The Angels and Satan
The Angels and Satan
There is huge interest in the subject of angels. The idea that an angelic being could be hovering above us at any time, prepared to assist or protect us is both comforting and exciting. Likewise, the idea that a demon could be encouraging us to make bad decisions and lead us to sin is troublesome. People tell stories about encounters with angels or demons, and it is difficult to poke holes in their experiences without understanding the truth about angelic beings. Movies, books and television shows about angels are very popular because they address a hope that humans can actually interact with the spirit realm and enjoy some measure of extra power to deal with the difficulties of life. Unfortunately, the media often incorrectly describes angels and leaves us with the wrong idea about them. At the heart of it, most people like a good super hero story, but we all know that Superman, Spiderman and the rest do not really exist. Angels, on the other hand, are real and have specific function in the world. It is important to understand the ‘who, when, where and why’ of angels that is taught in the Scriptures.
The Origin of Angels
Who created them? Genesis 1 states that God created all things on earth, including man. Psalm 148:2-5 indicates that the angels, with all their hosts (armies) along with the sun, moon, stars, and all heavenly expanses are God’s creation. John 1:1-3 teaches that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Word, created all things. He acted as God’s creative agent, “All things came into being through Him; and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being” (John 1:3). The concept of “all things” would include angels.
The apostle Paul specifically declares that Christ, who is Himself God, is the creator of all things, including angels. The eternal Son of God was the cause of every creature: “For in Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him” (Col. 1:16).
How and when were they created? Scripture implies that the angels were all created at or near the same time. Angels are not eternal as is God. They did not evolve from some other life form, and they were not formerly men. They were created as angels. Each angel is a direct creation from God, and they do not procreate as do humans (Matt. 22:28-30) The exact time of their creation is not certain, but we know that “all the sons of God” sang with joy at the creation of the earth” (Job 38:7, cf. vv. 4-7), and that Satan, an angelic creature, appears in the Genesis 3 scene. From this we conclude that God created angels before He created the earth, or at least early in the process of creation.
The method of their creation seems to be by direct command or “fiat” of God. In Psalm 148:2 angels are commanded to praise God, and they are included with other creations in verse 5: “Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created.”
Why were they created? The primary purpose for the creation of angels was that they might glorify God and His Christ, because they were created “for him” (Col. 1:16). The creatures of Revelation 4:6-11, probably angels of highest nature and rank, confess that they, with all things, were created for God’s pleasure and ascribe to Him glory and honor and power. In their activities they worship and serve God in the administration of His will (Heb. 1:7). They execute His commands with swift obedience and delight.
Who created Angels?
What was the method of the angel’s creation?
What is the primary purpose of angels?
Limitations of Angels
First, it is important to understand that the angels in God’s army and Satan and those who followed him are the same creatures. Some Believers seem to have no problem believing in God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and Angels, but they deny that Satan and his demons actually exist. At the same time, some Believers think that Satan and others have power equal in many ways to God’s. This is not true. Satan and his minions have the same power that other angels have and while they can be formidable, they have limitations that apply to all angels.
One limitation is that of space. Since an angel is a creature, he is not omnipresent – meaning he cannot be everywhere at once. Only God is omnipresent. Angels are primarily spirit in nature, yet they cannot be in all places, or even many places, at once. An angel must move spatially from one location to another (Dan. 9:21-23), so it occasionally may take a period of time for an angel to be where he wants to be. (Dan. 10:10-14).
Another limitation is that of power. Only God is omnipotent. Angels are greater in power than man (II Pet. 2:11) and through God have the ability to control some elements of nature (Rev. 7:1; 16:8-9), but they are limited in authority (Job 1:12; 2:6). They are sometimes weary in the accomplishment of their duties, as in the struggle of elect angels with evil angels (Rev. 12:7), and stand in need of assistance (Dan. 10:13).
Angels are also limited in intellect. They are exceptionally wise because of the qualities God gave them when they were created, but there is another factor in their favor. They have been alive for thousands of years, and have seen and experienced many things. This gives them a wisdom that man does not have, though it is less than that of God. They do not know the hour of Christ’s return (Matthew 24:36) and they are amazed about the process of salvation (I Pet. 1:11-12).
They are also limited in holiness. Theirs was not absolute and unshakable as is God’s. We know this because some fell into sin and bondage through defection from God’s will (Isa. 14:12; Rev. 12:3-4).
