1. ANGELS – MESSENGERS OF GOD
a) WHO ARE THE ANGELS?
Angels are mentioned frequently in the Bible, but not for the purpose of teaching us about angels themselves. Rather we learn about their involvement with God and His purposes.
– The word “angel” means “messenger” in both the Hebrew and Greek.
– Not to be worshiped. Jdg 13:16-18; Col 2:18; Re 19:10; 22:8-9
– There are two classes of angels, good & bad…..Re 12:7
> for bad angels see Section C2 and Demonology Section C5
– Angels are also referred to as:
> watchers.Da 4:13,17,23
> angels of heaven.. .Mt24:36 > heavenly host.Lu2:13
> spiritsZee 6:5; Heb 1:4,14
> sons of God..Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7
> principalities, powers, thrones, dominions, authorities
Col 1:16;Ro 8:38;I Co 15:24; Eph 6:12; Col 2:15
– Three Angelic Beings are named in the Bible
> Gabriel…Da 8:16; 9:21; Lu 1:11-20, 26-38
> Michael..Da 10:13,21; 12:1; Jude 9; Re 12:7
> Satan (with many other names).see Section C3
– Spiritual Beings are of different ranks or orders
> Celestial dignities….2Pe 2:10-11
> Seraphs.. Isa 6:2,6
> Cherubims… Ge 3:24; Ex 25:18; Ps 18:10; Eze 10:2-9
Satan was a cherub….. Eze 28:14-16
> Archangel…. ITh 4:16; Jude 9
– They are created by God the Father and Son…..… … … Ne 9:6; Col 1:16
> before creation of man.. Job 38:1-7
– Spiritual beings (not flesh & blood).Eph6:12;Hebl:14;Ps 104:4
> but often appear in visible, human form . Ge 18:2-33; 19:1-22; Jdg 6:11-22; Joh 20:12
> we may entertain angels without knowing it…..Heb 13:2
– Very many….De 33:2; Da 7:10; Mt 26:53; Lu 2:13; Heb 12:22
– Mighty in power.2Ki 19:35; Ps 103:20; 2Th 1:7; 2Pe 2:11; Isa 37:36
– Wise, but not all-knowing….2Sa 14:20; Mt24:36; IPe 1:12
– Christ Jesus is far superior to angelsHeb 1:4-2:15
b) WHAT DO GOOD ANGELS DO?
– Worship and praise God.Heb 1:6; Re 5:11-12
– Law of Moses given via angels..Ps 68:17; Ga 3:19; Ac 7:53
– Are subject to Jesus..Eph 1:20-22; Col 2:10; IPe 3:22
– They minister to the heirs of salvation…Heb 1:7,14
> Their help is obtained by prayer to GodMt 26:53; Ac 12:5-7
– They execute God’s judgment….2Sa 24:16; 2K 19:35; Ps 35:5-6; Ac 12:23; Re 16:1
– They are endtime harvestersMt 13:39-41,49-50; 24:31
– Watch over children.Mt 18:10
– Protect the people of God…..Da 6:22; Ps 34:7- 91:11
– Will appear with Jesus at His 2nd coming…Mt 16:27; 25:31;Mk 8:38; ITh 4:16; 2Th 1:7
– Announced great events in Jesus’life
> conception… Lu 1:31 > birth. Lu 2:10-12
> resurrection. Lu 24:23 > ascension…..Ac 1:10,11
> second coming.. Ac 1:11
c) ANGELS MINISTERED TO MANY PEOPLE
– Hagar, when she first left Sarah.Ge 16:7-13
– Lot, before Sodom was destroyed….Ge 19:1-22
– Hagar and Ishmael….Ge 21:17-19
– Abraham, on the mountain with Isaac….Ge 22:11-18
– Jacob, in vision with ladder..Ge 28:12
> in vision regarding Laban’s sheep… Ge 31:11
> after he left Laban to meet EsauGe 32:1
– Moses, at the burning bush…Ex3:2
– Israel, with the pillar of cloud…. Exl4:19-20
> to lead them.Ex 23:20-23; Nu 20:16
– Balaam and his donke y..Nu 22:22-35
– Joshua and Israel Jdg 2:1-5
– Gideon, to choose him to lead IsraelJdg 6:11-22
– Samson’s parents.Jdg 13:2-23
– David, when he numbered the people….2Sa 24:15-17; ICh 21:16-30
– Elijah, to strengthen him IKi 19:5-8
