Angels and Demons

Part 1.

Angels.

 

Who here believes in Angels? Who doesn’t? Has anyone seen an angel? Who wants to?

A lot of people are fascinated by angels; they are often seen as do gooders, who go around helping people in God’s place. There is TV shows about them (touched by an angel), movies about them, books about them, myths and folklore regarding them. How do we decipher the truth from lies? Fact from fiction, reality from folklore?

 

What part do angels play in our lives? What or who are they? What is their purpose?

These are important questions, and are often neglected. Although learning about Angels may seem unimportant, they are fascinating, they are in Scripture, and they are part of our world, so it is best that we get our facts right regarding them

 

The bible talks often about angels, and historically they are given great honour and respect. In Scripture, the angels herald the coming of the Son of God, and are given great tasks to accomplish.

Angels are mentioned in more than half of the books of the Scriptures – 273 times, in fact, in 34 of the 66 books. They are found from the first to the last book of the Bible, and not merely in the older, more primitive books. In the Old Testament, angels are not only mentioned by the visionary writers but even by those who wrote basic history. Furthermore, Yeshua Himself clearly taught the existence of angels, doing so, in fact, in every gospel (Matt. 13:39, 41, 49; Mk. 12:25; Lk. 12:8-9; Jn. 1:51).  

Matt 13: 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers,[1]

49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous [2]

Mk 1225 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.[3]

8 “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God; 9 but whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. [4]

 

John 1: 51 And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you,m you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

[5]

 

If Jesus did it, then so should we.

 

The Names of Angels

 

The Bible uses several names for these celestial beings:

 

The first is the most common – angel, the general term used for all celestial beings, but most commonly referring to the lower angels. Both the Hebrew and Greek words for angel mean the same thing: “a messenger,” referring to both human messengers (Gen. 32: 3 Jacob sent messengers before him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom,[6] (from Mal’ak meaning “to dispatch as deputy”) and divine messengers (Gen. 32:1Jacob went on his way and the angels of God met him[7]).

When used of a divine messenger, it refers to an angel. This name emphasizes the office, that of a messenger, as well as the function, that of service (Heb. 1:7 Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire. [8] (from aggellos (pron angelos)meaning “to bring tidings”)).

A second name, strictly an Old Testament one, is the sons of God. The Hebrew is bnei elohim. In the Old Testament, the term sons of God is always plural (Gen. 6:2 the sons of God saw that they were fair; and they took wives for themselves of all that they chose.[9], 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went in to the daughters of humans, who bore children to them. These were the heroes that were of old, warriors of renown.[10]; Job 1:6 One day the heavenly beingsa (sons of God) came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satanbalso came among them[11] ; 2:1; 38:7).

A third name is the sons of the mighty or the sons of the mighty one. It is similar to the sons of God, because God is the mighty one (Ps. 29:1 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,a ascribe to the Lord glory and strength [12] ; 89:6).

A fourth name is that of the holy ones, emphasizing their unfallen state as opposed to the angels who fell and became demons (Ps. 89:5 Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord, your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones. [13] , 7; Dan. 4:13, 17; 8:13).

A fifth name is watcher, and this highlights the function of observing. Angels observe whether God’s will is being carried out, watching to make sure that, indeed, it is (Dan. 4:13 I continued looking, in the visions of my head as I lay in bed, and there was a holy watcher, coming down from heaven.[14], 17).

The sixth name is watchman, also emphasizing the function of observation. Whereas watcher purely stresses the aspect of observation to see if God’s will is being carried out, watchman also involves the concept of guarding over a situation (Is. 62:6Upon your walls, O Jerusalem,I have posted sentinels; all day and all night they shall never be silent. You who remind the Lord, take no rest,[15]).

The seventh name is spirits, as angels are spirit beings (Heb. 1:14 Are not all angelsf spirits in the divine service, sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?[16]).

