READ: Ephesians 6:10-13
In the world today there is an unprecedented appetite for the supernatural. This interest in things supernatural or paranormal is increasing. This is testified to by the success of the now multi-billion dollar HORROR film industry; the burgeoning popularity of occult practices (including fortune-tellers, seances, ouija boards, horoscopes, etc., etc.); one of the most popular programs on T.V. right at the moment is the “X-Files” - it has almost a cult following. All of these things are feeding this appetite for the supernatural that is abroad in the earth.
Let me take this opportunity to issue a warning today: Christians need to be aware of the dangers of any involvement with the world’s fascination for these things. THIS MAY SOUND NARROW TO SOME PEOPLE - but I don’t mind being labelled “narrow” on this. I have a very strong conviction about it - I don’t believe Christians have any business watching horror movies! (Just the ads for those things disturb my spirit.) And I certainly wouldn’t be reading horoscopes or playing around with fortune-telling. The Bible calls all of that junk the sin of divination; it’s strictly forbidden by God, and ACTS 16:16 tells us that there are evil spirits behind it.
There is an appetite in the world today for things supernatural.
What IS the Church’s position on supernatural phenomena? What do we believe?
We surely believe in the supernatural - GOD IS A SUPERNATURAL GOD! And the Bible reveals that there is a spiritual realm in which God has created beings of a supernatural order. WE BELIEVE IN A SPIRITUAL REALM (that’s the title of my message this morning). We must be careful, however, that we don’t get into an extreme in our understanding - that we maintain balance and sound judgement. The two extremes we Christians are prone to is either to have our head “in the clouds” or to have our head “in the sand”. We either got so over-interested (or obsessed) with this realm that we see demons everywhere and everything’s the devil’s fault, or else we go to the opposite extreme and refuse to even acknowledge there IS a spiritual battle raging. Some Christians even deny the existence of a personal devil and a real enemy. BOTH of these positions are extremes and will not do. C.S. LEWIS wrote (in his introduction to “The Screwtape Letters”), the devil “receives a sceptic and a mystic with equal delight”.
A Biblical and balanced Christian position is a simple, healthy respect for spiritual beings (both good and evil). We don’t ignore them - but we don’t bow down to them either! A couple of Scriptures that highlight the right attitude to adopt:
Jude vv8 - 10
Judges 7:3, 10 (cf.)
OK, that’s the perspective I’m coming from, today. We’re going to have a look through the Bible to see what is revealed to us about spiritual beings - both good and evil. Angels AND demons. And it will lead us back to learn more about the greatness of God Himself; and the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
OK, the first thing we need to note about spiritual beings is:
1. THEIR ORIGINATIONS.
Where did they come from?
Psalm 148 gives us the answer. [READ: vv1-5.] Clearly, then, the angels (and the “hosts”) were created by God. They are not eternal - they have not always been - they are created beings.
At some time (prior to Adam and Eve’s sin in the Garden of Eden), God created vast numbers of these angelic beings. In Revelation 5:11 we are told that surrounding God’s Heavenly throne there are “ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands”. So the company is VAST. And the Bible describes them as having great variety - they’re not all the same - like clones off a factory conveyor belt. No, there are different kinds of angels.
And one particular angel the Bible mentions - who was created very gloriously - was an angel by the name of Lucifer. He was created a holy angel. He was of the cherubim - whenever these angels are spoken of it is in relation to God’s closest presence, glory, holiness. They were created to minister right at His throne. (Isaiah 6 reveals the ministry of these Cherubim.)
And amongst these Cherubim, Lucifer held a position of particular importance. He was specially anointed. Let me read to you some of the things the Bibles says about this high angel. EZEKIEL 28:11-19. This is called a “Lamentation for the King of Tyre” - but the great majority of evangelical scholars see it as a reference to the fall of Lucifer. [READ.] Turn over to another description in ISAIAH 14:12-15.
This angel, Lucifer, then became proud and said, “I will be like the Most High”. And he led a rebellion in Heaven, so God banished him and his cohorts (possibly a third of the angels of heaven - that may be indicated by REVELATION 12:4).
So we have, now, holy angels - angels that have remained loyal to God - and evil angels - angels that fell in Lucifer’s rebellion. He is no longer referred to in Scripture by that name, but he has become “Satan” or “the devil”.
Some other things to note here about the creation of these angels:
- They are a company (all created immediately) - NOT A RACE. They do not procreate (Matt. 22:30).
- They are NOT glorified human beings. People who die don’t become angels!
- They are essentially INCORPOREAL. They are spirits, although they can take on human form at times to appear to men.
