
servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of
those who keep the words of this book. Worship God."
Revelation 22:8-9
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Angels possess a distinct identity
Both
angels and demons are distinct persons with identities
and personalities. Each has a name, though we only know
the names of a few. Gabriel identifies himself as
Gabriel, and God calls out to him addressing him as
Gabriel (Daniel 8:16). Jesus asks the demons inhabiting
the man what their name is, they replied “Legion”.
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Angels are limited in their knowledge
Angels are curious but limited in their knowledge. In
this Daniel 12:5-6, two angels standing by Daniel ask
a
third, about the timing of future events.
5
Then I, Daniel, looked; and there stood two others, one
on this riverbank and the other on that riverbank. 6
And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above
the waters of the river, "How long shall the fulfillment
of these wonders be?"
Daniel 12:5-6
Angles like men are made in the image of God
This
point is not explicitly stated, but we can infer based
on the scriptures we know. Angels like humanity, have
“Free will”. Man we are also told is lower then the
angels (Hebrews 2;7). Jesus says, one day we shall be
equal to the angels (Luke 20;36). The angels are called
the “sons of God”(Job 1:6, 2:1, 36:7). We are fellow
servants along with the angels (Revelation 22:9)
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Characteristics of Angels |
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The
Ranks of Angels
Archangel
Scripture lists several specific types of angels,
with different ranks. Scripture does not give us a
breakdown of each specific rank, but does let us know
their exists a hierarchy within the angelic realms. The
first rank as the title implies is Archangel. The word
mentioned twice, is specifically applied to Michael, who
is called an Archangel (Jude 1:9). Therefore, the
highest-ranking angel would be Archangel. Paul in
Thessalonians implies the existence of additional
Archangels (I Thess. 4:16).
Daniel 10:21 implies another
angel of equal ranking to that of Michael. Michael will
one day lead the angels who will expel Satan and his
angels. Michael is also listed as the guardian prince
of Israel (Daniel 12;1).
Some have also classified Gabriel as an archangel,
though he is not specifically called one in scripture.
Gabriel stands before the throne of God and is
dispatched, with revelations central to the salvation of
humanity. He silenced John, when John questioned his
identity (Luke 1:19).
Cherubim
Another group of angels, which play a prominent
role, are the Cherubs. The most famous is Lucifer, who
was listed as the “covering” Cherub (Ezekiel 28:14),
before he turned against God and lead 1/3 of the angels
in rebellion. The Tabernacle and the arch of the
Covenant are pictures or shadows of God’s throne. On the
Arc of the Covenant, Cherubim are carved over the mercy
seat, which is picture of the heavenly reality.
18And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work you
shall make them at the two ends of the mercy seat. 19Make
one cherub at one end, and the other cherub at the
other end; you shall make the cherubim at the two
ends of it of one piece with the mercy seat.
20And the cherubim shall stretch out their
wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings,
and they shall face one another; the faces of the
cherubim shall be toward the mercy seat.
Exodus 25:18-20
In Ezekiel, the throne of God is described by Ezekiel,
along with God’s throne, we see the mighty Cherub
angels, which stand in the presence of God. (Ezekiel
1:4-28, 10:1-24, 11:24). The Cherubim are described as
having 4 sets of wings, with 4 faces.
4Then
I looked, and behold, a whirlwind was coming out of the
north, a great cloud with raging fire engulfing itself;
and brightness was all around it and radiating
out of its midst like the color of amber, out of the
midst of the fire. 5Also from within it came
the likeness of four living creatures. And this was
their appearance: they had the likeness of a man. 6Each
one had four faces, and each one had four wings. 7Their
legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were
like the soles of calves’ feet. They sparkled like the
color of burnished bronze. 8The hands of a
man were under their wings on their four sides;
and each of the four had faces and wings. 9Their
wings touched one another. The creatures did not
turn when they went, but each one went straight
forward..... 26And above the firmament over
their heads was the likeness of a throne, in
appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the
throne was a likeness with the appearance of a
man high above it
Ezekiel 1:4-9, 26
Seraphim, The Four Living Creatures
Along with the Cherubim, who stand by the throne of
God, scripture lists two other groups of angels. Some
would argue, these are also Cherubim angels, since their
work and description are very similar. The
Seraphim
were only mentioned by Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1-7), who sing
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord
of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!”.
The Four Living Creatures have a similar appearance and
also sing God’s praises before the Throne, therefore,
except for a few differences in description, they are
very similar to the Seraphim and the Cherubim described
by Ezekiel and Isaiah. (Revelation 4:6-9, 5:8,
6:1,3,5,7)
Ruling Angels
Angels are territorial; they are assigned specific areas
of influence. They operate with the participation of
the saved. For example Daniel’s prayer in chapter, was
specifically linked to spiritual conflict between the
Prince of Persia (a Demonic force) and Michael. Ephesians 6 helps us to understand their is an
order in the demonic realms, there is also an order in
the heavenly realms. Paul lists them as heavenly
principalities (Ephesians 1:21, 3;10,
Colossians 1:16, 2;10, I Peter 3;22),
which are locked in this struggle.
