Lesson for January 1, 2024

The Doctrine of Angelology

Lesson 1

The Bible is the only source of accurate information regarding angels. The Word of God teaches the existence of angels and their specific roles in relationship to God and the human race. Angels were created by God as spirit beings. The Hebrew word for angel is “malach,” meaning messenger. The Greek word for angel is “angelos,” also meaning messenger, as in Luke 7:24; James 2:25; Revelation 1:20; 2:1,8,12,18; 3:1,7,14.

There are two categories of angels: 1) elect – those who follow God 2) fallen – those who follow Satan. (I Corinthians 10:20-21; Jude 1:6) Angels are created spirit beings. (Ephesians 3:9-10; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:7,14) Nowhere in the Bible are angels said to be human beings who have died and become angels. Angels are individuals. (Ezekiel 1:5) Angels were created in eternity past. (Job 38:4-7) Angels are not born and they do not die. (Matthew 22:30) Angels are countless in number. (Revelation 5:11; Hebrews 12:22; Luke 2:13)

Angels are generally invisible to man (except on certain occasions). (Colossians 1:16; Genesis 6) Angels are not to be worshipped. (Colossians 2:18) Elect angels render intelligent worship to God. (Psalms 148:2) Fallen angels render worship to Satan. (Matthew 9:34, 12:24; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15) Angels have limited knowledge. (Matthew 24:36) Angels are inferior to Jesus Christ in His resurrection body. (Hebrews 1:4-14) Angels are superior to mankind, including the humanity of Christ while He was on earth). (Luke 4:33-34; Psalms 103:20; Hebrews 2:6-7; Daniel 9:21)

Angels observe mankind. (Ephesians 3:10; I Peter 1:12) Angels are always referred to as males and the word angel is always used in the masculine. (Genesis 19:1-22; Matthew 28:3) Two elect angels are named in the Bible – Michael (Daniel 10:13, 12:1, Jude 9, Revelation 12:7-8) and Gabriel (Daniel 8:12, 9:21; Luke 1:19) Satan is a fallen angel originally named Lucifer. (Isaiah 14:12) The Angel of the Lord is Jehovah. (Genesis 16:7-13; 22:11-18; 24:7, 40)

Michael, which means “who is like God”, is the Archangel (chief angel) and is the head of God’s army, guards the nation of Israel, and directly opposes Satan. (I Thessalonians 4:16; Jude 9; Daniel 12:1; Revelation 12:7)

Gabriel, which means “man of God,” protects heads of state, announced the birth of Christ, brought the message of John the Baptist’s birth, and will announce the Rapture. (Daniel 8:15-27; Luke 1:11-33)

Cherub is the highest order of angels (cherubim, plural). Ezekiel 28:14 describes Satan as “the anointed cherub.” This means Satan was the highest in order of all angels before he rebelled against God. Genesis 3:24 says that a cherub was stationed outside the Garden of Eden after the fall of Adam and Eve to guard the Tree of Life. Cherubs are described as having wings in Exodus 25:17-22.

Seraph is the second highest order of angels (seraphim, plural). Seraphim are described in Isaiah 6:1-6 as having six wings and are able to fly. This vision that Isaiah had also referred to Jesus Christ as the King, the Lord of armies (elect angels). Ezekiel 10 and Revelation 4 seem to describe the same “living creatures,” which are believed to be seraphim.

Though there is not a detailed account of the creation of angels in the Bible, the fact of their creation is clearly stated in numerous passages of Scripture. For example: Genesis 19:1, 5; 28:12; 32:1; Job 4:18; Psalm 8:5; 91:11; Matthew 1:13; 13:41; Luke 12:8-9; John 1:51; 20:12; Romans 8:38; I Corinthians 6:3; Hebrews 1:4-5 and many more. When we examine the original languages of Hebrew and Greek and the meaning for various words used to describe angels, we get a very good picture of the nature and function of angels.

