INSTITUTE OF LOVE

Angels and Demons
Text Box: They are often being described as mystical; artists portray them with beautiful wings, long hair, and halos on their heads. They are also identified by some as chubby babies with little wings sitting on clouds with a bored look in their eyes. They are frequently depicted in television shows, movies, and books. The Hollywood movie scene portrays them many times as lustful beings seeking sexual gratification. Traditionally, they are being viewed as guardians that protect us humans against harm and can come to our aid in times of distress. They are called angels, and the meaning of their name is “messenger.” In other words, angels communicate messages of God to His people. Angels are also referred to as ambassadors or representatives. Angels are created by God, who is the creator of everything, for the sole purpose of serving Him by protecting and taking care of the believers. They are real spiritual beings that are documented in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see — kings, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities. Everything has been created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1:16-17 NLT For He orders His angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone. Psalms 91:11-12 NLT But angels are only servants. They are spirits sent from God to care for those who will receive salvation. Hebrews 1:14 NLT Angels perform many tasks. Apart from giving protection, they are also sent by God to explain the meaning of visions and dreams; give direction and guidance. Other tasks that angels perform are that of a warrior, sometimes being sent into combat, as well as their task of carrying out God’s discipline, worshiping, and praising God. Angels may take on various forms, including at times, a human form as you can read in the below verse: Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Hebrews 13:2 NLT Here are some other documented physical descriptions of angels. The first one is Daniel’s description: I looked up and saw a man dressed in linen clothing, with a belt of pure gold around his waist. His body looked like a dazzling gem. From his face came flashes like lightning, and his eyes were like flaming torches. His arms and feet shone like polished bronze, and his voice was like the roaring of a vast multitude of people. Daniel 10:5-6 NLT The angel who announced the news of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to Mary was described as follows: His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. Matthew 28:3 NKJV The Bible does not always specifically refer to angels as having wings, although they are said to fly. However, Cherubims and Seraphims, who belong to the higher rank in the order of angels, are men-tioned in the scriptures as having wings. The glorious cherubim were above the Ark. Their wings were stretched out over the Ark's cover, the place of atonement. Hebrews 9:4-5 NLT Hovering around Him were mighty seraphim, each with six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with the remaining two they flew. In a great chorus they sang, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty! The whole earth is filled with His glory!" Isaiah 6:1-3 NLT There are only two angels that are specifically called by name in the Bible. Here are the scriptures that talk about the first one, whose name is Michael, who is also called the archangel, which means “chief angel” or the “leader of angels.” But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. Daniel 10:13 NLT At that time Michael, the archangel who stands guard over your nation, will arise. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued. Daniel 12:1 NLT But even Michael, one of the mightiest of the angels, did not dare accuse Satan of blasphemy, but simply said, "The Lord rebuke you." (This took place when Michael was arguing with Satan about Moses' body.) Jude 9 NLT The other angel called by name, was Gabriel. And I heard a human voice calling out from the Ulai River, "Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of his vision." Daniel 8:16 NLT As I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came swiftly to me at the time of the evening sacrifice. He explained to me, "Daniel, I have come here to give you insight and understanding. Daniel 9:21-22 NLT Then the angel said, "I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news!" Luke 1:19 NLT In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. Luke 1:26-27 NLT Fallen Angels The Bible also tells us that there is a supreme, fallen angel who is against God. His name is the Devil, also known as Satan, which means “the accuser”, Lucifer, Beelzebub, which means Lord of Flies, the Dragon, Serpent, Angel of Death, Tempter, and the Father of Lies. Demons are fallen angels, who follow their leader the Devil. However, they didn’t begin as his followers. As with humans, fallen angels were also given free will. And I remind you of the angels who did not stay within the limits of authority God gave them but left the place where they belonged. Jude 6 NLT Their choice led them to their fall from heaven and God’s grace. God created Satan as one of the most beautiful angels which He called Lucifer, meaning “light bearer,” and was referred to as the “morningstar.” However, Lucifer became jealous and prideful and ultimately rebelled against God, wanting to take God’s place, and be like God and equal to Him. How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.' Isaiah 14:12-14 NKJV Ultimately, Lucifer and some of the angels who followed him, got their butts permanently kicked out of Heaven, because they resisted the power and authority of God. Then there was war in heaven. Michael and the angels under his command fought the dragon and his angels. And the dragon lost the battle and was forced out of heaven. This great dragon — the ancient serpent called the Devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world — was thrown down to the earth with all his angels. Revelation 12:7-9 NLT Now, Satan with his army of fallen angels and demons are determined to corrupt and destroy all that is good and godly. God explicitly warns us against the Devil’s demises. Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. 1. Peter 5:8 NLT Satan will use deception and crafty lies to seduce even born-again Christians, as he often presents himself as an angel of light. In other words, everything about the Devil is counterfeit or false! For you are the children of your father the Devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning and has always hated the truth. There is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44 NLT But I am not surprised! Even Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light. 2. Corinthians 11:14 NLT For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great miraculous signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God's chosen ones. See, I have warned you. Matthew 24:24-25 NLT But God has given us clear and decisive victory through Jesus Christ over Satan and his demonic angels! There will be no doubt about who belongs to the Devil, and who belongs to God. Those who belong to the Devil, are people who deliberately keep on living in sin, and those who belong to God, are people, because of the love they have for Jesus to keep His commands, do not want to live in sin anymore. But when people keep on sinning, it shows they belong to the Devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy these works of the Devil. Those who have been born into God's family do not sin, because God's life is in them. So they can't keep on sinning, because they have been born of God. So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the Devil. Anyone who does not obey God's commands and does not love other Christians does not belong to God. 1. John 3:8-10 NLT God instruct us through His Word how to stand up and protect ourselves against the attacks of the Devil and his demons: Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:11-12 NLT So humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 NLT We are not to worship angels And don't let anyone say you must worship angels, even though they say they have had visions about this. Colossians 2:18 NLT In the following scripture, we see a clear example of how the apostle John was instructed NOT to worship the angel who had brought him revelations from God. As a matter of fact, we Christians will ultimately judge angels. I, John, am the one who saw and heard all these things. And when I saw and heard these things, I fell down to worship the angel who showed them to me. But again he said, "No, don't worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers the prophets, as well as all who obey what is written in this scroll. Worship God!" Revelation 22:8-9 NLT Don't you realize that we Christians will judge angels? 1. Corinthians 6:3 NLT Finally, Jesus will come back in His Glory to judge the world, all the angels with Him, as it is written in Matthew 25:31: But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. Then Jesus will say to those who pretend to serve Him, but in reality didn’t love Him, but only had lip service as they followed the Devil: Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, 'Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his demons! Matthew 25:41 NLT Angel in Action Here is one of the many examples in Bible of an angel in action. This is a story about Peter and the apostles who got arrested and thrown in jail for preaching the Gospel and healing the sick. They were beaten and slandered by jealous religious leaders. But then God send an angel to liberate them from prison. The high priest and his friends, who were Sadducees, reacted with violent jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the jail. But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out. Then he told them, "Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!" So the apostles entered the Temple about daybreak and immediately began teaching. Acts 5:17-21 NLT Copyright©2009 Sophia & Edwin Christiaan Text Box: By Edwin Christiaan