– Assyrians, to kill the m….2Ki 19:35; 2Ch 32:21; Isa 37:36
– Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego, in fire….. Da 3:25-28
– Daniel, in the lion’s den..Da 6:22
> angel Gabriel to show the future….. Da 8:16; 9:21
– Zechariah is shown much by angels Zee 1:9; 4:1-6
– Joseph, husband of Mary….. Mt 1:20-21
> go to and return from EgyptMt 2:13; 2:19
– Jesus, angels minister to himMt 4:11; Mk 1:13
– Children have their angel ….Mt 18:10
– Women, at the tomb.Mt 28:2-8; Joh 20:11-13
– Zacharias sees Gabriel in the templ. Lu 1:11-19
– Mary, mother of Jesus, sees Gabriel .. Lu 1:26-38
– Shepherds, at Jesus’ birth…..Lu 2:8-16
– Jesus, praying and weeping in garden….Lu 22:43
– Sick, to stir up water of healing..Joh 5:4
– Apostles, to release them from prison….Ac 5:19-20
– Philip, to witness to the Ethiopian… Ac 8:26
– Cornelius, to call for Peter… Ac 10:3-8
– Peter, to escape Herod’s prison..Ac 12:6-11
– Herod, to strike him and kill him…..Ac 12:21-23
– Paul, before the shipwreck…Ac 27:23-24
– John, many places in the book of…..Revelation 2. DEMONS-SATAN’S ANGELS
a) INTRODUCTION
– some evil angels have been rejected by God….. 2Pe 2:4; Jude 6
– Evil spirits may dwell in people.Mt 12:43-45; Mk 1:26; 5:9; 7:24-30; 9:14-27; 16:9
– Danger for unbelievers to deal with spirits.. Ac 19:12-16
– Demons called deceiving spirits ITi 4:1
> Never believe what demons say, they lie….Joh 8:44;
> Don’t talk to demo ns – cast them out…..Mk 16:15-18
– Demons believe there is a God.. Jas 2:19
– Can perform miraculous signs …Re 16:14; 2Th 2:9-12; Mt 24:24; Ex 7:11,22
b) BELIEVERS HAVE POWER/AUTHORITY OVER DEMONS
– Greater is Jesus in us than Satan in the world….IJo4:4
– Demons could not enter pigs without permission….Mt 8:30-32
– Apostles given power over demons. Lu9:l
– Seventy others appointed to cast out demons…. Lu 10:1,17
– All disciples empowered to cast out demons…..… … … Mt 10:1; Mk 16:17
– Promised power to command evil spirit Lu 10:18-20
– Paul cast out a spirit of divination….Ac 16:16
– Demons cast out by word of faith & power.Lu4:32-36
3. SATAN-NAMES AND HISTORY
a) NAMES USED TO DESCRIBE SATAN REVEAL HIS CHARACTER
(MEANINGS OF THE NAME S ARE IN BRACKETS)
– Lucifer (Angel of Light)
> his name while he was in heaven…. Isa 14:12
– Satan (Opponent)….. Mt 4:10; ICh 21:1; Job 1:6; Zec 3:1
– Serpent, or Old Serpent..Ge 3:1,4; Re 12.-9
– Dragon, Serpent, Devil, Satan….Re 12:9; 20:2
– Devil (False Accuser)…. Mt 4:1,5,8; Eph 6:11-12; Re 12:9
– Tempter.. Mt4:3; lTh3:5
– Beelzebub (Dung-God)..Mt 12:24; Mk 3:22
– Prince of devils or demons…Mt 12:24; Mk 3:22
– Evil One..Mt13:19
– Prince of this world..Joh 12:31,14:30; 16:11
– Murderer, Liar….Joh 8:44
– God of this world syste m or age.2Co 4:4; Joh 12:31; 14:30; 16:11
– Belial (Worthlessness) 2Co 6:15
– Prince of the power of the air…..Eph 2:2
– Adversary, the devil (Enemy)…. IPe 5:8
– Deceiver Re 12:9
– Accuser of our brothers .Re 12:10
– Possibly, these refer to Satan
> angel of the Abyss or Pit…..Re 9:11
> Apollyon, Abaddon (Destroyer)…..Re 9:11
b) SATAN IS COMPARED TO
– A SerpentGe 3:1; Re 12:9,20:2
– A Hunter of birds (fowler)… Ps 91:3
– APlanter of weeds…. Mt 13:25
– AWolf…..Joh 10:12
– ARoaring Lion… lPe5:8
c) GENERAL HISTORY OF SATAN
There is much teaching about Satan in the Bible.
