ANGELS AND DEMONS. Blacksburg Christian Fellowship Doctrines Class

Transcription

1 ANGELS AND DEMONS Blacksburg Christian Fellowship Doctrines Class

2 The word of God moves back and forth from the earth to heaven without any strain or difficulty. It moves back and forth and shifts from the seen to the unseen. We need to realize that creation is not limited to our sense perception. It s not limited to what we can see or feel or what is tangible. J. Vernon McGee, Doctrine for Difficult Days

3 ANGELS The Greek word for angels is angelos, which means messenger or envoy. It could refer to either human or supernatural beings but in scripture, practically all instances refer to a creation of God which is above man. The word angelos occurs 108 times in the OT and 165 times in the NT for a total of 273 times. 34 or the 66 books of the Bible refer to angels.

4 ANGELS ARE CREATED BEINGS You are the Lord, you alone. You have made the heavens, the heavens of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is in it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them, and the host of heaven worships you. (Neh 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. (Col 1:16)

5 ANGELS ARE CREATED BEINGS Types of heavenly beings: angels, cherubim (Gen 3:24), seraphim (Isa 6:2-7), and living creatures (Rev 4:6-8). Names of angels: Michael (Jude 1:9) and Gabriel (Luke 1:19). Number of angels: innumerable (Heb 12:22). Angels are invisible but Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, with a drawn sword in his hand. (Num 22;31)

6 WHEN WERE THE ANGELS CREATED? All the angels were created sometime in the first six days. Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. (Gen 2:1) For in the six days the Lord made the heaven and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. (Ex 20:11) 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. (Col 1:16,17

7 GOD S PURPOSE FOR ANGELS 1. They demonstrate God s great love for mankind. For surely it is not angels he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. (Heb 2:16 in connection with 2 Peter 2:4) 2. They remind us that the unseen world is real. And angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shown in the cell. He struck Peter in the side and woke him, saying, Get up quickly. And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, dress yourself and put on your sandals (Acts 12:7,8)

8 GOD S PURPOSE FOR ANGELS 3. They carry out God s some of God s plans They deliver messages (To Phillip in Acts 8:26) They deliver judgment (On the Assyrian army in 2 Chron 32:23) They war against demonic forces (With Daniel in Dan 10:13) They proclaim Christ s coming (I Thess 4:16 and Rev 18:1,2) 4. They directly glorify God (Psa 103:20 and Rev 4:8) And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures day and night never cease to say, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God almighty, who was and is and is to come! Rev 4:6,8

9 SATAN AND DEMONS Satan and his demons are real. In spite of all the superstition and exaggerated fantasy that you may have entertained about the invisible, eerie world of darkness, Satan and his demons are real. They exist. More than that, they are engaged in activities so strategic and powerful most human beings would be shocked to know the whole truth. Chuck Swindoll, Satan and the Occult

10 WHERE DID THE DEMONS ORIGINATE? [SOME ANGELS FELL BEFORE ADAM AND EVE FELL] And God saw that everything He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and morning, the sixth day. (Gen 3:1) 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, 2 Peter 2:4)

11 THE SIN AND FALL OF SATAN Lucifer, the anointed cherub became Satan by introducing the original sin of pride into the universe Isaiah 14:13,14 (see also Ex 28:11-19): I will ascend to heaven I will exalt my throne above the stars of God I will sit upon the mount of the congregation I will ascend above the heights of the clouds I will be like the most high. Lucifer became Satan by choosing his own will above the will of God. When Lucifer said I will, sin exploded into the universe.

12 WHO IS SATAN? Satan is the head of all fallen demons. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came among them. (Job 1:6; I Chron 21:1; and Zec 3:1) Other names of Satan. The devil (Matt 4:1); the serpent (Gen 3:1, Rev 20:2); Beelzebul (Matt 10:25); The ruler of this world (Jh 12:31); the prince of the power of the air (Eph 2:2); The evil one (Matt 13:19)

13 WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE SATAN AND DEMONS INVOLVED IN? Satan was the originator of Sin. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with truth, because there is no truth in him. (John 8:44) Now the serpent said to the woman, Did God actually say, You shall not eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden? but the serpent said to the woman, you will not surely die you will be like God (Gen 3:1-6)

14 WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE SATAN AND DEMONS INVOLVED WITH? Demons oppose and try to destroy every work of God. In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ. (2 Cor 4:4) Demons are limited and have limited power. And the Lord said to Satan, Behold all that he has is in your hand. Only do not stretch out your hand. (Job 1:12) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)

15 WHAT IS OUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH ANGELS AND DEMONS? A. We should grow in awareness of the unseen world. Then Elisha prayed and said, O Lord open his eyes that he may see. So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of the horses and chariots of fire around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:17) We are never encouraged to seek, pray to, or worship angels. Our focus must be on who God is, what He has done for us, and our position in Christ. But we are to cultivate such a deepening relationship with our God that we live more and more in the reality of the unseen world.

16 WHAT IS OUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH ANGELS AND DEMONS? Our relationship with the Tri-une God is an adventure in both the seen and unseen world. By faith he (Moses) left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. (Heb 11:27) we look, not at the things which are seen but the things which are unseen. For the things which are seen are transient, but the things which are unseen are eternal. (2 Cor 4:18)

17 WHAT IS OUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH ANGELS AND DEMONS? Why should we be surprised that angels, which are an active part in the unseen world, should, at times show up in our lives? Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (Heb 23:2) For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. (Psa 91:12) The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them. (Psa 34:8 see also Dan 6:22 and Acts 12:7-11)

18 WHAT IS OUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH ANGELS AND DEMONS? B. We must be alert and aware of the reality of spiritual conflict. A word of caution: While demonic activity pervades our world system and is aim pointedly toward God s people and kingdom, in the New Testament the greatest problem of the Christian is the indwelling sin that remains in his/her life. My unwise choices make me my biggest enemy! But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh (Gal 5:16 see also Romans 6 and Col 3:1-11)

19 WHAT IS OUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH ANGELS AND DEMONS? The battle with the powers of darkness is real! A final word: be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil (Ephesians 6:10-18) Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God and He will come close to you. (James 4:7) Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him and be strong in your faith. (I Peter 5:6-9)

20 WHAT IS OUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH ANGELS AND DEMONS? C. We must be aware of the need for intercessory prayer and, at times, to confront spiritual darkness. We ask you to pray for us pray that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. (2 Thess 3:1,2) Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that you faith should not fail, so when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers. (Luke 22:31)

21 WHAT IS OUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH ANGELS AND DEMONS? Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God s concentrated people). Eph 5:18 AMP The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. I John 3:8

22 ANGELS AND DEMONS There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters