January 2019 – Questions About Angels

This is my last lesson in this series of lessons about angels. Hear me when I say that these comments are only my opinion. I have tried to base my opinion on Scripture. So if you are really studying the subject, be sure to look into the scriptural references.

Some things are hard to understand.  That is what Peter said of Paul’s writings (2 Pet. 3:16).  And not just Paul’s writings, there are other Bible topics that are hard to understand.  A dedicated student of the Bible can come to some probable conclusions on a variety of topics, but make no mistake….the plan of salvation is pure and simple, and easy to understand and obey.  And when we don’t have an abundance of information, we may just have to accept or reject according to our faith and understanding of the Scriptures.  If we believe that in this age there continues to be active participation in our lives by angels or other spirit beings, we can’t take the good and reject the evil.  Nor should we accept the evil and resist the good.  There is ample evidence of both forces at work among us.  Just be assured that God’s will is for His people to be righteous.  John’s Revelation describes in vivid imagery the conflict of good and evil, and the promise is that the righteous will be victorious.

QUESTIONS WE WILL TRY TO ANSWER FROM THE SCRIPTURES

Were we angels before we were born? 

There is no indication from Scripture that we were angels before we were born.  Apparently, angels were a creation unto themselves for the specific purpose of serving and worshiping the Lord.  They were employed by the Lord for specific assignments as we have seen in the previous lessons.   In Psalms 139:13-16, David indicates that we were known before we were born as who we would be.  

Do we become angels when we die?

There is also no indication from Scripture that we will become angels after we die.  The writer to the Hebrews said, “Just as a man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment….”  Heb. 9:27.  (This is also a good passage to disprove advocates of reincarnation).

What about angel “sightings?”  Books, movies and TV have been instrumental in making a “fad” of angel sightings.  In God’s scheme of things, as the Scriptures testify, those who saw an angel knew without a doubt that they had seen an angel, and the angel always had a message or an assignment that was clearly defined.    

Who were the “fallen angels?”

It is the opinion of some Bible commentators that the phrase, “sons of God,” discussed in Gen. 6:2 was a phrase used almost exclusively of angels.  This phrase is also referenced by the word “angels,” (literally, the sons of God) in Job 1:6, referenced by 2 Peter 2:4, and Jude 6.  They were thought to be a group of angels whom Satan had influenced to cohabit with earthly women.  Angels do not marry nor procreate, and if this theory is valid, they committed sin by leaving their heavenly home to live among mortals – a sin so grievous that they were punished by being sent to gloomy dungeons to await judgment.  The logic of Peter is that if God did not spare angels, He will surely punish false teachers.

What about Satan?

The existence of Satan is taught in 7 Old Testament books and by every New Testament writer.  Christ acknowledged and taught the existence of Satan.  (Matt. 13:39; Luke 10:18: 11:18).

The personality of Satan

  • He conversed with the Lord, showing he has intelligence – Job 1:7; 2 Cor. 11:3.
  • He has emotions as displayed in his antagonism toward Job, and in John’s vision, his rage toward the woman – Job 1:9; Rev. 12:17.
  • His purpose was to destroy Job, indicating he has a will – Job 1:11.
  • He is a murderer and a liar – John 8:44.
  • He is a confirmed sinner – 1 John 3:8.

Designations

  • Satan (adversary – 1 Pet. 5:8)
  • Devil (slanderer) – John 8:44)
  • Lucifer (son of the morning -Isa. 14:12)
  • Beelzebub (Matt. 12:24)
  • Belial (2 Cor. 6:15)
  • Evil one (1 John 5:19)
  • Tempter (1 Thes. 3:5)
  • Prince of this world (John 12:31)
  • God of this age (2 Cor. 4:4)
  • Prince of the power of the air (Eph. 2:2)
  • Accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10)
  • He is represented as Serpent (Gen. 3:1; Rev. 12:9)
  • Dragon (Rev. 12:3);
  • Angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14)

His Nature

  • A creature – Ezek. 28:14
  • A spirit being – Eph. 6:11-12
  • Of the order of angels called cherubin – Ex. 25:20 Ezek. 28:14
  • Highest of all angelic creatures – Ezek. 28:12-19
  • He has limitations; he can be resisted by Christians – Eph. 6:11-18; James 4:7 
  • God places limitations on him – Job 1:12

His Sin

  • His sin was aspiring to be greater than God; he wanted the glory that belongs to God alone – Isa. 14:12-20
  • His sin is called pride or conceit in 1 Tim. 3:6

His Influence

  • In the life of Christ – Gen. 3:15; Matt. 2:16; 4:1-11; 16:23; John 8:44; 13:27
  • In the lives of Christians – Matt. 13:38-39; 1 Cor. 7:5; 2 Cor. 4:4; Eph. 6:10-18; James 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:8, 9

His Helpers

  • False teachers – 2 Cor. 11:13-15.
  • The sinful nature of man – Gal. 5:19-21; James 3:15.
  • Witchcraft, demonology – Deut. 18:10-12; Gal. 5:20.

His End

Eternal fire and torment – Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10.