– He is a created being Eze 28:13
– He was called “Lucifer” in heaven…Isa 14:12
– Anointed by God as guardian cherub…..Eze 28:14
> on the holy mount of God… Eze 28:14
> model of perfection (wisdom and beauty)…Eze 28:12,15
> in the Garden of God…..Eze 28:13
– Originally in heaven but was cast out…. Lu 10:18
– Sinned against God…IJo 3:8
– Sin was revealed in hi m. Eze 28:15
> because of pride of his beauty…Eze 28:17
– Cause of Satan’s fall from God’s favor…Isa 14:12-20
> I will ascend to heaven..Isa 14:13
> I will raise my throne above the stars of God… Isa 14:13
> I will sit enthroned..utmost heights.Isa 14:13
> I will ascend above the clouds.. Isa 14:14
> I will make myself like the Most High. Isa 14:14
– Ruler of evil spirits, evil angels, demons…..Mt 12:24-28
– Some believe Satan wanted to be in charge of God’s creation before the creation of Adam.
– Satan claimed that world belonged to him…Mt 4:8-9
> Adam was given rulership of earth by God.Ge 1:28
– He deceived Eve in the garden of Eden. Ge 3:1-7
– He is cursed by God.Ge 3:14
– He is the enemy of man..Ge3:15
– In Job’s time, Satan had access to God…Job 1:6
> he is still called accuser of our brothersRe 12:10
– He tempted Jesus unsuccessfully….. Mt 4:3,4
– May appear as an angel of light. 2Co 11:14
d) THE FINAL END OF SATAN AND HIS ANGELS
– Saints are to judge angels…. ICo 6:3
– Satan will be made powerless by God… Ge 3:15; Re 20:10
– Jesus said he saw Satan fall from heaven…. Lu 10:18
> Satan is Prince of the power of the air.. Eph 2:2
> Satan is expelled from the mount of God… Eze 28:16
> Satan is seen as thrown to the earth Eze 28:17; Re 12:10-13
> Satan is chained for a thousand years… Re 20:1-3
– Satan is cast into lake of fire Mt 25:41; Eze 28:18-
Re 20:10
– No hope for their redemption…..Jude 6; 2Pe 2:4; Mt 25:41
> everlasting fire is prepared for him. Mt 25:41
4. SATAN-POWER AND WORK
a) IS A PERSONALITY, NOT SOME FORCE OR INFLUENCE
– Interacts with Jesus in the temptation…. Mt 4:1-11
> he can speak Ge 3:1;Mt 4:3
– Jesus calls him a murderer, liar. Joh 8:44
– He is cunning, disguises himself….. 2 Co 11:3 14
– Interacts with God… Job 1:6-12; 2:1-6
– He walks, roars.. I Pe 5:8
– He can be chained…. Re 20:1-3
b) POWER AND WORK OF SATAN AND HIS FALLEN ANGELS
– Opposes and afflicts the righteous… Job 1:12-19,2:5-7; Zec 3:1
> with disease. Lu 13:16; Mt 17:15-18
> with demons Mk 5:15; 6:13; 16:9
– Attempts to destroy men
> with temptations….. I Ch 21:1; I Th 3-5
}Eve… Ge 3:1-7
} Job… Job 1:6-12
} David….. I Ch 21:1
} Christ….. Mt 4:1-11
} Judas Lu 22:1-6
} Ananias & Sapphira Ac 5:1-11
> with lies. Joh 8:44
> had power of bodily death.. Heb 2:14-15
– Attempts to destroy the gospel.. Mt 13:19; 2Co 4:4