Guardian Angels
Jesus describes a group of angels, who guard the “little ones” .
Angels aid in the ministry of salvation. They guard and
protect the heirs of salvation.
10“Take
heed that you do not despise one of these little ones,
for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see
the face of My Father who is in heaven. 11For£
the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.
Matthew 18:10-11
This is specifically stated in Hebrews, where angels are
involved in ministry to the lost. There are several
examples of this in descriptions outside the Bible as
missionaries describe angelic intervention.
14Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for
those who will inherit salvation?
Hebrews 1;14
Hosts
All
the angels are described as hosts, meaning army. The
Lord calls Himself, the Lord of Hosts , He identifies
with His Heavenly army. The Hebrew word for Hosts is
abc
Tsaba',
which
means that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host.
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The
appearance of Angels
Angels for the most part appear in human form
throughout scripture, mainly as men. They are described
in glorious terms shining garments, which makes them
standout from others.
3 He
took me there, and behold, there was a man whose
appearance was like the appearance of bronze. He had a
line of flax and a measuring rod in his hand, and he
stood in the gateway.
Ezekiel 40:3
6 And
one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the
waters of the river, "How long shall the fulfillment of
these wonders be?" Daniel
10:6
4And
it happened, as they were £greatly perplexed about this,
that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.
Luke 24:4
Along with the description of angels, we also see
angelic horses and chariots, describing the army of the
Lord. (2 Kings 2:11, 2 Kings
6;17, Psalm 68:17,
Zechariah 1:8-11,
Revelation 19:14)
16So he answered, “Do not fear, for those
who are with us are more than those who are
with them.” 17And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord,
I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord
opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And
behold, the mountain was full of horses and
chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:16-17
In contrast to these descriptions the Cherubim, Seraphim
and the Four Beasts are described as having four faces,
with many eyes, and 4 and 6
wings.
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Their work and ministry
In
Heaven
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They Worship God (1 Ki. 22:19; Ps. 29:1, 2; Isa.
6:3; Rev. 4:8; 19:4).
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The observe humanity (Lk. 12:8, 9; 15:10; 1 Cor. 4:9; 11:10; Eph. 3:10; 1 Tim. 5:21; 1 Pet. 1:12).
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They rejoice in the works of God
(Job
38:7; Rev.
4:11 (1 Tim. 3:16; Rev. 5:11, 12).
On
Earth
Angels are involved in the affairs of men, except they
work more in the background, because of man’s tendency
to worship (Revelation 19:10, 22:9). There are involved
in the ministry to those who are heirs of salvation
(Hebrews 1:14).
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They inform, instruct and interpret scripture
The Bible gives us only glimpses of angelic
involvement, allowing us to understand but not get
sidetracked in our worship or attention. In the same
way, God does not want us to worship pastors, worship
leaders or teachers; he does not want us to worship
angels. The tendency of fallen humanity is to look for
a god-substitute, for our own protection, God limits our
knowledge and exposure to angelic work.
Angels are fellow servants (Revelation 22:9), who
are working in the Heavenly realms to accomplish what we
are doing in the physical. Our prayers empower them to
work along with us to bring the Gospel to the lost.
26Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip,
saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road
which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. Acts 8:26
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They protect the Lord’s servants from danger:
(Genesis 19;10-11 2 Ki.
6:15-17).
The
extent of angelic protection is described in a limited
way (Psalm 34;7, 91:11); God protects his servants from
being to caught up in the wrong direction. However, God
does reveal to us, the existence of angelic involvement
in the physical world. The following story is from Billy
Graham as recorded in the
Wilmington Guide to the Bible.
The
Reverend John G. Paton, a missionary in the New Hebrides
Islands, tells a thrilling story involving the
protective care of angels. Hostile natives surrounded
his mission headquarters one night, intent on burning
the Patons out and killing them. John Paton and his wife
prayed all during that terror-filled night that God
would deliver them. When daylight came they were amazed
to see the attackers unaccountably leave. They thanked
God for delivering them.
A
year later, the chief of the tribe was converted to
Jesus Christ, and Mr. Paton, remembering what had
happened, asked the chief what had kept him and his men
from burning down the house and killing them. The chief
replied in surprise, ‘Who were all those men you had
with you there?’ The missionary answered, ‘There were no
men there; just my wife and I.’ The chief argued that
they had seen many men standing guard—hundreds of big
men in shining garments with drawn swords in their
hands. They seemed to circle the mission station so that
the natives were afraid to attack. Only then did Mr.
