The Doctrine of Angels

Great Bible Doctrines

An·gel: [eyn-juhl] –n. ◙ Angels are spiritual beings created by God

to serve Him, though created higher than man. Some, the good angels, have remained obedient to Him and carry out His will, while others, fallen angels, disobeyed, fell from their holy position, and now stand in active opposition to the work and plan of God.

◙ The word “angel” means “messenger”◙ Angels are spirit-beings. They have

intellect, emotions, and will. They are personal beings.

Four Major Subdivisions

◙ Angels—ministering spirits from God◙ Demons—angels that fell◙ Satan—the highest angel who fell◙ Defense—using God’s protection

Angels are personal beings

◙ They were created (Ps 148:2,5)◙ They exist as spirits – not with material bodies

(Heb. 1:14)◙ An angel can be in only one place at one time

(Dan.9:21-23; 10:10-14)

◙ 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)◙ They cannot reproduce (Mark 12:25)◙ They do not die (Luke 20:36)

Misconceptions◙ When you die, you do become an angel.◙ Angels are merely Christian “mythology.”◙ Human mental afflictions are just

“psychoses” and have no spiritual root or cause. Even some physical ailments are spiritual in origin.

Four Major Subdivisions

Four Major Subdivisions

Angels◙ Angels have 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.

◙ They are organized in ranks. One archangel Michael is named (Jude 9)

Angelic duties◙ They carry out God’s government.

◙ Angels are God’s 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).

Angelic duties◙ They protect God’s people. ◙ Angels are sent to serve believers (Heb.1:14). ◙ Are specifically assigned as guardians of

individuals (Matt.18:10). ◙ They are God’s agents in answering prayer

(Acts 12:7) ◙ Even bringing physical provisions (Gen.21:17-

20; 1 Kings 19:5-7)◙ They protect the godly (Ps.34:7; Dan.6:20,23)◙ Oppose our enemies (Ps.35:4,5)

Demons◙ Fallen angels—they rebelled and are

corrupted (Jude 6)◙They have some of the same attributes

of angels:◙They are smarter than we are◙They are stronger than we are

Demonic activities◙ Demons promote idolatry (Lev.17:7;

Deut.32:17; Ps.106:36-38)◙ Demons are active in hindering the spiritual

progress of believers every way they can. They are deliberate and organized in these attempts (Eph.6:10-12)

◙ Demons promote false teaching (1 Tim.4:1)

◙ Demons promote selfishness and division in the church 

◙ They can possess and afflict people

Demonic activities◙ 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.

◙ They cause mental disorders◙withdrawal, nudity, filth, irrational behavior

– Luke 8:27-29◙suicidal mania – Mark 9:22.

◙ They inflict problems upon believers as well, if allowed by God (Job’s troubles – Job 2:7-9; Paul’s "thorn in the flesh": - 2 Cor. 12:7).

Misconception◙ Possession is not indwelling◙ “Possessed” as you see in the Bible is a

15th century usage meaning “to have.”◙For example: I am possessed of a truck.

That means, I have a truck. The truck does not have me.

◙So, to be possessed of spirits is to have sprits, like you are hosting them.

◙ Hollow log illustration

Satan◙ Satan is not an impersonal force of evil, or

perhaps “human nature” ◙ He is a person. ◙ He is  

◙ the prince of this world (John 12:31)◙ the god of this age (2 Cor.4:4)

Four Major Subdivisions

Boat=Ways of the world

Skier=person following the ways of the world

Driver= Satan, directing the ways of the world

Satan’s Goals◙ Block communication with God◙ Deface Christ-likeness◙ Deprive Christians of God’s blessings◙ Rob us of our joy◙ Damage our usefulness to God◙ Ruin us mentally and emotionally

His Attack◙ Force

◙Sickness◙Accidents◙Opposition from people and

organizations◙ Fraud

◙Tricks◙Traps◙False teachings◙Wrong thoughts

The War (Eph 6:10-17)10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 

14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

The War (Eph 6:10-17)

Defense◙ Recognize that the war and your enemy

are real◙14% believe in ghosts◙13% believe in witches◙62% do not believe that the devil is real◙52% of “born-again” Christians deny

that Satan is real◙ If this is your attitude, then you are

already vulnerable

Defense◙ The armor of God (Eph. 6:14-17)

◙Belt of truth◙Breastplate of righteousness◙Shoes of preparation of the Gospel of

peace◙Shield of faith◙Helmet of salvation◙Sword of the spirit, which is the word of

God

Using the Armor◙ ID the attack

◙ It will be in the form of lies, false teaching, wrong thoughts and feelings, etc.

◙ Determine the truth. What does Scripture say? What do I know to be true?

◙ Stand firm by that truth.◙ Use Scripture to combat the continued

attack

Combat the Cycle

Action

Thought

Feeling

Consequence

The Doctrine of Angels

Great Bible Doctrines

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