– Opposes God’s work and workers… Zec3:1; ITh2:18;Da 10:10-14
– Perverts the Scriptures… Mt 4:6 & Ps 91:11-12
– Able to do signs and wonders…. 2Th 2:8-9; Re 13:11-15
– See also Demonology…. Section C5
c) LIMITATIONS OF SATAN’S POWER AND AUTHORITY
– Jesus came to destroy Satan’s works….. Heb 2:14; IJo3:8
– His temptations of Jesus were ineffective… Lu 4:13
– Satan has no power over Jesus.. Joh 14:30
– Jesus cast out evil spirits Lu 11:20; 13:32
– Disciples empowered to cast out demons…. Mt 10:1; Mk 16:17
– Greater is Jesus in us than Satan in the world… I Jo 4:4
– He needs God’s permission to try Job…. Job 1:9-12
– His demons needed permission to enter the pigs….. Mt 8:30-32
– Stripped of power through the cross Col 2:15
d) ROLE OF THE SAINTS IN REGARD TO SATAN
– Must not worship angels Jdg 13:16-18; Col 2:18; Re 19:10; 22:8-9
> Satan and his angels desire worship….. Mt 4:8-10
– Resist the devil and he will flee. Jas 4:7; I Pe 5:9
– Be fully armored to resist the devil. Eph 6:11-17
– Are afflicted by Satan only as God permits. Job 1:12; 2:4-7; 2Co 12:7-9
– Should be watchful.. 2Co 2:11
– Should overcome Satan. I Jo 2:13; Re 12:10-11
> by the blood of Jesus
> by the Word of God
> by not loving our lives unto death
– We are promised victory over Satan …..Ro 16:20
– Have power to command evil spirits …. Lu 10:18-20
– Primary weapon to defeat him: the Word … Lu 4:8,10,12
5. DEMONS & DEMONOLOGY
We must check our thinking about demons carefully. Much of what the world believes is not from the Bible. I Jo 4:1 tells us that there are many errors taught by false prophets and the spirit of Antichrist.
a) WHAT ARE DEMONS?
– Called “foul spirits” and “devils” …. Mt 4:24; 7:22; Mk 9:25
> spirits do not have flesh and bone . Lu 24:39
– They arc NOT spirits of dead people ….Lu 16:27-31
> the rich man was unable to come back to earth
– Most Christians believe they are fallen angels.
> fallen angels are now bound by God…. Jude 6; 2Pe 2:4
– The prince of demons is called Beelzebub . Mk 3:22
> usually understood to be one of Satan’s names
– Demons believe there is a God and they are afraid Jas 2:19
– Disciples were afraid of spirits . Mt 14:26; Lu 24:37
> this was before the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit
– Demons are able to do miracles in order to deceive Re 16:14
b) HOW DO PEOPLE AND DEMONS RELATE?
– Unbelievers often sacrifice to them ICo 10:20-21; De 32:17
– Demons are seducing spirits that tempt us to sin…..ITi 4:1
> demon activity will increase at the end times
– People may teach doctrines of demons .ITi 4:1-5
> forbidding marriage and eating of certain foods
– People may be controlled or possessed by demons see below
> demons can also inhabit animals … Mt 8:30-32
c) HOW DO PEOPLE RECEIVE A DEMON?