So, that is their originations. Secondly . . .
2. THEIR ORGANIZATIONS.
The Bible clearly reveals that both God’s holy angelic host, and the demonic underworld of Satan, are structured forces. They are organized.
EPHESIANS 6:12, which we read at the outset, describes how our enemy - Satan’s forces - are organized. [READ.] This is not repetition for the sake of it. Clearly there are ranks being described here. They function as an army with subordination and areas of responsibility.
In DANIEL 10 we read about a shining angel that appeared to Daniel who had been praying and fasting for 21 days. The angel said he was despatched the first day Daniel started praying, but he was withstood by an evil angel named as “the Prince of Persia”. The Archangel came and assisted him to get through to Daniel. Now I don’t profess to understand all of that - it’s shrouded in mystery -and I don’t know why God allowed it to be this way. BUT what the passage DOES reveal is that certain evil angels are assigned to oversee regions (this demon was “the Prince of Persia”). So there may be a lot we don’t know - but we do know that they are organised.
The loyal angels of God are organised too. Listen to the descriptions the Bible gives to different classifications of angels in the heavenly ranks:
These are . . .
- Angels
- Cherubim
- Seraphim
- Living creatures
- Archangels
- Watchers
- Ministering spirits.
Without speculating too much about all these designations, we CAN simply observe the fact that the spiritual realm is organised.
The third thing:
3. THEIR LIMITATIONS.
It is important to understand that angelic beings - both good and evil - are absolutely subordinate to the sovereign will of God. They are limited, both in their abilities and in their realm of authority. REMEMBER: angels are created beings, and as such they are infinitely lower than God in all respects.
This is borne out by a number of Scriptures:
In JOB we read of Satan coming before God and asking permission to test Job. Now you can dwell on the question of why God allowed it, but the glorious truth that is revealed is that SATAN HAD TO ASK. And the test only continued within the bounds God set, and only until the time God said “ENOUGH!”
The enemy does NOT have the right to just step in and afflict you however and whenever they desire. They’re entirely under God’s command.
As you read through the Gospels you’ll see that the demons were completely subject to Jesus on every occasion He encountered them. And when Jesus sent out the 70 to minister, they returned saying, “When we go in YOUR Name, authorised by You, the demons are even subject to us!”
From the moment that Satan rebelled against God, right through history, God has repeatedly shown that He is in sovereign control. Angelic beings are limited by God - their Creator.
Angels have more knowledge than men - but they are NOT omniscient. No angel, no demon knows what you are thinking! God does, but not demons.
Angels are stronger than men - but they are NOT omnipotent. They are not all-powerful.
And there is never any question about any angelic being having omnipresence. Only God is omnipresent. Angels cannot be in two places at one time! SO if Satan is visiting the White House, he can’t be bothering me! Now his cohorts might well be - but none of them are omnipresent.
So, angelic beings have limitations.
Fourthly . . .
4. THEIR VISITATIONS.
What do angels and demons get up to?
In the Bible there are many occasions when we read about angels appearing to men at very important times to bring a message from God. The word “Angel” means “messenger” or “envoy”.
HEBREWS 13:2 encourages us to “. . . entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.”
MINISTERING SPIRITS (Hebrews 1:14) - “sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation”. God’s holy angels are active abroad today, and they are working on our behalf.
BUT SO TOO ARE EVIL SPIRITS! They are active - going about their pernicious work.
BEHIND THE SCENES:
Behind international conflict. (Satan - the master string-puller.)
I have no doubt that they are involved in the developments we have seen over recent days with the homosexual lobby pressing their case in our State.
Inspiriting lies and falsehoods (“doctrines of demons”) - THE CULTS.
OVERT:
The occult. And even possessions, etc.
Spiritual beings are active all around us in the earth today - there is a very real spiritual battle going on in the heavenlies.
But finally, let’s note:
5. THEIR DESTINATIONS.
Holy angels - eternity with God, continuing their service.
Evil angels - MATT. 25:41. The lake of fire which was created FOR THEM.
Again we see that God has all things in His ultimate control. He is supreme. The enemy has been judged already. The cross was the final triumph over hell - their fate is sealed.
CONCLUSION/APPLICATION:
a.) Comfort and encouragement (2 KINGS 6:7).
b.) WARNING - even the high, mighty, privileged can fall (eg: Lucifer).
c.) Prepares us for the conflict - be on your guard for the enemy (particularly his subtle attacks).
d.) CONFIRMS OUR UNDERSTANDING OF, AND CONFIDENCE IN, GOD’S ABSOLUTE SOVEREIGNTY.
Amen.