The eighth name is stars. With the exception of Numbers 24:17, whenever the word star is used symbolically, it is always a symbol for angel (Job 38:7 when the morning stars sang together and all the heavenly beingsa shouted for joy? [17]; Rev. 1:20; 9:1; 12:4).

A ninth name is ministers. This name affirms the fact that angels are ministers of God carrying out His will (Ps. 103:21 Bless the Lord, all his hosts,his ministers that do his will. (KJV 21Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure[18]; 104:4; Heb. 1:7).

A tenth name for angels is host, an English translation of the Hebrew word that means “army.” The host comprises the heavenly army of God; that is why God is often referred to as Jehovah of hosts, the Lord of hosts, for He is the Lord of this angelic army (I Kings 22:19 hen Micaiahb said, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, with all the host of heaven standing beside him to the right and to the left of him. [19]; Ps. 103:20-21; 148:2).

An eleventh name for angels is chariots, underscoring their speed in carrying out the will of the Lord (II Kings 6:16-17; Ps. 68:17 17 With mighty chariotry, twice ten thousand,

thousands upon thousands, the Lord came from Sinai into the holy place.(the word for chariot also implies, and can in fact mean, the riders of the chariots); Zech. 6:1-8).

The twelfth name for angels is elohim, a word that means “god.” It is used of the one true God and the many false gods. It is also used of angels, because angels are the representatives of God and have God's delegated authority to speak in His name.

 

The Creation of Angels

 

Four things should be mentioned concerning the creation of angels. First is the fact of their creation. The fact that angels were created is taught in Colossians 1:16, where three points are revealed. First, all angels were created simultaneously. God did not create some angels at one point and more angels at another point. Second, then, the number of angels does not increase, as God is not continually creating new angels. And, third, neither does the number of angels decrease. Angels cannot be destroyed; they exist forever.

 

The second thing about the creation of angels is the timing of their creation. According to Job 38:4-7, angels were in existence when God created the heavens and the earth in Genesis 1:1. Some assume this  means they existed prior to creation itself, however we are told that ‘in the beginning God’ – not in the beginning God and Angels

 

The third point about the creation of angels is that they were created holy with the power of contrary choice, i.e., the ability to choose contrary to their nature (Mk. 8:38; Jude 6). They had the ability to make an unholy choice, which one-third of them eventually did to become demons. The other two-thirds later became confirmed in their holiness and, therefore, could no longer choose to sin and no longer have the power of contrary choice.

 

The fourth thing about the creation of angels is the two-fold position of angels. First, they are inferior to Yeshua with respect to His deity (Heb. 1:4 - 2:3) and His humanity (Heb. 2:5-8). Second, they are superior to man (Ps. 8:4-5; Heb. 2:5-7; II Pet. 2:11).

 

 

The Appearance of Angels

 

The Scriptures contain records of angels appearing to people, revealing three key features about the appearance of angels. First, angels appeared in three main ways: Sometimes they appeared in a dream as with Jacob and the ladder (Gen. 28:12); visions were a second way in which angels appeared to humans, as they did with Daniel, Zechariah, and the Apostle John in the Book of Revelation; a third and more common method by which angels became visible was by simple appearance, manifesting suddenly as people, just as the angels appeared at the tomb of Jesus. The second aspect of the appearance of angels is that they always appeared as young men (Gen. 18:1-2, 16, 22; 19:1-22; Mk. 16:5; Lk. 24:4; Acts 1:10-11). Nowhere in the Scriptures do angels appear in the form of women or children (such as cupids) or old men. The third thing about the appearance of angels is their effect, namely, that they generally aroused fear (Dan. 10:4-9; Matt. 28:2-6; Lk. 1:11-12; 1:26-30; 2:9).

 

The Work of Angels in Relation to Believers

 

The Bible has a great deal to say on this subject: First, the good angels rejoice when one is saved (Lk. 15:10).

