Fallen Angels, Demons and Satan *What are Fallen Angels? These are a third of God's Angels [refer to "Angels"] that, through selfish pride, followed Lucifer (Satan) [refer to "Satan"] into rebellion against God. There are three schools of thought regarding the "fall". 1. First and probably the most popular is that the fallen angels were the stars mentioned in Revelation 12:4 being flung down to earth. Plus in Revelation 12:9 "The great dragon ... He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him." That would imply that the demons listed in God's Word are actually those fallen angels. 2. The second is that the fallen angels went directly to hell as described in 2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 6. That would mean that the demons listed in God's Word are of some other spiritual entity that follows Satan. 3. The third is a combination of the two above. Satan and the fallen angels were cast to earth each in their own personal hell [refer to "Hell"]. In essence, they are in direct rebellion against God [refer to "Evil"] which puts them in darkness which is the absence of light (John 3:20 "... evil hates the light ..."). God is the light (1 John 1:5 "... God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.") which would mean that darkness is hell or the absence of God. *What are Demons? These are spiritual beings that do the will of Satan (Lucifer) [refer to "Satan"], but only as God will allow. *What power do demons have? In Ephesians 6:12 we learn that God has provided Satan and his demons with a lot of power "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." [refer to "Evil"] *What is evil? The word "evil" is used in God's Word to primarily describe the force that opposes God and His work of righteousness in the world (Romans 7:8-19) [refer to "Evil"]. This "force" is not limited to Satan and/or his demons, but also from our own selfish desires [refer to "Sin"]. As God's created humans, God wants us to be able to freely make our own choices. In order to have total freedom of choice, one must have both the negative (evil) and the positive (good) to choose from. God hates evil, but must allow it in order for us to freely choose. *Why would Angels rebel against God? Before the creation of the world, all of the Angels were created by God, lived with God and were actively doing His will. With only God's absolute good in the universe, then how is it that Satan (Lucifer) [refer to "Satan"] and 1/3 of His Angels, would even think about rebelling against God? That is a good question and one that we may not fully understand until we are with God in His presence. But, God's Word provides us with some clues that have led to speculation. What ever it was, it is obvious that their selfish pride was at the forefront. One possible school of thought was the possibility that God would create a human race that would be lifted above the Angels [refer to "Humans"]. In 1 Corinthians 6:3 Paul is describing a future aspect of our relationship with Angels: "Do you not know that we will judge angels?..." It is thought that since us humans, unlike the Angels, were given "the sin nature" [refer to "Sin Nature"] at birth, but more importantly given the ability to freely choose to rebel against God utilizing an adversary, God holds us humans in higher esteem above the Angels. This might be the reason that Satan (Lucifer) [refer to "Satan"] and his fallen angels rebelled against God. --- Matthew Henry's Commentary on Judging Angels By judging the world and angels, some think, is to be understood, their being assessors to Christ in the great judgment-day; it being said of our Saviour's disciples that they should at that day sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel, Matt 19:28. And elsewhere we read of our Lord's coming with ten thousand of his saints to execute judgment on all, etc., Jude 14-15. He will come to judgment with all his saints, 1 Thess 3:13. (from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.) --- --- Shall judge angels All the angels that shall be judged, good or bad. Probably the reference is to fallen angels, as there is no account that holy angels will then undergo a trial. The sense is, "Christians will be qualified to see the justice of even the sentence which is pronounced on fallen angels. They will be able so to embrace and comprehend the nature of law, and the interests of justice, as to see the propriety of their condemnation. (from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft) --- *What is demon possession? Demon possession is the ability of Demons to actually indwell and take over the mind and body of a human. There are only two prerequisites for this to even happen: 1. First, the person cannot have God in them [refer to "Salvation"]. 2. Secondly, they must be an empty vessel or one where there is no glimmer of God's light. God's Word also provides us insight in their strong desire to possess breathing animals, preferably humans. They are also known to have the ability to come and go freely from their subject. [refer to "Demon Possession"]. *What power do demons have over Born again Christians? As a Born again Christian you are a personal part of God's family with the Holy Spirit indwelling within you [refer to "Salvation"]. That means that you are protected from demon possession. Demons cannot exist where God already exists. Plus, you have a guardian Angel always at your side [refer to "Angels"]. But, that does not give you permission to let your guard down, both Satan and/or demons can tempt you. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us that we need to "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, ...". Plus, the Apostle Paul says in Ephesians 6:12-13 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." As an additional side note, remember also that God will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can handle and if tempted, He will always give you a way out [refer to "Sin"]. (1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.") *Fallen Angels described in 2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 6: 2 Peter 2:4 seems to open the door stating that the fallen angels, other than Lucifer (Satan), were placed into hell. That being the case, then Demons, rather than being fallen angels, would be a spiritual entity reflecting Satan's demonic power. Others believe that Peter is referring to the Giants [refer to "Giants"] described in Genesis 6:1-6. They also use Jude 6 "... abandoned their own home... ", or lived on earth as humans, to emphasize this line of thinking. In either case, fallen angels will eventually spend eternity in hell. --- Fallen Angels The lord or prince of these fallen angels is Satan (Rev. 12:7-9). Fallen angels, or messengers, continue to serve Satan; but their power is limited. Judgment awaits them in the future (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 12:9). The fallen angels referred to in 2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 6 are possibly the beings referred to as "sons of God" in Genesis 6:1-4. There is no real distinction between fallen angels and Demons. (Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, General Editor: Herbert Lockyer Sr., copyright (c) 1986 by Thomas Nelson Publishers) --- *Demons in the Old Testament: There are only two verses in the Old Testament that actually use the word "Demon" Deuteronomy 32:17 and Psalm 106:37. Otherwise it is the word "evil" that is used through out the Old Testament. --- DEMONS in the Old Testament Because the Jews believed God's power was unlimited, the Old Testament contains little information about demons. The primitive status of the understanding of demons during this