Angelology
Kenny Hodges
September 14, 2016

**THE DOCTRINE OF ANGELS

ANGELOLOGY**

I. The Existence of Angels

A. The Teaching of Scripture

  1. Angels are mentioned in the Old Testament at lease 116 times. They are presented as genuine personal beings who serve as messengers and ministers of God. Their character, position, power, and activity are revealed in some detail. These creatures of God are seen as either good or evil, depending on whether they serve God or Satan.

  2. Angels are mentioned in the New Testament at least 179 times. They have a significant ministry in the birth of Christ in the Gospels. In the Book of Acts angels direct the apostles and serve as messengers from God. In the Epistles angels are classified as either elect or fallen. Angels are mentioned at least sixty-five times in the Book of Revelation.

B. The Witness of Christ

  1. In His testings Christ was tempted by Satan and afterward helped by angels (Matthew 4:11)

  2. In His teaching Christ knew of and taught the existence of Angels (Matthew 18:10; 26:53)

II. The Creation of Angels

A. Fact – For by 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 by Him and for Him. Colossians 1:16 Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all stars of light! Praise Him, highest heavens, And the waters that are above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the LORD, For He commanded and they were created. Psalm 148:2-5 (Also Romans 8:38-39) Each angel is a direct creation of God, for they do not procreate (Matthew 22:28-30).

*B. Time *- 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 38:4-7).

C. State - The angels were created in holiness Jude 6 And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day.

III. The Personality of Angels

A. They have intellect - It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven– things into which angels long to look. 1 Peter 1:12

*B. They have emotion *- And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God…. Luke 2:13

C. They have a will - And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day. Jude 6

IV. The Nature of Angels

A. They are Spirit Beings - Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? Hebrews 1:14

B. They are without power to reproduce after their kind - For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. Mark 12:25

C. They do not die - for neither can they die anymore, for they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. Luke 20:36

D. They are distinct from human beings - But one has testified somewhere, saying, “WHAT IS MAN, THAT THOU REMEMBEREST HIM? OR THE SON OF MAN, THAT THOU ART CONCERNED ABOUT HIM? “THOU HAST MADE HIM FOR A LITTLE WHILE LOWER THAN THE ANGELS; THOU HAST CROWNED HIM WITH GLORY AND HONOR, AND HAST APPOINTED HIM OVER THE WORKS OF THY HANDS; Hebrews 2:6-7

E. They have great power - whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord. 2 Peter 2:11

F. Their number is innumerable - But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, Hebrews 12:22

V. The Organization of The Angels

A. One Archangel is named, Michael - But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” Jude 9

*B. Chief Princes *- “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. Daniel 10:13

C. Ruling Angels - in order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. Ephesians 3:10

D. Guardian Angels - Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? Hebrews 1:14 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you, that their angels in heaven continually behold the face of My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 18:10

E. Seraphim - In the year of King Uzziah’s death, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings; with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.” Isaiah 6:1

*F. Cherubim *- So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim, and the flaming sword which turned every direction, to guard the way to the tree of life. Genesis 3:24

G. Elect Angels - Those who remained loyal to God, I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality. 1 Timothy 5:21

H. Evil Angels - Those who followed Satan in his rebellion, Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; Matthew 25:41

VI. The Ministries Of Angels

A. To Christ

  1. Predicted His birth - Luke 1:26-33 2. Announced His birth - Luke 2:13 3. Protected the Baby - Matthew 2:13 4. Strengthened Christ after temptation - Matthew 4:11 5. Prepared to defend Him - Matthew 26:53 6. Strengthened Him in Gethsemane - Luke 22:43 7. Rolled away the stone from the tomb - Matthew 28:2

  2. Announced the resurrection - Matthew 28:6

B. To Believers

  1. General ministry of aiding - Hebrews 1:14

  2. Involved in answering prayer - Acts 12:7

  3. Observe Believer’s experiences - 1 Corinthians 4:9

  4. Encourage in time of danger - Acts 27:23-24

  5. Interested in evangelistic effort of Believers - Luke 15:10 6. Care for the righteous at
    death - Luke 16:22

{note

C. To the Nations

  1. Michael has a special relationship to Israel - Daniel 12:1 2. They execute God’s providence - Dan 10:21 3. They are involved in the judgments of the tribulation - Revelation 8,9,16

