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Survey of Bible Doctrine: Angels, Satan, Demons

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Sid Litke , Th.M.

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The Doctrine of Angels

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I. The Existence of Angels

A.. The Bible assumes their existence.

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2. Christ taught their existence (Matt.8:10; 24:31; 26:53 etc.).

B. The Bible describes their creation.
1. Angels were created by God (Ps.148:2,5; Col.1:16). Only God had
no beginning (1 Tim.6:16).

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2. Angels were created before the world and man (Job 38:6,7).

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1. 34 books (of 66 total) refer to angels.

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3. Angels were created holy (Ezek.28:15; Jude 6).

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II. The Nature of Angels

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A. Angels are personal beings.

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Satanology
1. They have intellect (Matt.28:5; 1 Pet.1:12).
2. They have emotions (Job 38:7; Luke 2:13; 15:10)

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3. They have will (Jude 6).

B. Angels are spirit beings.
1. They exist as spirits not with material bodies (Heb. 1:14).
a. An angel can be in only one place at one time (Dan.9:2123; 10:10-14)
b. Although they are spirit beings, they can appear in the form
of men (in dreams Matt.1:20; in natural sight with human
functions Gen.18: 1-8; 22: 19:1; seen by some and not
others 2 Kings 6:15-17).
2. They cannot reproduce (Mark 12:25).

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3. They do not die (Luke 20:36).

C. Angels have communicable attributes in a degree greater than man but less than God.
1. They have more knowledge than man (Matt.24:31; Luke 1:13-16) but less than God (Matt.24:36).
2. They have more power than man (2 Pet.2:11; acts 5:19) but less than God.
D. Angels are organized and ranked. One archangel, Michael is named (Jude 9). There are also chief

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princes (Dan.10:13), seraphim (Is.6:1-3) and cherubim (Gen.3:22-24).

III. The Ministries of Angels
A. They worship God. Angels are continually involved in praising God (Rev.4:6-11) through describing His
attributes (Is.6:3) and singing praises (Rev.5:8,9).
B. They ministered to Christ. Angels announced His birth (Luke 1:26-33; 2:13), protected Him (Matt.2:13),
strengthened Him (Matt.4:11; Luke 22:43), and explained to men His resurrection (Matt.28:6) and
ascension (Acts 1:10,11).
C. They carry out Gods government. Angels are Gods servants (Ps.103:20; Heb.1:7) and messengers
(Luke 1:19; 2:8-14). They can be involved in controlling nature (Rev.7:1; 16:3,8,9), nations (2 Kings
19:35), and Satan and demons (Dan.10:13,21; 12:1). They will perform future judgment for God
(Matt.13:3a; Rev.15:1; 16:1-21).
D. They protect Gods people. Angels are sent to serve believers (Heb.1:14). They protect the godly
(Ps.34:7; Dan.6:20,23), oppose our enemies (Ps.35:4,5) and are specifically assigned as guardians of
individuals (Matt.18:10). They are Gods agents in answering prayer (Acts 12:7) even bringing physical
provisions (Gen.21:17-20; 1 Kings 19:5-7).
E. They assist believers at death (Luke 16:22; Jude 9).

The Doctrine of Satan

I. The Existence of Satan
A. Seven Old Testament books and every New Testament writer refer to Satan.
B. Jesus referred to Satan (Matt.13:39; Luke 10:18; 11:18).
II. The Personality and Names of Satan
A. Personality He has intellect (2 Cor.11:3), emotions (Rev.12:17) and will (2 Tim.2:26.
B. Names He is called Satan, the Devil (slanderer), Lucifer (son of the morning), Beelzebub (Lord of the
flies Matt.12:24), and Belial (lawless 2 Cor.6:15), the evil one (1 John 5:19), the tempter (1
Thess.3:5), the prince of this world (John 12:31), the god of this age (2 Cor.4:4), the prince of the power
of the air (Eph.2:2), the accuser of the brethren (Rev.12:10), and angel of light (false light 2 Cor.11:14),
a serpent (Rev.12:9), and a dragon (Rev.12:3).
III. The Nature of Satan
A. He is a created angelic being. He was created as part of the angelic realm (Eph.6:11,12; Ezek.24:18)
and was the highest in rank of them all (Ezek.28:12-14).
B. He is an enemy of righteousness. He is a murderer (John 8:44), a liar (John 8:44), and accuser
(Rev.12:10) and our adversary (1 Pet.5:8).
C. He is a limited creature. He is limited by God (Job.1:12). He is not Gods equal (1 John 4:4). He is not
omniscient, omnipotent or infinite in any way. Believers with Gods help can resist him (James 4:7).
IV. The Fall of Satan
Key Passages Ezekiel 28; Isaiah 14
A. Ezekiel 28:11-19 is a prophetic lamentation over the King of Tyre who is described in language that fits
Satans fall and not a mere human king. Satan is distinguished form the human ruler of Tyre in 28:2
(prince/ruler) and called a king in 28:12 (Not even Israels rulers were called King). Though Tyre had
a human ruler, Satan was the real King behind that wicked kingdom.
B. His attributes Moral perfection (v.12) Sinless at his creation until his fall (v.15)
C. His appearance Perfect in beauty (v.12b,13)
1. His privileges Free access to the garden of Eden (v.12) and to Gods holy mountain (= Gods
presence v.14)
2. His rank Cherub (vs.14,16)
3. His judgment
a. Cast out of the mountain of God (v.16, cf. Rev12:4)