– People become demonized by worship of idols and works of the flesh.
I Co 10:20,21; Ga 5:19-21 (Note: Idolatry and Fornication are related, they go together.
Witchcraft is associated with works of the flesh).
– People who make a habit of sinning may receive a demon. Joh 5:14
– False religions can deceive people and open them to demonic power.
– Satan is the deceiver and tempter … Re 12:9; ITh 3:5
– Failing to forgive can bring the tormentors (demons)… Mt 18:3435
– Lord may send an evil spirit to the disobedient
> to trouble king Saul ISa 16:14-16
> to speak lies to false prophets .. IKi 22:23; IJo 4:1
– An evil spirit is able to enter a man who is empty . Mt 12:44-45
> the person who is delivered is empty … Mt 12:44
> even more spirits can enter if empty …. Mt 12:45
} this is a strong caution about delivering unbelievers
– Being filled with the HOLY Spirit protects us . Ac 2:4; Eph 5:18
– Believers receive the Holy Spirit by asking God … Lu 11:13
> one can receive an evil spirit by asking Satan
– The following are wrong:
> Having dealings with evil spirits … 2Ch 33:6; ICo 10:20-21
> Worshiping devils .. Re 9:20
> Worshiping angels . Col 2:18
d) OLD TESTAMENT AND DEMONS
– No examples of casting out demons in the Old Testament
– Jesus said the “strong man” must first be bound, then his household can be destroyed . Mk 3:27
> the strong man (Satan) was not bound until Jesus came. This is the reason Jesus came .. I Jo 3:8
– Casting out demons-a sign of the Kingdom of God ….. Mt 12:28; Lu 11:20
e) WHAT ARE DEMONIZED PEOPLE LIKE?
– May have great strength ….. Mt 8:28; Mk 5:3-4; Lu 8:29; Ac 19:15-16
– Person may mutilate himself …. Mt 17:15; Mk 5:5
– May be in pain and be injured .. Mk 9:20
– May foam at the mouth.. Mk 9:20
– May appear as teachers in the Church .. ITi 4:1-5
– King Saul prophesied when afflicted by evil spirit ISa 18:10
– Demons may speak through the person Mt 8:29-31; Mk 1:24
> demons may speak about Jesus ….. Mk 1:24; Ac 16:16,17
> Jesus did not allow them to speak much …. Mk 1:34
} We must be careful not to believe the deceiving words of demons.
– May live in unusual places (wilderness, tombs) ….. Lu 8:27
– May go without clothes Lu8:27
– May be afflicted with a bodily disease
> dumbness…. Mk9:17
> deafness & dumbness.. Mk9:25
> blindness & dumbness.. Mt 12:22
> paralysis or lameness…. Ac 8:7
> convulsionsMk 1:26; 9:20; Lu 9:39
– Worshipers of idols . Le 17:7; DC 32:17; Re 9:20
– May be fortune tellers (divination) . Le 20:27; Ac 16:16
– May be involved in witchcraft, magic .. Isa47:9-13;Ac 19:18-19
– May call on the spirits of the dead .. 1Sa28:11-14
f) HOW SHOULD A BELIEVER RELATE TO DEMONS?
– The Bible does not give us any formula to cast out demons.
– Jesus simply gave authority to his disciples Mk 16:17
> not the 12 only, but us also Joh 17:20-23
– Jesus simply commanded them to come out….. Mk 1:25; 9:25
> attributed to Spirit of God / finger of God.. Mt 12:28; Lu 11:20
– Jesus did not allow the demons to speak….. Mk 1:34; Lu 4:41
– Jesus was able to give the authority to disciples …. Mt 10:1
> the disciples needed faith to be successful. Mt 17:19-20
– Disciples commanded in the Name of Jesus….. Mk 16:17
– Prayer and fasting may be necessary …. Mk 9:29
– Faith on the part of a person asking Mk 6:5-6; 9:23-24
> sometimes no faith is obvious . Ac 16:16-19
– Sweat cloth from Paul expelled demons …..Ac 19:11-12
– Unbelievers are hurt trying to cast out demons Ac 19:13-16
> used the Name of Jesus Ac 19:13
> they themselves didn’t know Jesus Ac 19:13
– Casting out a spirit from an unbeliever
> may result in greater problems for him ….. Mt 12:44-45
g) DO DEMONS CAUSE ILLNESSES?