D. To Unbelievers

  1. Announce impending judgments - Genesis 19:13, Revelation 14:6-7 2.

  2. Inflict punishment - Acts 12:23

  3. Act as reapers in separation at end of the age - Matthew 13:39

VII. The Angel of Jehovah - This angel carries an air of mystery. He seems more than an ordinary angel. Some have identified Him as the pre-incarnate Christ. Genesis 16:7, 10; Exodus 3:2, 6-7; Judges 6:12, 14; Judges 13:21-22; Zechariah 3:1-2. Most likely the Angel of Jehovah was a theophany, a manifestation of God in visible form before the incarnation.
Satan and Demons

I. The Existence of Satan

A. Evidence in the Old Testament

  1. Genesis Chapter 3 - The whole plot of the book of Genesis depends upon the reality of Satan working through the serpent to cause the fall of mankind into sin.

  2. The book of Job - The whole story of Job’s tragedy and triumph is based on Satan’s challenges to God.

  1. 1 Chronicles 21 - Satan moves David to number Israel

  2. Zechariah 3:1-2 - Satan opposes and accuses Israel

  3. Isaiah 14:12-17 & Ezekiel 28:1-19 - These verses seem to speak of Satan

B. Evidence in the New Testament

  1. Satan’s existence is recognized by every writer of the New Testament.

  2. Nineteen of the twenty-seven books mention Satan by one of his names.

C. Evidence from Christ Himself

  1. Christ speaks of Satan as a person 25 times in the gospels

  2. During his temptation Christ has a person-to-person encounter with Satan

II. The Constitution of Satan

A. His Person

  1. He has traits of personality - He has intellect (2 Corinthians 11:3), emotion (Isaiah 14:12-17), and will (Luke 4:3, 9).

  2. He is described by personal pronouns – Ezekiel 28:14, 2 Corinthians 11:14-15, James 4:7

  3. He has moral responsibility - Judgment has come and will come upon Satan and his angels
    (Matthew 25:41, John 16:11)

B. His Nature

  1. He is a creature - Ezekiel 28:15, Colossians 1:16

  2. He is a spirit being - Matthew 25:41

  3. He was a Cherubim - Ezekiel 28:14, 16 Cherubim seem to be angelic beings of the highest
    order. They are proclaimers and protectors of God’s glorious presence, His sovereignty,
    and His holiness.

C. Summary -” Satan was created a person of the angelic class of cherubim, probably first in position among all created spirit beings. Great beauty and power were his from God. Today, after his fall, he is still powerful, but his power is limited and resisted by God the infinite Creator and Sovereign. He retains some of his dignity, but he is no longer beautiful, since he lost his holiness in his fall.” (Dickason, Angels Elect and Evil, page 119).

III. Names of Satan

  1. Anointed Cherub who Covers - Ezekiel 28:14

  2. The prince of this world - John 12:31; 16:11

  3. The prince of the power of the air - Ephesians 2:2

  1. The God of this age - 2 Corinthians 4:4

  2. The prince of demons - Matthew 12:24; Luke 11:15

  3. Lucifer - Isaiah14:12

  1. Satan - This title occurs 52 times in the Bible and means “adversary or opposer

  2. DevilThis title occurs 35 times in the Bible and means “slanderer or one who stirs up”

  3. Old Serpent - Revelation 12:9

  1. Great Dragon - Revelation 12:3, 7, 9

  2. The evil one - John 17:15; 1 John 5:18

  3. The destroyer - Revelation 9:11

  1. Tempter - Matt 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:5

  2. Accuser - Revelation 12:10

  3. Deceiver - Revelation 12:9; 20:3

  4. The spirit that now works in the sons of disobedience - Ephesians 2:2

IV. The Original State and Fall of Satan

“Ezekiel 28 and …Isaiah 14 give us insight as to Satan’s original privileged position as the greatest of all angels. His self-occupation and self-promotion were a deliberate attempt to overthrow God. As a result, he was banished from heaven, corrupted in character, and now opposes God and man with his perverted power…. In his fall he took many angels with him. In all this, the righteousness of God and the sovereignty of God is upheld by Scripture. Satan is fully responsible for his atrocious deeds.” (Dickason, page 137)

V. Satan’s Present Character and Activity

A. Murderer - You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. John 8:44 Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies.

