Theology 16 — Angels, Demons, and Satan

In this episode we’ll consider what the bible says about angels, demons, and Satan.  My goal here is to be as biblical as possible, not giving in to wild speculations or dismissing an understanding because it offends my modern sensibilities.  The scriptures have a lot to say about the spiritual realm, and we can’t possibly work through it all in one episode, but we can at least overview the various major categories of thought.

—— Notes ——

Angels

“…[A]ngels are spiritual beings separate from God, yet, unless they be fallen, of unquestioned integrity, goodwill and obedience to him.” (New Bible Dictionary, p. 37)

1. Worshipers

• ever notice God is usually portrayed with others?
• seraphs, cherubs, living creatures
• Isaiah 6.1-3
• Ezekiel 1.1-3, 5, 22, 26-27; 10.15, 20
• Daniel 7.9-10
• Revelation 4.1-11; 5.11; 7.11
• Genesis 1.26; 3.22; 11.7

2. Messengers

• The angel of Yahweh speaks to Hagar (Gen 16.7-13): this is called the principle of agency
• another example is Moses at the burning bush (Ex 3.3-7, 2)
• deceptive messages: Micaiah’s vision shows how God involves the spirits in carrying out his plans
• also Luke 1 where Gabriel announces the birth of Christ to Mary

3. Warriors

• angels who destroy Assyrian army (2 Kings 19.35)
• angels blinded then destroyed Sodom & Gomorrah (Gen 19)
• angel killed Herod (Acts 12.23)
• typically they begin by saying “Do not be afraid”
• Joshua met an angelic warrior (Josh 5.13-15)
• God is the LORD of hosts (battle name)

4. Helpers

• fed Elijah when he was severely disappointed (1 Kings 19.5-8)
• sees a 4th man in fiery furnace (Dan 3.24-25, 28)
• God sent Daniel an angel to shut the lions’ mouths (Dan 6.22)
• broke apostles out of jail (Acts 5.19-20)
• ministering spirits set out to serve (Heb 1.13-14)

5. national vicegerents

• Deuteronomy 32;
• Daniel 12: Michael your prince
• Daniel 10: Gabriel said he was fighting w/ prince of Persia

 

Demons

1. Some spirits “fell” in the time of Noah

• 1 Peter 3.18-20
• 2 Peter 2.4-5
• Jude 6-7
• Genesis 6.1-5

this also happened later

• Numbers 13.33; Deut 1.28
• killed Og of Bashan whose bed was 13.5’ long and 6’ wide (Deut 3.11)
• Goliath was of the Anakim (1 Sam 17.4)
• others killed by David’s mighty men (2 Sam 21.16-22)

these events could be what Revelation 12 calls the dragon’s tail pulling down 1/3 of the stars and casting them to earth

2. Demons associated with idols

• Deut 32.15-17 “they made him jealous with strange gods…they sacrificed to demons that were no gods, to gods they had never known”
• Ps 106.34-38 Israelites mixed w/ nations and served their idols and sacrificed their kids to demons (see also sacrificing to “goat demons” in Lev 17.7)
• 1 Cor 10.19-22 pagans offering sacrifices to demons; don’t partake!
• Rev 9.20 during chaotic end-times people don’t repent of worshiping demons and idols
• an idol is just a statue, but the demon behind the idol may be real

3. Demons are not things but personal agents

• James 2.19 they believe God is one and shudder
• Acts 19.15 the spirit said, “Jesus I know, and Paul…”

4. Usage of “demon”

1. Luke: 30%
2. Mat 23%
3. Mark 21%
4. John 9%
5. 1 Cor 6%
6. Rev 4%
7. J