Nutshell Theology: Angelology, Demonology and Satanology

Angelology,Demonology, Satanology
Big Picture

Angels, Demons and Satan... Oh My! Don't let the names confuse you too much, they're all the same thing. Some are good, some are evil all of them exist under God's authority.

Job ^{(Job 38:4-7)} tells us that when God began the great work of Creation in Genesis 1:1 he must already have created the angels because all of them were together singing God's praise as he "laid the foundations of the earth".

The Bible calls angels "Morning stars" (Perhaps because they were the first lights), "Sons of God" (Because they were his first creation), as well as several other names. Angels however is really a word meaning "messenger".

There are several classes of angels as well. The Bible talks about Angels appearing as women ^{(Zechariah 5:9)} and as men ^{(Mark 16:5)}. There are Cherubim (probably means "To bless" which hints at their task of honoring God.) ^{(Ezek 1,10)}, Seraphim (means "burning ones" Which hints at their task of guarding God's holiness or of their brightness.) ^{(Isaiah 6)}, Guardian angels ^{(Matthew 18:10)}.
God has designed angels for various tasks. They bring messages to people, watch children, worship God, guard His glory and presumably more. Unfortunately, not all of God's angels have remained faithful to their purposed creation.

Sometime after God finished his work of creation ^{(Gen 1:31; Ezekiel 28:13)} one angel in particular, a cherub ^{(Ezekiel 28:14)} who went by the name "Lucifer" or light bearer ^{(Isaiah 14:12)}, was the most beautiful ^{(Ezekiel 28:12)} of all of God's creation and who was created without sin ^{(Ezekiel 28:15)} probably was taken by surprise to learn that God was entrusting his created earth to the authority of Adam ^{(Genesis 1:28)} rather than to him. Whatever the real reason ^{(Ezekiel 28:16)}, Lucifer became fixated on his own beauty ^{(Ezekiel 28:16-17)} and thus filled with pride ^{(Ezekiel 28:17)} he determined that he wanted to take God's place ^{(Isaiah 14:14)} and rule from His throne ^{(Isaiah 14:13)}. Having fallen alone he then began to convince about 1/3 of God's angels^{(Revelation 12:4)}
to join him in rebelling. When they did – they lost the battle and God then sealed all the angels in their current state. The Holy Angels are sealed in perfection while the rebel angels – Lucifer included
– are sealed in rebellion and have no means of redemption ^{(Heb 2:16)}. God created Hell for Lucifer (the Devil / Satan) and his band of rebel angels (demons) ^{(Matthew 25:41)}. Now the day of judgement when Christians will judge the angels ^{(1 Corinthians 6:3)} is coming. After that day, Satan, his emissaries, the demons, and all who reject Jesus will be thrown into the lake of fire. ^{(Isaiah 14:15; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:15; )} Satan Himself will be thrown into the lake of fire alive ^{(Isaiah 14:20; Revelation 19:20)}.

Daily Life

Though it may be frightening to consider, we do live in a world inhabited by Angels and Demons. The Angels Fight on our behalf ^{(Daniel 10:13)} while the Demons and Satan himself fight against us ^{(Ephesians 6:12)}. God however has given us protection ^{(Ephesians 6:12-18)} if we stay near to Him ^{(James 4:7-8)}. We are not to fear the demons ^{(Jeremiah 10:5)}, they are the gods whom the people of this world worship ^{(1 Corinthians 10:20)} but they are not equal to Christ who lives in us ^{(1 John 4:4)}.

Neither are the holy angels worthy of our worship. I remember Amy Grant's song from way back when I was a kid., "Angels watching over me, every move I make..." It was a neat song with somewhat catchy lyrics most of which I still remember. "Angel mania" tends to sweep through various cultures from
time to time and I'd prefer not to take part in it - for my money it's too much like worship. However, the Bible is clear they are not to be worshipped ^{(Revelation 19:10)} only the God who made them and us is worthy of that.

Memory Verse

Colossians 2:18-19 "Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God."

Questions For Personal Study

1. What is it about angels that interests you?
2. What is it about Demons or Satan that frightens you?
3. What did you learn that makes you think of angels differently than before?
4. Have you ever had an Angelic encounter or suspect you've been rescued by an angel?
5. Do you feel that collecting angel statues is the same as Idolatry?
6. Why or why not?