Doctrine of Angels and Demons—Short Summary

Tod Kennedy

December 13, 2006

1.     The origin and existence of Angels

a.      Created by God (Colossians 1:16-17; John 1:3).

b.     They are assumed to exist throughout (Nehemiah 9:6; Matthew 18:10).

c.      They have a home base (Mark 13:32; Jude 6).

d.     They are higher than mankind (Psalm 8:4-5; Hebrews 2:6-7).

2.      Classification and organization

a.      Holy or unfallen

                                                  i.      Cherubim serve God’s holiness in judgment. Cherubim are much more prominent in Scripture (Genesis 3:24; Exodus 25:20; Ezekiel 10:1-28; Hebrews 9:5).

                                                ii.      Seraphim serve God’s holiness in worship (Isaiah 6:1-6).

                                              iii.      Archangel, Michael has combat responsibility in the protection of Israel (Daniel 10:13, 21; 12:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Jude 1:9; Revelation 12:7-12).

                                              iv.      Gabriel was a communicator of God’s will to Israel (Daniel 8:15-27; 9:21-27; Luke 1:19 and 26).

                                                v.      Ministering spirits serve to help believers (Hebrews 1:14).

b.     Sinful or fallen

                                                  i.      Satan was the highest angel (Ezekiel 28:12-14). He sinned through pride by challenging God’s authority and right to rule (Isaiah 14:12-20; 1 John 3:8). God judged him and condemned him and his followers to the lake of fire (Matthew 25:42), a sentence that will be carried out just prior to the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:10). During the present history Satan is free. He attacks believers (Ephesians 6:11-16; 1 Thessalonians 2:18; 1 Peter 5:8) and attempts to veil or hide the gospel from unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4:4).

                                                ii.      They are organized and under Satan’s authority (Matthew 12:24; 25:41; Ephesians 6:11-12; Colossians 2:14; 1 Timothy 3:6).

                                              iii.      Some are confined (Jude 6 and 2 Peter 2:4).

                                              iv.      Some are active now (Matthew 17:18; Luke 9:42; 13:11-16; Acts 19:15; Ephesians 6:11-12).

                                                v.      Some are temporarily restrained (Revelation 9:13-21; 12:9; 16:13-14).

3.     Demons have personality characteristics

a.      Intelligence (1 Peter 1:12).

b.     Volition (Jude 6).

c.      Limitations (Daniel 10:13-21).

d.     No marriage (Mark 12:25).

e.      No death (Luke 20:36).

f.       Strong (Psalm 103:20; Jude 9; Ephesians 6:11-12).

g.     Move rapidly (Daniel 9:21).

h.     Argue with holy angels (Jude 9).

4.     Activities of holy angels

a.      Help believers (Acts 12:1-11; Hebrews 1:14).

b.     Observe church age believers to learn about God’s grace in the angelic conflict (Ephesians 3:10).

c.      Assemble people fore judgment (Matthew 13:41-43).

d.     Appear as people on earth, apparently to help and to test believers (Hebrews 13:2).

e.      Help children (Matthew 18:10).

f.       Communicate with God about the spiritual warfare against Israel and God’s plan for Israel (Gabriel, Daniel 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19, 26; Michael, Daniel 10:13, 21-22; angel messenger Daniel 10:5).

g.     Serve Jesus Christ while he was on earth (Matthew 2:13; 4:11; 26:53).

h.     Serve God in the capitals of the nations in order to help Israel (Daniel 10:20-21; Revelation 20:3).

5.     Activities of fallen or sinful angels

a.      Subvert nations (Daniel 10:13, 20).

b.     Blind people to the gospel by putting a spiritual veil over their minds to block out the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4).

c.      Deceive people (1 Corinthians 10:19-21; 2 Corinthians 11:4, 13-15; 1 Timothy 4:1-3).

d.     Attack believers (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-6; Ephesians 6:10-12; James 4:7).

e.      Desire to indwell unbelievers or animals (Mark 5:1-20).