What are the limitations of angels?
The Ministry of Angels
In relation to God
One of the most important ministries of angels is that of service to God. Some of these ministries are quite clearly revealed in scripture.
Ministers of worship – Their primary ministry seems to be that of worship and praise of God. “Holy, holy, holy is Jehovah of host: the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isa. 6:3). Revelation 4:6-11 pictures the four angelic creatures around the throne of God ascribing to God holiness, worthiness, and omnipotence as the sovereign Creator.
Personal messengers - Since the word angel means “messenger” in both Hebrew and Greek, we should see angels playing a large role in messenger service for God. Angels hasten to carry out God’s orders, harkening to the voice of His commandments (Ps. 103:20). Some stand in the presence of God, ready to carry His messages to men. Such is the case of Gabriel, who was sent with good news to Zacharias (Luke 1:19) and to Mary, the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:26-33). An angel informed the shepherds about Christ’s birth. He was supported by a multitude of other angels in this role (Luke 2:8-14).
In relation to believers
Revealing - God has used angels to communicate His will and word to men. Angels were involved in the revelation of the Law to Moses (Acts 7:52-53; Gal. 3:19). An angel who Zechariah calls “The angel that talked with me,” interpreted visions from God (Zech. 4:1; 5:5; 6:5). An angel predicted the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:11-20), and the virgin birth of Christ to Mary and Joseph (Matt. 1:20-25; Luke 1:26-35). One revealed to the shepherds the time and place of Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:8-12).
Guiding - On several occasions angels were used by God to direct men. One told Joseph to take Mary as his wife and the virgin-born Jesus as his own son (Matt. 1:20-21). The women who came to Jesus’ empty tomb were instructed and directed by an angel.
Providing - Angels have ministered to physical needs, such as providing food in several instances. An angel, who encouraged Hagar and her son, seems also to have provided water to keep them alive (Gen. 21:17-20). Psalm 78:23-25 speaks of God’s provision of manna for Israel in the wilderness and calls the manna angels’ food.
Protecting - Daniel knew that God had sent His angel to shut the lions’ mouths (Dan. 6:20-23). When Aram’s king sent an army to capture Elisha at Dothan, the prophet told his fearful servant, “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them” (II Kings 6:13-17). He prayed, and God revealed an angelic army surrounding and protecting God’s men.
Strengthening and encouraging - Not only did angels strengthen Christ Himself (Matt. 4:11; Luke 22:43), but angels have encouraged and strengthened His messengers. After freeing the apostles from prison, an angel encouraged them to continue preaching (Acts 5:19-20).
What are the two primary ministries of angels in relation to God?
What are the primary ministries of angels in relation to Believers?
Fallen Angels
The Original State and Fall of Satan
All angels were created by God through His Son, the Lord Jesus (Col. 1:16-17). There is no creature that was not created by Him (John 1:3). God cannot be directly involved in the creation of evil for He is holy. So it is obvious from reason and from the bible that all angels were created in a holy state, each a direct creation of God and all at or near the same time.
Satan fell from his originally holy state when he tragically rebelled against God, incurring his own condemnation (I Tim. 3:6) and enticing perhaps a third of the angels to defect with him (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 12:4). Now Satan and his angels are permanently wicked and opposed to God and His program and people.
Satan’s privileges and perversion
Initial privileges - Before his fall, Satan seems to have had the greatest privileges ever accorded to a creature.
Nature - Satan belongs to the cherub class of angelic being. From what we know, this appears to be of the highest order of angels. Among them he was the anointed one, a privilege given to a God-appointed leader (v. 14).
Position - Not only was he an anointed leader, but twice was called a guardian (covering) cherub.
Habitation - “You were in Eden, the garden of God” (v. 13) probably refers in earthly terms to God’s paradise in heaven. Within the paradise was “the mountain of God,” from which he was cast (vv. 14, 16)
Perfection - This term summarizes his personal and moral qualities. He “had the seal of perfection” and was “perfect in beauty” (v. 12). He was perfect or blameless in his ways from the day he was created until his first sin (v. 15).
Inception of perversion - Without explaining how it happened, God says, “Iniquity was found in thee” (v. 15). The only clue as to what occurred in Satan’s mind is found in verse 17: “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor”. His sin appears to be a proud heart and preoccupation with himself. Reflecting upon his God-endowed beauty, he became enthralled with himself and was lifted up with pride (I Tim. 3:6).