B. Liar - John 8:44

C. Sinner - 1 John 3:8

D. Opposer of the Righteous - I Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:10

E. Opposer of God’s Program - Ephesians 2:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:8-11; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4. He counterfeits God’s truth, he promotes counterfeit religions, he promotes false doctrine and will empower the antichrist.

F. Deceives the Nations - Relation 20:3; Revelation 20:7-10

G. Blinds the mind of unsaved - 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

H. Wages warfare against the saved - Ephesians 6:10-18

I. Accuses the believer - Revelation 12:10 (Our defense is Jesus Christ - 1 John 2:1-2)

J. Tempts to sin - He tempts to lie (Acts 5:3), sexual perversion (1 Corinthians 7:5), occupation with this world (1 John 2:15-17), relying on human wisdom and strength (Matt 16:21-23), pride in spiritual matters (1 Tim 3:6), and discouragement (1 Peter 5:6-10).

VI. The Reality of Demons

A. Satan’s following - Other angelic beings shared in Satan’s fall and so became evil (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:4).

B. Proof from the Bible - There are over 100 references to demons in the Bible, most of them occurring in the New Testament.

C. Proof from Christ’s teaching and ministry - Christ taught Satan was the ruler of a host of demons(Matthew 12:22-28), Christ cast out demons (Matthew 15:22-28; Mark 5:1-16), Christ gave his disciples the power to cast out demons (Matthew 10:1).

D. The word ‘demon’ is translated from the Greek word daimon and means evil power.

VII. Description of Demons

“Demons are persons with intellect, sensibility, and will, just as are angels. They are spirit beings who are morally perverted in their personality, in their doctrine, and in their conduct. Often they are called unclean spirits or evil spirits. They are normally invisible but sometimes may appear in hideous forms. They posses powers of supernatural intelligence, strength, and presence. The totality of their personalities and powers is directed against God and in accord with Satan’s leadership.” ( Dickason, page 167-168) (See Luke 8:27; Mark 1:23-24; Luke 10:17; Ephesians 6:12; Matthew 10:1)

THE IDENTITY OF THE ‘SONS OF GOD’ IN GENESIS 6:12

(Theories 1,2,3 seperated by commas or parantheses)

Sons of God: Fallen Angels, Godly line of Seth, Dynastic Rulers

Daughters of Men: Mortals, Line of Cain, Commoners

Sin: Marriage between supernatural and mortal, Marriage of holy to unholy, Polygamy

*Supporters: *(Philo, Josephus, Justin, Ambrose, Apocrypha(Enoch), Delitzsch, Driver, Cassuto, H. Morris, Speiser); (Leupold, Stigers); (Aramaic targums, Rashi, Ramban, Jacob)

Evidence: (1. The terms ‘sons of God’ refers only to angels (Job 1; Job 38:7; Psalm 29:1; Psalm 89:7). 2. Jude 6-7 perhaps refers to this incident. 3. It is the clear teaching of
the text. 4. The Septuagint in Job 1 reads ‘angels of God’. 5. Christ says angels do not
marry, He does not say they cannot.)(1. The concept of a holy line is seemingly established.
2. Hebrew indicates continuity from the previous chapter. 3. The sin here becomes a common theme throughout the Pentateuch.)(1. Magistrates or rulers were often referred to as gods (exodus 21:6, 22:8, 9, 28; Psalm 82:1) 2. Kings are sometimes called sons of deities.)

Problems: (1. Lends mythological tone. 2. Angels were not previously mentioned. 3. Why is man punished by the Flood for the wickedness of angels? 4. New Testament support is questionable.)(1. The term ‘sons of God’ never means this elsewhere. 2. No evidence that the
lines are kept totally separate. 3. God has not yet begun working through one line. 4. The term for ‘men’ is general. It would need further classification to be understood otherwise.
5. In Noah’s time he alones was holy.)(1. Kingship is not expressed in any way.2. Scripture never considers kings to be sons of deity (possible exception – Psalm 2:6-7). 3. Needs the connection of verse 4, but the ‘mighty men’ are the Nephilim, not the children of the union)