Theology Position Topic Three: Angelology

(Doctrine of Angels, both good and evil - including Satan)

In the past few decades the popular culture has become more fascinated with angels and spiritual beings. Movies and television shows like “Angels in the Outfield,” “Touched by an Angel,” and “Highway to Heaven” has Hollywoodized angels and their benevolent roles in the world. Movies like “Poltergeist,” “The Exorcist,” and a myriad of other horror stories have equally promoted the idea of demons (fallen angels) and Satan as diabolical bad guys and sometimes party animals (c.f. “Little Nikki”). But what does the bible have to say concerning angels and Satan?

Angels were created by God (Colossians 1:16) as holy beings (Mark 8:38). They were created with intelligence, emotion, and individual will. They posses similarities with man in that they were created by God and limited in presence (not omnipresent) and knowledge. They are different than man in that they are invisible, do not procreate, are greater in intelligence, strength, speed, and not subject to physical death. They posses a spiritual element that allows for individual self will. Like man, they were created good, but have the opportunity to decide whether they stay true to God (holy or unfallen angels) or they can chose to follow Satan (unclean or fallen angels).

Comparison of Angels – Fallen and Unfallen [1]

Purpose

Fallen - To promote Satan’s program in opposing God (Rev. 12:7) by promoting rebellion (Gen. 3), idolatry (Lev. 17:7), false religions (1 John 41:1-4), and general oppression of mankind.

Unfallen - To serve God in worship (Rev. 4:6-11), in ministry (Heb. 1:7), being God’s messengers (Ps. 103:20), protecting God’s people (Ps. 34:7), and executing God’s judgment (Gen. 19:1).

Relationship to Believers

Fallen - Wage war against (Eph. 6:10-18), accuse (Rev. 12:10), plant doubt (Gen 3:1-3), tempt to sin (Eph. 2:1-3), persecute (Rev. 12:13), and disturb the church of Christ (2 Cor. 2:10-11).

Unfallen - Reveal truth to (Gal. 3:19), guide (Mt. 1:20-21), provide physical needs (1 Kings 19:6), protect (Dan 3:24-28), encourage (Acts 5:19-20), act in answering prayer (Dan. 9:20-24), and accompany the dead (Luke 16:22).

Relationship to Christ on Earth

Fallen - Satan tempted Christ (Mark 1:13), and led people to betray and kill Him (Luke 22:3-4).

Unfallen - Announced the birth of Christ (Luke 1:26-38), guided Joseph to safety (Matt. 2:14), ministered to Christ (Matt. 4:11), announced his resurrection (Matt. 28:2-4), accompanied Him in his ascension (Acts 1:11) and will do so upon His return.

Place of Habitation

Fallen - Heavenly realms (Eph. 6:12), the abyss (Rev. 9:1-11), inside people (Mark 9:14-29), and in the bonds of darkness (Jude 6).

Unfallen - In God’s presence (Isa. 6:1-6) and in the heavenly realms (Eph. 3:10).

Destiny

Fallen - Defeated by Christ (Col. 2:15), to be cast into the abyss during the Millennium (Rev. 20:1-2), and finally cast into the lake of fire as eternal punishment (Rev. 20:10).

Unfallen - To be in God’s presence and Christ’s presence in His new Kingdom (Rev. 21-22).

Specific Angels named in the Bible: Lucifer (Satan), Michael, Gabriel.

Who is Satan?

Jesus taught us of Satan’s existence in Matthew 13:38-39. In this parable, the field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil. In the harvest at the end of the age, the reapers will be angels who are still faithful to God. He also mentioned Satan in Luke 10:18-19; there He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven” Satan also possesses personality, intellect, emotion, and has independent will. Satan uses people to try and destroy or discourage the work of Jesus. One great example is that of Judas in the betrayal of Jesus recorded in John 13:27.

Satan is a liar, and is said to be the Father of lies (John 8:44). He is described in the Bible as a subtle provoker, murder, enemy of righteousness, and perverts the right ways of the Lord. He has been a sinner from the beginning (1 John 3:8), and he seeks to deceive the whole world (Revelation 12:9). He prowls about like a lion looking for people to devour (1 Peter 5:8). He appears sometime as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14) and he can hinder the actions of believers (1 Thessalonians 2:18). Praise God though, Satan is limited in his power. He is not like God, able to do all that he wants to do. He is limited by God (Job 1:12), and he can be resisted and overcome (James 4:7) through the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 12:11). In the end, he will be judged by God (John 16:11) and cast into the everlasting lake of fire (Matthew 25:41, Revelation 20:10).

[1] H. Wayne House, Charts of Christian Theology and Doctrine (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992), 77.