– Demons can cause physical sickness …. see 5.e above
– Bible distinguishes between healing and casting out demons
…..Mt 4:24; 10:8; Mk 1:32; 3:15; Lu 9:1-2; 13:32
– Healings without mention of demons
> epileptics & paralytics…. Mt 4:24 > leprosy Mt 8:3
> centurion’s servant Mt 8:5-13 > woman and hemorrhage … Mt 9:20-22
>two blind men ..Mt9:27-30 > withered hand Mt 12:9-14
6. WORKERS OF EVIL AND MAGIC
a) DIVINATION (WITCHCRAFT, MAGIC, SPIRITISM)
– Heathen nations practiced magic, divination and spiritism
> deeds of the sinful nature (witchcraft) . Ga 5:19-21
> Balaam receives fee for divination .Nu 22:7
> Philistines had diviners ISa 6:2
> King of Babylon uses divination ….Eze21:21-23
> Pharaoh consults his magicians unsuccessfully ….. Ge 41:24
> Nebuchadnezzar’s magicians unable to tell dream..Da 2:2; 4:7
> Bar-Jesus or Elymas, a sorcerer ….. Ac 13:6-12
> girl with a spirit of divination .. Ac 16:16
> magic books burned in Ephesus …. Ac 19:17-20
> magic of the wicked rity of Babylon ….Re 18:23
– Forbidden and to be judged by God
> All sorts of magic strictly forbidden by God … De 18:9-13
> magic and speaking to the dead is forbidden
by God … … Isa 8:19-20
> superstitions from the East and divination judged..Isa 2:6
> God threatens destruction on witchcraft …. Mic 5:12
> all idolatry is evil in God’s sight….. 2Ki 17:17
> God will judge sorcerers …. Mal 3:5
> people with magic will not enter New Jerusalem .. Re 21:8
> God is opposed to those who follow spiritists . Le 20:6
> Saul seeks the spirit of dead Samuel…. ISa 28:11
> Saul died because be consulted a medium..ICh 10:13
> A sorceress was not allowed to live Ex 22:18
> Turning to mediums and spiritists defiles
a person … . Le 19:31
b) FALSE SIGNS AND WONDERS
– Evil workers can perform miraculous signs ….. Re 16:14; 2Th 2:9-12; Mt 2434; Ex 7:11,22
– Lawless leaders do miracles in Jesus’Name ….. Mt 7:22-23
– Endtime false signs and wonders … Mt 24:24
– Second beast does great and miraculous signs . Re 13:13
– Sixth bowl of wrath-demons do wonders … Re 16:13-14; 19:20
c) GOD IS MORE POWERFUL THAN MAGIC
– Pharaoh’s magicians unable to change dust to gnats …..Ex8:18-19
– God is greater than any magiraan … Da 2:27-28; Nu 23:23
– God is far more powerful than any witchcraft .. Isa 19:3; 47:9
– Bar-Jesus or Elymas sorcerer defeated . Ac 13:6-12
d) NOTABLE MAGICIANS IN BIBLE
– Pharaoh’s magicians perform miracles .Ex 7:11
– Magicians make frogs come out of the water…. Ex 8:7
– Medium at Endor whom Saul seeks ….. ISa 28:7-9
– Simon the Sorcerer . Ac 8:9-11
– Bar-Jesus or Elymas a sorcerer, false prophet .. Ac 13:6-8
– Girl who had a spirit of divination…Ac 16:16
