Angels Satan and Demons In groups What ARE

Angels, Satan and Demons In groups… What ARE angels, Satan and demons? We believe… Angels are created spiritual beings with moral judgement and intelligence, but without physical bodies. Demons are evil angels who sinned against God and who now continually work evil in the world. Satan is the personal name of the head of the demons. (Wayne Grudem, Bible Doctrine)

Angels, Satan and Demons What are angels? (1) • They are created spiritual beings For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible… (Colossians 1: 16) • …with moral judgement – some of them chose to sin (2 Peter 2: 4) • …with intelligence – they speak to people (Matthew 28: 5) and sing praise to God (Revelation 5: 11) • Angels are also known as ‘sons of God’ (Job 1: 6); ‘spirits’ (Hebrews 1: 14); ‘powers’, ‘authorities’ etc (Colossians 1: 16, Ephesians 1: 21)

Angels, Satan and Demons What are angels? (2) • Particular names for heavenly beings: • ‘Cherubim’ (Genesis 3: 24) • ‘Seraphim’ (Isaiah 6: 2 -7) • ‘Living creatures’ around God’s throne (Ezekiel 1: 514, Revelation 4: 6 -8) • ‘Archangels’ (Michael, Jude 9) • Angels have great power Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding… (Psalm 103: 20)

Angels, Satan and Demons What do angels do? (1) • They show the greatness of God’s love for US! And they sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. (Revelation 5: 9) – but no angels! • They show us that the unseen world is real • They are examples for us in obedience and worship (Revelation 5: 11 -12)

Angels, Satan and Demons What do angels do? (2) • They carry out some of God’s plans – bringing his messages to people (Luke 1: 11 -19), carrying out judgements (2 Samuel 24: 16 -17) etc. • They directly glorify God – especially for his plan of salvation Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests’. (Luke 2: 13 -14) Even angels long to look into these things. (1 Peter 1: 12) • QUESTIONS?

Angels, Satan and Demons How do we relate to angels? • We should be aware of them in our daily lives Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13: 2) • We should watch out for false claims about angels – such as the book of Mormon Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11: 14)

Angels, Satan and Demons What are Satan and the demons? • The demons are evil angels who chose to rebel against God. 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… (2 Peter 2: 4) • The name ‘Satan’ (it’s a Hebrew word meaning ‘adversary’) appears in the Old Testament and is carried over into the New Testament • Other names for Satan include: ‘the devil’, ‘the serpent’, ‘Beelzebul’, ‘the ruler of this world’, ‘the evil one’

Angels, Satan and Demons What do Satan and demons do? • Satan was the first to sin and brought sin into the world 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. (Matthew 8: 44) • Demons try to destroy God’s work through lies and murder (John 8: 44) and deception (Revelation 12: 9) • Satan blinds people to the gospel of Jesus Christ The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Corinthians 4: 4)

Angels, Satan and Demons How do demons relate to us? • Demons ARE active in the world today (like angels) • Satan and the demons tempt us to sin: they attack us and try to destroy us Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5: 8) • Christians can be influenced by demons but it’s best not to call this ‘demon possession’ • ALL believers have authority to command demons to leave – we will say more about this in our next session • MOST IMPORTANT: Jesus has won the victory over Satan!

Angels, Satan and Demons In groups… What mistakes do you think we might make about Satan and demons? Mistakes to avoid about Satan and demons! • Ignoring their existence (pretending they don’t exist) …in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. (2 Corinthians 2: 11) • Believing they are behind ALL evil events and actions • Believing they have far more power than they really do! • Territorial spirits (some Christians believe that certain demons/spirits ‘control’ specific areas and have to be driven out before we can see God at work in those areas)

Angels, Satan and Demons So what? – a summary • The unseen world is REAL. As Christians we are involved in a world that can’t be detected by our physical senses but where a spiritual war is constantly raging • We are surrounded by unseen spiritual beings on both sides of this war • We should not be obsessed with angels or demons, nor should we be afraid because Jesus has won the ultimate victory by dying on the cross and breaking Satan’s hold over us

Angels, Satan and Demons Questions to discuss • Ask about anything you found hard to follow • How do you feel when you think about the reality of Satan and demons? • What will you do as a result of tonight’s study?