WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ANGELS, DEMONS, & SPIRITUAL WARFARE?

Outline Based on Wayne Grudem’s Christian Beliefs and Systematic Theology

ANGELS

“Angels are created, spiritual beings with moral judgment and high intelligence, but without physical bodies”

  • Created: “You are the LORD, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host . . . and the host of heaven worships you.(Nehemiah 9:6)
    • “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”  (Colossians 1:16)
  • Names: sons of God, holy ones, spirits, watchers, thrones, dominions, principalities, authorities, powers
  • Three Other Kinds:
    • Cherubim: Genesis 3:24 (Garden of Eden), Ark, Chariot
    • Seraphim: Isaiah 6:2-7
    • Living Creatures: Ezekiel 1, Revelation 4
  • Spiritual, Ministering, Serving: Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:14 ESV)
  • Without Physical Bodies: For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have. (Luke 24:39)
  • Not Ordinarily Seen, Armed, Intimidating: “Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand. And he bowed down and fell on his face.” (Numbers 22:31 ESV)
  • Messengers: “But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.” (Matthew 28:5 ESV) (Luke 1:19 ESV)
  • Guides and Guards: “Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared.” (Exodus 23:20 ESV)
    • “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”(Psalm 91:11)
  • Wingless Walkers “And he (Jacob) dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it!”(Genesis28:12)
  • Winged Worshippers: “Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.”(Isaiah 6:2-3)
  • Innumerable, Worshipping: “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering (Heb12:22)
  • Powerful, Obedient: “Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!” (Psalm 103:20 ESV)
    • “whereas angels, though greater in might and power…”(2 Peter 2:11)
  • Sometimes Anonymous: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Hebrews 13:2 ESV)
  • Not to be Worshipped: “Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”(Revelation 19:10 ESV)
  • Some Named, Some Roles, Command Demons in Christ: “But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.”(Jude 1:9)

DEMONS

  • Satan – Head of Demons, Devil, Serpent, Beelzebul, Serpent, Ruler of this world, Prince of power of the air, evil one, father of lies, murder, deceiver, lion, cunning, tempter, blinding people to the light of the gospel
  • Deceptive in Appearance, Punishment Assured: “And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. [15] So it is no surprise if his Servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.” (2 Corinthians 11:14-15)
  • Sinned, Forgiveness Not Available, Destined for Eternal Punishment: “For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment” (2 Peter 2:4)
    • “And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day” (Jude 1:6)
  • Special Knowledge, Possession: As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling.(Acts 16:16)
  • Ghosts
    • Medium of En-dor: “Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” (1 Samuel 28:15)
    • Transfiguration: “And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.” (Matthew 17:3)
    • Rich Man & Lazarus: “‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’” (Luke 16:30-31)
  • Strategies: Stand Firm, Resist, Full Armor of God, Sword of the Spirit (Word of God), Flee Temptation, Sober-Minded, Watchful, Give No Opportunity
    • Draw Near to God, Repent of Sin: “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8)
      • “We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.” (1 John 5:18)
    • God is Greater: “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”(1 John 4:4)
    • Rejoice in Your Identity in Christ: “Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20)
    • God’s In Control: “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.”(Romans 16:20)
    • Victory is Assured: “and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10)
      • “And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.”(2 Thessalonians 2:8)
    • “I am a child of God, the evil one cannot touch me” – variant of 1 John 5:18
    • Bondage Breaker & Victory Over the Darkness by Dr. Neil T. Anderson

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