angels and demons.

My thoughts have been on angels, demons, and satan this month as I’ve been studying for a message in a doctrine series. There is great curiosity today about the spirit world, both good and evil. Here are a few FAQs about that world from Scripture:

1.     Who created angels? God, of course. He created everything. These creatures are also called “sons of God”, spirits, “heavenly host”, “fallen angels”, and demons [Ps.148, Col.1:16]

2.     When? Obviously before Genesis 2, because nothing is created after that time. Quite possibly they were created before the foundation of the earth [Job 38:1-7, Gen. 2:1]

3.     How many are there? Innumerable, maybe as many as the stars [Ps.148]

4.     What types are there? We are told about cherubim, seraphim, and living creatures [Is.6, Revelation]

5.     What are they like? They are spirits so they are mainly invisible in our world. They have names, personalities, emotions, power, and intelligence. They are asexual and don’t marry or have families. They can appear as humans [usually males]. Some are described with majestic animal features, others with wings. They will exist forever, just like humans [Dan.10, Luke 20:34-36]

6.     Why were they created? Two main reasons: first to serve and worship God [Rev.4, Col.1, Heb.1, Ps.104]. Second, they work to protect, inform, and encourage humans [Heb.1, Dan.9-10, Ps.91]

7.     Who are the prominent angels? Michael - chief prince, archangel [Daniel, Jude], Gabriel - archangel [Daniel, 1 Thess.4], and Abaddon - a fallen archangel, destroyer [Rev.9]

8.     Who is Lucifer? From the Latin, “morning star”, he was the worship leader of heaven, but quickly became filled with pride, rebelled, and was ejected from heaven’s stage [Is.14:12-15, Ez.28:11-17]. He’s now called satan, or the devil [Job 1-2]

9.     Who are demons? They were created angels, and sided with satan’s rebellion, perhaps one-third of the heavenly host [Rev.12, 2 Pet.2, Jude 6]

10. What will happen to them in the future? It appears the holy and fallen angels will clash in more earthly warfare during the Tribulation. Satan and his demons will be jailed for 1000 yrs, released for one last attack on earth, and then imprisoned for eternity in the Lake of Fire. There is no hope of salvation for these demons [Rev.6-20]. Saints will be involved in judging them [1 Cor.6].

11.  What kind of warriors are angels, demons, satan? They are stronger, faster, smarter than any human. They have been in existence since time began, and have immense experience over any human [Rev., 2 Pet.2]. But, they are not as powerful, present, or smart as God. They cannot be everyplace at once. They are limited beings. Including satan. [Dan.10, Rom.8]

12. How do Satan/demons battle humans? Satan plans and prowls for prey - he is a hunter [Eph.6, 1 Pet.5]. They tempt us through deceit and oppression. Satan is called the angel of light, the father of lies [2 Cor.11:14, John 8]. They oppress through thoughts and moods they bring on people, and can also oppress us physically [Job 1, 2 Cor.12:7]. They usually work WITH our flesh SUBTLEY, they can do far more damage by working quietly. They can possess unbelievers, NOT saints, because we are filled with Christ and His Spirit.

13. Can they read our thoughts? Evidently not, because we have a intimate relationship to God, and they aren’t omniscient.  

14. How can Christians battle satan and his demons? In our flesh we are helpless before them, but in Christ’s power we have power over them. They can be cast out of people and confined. [Luke 10]. We must “see” and “stand” [1 Pet.5:8-9] Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith. We must watch for their attacks and resist them through God’s Word, prayer, worship, and fellowship [Eph.6, James 4]

15.  How do angels help us? They DON’T possess us, receive worship, or teach anything that contradicts Scripture. They do protect us, inform us, and encourage us. Jacob and Elisha saw their protection, Abraham and Daniel received messages from them, and Jesus was encouraged by them [Gen.32, Matt.18:10, Ps.91:9-12, 2 Kings 6, Dan.9, 10, Gen.18, Matt.4, Luke 22, Heb.13]