EVIL ANGELS (Part 1)
It is believed that all angels were originally created without fault and like Adam in the Garden were placed on some sort of probation. They were theologically, during this time, posse non pecarre (able not to sin). But the probation period ended when Heaven¡¦s chief angel, Lucifer, instigated a revolt against God. Lucifer was able to persuade one third of the angels to rebel with him. The angels who followed Lucifer became non posse non pecarre (not able not to sin), while the remaining two third were pronounced non posse pecarre (not able to sin).
From that point on the faithful angels are referred to as holy and elect angels and the fallen angels are known as the devil¡¦s angels. This study will identify the names, ranks and characteristics of the fallen angels.
The Names Of Fallen Angels
7. Shedim (Deuteronomy 32:17; Psalm 106:36; 1 Corinthians 10:20). The word ¡§devils¡¨ in this verse is the word shedim in Hebrew.
8. Seirim, sair, satyr (Leviticus 17:7; Isaiah 13:21; 2 Chronicles 11:15; 2 Kings 22:8). The word ¡§he-goat¡¨ is satyr in the Hebrew, and is thought to be tied in to demon creatures of some sort.
9. Elilim (Psalm 96:5).
10. Gad. This is the Hebrew word for ¡§troop¡¨.
11. Qeter (Psalm 91:5-6).
12. The devil¡¦s angels (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:9).
13. The angels which kept not their first estate (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6).
14. Familiar spirits (Deuteronomy 18:11; Isaiah 8:10; 19:3).
15. Unclean spirits (Matthew 10:1; Mark 1:27; 3:11; 5:13; Acts 5:16; 8:7; Revelation 16:13).
16. Evil spirits (Luke 7:21; Acts 19:12-13).
17. Seducing spirits (1 Timothy 4:1).
18. Wicked spirits (Luke 11:26).
19. Demons. The word daimon is found more than 75 times in the Greek New Testament. In each case it is translated by the word ¡§devil¡¨ in the King James Version. There are several theories concerning the origin of demons. Here are a few theories.
a. They are spirits of deceased wicked men. However, this cannot be, because the Bible says the unsaved dead are in Hades and not roaming the earth (Psalm 9:17; Luke 16:23; Revelation 20:13).
b. They are spirits of a race before Adam. There is no support for this found in Scripture. The Bible says that Adam was the first man (1 Corinthians 15:45).
c. They are the spirits from the unnatural union between angels and women in Genesis 6. There is no support for this found in Scripture.
d. The most logical theory is that the word ¡§demon¡¨ is simply another title or name for fallen angels. The following verses describe the activities of demons (Matthew 4:24; 7:22; 8:16; 9:32; 10:8; 12:22; 15:22; 17:18; Mark 1:32, 34, 39; 3:13; 6:13; 9:38; 16:9, 17; Luke 4:33, 41; 8:2; 11:14; John 7:20; 8:48; 1 Corinthians 10:20, 21; 1 Timothy 4:1; James 2:19; Revelation 9:20).
The Location Of Fallen Angels
5. There are unchained angels who have some freedom at this time (Psalms 78:49; Ephesians 6:12; Revelation 12:7-9).
6. The chained angels have no freedom at this time. They are in ¡§tartarus¡¨ (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6); the bottomless pit or abyss (Luke 8:31; Revelation 9:1-2, 11; 11:17; 17:8; 20:1-3); or in the Euphrates River (Revelation 9:14).
7. Why are these fallen angels bound and some of the other fallen angels are not? Many Bible students believe the answer is found in Genesis 6:1-2, 4.
The Organization And Rank Of Fallen Angels
7. There are evil angels who rule over the nations of this world (Daniel 10:13).
8. A wicked angel named Legion headed up a large group of fallen spirits that had possessed the maniac of Gadara (Mark 5:9).
9. The bottomless pit is under the control of an angel called Abaddon in the Hebrew and Apollyon in the Greek (Revelation 9:11).
10. Four military angles will lead a hellish army 200 million strong during the latter part of the tribulation (Revelation 9:15).
11. Three angels organize those events which lead to the battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:13-14).
The Appearance Of Fallen Angels
Fallen angels are invisible spiritual beings but do on occasion manifest themselves. There are three New Testament passages which give some description of these fallen angels.
Revelation 9:7-10, 13-21; 16:13
The Personalities Of Fallen Angels
1. Fallen angels have name (Luke 8:30; Revelation 9:11).
2. They speak (Luke 4:34, 41; 8:28; Matthew 8:29; Mark 3:11; 5:12; Acts 19:15).
3. They possess intelligence.
„« They know who Jesus is (Luke 4:34).
„« They know of future damnation (Matthew 8:29).
„« They know the saved from the unsaved (Acts 16:15; Revelation 9:4).
„« They are able to formulate a Satan-centered theology (1 Timothy 4:1).
4. They experience emotion.
„« Fear (Luke 8:28; James 2:19).
„« Disdain (Acts 16:15).
5. They possess great strength (Exodus 8:7; 7:11-12; Daniel 10:13; Mark 5:2-4; 9:17-26; Acts 19:16; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5; Revelation 9:15-19).
