Developing a Biblical Worldview
Angels and Demons:
Angels: uniquely created, immortal spirit beings possessing a level of limited power and intelligence, as well as personality and morality who serve primarily as messengers of the Lord, protectors of and ministers to God’s people, and warriors who execute God’s judgment.
Who are the Angels:
- They are uniquely created spiritual beings
- Colossians 1:16
- Job 38:6-7
- 2 Peter 2:10-11:
- They have various titles and names
- Sons of God – Job 1:6
- Holy ones – Psalm 89:5-7
- Spirits – 1:14
- Watchers – 4:13
- Thrones, dominions, principalities, and authorities – 1:16
- * These can also refer to demonic powers – Watch context!
- Titles of Rank:
- Archangel – Jude 9
- Chief princes – Daniel 10:13
- Specific names:
- Michael – Jude 9, Revelation 12:7-8, and Daniel 10:13, 21
- Gabriel – Daniel 8:16 and 9:21, Luke 1
- They all appear to be masculine in gender.
- Other kinds of spirit beings/angels/ranks
- Cherubim
- Seraphim
- Living Creatures
- They are glorious, intelligent, personal, limited, moral beings:
- 2 Peter 2:11
- Matthew 24:36
- 1 Cor. 13:1
- Heb. 13:2
- Daniel 10:12-14
- Matthew 22:30
- Luke 20:34-36
- Their number is myriad upon myriad
Why are Angels:
- They exist to glorify and worship God.
- They exist to exercise some level of rule and dominion:
- They exist to reveal and communicate God’s message to humans.
- They exist to protect and minister to and believers.
- They exist as warriors to execute God’s judgment on His enemies.
Take-aways
- Angels are not to be worshipped, prayed to, or sought.
- Angels are to be scrutinized based on Scripture.
- We should give the Angels reason to rejoice:
- We should be more focused on knowing and enjoying Jesus than understanding the Angelic.
- Angels show us the magnitude of our salvation and standing before the Lord.
Demons: Angels who rebelled against God and against their assigned place and role in God’s creation.
Who is Satan:
-
- Satan is the original harbinger of sin and the initiator of the angelic sinful rebellion and the leader of the fallen angels.
- His Origin:
- Isaiah 14:12-15
- Ezekiel 28:11-19
- Revelation 12:3-4
- His Actions:
- Satan is the originator of sin – John 8:44
- Satan is a murder bent on destruction – John 8:44
- Satan is a liar who is brilliant in his deception:
- 2 Cor. 11:14
- Gen. 3:1-9
- Matt. 4:1-7
What do demons do:
-
- The tactics of Satan and his demons are to use lies (John 8:44), deception (Revelation 12:9), murder (Psalm 106:37; John 8:44), and every other kind of destructive action to attempt to cause people to turn away from God and destroy themselves.
- Satan and Demons are the drivers of culture – 2:2
- Satan and Demons blind the hearts and minds of the lost – 2 Cor. 4:4
- Satan’s aim to is destroy. When you engage in self-destructive behavior you are engaging in the demonic. God never leads us to self-destructive behavior. God is the giver of life. Satan desires only death.
What is their fate:
-
- Jesus temptation demonstrates His authority over temptation and Satan – 4:1-8
- Jesus’ incarnate ministry demonstrated His authority over demons -1 John 3:8; Mark 3:22-30
- Jesus death has broken Satan and the demonic power grid on earth – 2:15;
- Jesus limits the ability Satan and the demons can touch the life of a child of God – Job
- Jesus has given a type of His authority over the demonic to His followers
- Demons are unable to be redeemed but are bound for eternal fire (some already bound) – 25:41; Rev. 20:10
Take-aways
-
- Be Alert – 2 Cor. 2:11
- Put on the Armor – 6:10-18
- Stand Against: James 4:6-9