Paton realize that God had sent His angels to protect
them. The chief agreed that there was no other
explanation. Could it be that God had sent a legion of
angels to protect His servants, whose lives were being
endangered?” (Angels: God’s Special Agents, p. 3)
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The are involved in Judgment
The
book of Revelation specifically lists the Angels who
stand before the throne of God, how they blow the
trumpets and pour out the bowls of wrath on the earth.
They are administering God’s justice, against
wickedness.
1
When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in
heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven
angels who stand before God, and to them were given
seven trumpets. Revelation 8:1-2
1
Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the
seven angels, "Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of
God on the earth."
Revelation 16:1
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Their destiny
They
are fellow servants with man; Jesus said we will be like
the angels, equal to them. Man will spend eternity
dwelling in the presence of God. Therefore, the angles
will be sharing our eternity. As we work on the earth,
the angels work in heaven. (Heb. 12:22, 23; Rev.
22:10-12) (Eph. 2:4-7; 3:10, 11).
22But you have come to Mount Zion and to
the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to
an innumerable company of angels, 23to the
general assembly and church of the firstborn who are
registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the
spirits of just men made perfect, Hebrews
12:22-23
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Prayer
and Angels
In
scripture, God hears the prayers of his people; our prayers
empower God’s angels to interact on our behalf to advance the
kingdom of God. One of the great examples of prayer and warfare
is in Daniel chapter 10. Before we go there, lets look at a
recent story as reported in the book
The Invisible War,
by Chip Ingram.
The
missionary was serving as a medic in Africa. Periodically he had
to travel by bicycle through the jungle to a nearby city for
supplies. It was a two-day trip, so he would camp in the jungle
overnight. He had always made the trip without incident, but one
day when he arrived in the city, he saw two men fighting. One
was seriously hurt, so he treated the man, shared Christ with
him, and went on his way.
The next time
the missionary traveled to the city, the man he had treated
approached him. “I know you carry money and medicine, the man
said to the missionary. “Some friends and I followed you into
the jungle that night after you treated me, knowing you had to
sleep in the jungle alone. We waited for you to go to sleep,
planning to kill you and take your money and drugs. As we
started to move into the campsite, we saw twenty-six armed
guards surrounding you. There were only six of us, so we knew we
couldn’t possibly get near, and we left.”
When he heard
this, the missionary laughed. “That’s impossible. I assure you,
I was alone in the campsite.” But the young man pressed the
point. “No, sir. I wasn’t the only one who saw the guards. My
friends saw them too, and we all counted them.”
Later as the
missionary went home to his home church in Michigan and told his
story, someone in the church stopped him and told the following.
He said the following to the meeting.
“On that
night in Africa it was morning here. I stopped by the church to
get some materials for a ministry trip. But as I was putting my
bags in my trunk, I felt the Lord leading me to pray for you. I
was an extremely strong urge, so I got on the phone and gathered
some other men to come to church and pray for you” Then the man
turned to the rest of the congregation. “Will all of those men
who prayed with me that day stand up right now? And one by one
they stood up—all twenty-six of them.
The
missionary could relate to Daniel, who sheds light on just such
an incident. In Daniel 10,
Daniel is praying and fasting for 21-days. The Persians had
just defeated Babylon, and Cyrus the Persian King had allowed
the Jews to return and the Temple to be rebuilt. However there
enemies of the Jews in the Persian court, who wanted to prevent
this, Daniel understood the battle was spiritual not physical.
Daniel was
in his eighties, at this point in his life. He prayed and
fasted for 21-days with no answer. Finally, an answer came from
an angelic being who explained the events to Daniel, why there
was a delay.
2 In those
days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. 3 I ate no
pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I
anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. 4
Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the
side of the great river, that is, the Tigris, 5 I lifted my eyes
and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose
waist was girded with gold of Uphaz! 6 His body was like beryl,
his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches
of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and
the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude. 7 And I,
Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did
not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that
they fled to hide themselves. 8 Therefore I was left alone when
I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my
vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength. 9
Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound
of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to
the ground. 10 Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me
tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. 11 And he said
to me, "O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that
I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to
you." While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.
12 Then he said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first
day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble
yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come
because of your words. 13 "But the prince of the kingdom of
Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold,
Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had
been left alone there with the kings of Persia. 14 "Now I
have come to make you understand what will happen to your people
in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to
come." Daniel 10:2-14
The glorious
looking angel explains to Daniel, the
Prince of
Persia
withstood him for 21-days. The Prince of Persia was not a
physical being but a spiritual being that was in control over
the principality of Persia. Michael, who was the angel over
Israel, was called into action to aid the other angel, because
of the power of the spiritual being, which opposed Daniel’s
prayer.
Notice
Daniel was the warrior on earth, involved in this spiritual war
taking place in heavenly realms.
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