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Brush Up On Your Theology; 9. Angelology

by Dr. Henderson Ward  
11/18/2015 / Bible Studies

Angelology is a concept that has to do with the branch of Christian theology that deals with the doctrine of angels. Under this heading I am setting forth the orthodox, doctrinal position with respect to angels, which are the clean ones who perform their duties pleasing to God, and demons, the unclean spirits, including Satan, who are in permanent rebellion and defiance against God; and that are doomed to everlasting torture and confinement in hell.

GOOD ANGELS

Angels are created spiritual beings that were created just like man, and therefore have none of the attributes of deity, and are not to be worshipped. They were created to worship, and to obey and serve, God and they have been, and still are, used by God to perform various functions in the affairs of humanity.

Although angels (clean and unclean) are spiritual beings they are capable of taking on human form, "And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground." (Genesis 19:1).

Angels are super human in strength and have (a) wills, "And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." (2 Timothy 2:26), (b) emotions, "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." (Luke 2:13) and (c) intelligence, "And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?" (Matthew 8:29).

We know some angels by name because of their prominence, Michael, "Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee." (Jude 1: 9) and Gabriel, "And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings." (Luke 1:19).

Other angels are nameless, (the Apocrapha names one other, Raphael, but the Bible does not confirm that) and we know that they are not all at the same level, or do the same things, because the terms, arch angel, seraphim, cherubim, etc., are believed to be indicative of rank.

An important passage of scripture dealing with angels is Hebrews 1: 14-15, "But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thy enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?"

In addition to the foregoing the Bible tells us quite a lot about the activities of angels, and listed below are some of those things:
1. They worship God, "And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him." (Hebrews 1:6)
2. They serve God, "Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God." (Revelation 22:9)
3. They praise God, "Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights. Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts." (Psalm 148:1-2)
4. They bring answers to prayer, "Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him... When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the LORD hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews." (Acts 12:5, 10-11)
5. They observe Christians, "For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men." (1 Corinthians 4: 9), "For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels." (1 Corinthians 11:10).
6. They help in evangelism, "And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert." (Acts 8:26)
7. They encourage believers during dangerous times, "For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee." (Acts 27: 23-24)
8. They care for the saved at death, "And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried." (Luke 16:22)
9. They appear before God, "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them." (Job 1:6)
10. They are instrumental in God's judgments, "And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea." (Revelation 7: 1-2)

UNCLEAN ANGELS (Demons)

Demons here will include Satan, and all of those angels cast down from heaven during the fall, who number approximately one third of the heavenly host, "And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born." (Revelation 12:4).

Satan, who from scripture was a chief angel and cherub, "Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire." (Ezekiel 28:14), was cast out because pride filled his heart and he wanted to be like God, wanted to be worshipped and occupy the throne no doubt; and was summarily dismissed along with his fellow schemers.

Satan and all of his demons are in permanent revolt against God, and by extension all of God's children, but because of God's abiding presence with us and in us we can resist him successfully.

Although Satan is mighty in many ways, Christians can be assured that he is a defeated enemy and victory will always be ours because, " where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" (Romans 5: 20) and "because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" (1 John 4: 4).

The Bible has a lot to say about Satan and his demons, with a key scripture being this, "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." (Revelation 12: 9).

The Bible tells us a lot more about Satan and his demons and listed below are some references:

1. Demons are actively trying to destroy Christians, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8)
2. Demons are usually called devils in the New Testament, "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?" (Matthew 7:22)
3. Demons are unclean spirits, "And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him." (Mark 1:27)
4. Demons are angels of Satan, ""And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." (Revelation 12: 9).
5. Demons are deceivers of unbelievers, " In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." (2 Corinthians 4: 4)
6. Demons are in conflict with angels, "And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven." (Revelation 12: 7-8)
7. Demons can appear in physical form, "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." (2 Corinthians 11: 14)
8. Demons (some) are confined in chains awaiting judgment, "And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." (Jude 1: 6-7)
9. Demons deeply fear God, "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." (Jamess 2:19)
10. Demons reside in the spirit world/ supernatural sphere, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12)
11. People can be demon possessed, "And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit." (Mark 5:2)
12. Animals can be demon possessed, "And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand) and were choked in the sea." (Mark 5: 13)
13. Demons are behind idol worship, "They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not." (Deuteronomy 32 :17)
14. Demons can communicate with mediums who yield to them, "Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel. And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul." (1 Samuel 28: 11-12)
15. Demons will entice the wicked to do battle at Armageddon, "For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty." (Revelation 16:14)

Adam Clarke, in his Bible Commentary, made a comment that encapsulates, and appropriately concludes, our thoughts on Angelology:

"What a comfortable thought it is to the followers of Christ, that neither men nor demons can act against them but by the permission of their heavenly Father; and that he will not suffer any of those who trust in him to be tried above what they are able to bear, and will make the trial issue in their greater salvation, and in his glory".

Enough said.

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Dr. Henderson Ward received his Doctor of Divinity in theology, with distinction, from Masters International School of Divinity, USA, where he is currently a post-doctoral fellow. Dr. Ward's career involved pastoring, evangelism, and teaching. Copyright 2017

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