March 13, 2022

DOCTRINE OF ANGELS & DEMONS

March 13, 2022

Matt Willmington

 

There are many areas of life where beliefs or opinions can be taken to the extreme, and which can create complications. Does an example come to your mind?

For the past couple of months, we have been in a series where we are examining the doctrines of the Christian faith. Each week we have cited the corresponding section of the Statement of Faith of our church, which references the doctrine for that week. As we examine what the Bible teaches on angels and demons, we will reference only the Bible. God has given us a complete overview as we see what He says about these created beings.

Two Dangers to Avoid Concerning Angels

  • Saying too much. What do we mean when we say we can put too much emphasis on the angelic world?
  • Saying too little. While we should not give undue recognition to the angels who are ministering to saints, what is the caution we need to take in giving demons (fallen angels) too little thought?

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS CONCERNING ANGELS

WHAT ARE ANGELS?

  • The word in Hebrew means “mighty ones,” “valiant men” or even “champions.” Read Psalm 103:20-21. What did David say about them in these verses?
  • Read Psa. 104:4 and Hebrews 1:14. What were angels created to do?

HOW DID THEY ORIGINATE?

  • The Bible does not tell us when the angels were created. Read Job 38:1-7. What did God say they were doing when He created the earth? Read Psa. 148:1-6. What can be learned about angels from these verses?
  • Read Rev. 12:3-9. When Satan waged war against God, how many of the angels fell with him? Read Luke 20:35-37. What are some additional characteristics of angels we see in this passage?

WHAT KINDS OF ANGELS ARE THERE?

  • FALLEN: What are some of the terms used for those angels who chose to go with Satan? What do we commonly call them? Read Jude verse 6 and 2 Peter 2:4. What punishment is already being suffered by some of those fallen angels?
  • GOOD: Reread Heb. 1:14. What is one of the primary jobs of these angelic beings? Read Rev. 7:11. What actions do you recall angels doing in Scripture?
  • ARCH: Who are the two angels you think of immediately who are Arch Angels? What did they do? How would you classify the hierarchy of Arch Angels?
  • CHERUBIM: Read Gen. 3:24 for the first reference to a Cherub Angel, possibly the second-highest order of angels. Read Ezek. 10:19-21 for their description.
  • SERAPHIM: Thought to be the highest order of the angels. They are mentioned only a few times in the Bible, in Isaiah, with similar features of the Cherubim. Their role seems to be to praise God.
  • LIVING CREATURES: Mentioned only in Revelation (4, 5, & 6), these are magnificent, powerful creatures similar to the Cherubim and Seraphim.
  • RULING RANKS: Many of these ranks are listed by Paul in Eph. 6:12.
  • GUARDIANS: These are the ministering spirits in Hebrews 1:14.

ARE THEY DEAD PEOPLE?

  • NO! Forget your preconceived notions that dead people roam the earth. Read 2 Cor. 5:8. Upon death, the saved go to be with the Lord, the unsaved will be forever in hell. Read Psa. 9:17 and Luke 16:19-26 for a clearer understanding.

DO WE NEED TO SPEAK A SPECIAL LANGUAGE?

  • NO! Read 1 Timothy 2:5. There is no one but Christ to mediate for mankind. We are not to attempt to establish a personal relationship with them.

DO THEY HAVE BODIES?

  • Reread Psa. 104:4. Angels are spirits unless they must take on a physical body temporarily, as in Genesis 19:1-22, when their mission requires bodies.

DO THEY HAVE LIMITS?

  • Although angels possess free will (else 1/3 could not have followed Satan), they have no “Omni” powers, or ability to read thoughts, etc.

CAN I BE POSSESSED OR OPPRESSED BY DEMONS?

  • BELIEVERS, belonging to God and indwelt with the Holy Spirit, can be oppressed but not possessed. Read 1 Cor. 6:19-20. UNBELIEVERS, belonging to Satan and the kingdom of darkness, can be indwelt by demons. They still can choose to call out to God for salvation and receive freedom. Read Mark 5:1-20.

DO THEY CAUSE ILLNESS?

  • PHYSICAL, yes. Scripture gives us many passages to affirm this: Luke 8:27-28, 9:39, 13:10-16; John 9:1-5
  • MENTAL, they can be, but definitely not always: 1 Samuel 16:14-23.

CAN I CONTROL THEM?

  • Use these passages: Colossians 2:18; Revelation 22:8-9 and Jude 1:9; Luke 9, 10.

 

Close

The topic of angels is popular both in Christian and non-Christian cultures. A problem can occur if there is an undue emphasis on their roles and their responsibility to guard or protect mankind. As with other categories of the supernatural, angels can be sinfully idolized or worshiped, when, because it is a created being, it is only the Creator who is worthy of worship.

The Bible speaks of children having a guardian angel (Matt. 18:10), as well as being ministering spirits to us who are God’s children (Heb. 1:14). We give God the glory for His protection, but do not try to form a relationship.

At the same time, Satan desires to sabotage us by assigning a demon, or a “familiar spirit,”  to try to take us down, as he knows our every action. They cannot read our thoughts but can whisper to our minds, trying to ruin our faith in God. Because he knows us intimately, he knows our weaknesses. Don’t underestimate Satan but don’t give him any unnecessary attention. He will be in hell one day. It is God and God alone who deserves the glory and the praise!

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