Doctrine of Angels and Demons
Lesson 2
Col 1:13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
When it comes to the doctrine of angels and demons we have to understand that the foundation of the bible is based upon around the narrative of a clash of two kingdoms, the kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Darkness.The word domain refers to the territory of which a king rules or reigns.
From a biblical perspective it would not be unusual to believe that we are not the highest form of created being. Although dismissed by many in the first world, many of the world’s cultures and religions are based on the idea that there are spiritual beings that have been created with more power and intelligence than mankind. Psa 8:5
Now when God created the angels they were all created holy and without sin, but in the heavens there was a cataclysmic rebellion led by Satan, who, being lifted up by his own beauty, rebelled and sought to exalt himself above God. In his rebellion, he took with him one-third of the angels Thus began the clash of kingdoms. Rev 12:7-9
Two very real biblical truths
- The reality of the devil, demons and angels.
- The reality of heaven and hell
Jesus spoke much about the reality of the devil. Mat 13:37-41, Mat 25:41
This is one of the biggest chasm people have to cross when they start to question if there is a God or not.
- If God is real, then the devil must be real
- If God and the devil are real, then heaven and hell must be real
- If Heaven and hell are real, then our eternal destiny must be real
- So, for many it is easier to be an agnostic or an atheist and deny the very existence of God and all associated with Him rather than been willing to consider their eternal destiny.
We have to be clear that both God and Jesus speak about the devil. To not believe in a hell and a devil is to call God’s Word and Jesus a liar.
Job 1:7 The LORD said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it.”
Zec 3:2 The LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”
Mat 17:18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
Mark 1:13 and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
Luke 8:12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.
Twice in his letters Paul instructs his associate Timothy to “fight the good fight of faith” thus emphasising to this young pastor – teacher the reality of spiritual warfare in the Christian life. 1 Tim 6:12
Once again, we read Paul telling timothy that he is a soldier of Jesus Christ and therefore must be prepared as all soldiers to suffer hardship. As well he must not allow his life to become so entangled with worldly pursuits that he can no longer effectively serve the lord Jesus his heavenly commander. 2 Tim 2:3-4
When a person commits his life to Jesus Christ and desires to follow him through life he not only gains the greatest friend anyone can have in Jesus Christ but he also gains an enemy who with an entire array of forces will try to destroy the commitment and sabotage that person’s relationship to Christ. 1 Tim 1:18-19
Paul points out that the Christian’s enemies are spiritual enemies because he is engaged in a spiritual warfare. Eph 6:10-13
The first challenge is to believe that we have an enemy. Mat 4:1
The Origin Of Our Spiritual Enemy
The bible refers to the devil in many ways: Lucifer, Satan, The Devil, The god of this world, the god of this age, the serpent, The dragon, Beelzebub, the prince of the world, the tempter, the antichrist, the adversary, and the thief. Isa 27:1, John 10:10
Satan was one of God’s angels who rose up in rebellion and decided that he wanted to take God’s place and become the ruler of the universe, his principle sin was pride and he was cast down from heaven. Isa 14:12-17
As a result of his rebellion his nature became totally corrupt and he became the ultimate source of evil in the universe. In becoming the enemy of God, Satan also became the enemy of every human being who wants or has ever wanted to serve God. 1 Pet 5:8
The bible describes his power and his activity as very real. He is the king of the kingdom of darkness. Mat 12:25-26
Satan’s Kingdom
Col 1:13 For he has rescued us out of the darkness and gloom of Satan’s kingdom and brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,
Mark 1:15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Satan rules his kingdom and exercises an influence over all people by means of his ability to tempt them to sin and to blind them to the light of the gospel message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. He temps, he accuses, he afflicts, he opposes, he deceives, and he seeks to destroy. Eph 2:13
TLB 2 Cor 4:3 If the Good News we preach is hidden to anyone, it is hidden from the one who is on the road to eternal death.
2 Cor 4:4 Satan, who is the god of this evil world, has made him blind, unable to see the glorious light of the Gospel that is shining upon him or to understand the amazing message we preach about the glory of Christ, who is God.
The names of different demons
In the bible they are called
- Devils Mark 1:34
- Evil spirits Mark 1:23
- Unclean spirit Mat 10:1
- Dumb spirits Mark 9:25
- Spirit of Infirmity Luke 13:11
- Deceiving spirits 1 Tim 4:1
Their activity can be best described as servants of Satan. Their fate is the same as their commander 2 Pet 2:4
Just as heaven is the place where the redeemed will live for eternity, hell is the dwelling where the unredeemed will live for eternity. The bible gives a very graphic parable of the reality of heaven and hell Luke 16:19-31
Hell is a place that is reserved for demons and unbelievers. Rev 20:12-15, Rev 21:17
The bible clearly teaches that there is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun
Mat 7:13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
Mat 7:14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.