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b. Cast to the ground (v.17)

c. Consumed by fire (v.18, cf. Rev.20:10)
D. Isaiah 14:12-15 also seems to describe Satans fall. Satan is manifest here by the king of Babylon. As in
Ezekiel 28, Satan is pictured here as the real king behind the wicked human kingdom of Babylon.
1. The imagery of a star and falling from heaven (v.12) suggests a supernatural fulfillment.
Stars (v.12,13) are symbolic of the angelic realm elsewhere (Job 38:6,7; Rev.12:4).
2. The five I wills of vss. 13 & 14 are literally true of Satan and only metaphorically true of
Babylons king. This ultimate form of pride (I will be like the Most High v.14) fits the New
Testament description of Satans fall 1 Tim.3:6.
V. The Activity of Satan
Satan is seeking to oppose Gods plan by promoting evil in every way possible.
A. Indirect Activity He works indirectly through the world (in which he has great freedom and power
John 12:31; 1 John 5:19) and the flesh (Gal.5:19-21). The world, the flesh and the devil are not three
separate enemies of the Christian. Rather Satan works through the evil world system (1 John 2:13-15) to
exploit the fleshly nature that still wars within us (Rom.7:18; Gal.5:19-21).

Diagram: Norm Geisler

B. Direct Activity He works directly by deception, temptation, attack and possession.
1. In Christs ministry
a. He tempted Christ (Matt.4:1-11).
b. He attempted to thwart Christs work (John 8:44; Matt.16:23; Luke 22:31).
c. He possessed Judas to accomplish the betrayal (John 13:27).
2. In unbelievers
a. He blinds their minds to hinder their understanding of the gospel (2 Cor.4:4).
b. When the gospel is heard or understood, he tries to hinder its effect (Luke 8:12).
c. He uses persecution (Rev.2:10) and false religions (Rev.2:13) to hinder the effect of the
gospel.
3. In believers
a. He tempts believers (to pride 1 Chron.21:1-8; to materialism John 2:15; James 5:1-7;
to immorality 1 Cor.7:5; to lie Acts 5:3; to discouragement 1 Pet.5:6-10; to be
unforgiving 2 Cor.2:10,11 etc.).
b. He hinders the ministries of believers (1 Thess.2:18; Rev.2:10).
c. He promotes false teaching among believers (1 John 4:1-4).
d. He promotes anger, bitterness and division (Eph.4:26,27; 2 Cor.2:5-11). Note: See the
supplement Satanic Activity and Spiritual Warfare for more information on how Satan and
his demons work and how we must respond.

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The Doctrine of Demons

I. The Existence and Nature of Demons
A. Their Creation God created demons as part of the angelic realm originally (Col.1:16).
B. Their Fall
1. The evidence It is clear that Satan has a following of like beings (Prince of the demons
Matt.12:24; the Devil and his angels Matt.25:41). Demons are described throughout the Scriptures
(Dan.10:10-20; Matt.10:1; Eph.6:12).
2. The time At the fall of Satan, many angels followed him in that rebellion (demons are fallen
angels). A third of the angelic host seem to have fallen with Satan (Rev.12:4 the imagery of Satan
as a dragon and angels/demons as stars).
C. Their Nature
1. Demons are by nature the same kind of spirit beings as angels. They are personal, intelligent
beings.
2. Demons are morally wicked (unclean spirits Matt.10:1; evil Luke 7:21;
wickedness/darkness Eph.6:12).
a. They are deceitful (1 Tim.4:1-3; 2 Cor.11:13-15).
b. They are immoral (Gen.6:4; Jude 6,7).
3. Demons are invisible but also able to appear (Satan Zech.3:1; Matt.4:9.10; Demons Rev.9:710; 16:13-16).
4. Demons have great intelligence. They knew Christs identity and power (Mark 1:14,34; 5:6,7).
They know their own future judgment (Matt.8:28,29). They can attempt to predict the future (Acts
16:16). Theyre knowledge is not infinite. They learned it through thousands of years of experience
and observation.
5. Demons have great strength (Mark 5:3; Acts 19:16; Rev.9:1-11).
II. The Activity of Demons
Demons are involved in carrying out Satans evil plans (2 Cor.11:15). What Satan is said to be doing (see
above) is their work directly.
A. Demons promote idolatry (Lev.17:7; Deut.32:17; Ps.106:36-38). This activity is blatant in primitive
cultures.
B. Demons are active in hindering the spiritual progress of believers every way they can (see Satans
activities). They are deliberate and organized in these attempts (Eph.6:10-12).
C. Demons promote false teaching (1 Tim.4:1).
D. Demons can possess and afflict people (see supplement).
1. They cause physical ailments (dumbness Matt.9:32,33; blindness Matt.12:22; convulsions
Matt.17:15-18; Mark 9:20; self-injury Mark 5:5; 9:22).
2. They cause mental disorders (withdrawal, nudity, filth, irrational behavior Luke 8:27-29; suicidal
mania Mark 9:22).
3. They inflict problems upon believers as well, if allowed by God (Jobs troubles Job 2:7-9; Pauls
"thorn in the flesh": - 2 Cor.12:7).
E. Demons promote selfishness and division in the church (James 3:13-16).

Recommended Reading and References

Fred Dickason, Angels, Elect and Evil. Chicago: Moody Press, 1975.
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