He also perverted other angels from God’s way. The word trade (vv. 16, 18) may refer to a soliciting to his evil cause a large group of fellow angels (cf. Matt. 25:41; Rev. 12:4, 9).
Indictment and punishment - Because of Satan’s sin of arrogance and violence, God cast him from his privileged position near the throne of God (”out of the mountain of God,” v. 16). He may have been cast to the earth after his original sin (“I cast you to the ground,” v. 17).
Satan’s peculiar sin - In Isaiah 14:12-17 we get a look at the sin which caused Satan to fall from his privileged position. The basic sin of Satan seems to be that of pride, as we previously noted from Ezek. 28:17. Pride or conceit is specifically labeled by Paul as the reason for “the condemnation incurred by the devil” (I Tim. 3:6). Isaiah pictures his pride expressed in determined rebellion. Note the five occurrences of “I will” in verses 13-14.
The fall of angels with Satan - It is obvious from the Bible that Satan has his angels. They follow his orders and fight for his cause (Matt. 12:24-26; 25:41; II Pet. 2:4; Rev. 12:7). Satan solicited their following in his initial revolt against God. As many as a third of the angelic creation may have followed Satan in his defection (Rev. 12:4).
How did Satan fall from his originally holy state?
What was Satan’s punishment?
The Present Power and Activity of Satan
In relation to God
As Satan desired to be like the most High, so his power and activity are directed primarily against God. Other activities are understood as stemming from this rebellious aim. His attack on Adam was really an attack on the character and control of God (Gen. 3:1-5). Satan induced Cain to murder Abel, a man of God (I John 3:10-12). The opposition obviously comes from a character opposite to that of God’s.
Satan promotes a system that we may call “the lie” (see Eph. 2:2; II Thess. 2:8-11). To explain the world, he substitutes evolution for creation, uniformitarianism for providence, human progress for divine salvation, and man’s utopia for God’s kingdom on earth. Atheism, agnosticism, pragmatism, existentialism, and relativism are his substitutes for truth. Satan also promotes counterfeit religions. He authors or encourages nonbiblical religions or distortions of the true religion. In this latter category, we find false ministers, Satan’s messengers who transform themselves into messengers of light (II Cor. 11:13-15). Satan also promotes false doctrine, false Christs, or antichrists and false followers. They profess to believe in Christ, but they are Satan’s counterfeits (Matt. 13:38-39).
In relation to the unsaved
He causes a barrier to the Gospel penetrating the mind with enlightenment concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment. This is one of the reasons for the convicting work of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7-11). As a result of Satan’s work in this area, the Gospel sounds foolish and irrelevant to the perishing (I Cor. 1:18).
Satan and his demons use men who knowingly or unknowingly preach his lies. Either he promotes a salvation by human works, attractive to sinners who would bypass the Savior’s work of salvation; or he persuades men that there is no need for salvation, only progress.
In relation to Christians
In general, Satan seeks to defeat believers in their individual and corporate life and service. The wise Christian does not dismiss this part of spiritual warfare as superstition. He will be aware of Satan’s tactics and guard against them (II Cor. 2:11). He accuses us before God for our sins and imperfections. To answer these accusations, we have a defense lawyer, Jesus Christ the Righteous, who satisfied God for all our sins and who stands as witness to our right standing before God, thus defeating Satan (I John 2:1-2). Satan is also engaged in tempting believers to sin, specifically:
a. To lie (Acts 5:3)
b. To sex sins (I Cor. 7:5)
c. To occupation with this world (I John 2:15-17; 5:19)
d. To relying upon human wisdom and strength (Matt. 16:21-23)
e. To pride in spiritual matters (I Tim. 3:6)
f. To discouragement (I Pet. 5:6-10)
While Satan attempts to disrupt and injure all who would follow God, it would be wrong to assume that without Satan, there would be no sin. Man chose to sin against God and must daily fight against his own flesh nature of sin. Satan is a real entity who is doing all in his power to attack the person and work of God. Satan is also striving to devour all those who follow God. We must not cower amidst the power and activity of Satan. He is ultimately held in check by the power and sovereignty of our mighty God as demonstrated in the story of Job.
Satan’s efforts are primarily directed against:
_______________________.
In order to fight against God, how does Satan attack Christians?