Angels & Demons: An Introduction
1st There is only one God
"A lot of what Christians imagine to be true about the unseen world isn’t. Angels don’t have wings. (Cherubim don’t count because they are never called angels and are creaturely). And while the Bible describes demonic possession in rightfully awful ways, intelligent evil has more sinister things to do than to make sock puppets out of people. And on top of that, angels and demons are minor players. Church never seems to get to the big boys and their agenda."
2nd God created supernatural beings
Psalm 148:1-5 NIV
Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights above. Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts. Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.
Job 38:4-7 ESV
Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
Hebrews 12:22 NKJV
But you have come… to an innumerable company of angels,
What are supernatural beings like?
1st They are persons
2nd They are spirits
3rd They are powerful
Supernatural beings are called:
1. Spirit
2 Chronicles 18:18-21 ESV
And Micaiah said, "Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left. And the Lord said, 'Who will entice Ahab the king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?' And one said one thing, and another said another. Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, saying, 'I will entice him.' And the Lord said to him, 'By what means?' And he said, 'I will go out, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' And he said, 'You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so.'
Supernatural beings are called:
2. Holy Ones
Job 15:15 ESV
Behold, God puts no trust in his holy ones, and the heavens are not pure in his sight;
Psalm 89:5 ESV
Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord, your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!
Supernatural beings are called:
3. Stars
Job 38:7a
...when the morning stars sang...
Supernatural beings are called:
4. gods
Psalm 82:1 ESV
God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
Psalm 97:9 NIV
For you, O Lord, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.
Supernatural beings are called:
5. Angels
Supernatural beings are called:
6. Ministers
Psalm 103:21
Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!
Psalm 104:4 ESV
he makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire.
Supernatural beings are called:
7. Watcher
Daniel 4:13 ESV
"I saw in the visions of my head as I lay in bed, and behold, a watcher, a holy one, came down from heaven.
Daniel 4:17 ESV
The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.'
Luke 15:10 ESV
Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
1 Corinthians 4:9b ESV
because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.
Supernatural beings are called:
8. Hosts/Mighty Ones
Psalm 24:10 ESV
Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory!
Psalm 24:10 MSG
Who is this King-Glory? God of the angel armies: he is King-Glory.
Psalm 103:20 NIV (gibborim)
Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.
Supernatural beings are called:
9. Cherubim
Ezekiel 1:5-8a NIV-84
and in the fire was what looked like four livingcreatures. In appearance their form was that of a man, but each of them had four faces and four wings. Their legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze. Under their wings on their four sides they had the hands of a man.
3rd God created them to fulfill specific functions
1. Contribute to Divine Council decisions
2 Chronicles 18:18-21 ESV
And Micaiah said, "Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left. And the Lord said, 'Who will entice Ahab the king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?' And one said one thing, and another said another. Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, saying, 'I will entice him.' And the Lord said to him, 'By what means?' And he said, 'I will go out, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' And he said, 'You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so.'
Daniel 7:9-10 NLT
I watched as thrones were put in place and the Ancient One sat down to judge. His clothing was as white as snow, his hair like purest wool. He sat on a fiery throne with wheels of blazing fire, and a river of fire was pouring out, flowing from his presence. Millions of angels ministered to him; many millions stood to attend him. Then the court began its session, and the books were opened.
2. They assist in governing the human world
Deuteronomy 32:8 ESV
When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God.
Daniel 10:12-13 NIV
Then he continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.
3. They deliver Divine decrees and explain Divine activity
Daniel 10:14 NIV
Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.”
4. They execute Divine judgement
Genesis 19:12-13 NLT
Meanwhile, the angels questioned Lot. "Do you have any other relatives here in the city?" they asked. "Get them out of this place—your sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone else. For we are about to destroy this city completely. The outcry against this place is so great it has reached the Lord, and he has sent us to destroy it."
1 Chronicles 21:15 NIV
And God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem. But as the angel was doing so, the Lord saw it and was grieved because of the calamity and said to the angel who was destroying the people, "Enough! Withdraw your hand.
5. They give glory and praise to God
Psalm 29:1-2 NIV-84
Ascribe to the Lord, O mighty ones, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
Psalm 103:20-21 NIV-84
Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.