 

Second, angels have guardianship over believers through general protective care. All children have guardian angels (Matt. 18:10), and every believer has a guardian angel (Heb. 1:14). In fact, a guardian angel is “assigned” to a person as soon as he is saved. Psalms 34:7 and 91:11 teach that nothing can happen to a believer outside of God’s will because of the general protective care of angels. These verses do not teach that nothing bad can happen to believers, but that nothing can happen outside of God’s will.

 

Third, angels are often used to save or rescue believers from specific situations. For example, angels were used to rescue Lot (Gen. 19:1-22). Other instances abound, including Genesis 32:1-2; I Kings 19:5-6; II Kings 6:17; Dan. 3:24-28; 6:22; Acts 5:17-20; and 12:6-11.

 

The fourth work of angels is to guide believers into truth and actions. In Matthew 1:20-21, an angel instructed Joseph to believe Mary’s story that she really was a virgin, although she was pregnant. And an angel instructed Cornelius to send for Peter that he might preach the Gospel to him (Acts 10:3-8). In Acts 27:23-24, an angel guided Paul as well.

 

The fifth function of angels in relationship to believers is that of answering prayer. In Daniel’s case, for example, this happened twice, when an angel was used to answer the prophet’s prayer for more revelation (Dan. 9:20-23; 10:12-13). In the New Testament, prayers for Peter’s release from prison were answered by an angel’s rescue of the apostle (Acts 12:1-19).

 

The sixth purpose of angels in relationship to believers is one of encouragement (Acts 5:18-20; 27:23-25).

 

The seventh work of angels is to carry the soul to its abode in heaven when a believer dies (Lk. 16:22).

 

The eighth role of angels is to serve as spectators of believers, observing to see how we are acting and responding: In Luke 12:8-9, the faith of a believer is confessed before the angels. Later, angels observe when one is saved (Lk. 15:10). Angels also observe the sufferings of believers (I Cor. 4:9). Other examples are seen in I Corinthians 11:10, I Peter 1:10-12 and I Timothy 5:21.

 

The ninth ministry of angels in regard to believers is to serve as guardians over local churches. Not only do individual believers have guardian angels, but every local church has a guardian angel. This is seen in Revelation two and three, where each letter is addressed to the angel of a specific church.

 

Finally, what should the believer’s relationship to angels be in light of the nine previous works? First, like Daniel, believers may certainly feel wonderment and amazement at the ability and work of angels (Dan. 8:16-17; 10:1-9). Second, believers can appreciate their ministry (Heb. 1:14). Third, believers may not worship angels (Col. 2:18; Rev. 19:10; 22:9). Fourth, in the future, believers will judge angels (I Cor. 6:3) – fallen angels, of course – at the Great White Throne judgment.

 

 

Studying Angels is more of a point of interest than anything. This lesson is, perhaps, to clear up our understanding, and place Angels in their right place.


[1]The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1989 (Mt 13:39-41). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

[2]The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1989 (Mt 13:49-50). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

[3]The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1989 (Mk 12:25). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

[4]The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1989 (Lk 12:8-10). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

m Both instances of the Greek word for you in this verse are plural

[5]The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1989 (Jn 1:51). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

[6]The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1989 (Ge 32:3). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

[7]The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1989 (Ge 32:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

[8]The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1989 (Heb 1:7). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

[9]The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1989 (Ge 6:2). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

[10]The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1989 (Ge 6:4). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

a Heb sons of God

b Or the Accuser; Heb ha-satan

[11]The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1989 (Job 1:6). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

a Heb sons of gods

[12]The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1989 (Ps 29:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

[13]The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1989 (Ps 89:5). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

[14]The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1989 (Da 4:13). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

[15]The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1989 (Is 62:6). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

f Gk all of them

[16]The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1989 (Heb 1:14). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

a Heb sons of God

[17]The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1989 (Job 38:7). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

[18]The Holy Bible : King James Version. 1995 (Electronic edition of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version.) (Ps 103:21). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[19]The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1989 (1 Ki 22:19-20). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.