1. Principalities – Greek: “arche” – rule or authority. This tells us that angels are organized by rank under authority. (Romans 8:38)
2. Powers – Greek: “exousia” – authorities. This is a reference to those who execute authority. (I Peter 3:22)
3. Might – Greek: “dunamis” – power, strength. Supernatural power of an individual angel. (Ephesians 1:21)
4. Dominion – Greek: “kuriotes” – lordship. A special class of angels. (Colossians 1:16)
5. Thrones – Greek: “thronos” – seat of authority. Name of a class of angels with authority. (Colossians 1:16)
6. Ruler – Greek: “kosmoskrator” – world ruler. Angels that have authority in this world system, Satan being chief. (Ephesians 6:12)
7. Angel – Greek: “angelos” – messenger. Angels that carry messages. (Hebrews 1:13-14)

Elect angels have a specific relation to believers and are observers of our lives. They rejoice in the salvation of a person and are said to be ministering spirits to believers. Elect angels are given to every believer as guardians, and they guard children. (Galatians 3:19; Acts 7:53; Luke 15:7, 10; I Corinthians 4:9; I Peter 1:12; Psalms 34:7; Matthew 18:10; Hebrews 1:14)

There are two categories of fallen angels under the command of Satan: 1) the angels of Genesis 6, who were involved in the angelic attack to infiltrate the human race and who are imprisoned in darkness until the final judgment at the end of the Millennium. (Jude 6; Matthew 25:41) 2) the angels who are demons. Fallen angels or demons are not given actual names in Scripture but are very well organized and active. They deceive unbelievers and believers alike, perform miracles, inflict bodily disease, war against God and His elect angels, and are able to possess unbelievers. (Ephesians 6:12; Romans 8:38-39; Revelation 13:14, 16:14, 19:20; I Timothy 4:1; I Corinthians 10:20-21; Luke 8:36, 13:16; Matthew 4:24)

Satan, a fallen angel, was originally named Lucifer, which means “Son of the Morning.” He was the most beautiful of God’s creations at the time he was created, and it was his arrogance that caused him to rebel against God. We call this rebellion the Angelic Conflict. The Angelic Conflict refers to the prehistoric creatures in opposition to and in revolt against God. The revolt began with arrogance, a system of evil, as well as a combination of sins. Arrogance comes in many forms of mental attitude sins and is the natural inclination of fallen creatures whether they are angelic or human.

The first angel to revolt against God was the most perfect being God ever made. He was called Lucifer, the Son of the Morning. As the highest-ranking angel, he was the most beautiful, attractive, and personable of all angelic creatures. He was created as a magnificent and beautiful cherub. However, he became enamored with his beauty and position. Because other angels had been admiring him, and because he was the object of adoration by all the angels, one day he said, “I will be like the Most High God.” (Isaiah 14; Ezekiel 28) When he said that, a revolt began against God. The result was the prehistoric Angelic Conflict in which the opposition against God took the form of a revolution led by Satan. It continued for an unknown period of time. Satan led a revolt against God in which he took one third of all angels with him. (Revelation 12:4)

When all the angels had made their decision for God or for Satan, a “trial” was convened in Heaven. This was the first of two trials of Satan and all the angels who followed him. Angels who chose for God are called “holy angels” or “elect angels” in Mark 8:38 and I Timothy 5:21. They were elect in that they chose from their own free will for God. Angels who chose against God are called “fallen angels,” “demons,” or “evil spirits” in Mark 5; I Corinthians 10:20-21; I Timothy 4:1.

The verdict of the prehistoric trial was guilty, and Satan and his followers were sentenced to the Lake of Fire for all eternity. Their sentence is declared in Matthew 25:41, “Depart from Me, you accursed people, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels.” Therefore, we know this sentence was passed before man was created, and the Lake of Fire is the final destination of Satan and the fallen angels.

When God sentenced Lucifer and all fallen angels to the Lake of Fire, it was inevitable that Satan would appeal the sentence, and at the same time slander the character of God. The blasphemous appeal of Satan was something like this: “How can a loving God put His own creatures into the Lake of Fire forever?” The fact that the sentence has not been carried out tells us there was an appeal, and Revelation 20:10 reveals that the sentence will be carried out at the end of human history.

Between the passing of the sentence in eternity past and the execution of that sentence at the end of human history, Satan’s appeal trial is occurring in human history. To demonstrate the perfection of divine justice and the fairness of God’s sentence to all fallen angels, God created mankind. Mankind was therefore created to justify the guilty sentence that God imposed upon Satan and the fallen angels. (Matthew 25:41)

Mankind was created with the same free will as the angels, and accepting God’s salvation solution, we become part of the resolution of the Angelic Conflict. God’s salvation solution is faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. The fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden duplicated the fall of Satan and the fallen angels in eternity past. And there continues to be a spiritual battle, as human history moves toward its end, which occurs shortly after the Millennium.