time is perhaps reflected in the way the Old Testament relates the fallen angels to God. It was a "distressing (or evil) spirit from God" (1 Sam 16:15-16,23) that brought great distress to Saul the king. It was a "lying spirit" from the Lord about whom Micaiah, the prophet of the Lord, spoke (1 Kings 22:21-23). Pagan worship is also related to demon activity in the Old Testament (Lev 17:7; Ps 106:37). Demons delight in making heathen idols the focus of their activities. (from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright (c)1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers) --- *Demon Attributes: Like Angels, demons are spiritual beings. They seem to be earth bound or more correctly, anywhere humans happen to live. God's Word seems to portray them as either tempting someone to sin or possessing some non-believer. Other than the fallen angels in Genesis 6:1-4 [refer to "Giants"] they do not take on human form. Plus, in Job we learn that they are restricted by God's will. Also, it might be noted that demons will do perceived good as long as it will achieve their evil goal. *Bible References: Deuteronomy 32:17 "They sacrificed to demons, which are not God--gods they had not known, gods that recently appeared, gods your fathers did not fear." (from New International Version) Job 4:18 "If God places no trust in his servants, if he charges his angels with error," (from New International Version) Psalm 106:37 "They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons." (from New International Version) Isaiah 14:12-15 "How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! 13 You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. 14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High." 15 But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit." (from New International Version) Matthew 8:29-31 "What do you want with us, Son of God?" they shouted. "Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?" 30 Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31 The demons begged Jesus, "If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs." (from New International Version) Matthew 13:37-39 "He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels." (from New International Version) Matthew 25:41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." (from New International Version) Mark 5:7-13 "He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me!" 8 For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!" 9 Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" "My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." 10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. 11 A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12 The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them." 13 He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned." (from New International Version) Luke 8:28-33 "When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don't torture me!" 29 For Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places. 30 Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" "Legion," he replied, because many demons had gone into him. 31 And they begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. 32 A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into them, and he gave them permission. 33 When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned." (from New International Version) Luke 10:17-18 "The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." 18 He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven." (from New International Version) Luke 11:24-26 "When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' 25 When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. 26 Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first." (from New International Version) John 8:44 "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." (from New International Version) Ephesians 6:11-13 "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (from New International Version) 1 Corinthians 10:19-20 "Do I mean then that a sacrifice offered to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons." (from New International Version) 1 Corinthians 15:24 "Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power." (from New International Version) 2 Corinthians 12:7 "To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me." (from New International Version) Colossians 1:13-14 "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (from New International Version) 1 Timothy 4:1-2 "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron." (from New International Version) James 2:19 "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder." (from New International Version) 1 John 3:8 "He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work." (from New International Version) 1 John 4:1-3 "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world." (from New International Version) 1 Peter 5:8-9 "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." (from New International Version) Jude 6 "And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home-these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day." (from New International Version) 2 Peter 2:4 "For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment;" (from New International Version) Revelation 12:3-9 "Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads. 4 His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child the moment it was born. 5 She gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne. 6 The woman fled into the desert to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days. 7 And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9 The great dragon was hurled down-that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him." (from New International Version) Revelation 20:1-3 "And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time." (from New International Version) Revelation 20:7-10 "When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth-Gog and Magog-to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever." (from New International Version) *Non-Biblical References: The different religions seem to have their own demons or evil spirits. The secular world, on the other hand, seem to greatly diminish the seriousness of their threat. There are numerous television programs and movies that portray them as vampires, ghosts [refer to "Ghosts"], or some sort of entity with an almost fascinating ability. The fact that they are evil and hate us humans and hate God, usually seems to elude the story line. *Overview: Lucifer, originally God's highest Angel, was the first to rebel and was the one that convinced 1/3 of God's Angels to follow him in this rebellion against God. The fact that God's created beings, living with Him and in His company, would rebel against Him is sometimes hard to believe. Satan (Lucifer) and his demons (some believe are the fallen angels), while on this earth, have made it their goal to hurt God and to destroy all of God's created humans. They are smarter and more powerful than us, but only can do those things that God allows. The Apostle Paul tells us in 1Corinthians 10:13 that every human also has the assurance from God that "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it". Plus, as Born again Christians, we also have God in us [refer to "Salvation"] and we have an Angel that keeps watch over us [refer to "Angels"]. With that said, though, we are also told, by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:11, to be on guard and to "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Or, that Jesus is our armor. *Additional Links: http://christiananswers.net/dictionary/demon.html