ANGEOLOGY

I. DEFINITION OF ANGELS

Angels may be defined as an order of unembodied, finite, celestial beings: Psalm 8:5; Matthew 22:30.

NOTE: Both the Hebrew and the Greek word translated “angel” means literally messenger: Malachi 3:1. Malachi signifies my messenger.

II. NATURE

1. As to their substance the Bible calls them spirits: I Samuel 16:14, 16, 23; 18:10; I Kings 22:21; Mark 9:20-25; Luke 7:21; 8:2; 24:39; Acts 19:12-15; I Timothy 4:1.

2. It represents them as above the known laws of matter: Numbers 22:23; I Chronicles 21:16-27; Acts 12:7.

3. In intelligence they are superior to man in his present state: II Samuel 14:17-20; Matthew 18:10; 24:36; I Timothy 3:16; 5:21; I Peter 1:13.

4. In power they are superior to man in his present state: Psalm 103:20; II Thessalonians 1:7; II Peter 2:11; Revelation 5:2; 10:1; 20:1-3.

5. They are distinct from man and were created before man; but when is not known: I Corinthians 6:3; Hebrews 1:14; 2:16; 12:22, 23; Genesis 2:1; Job 38:7.

6. They constitute a company in distinction from a race: Matthew 22:30; Luke 20:36; Hebrews 2:16.

7. As created and finite intelligences, they are not omniscient, omnipotent, or omnipresent. We infer this from Scripture statements concerning them.

The Scriptures divide angels into two classes, viz: good angels and evil angels.

TOPIC ONE: GOOD ANGELS

I. NATURE

They are sinless. This we infer from the names given to them: “holy angels”, Mark 8:38; “elect angels”, I Timothy 5:21.

II. ABODE

Heaven is their home: Matthew 18:10; Mark 12:25; Luke 1:19; 12:8, 9; 15:10. However, they sojourn upon earth: Genesis 28:12; John 1:51. In these passages the angels are seen ascending and descending, not descending and ascending.

III. NUMBER

Though finite, yet their number is beyond computation: Deuteronomy 33:2; Psalm 68:17; Daniel 7:10; Matthew 26:53; Luke 2:13; Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 5:11.

IV. ORGANIZATION

They seem to be organized in various ranks with correspondingly different authorities: Luke 2:13; Romans 8:38; Ephesians 1:21; 3:10; Colossians 1:16; 2:10; I Peter 3:22. Celestial intelligences have been classified thus: archangels, angels, principalities, authorities, powers, thrones, might, and dominion. This arrangement, however, is purely conjectural, since the ranking order is not clearly revealed.

NOTE: The names of two celestial beings are given in Scripture. These are Michael (Hebrews who is like God), called an archangel: Jude 9. See also Daniel 10:13, 21; 12:1; Revelation 12:7. The other is Gabriel (Hebrews God’s hero) whom Milton calls an archangel: Daniel 8:16-26; 9:21, 22; Luke 1:19, 26. Michael seems to be the messenger of law and judgment; Gabriel of mercy and promise.

V. MINISTRY

1. They stand in the presence of God and worship Him: Psalm 29:1, 2; 89:7; Matthew 18:10.

2. They rejoice in God’s works: Job 38:7; Luke 15-10.

3. They execute God’s will:

a. By working in nature: Psalm 103:20; 104:4; Hebrews 1:7.

b. By guiding the affairs of nations: Daniel 10:12, 13, 21; 11:1; 12:1.

c. By watching over the interests of particular churches: Revelation 1:20. In this latter passage some take “the angels of the seven churches” to be the pastors. (NOTE: We will the fallacy of this view later on this site.)

d. By assisting and protecting individual believers: I Kings 19:5; Psalm 91:11; Daniel 6:22; Matthew 4:11; 18:10; Acts 12:15; Hebrews 1:14.

NOTE: There are guardian angels, but it is probably not true that each one has a special guardian angel. At need, twelve legions of angels may be at the believer’s disposal: Psalm 34:7; 91:11; Matthew 18:10; Acts 12:8-11. See also Genesis 48:16; Matthew 26:53.

e. By punishing God’s enemies: II Kings 19:35; Acts 12:23.

NOTE: Some interesting facts concerning angels:

1. They do not marry or die: Matthew 22:30; Luke 20:35, 36.

2. They eat: Psalm 78:25.

3. They should not be worshiped: Colossians 2:18.

4. They have been seen by men: Genesis 32:1, 2; Luke 2:9, 13; John 20:12.

5. They bear God’s servants to glory: Luke 16:22.

6. They will gather together God’s elect: Matthew 24:31.

7. They gave the law: Acts 7:35; Galatians 3:19.

8. They will accompany Christ and His saints upon His return: Matthew 25-31, 32; II Thessalonians 1:7, 8.

9. They will carry out God’s judgment against the wicked: Matthew 13:24-30, 39-42, 47-50.

The popular notion that angels have wings and sing seems to be unscriptural.  Henry Wilson used to take off, in his inimitable way, this popular notion by describing an angel as:

“A beautiful creature with wings That sits up in heaven and sings”.

VI. THE ANGEL OF THE COVENANT

In the O. T., frequent mention is made of an august, celestial personage “who acts in the name of the Lord, whose name is used interchangeably with that of the Lord, and who receives divine honor and reverence”. The names given to this Heavenly Being are: the Angel, or the Angel of the Lord; the Angel of the Presence; the Angel, or Messenger, of the Covenant. He can be no other than a preincarnate manifestation (a Christophany) of the Logos—Christ Himself: Genesis 16:10-13; 18:16-22; 22:11, 12; 32:24-32; 48:16; Exodus 3:2; 23:20-25; 32:34; 33:2, 14; Joshua 5:13-15; Judges 2:1-5; 6:12-24; 13:3-21 (see verse 18, margin, and compare with Isaiah 9:6, 7); Isaiah 63:9; Zechariah 1:11, 12; Malachi 3:1.

VII. SERAPHIM AND CHERUBIM

The seraphim of Isaiah, the living creatures of Revelation, and the cherubim of Genesis, Exodus, and Ezekiel are probably to be regarded as “symbolic appearances intended to represent redeemed humanity, endowed by all the creature perfections lost by the fall, and made to be the dwelling place of God”. Some hold the cherubim to be symbols of the divine attributes; others, of God’s government over nature.  Strong regards them as “symbols of nature pervaded by the divine energy and subordinated to the divine purposes, but they are symbols of nature only because they are symbols of man in his twofold capacity of image of God and priest of nature”.

NOTE: As to the cherubim:

1. They are not personal beings, but artificial, temporary, symbolic figures.

2. While they are not themselves personal existences, they are symbols of personal existence—symbols not of divine or angelic perfections but of human nature: Ezekiel 1:5.

3. They are emblems of human nature, not in its present stage of development, but possessed of all its original perfections; for this reason the most perfect animal forms—the king-like courage of the lion, the patient service of the ox, the soaring insight of the eagle— are combined with that of man: Ezekiel 1 and 10; Revelation 4:6-8.

4. These cherubic forms represent not merely material or earthly perfections, but human nature spiritualized and sanctified.

5. They symbolize a human nature exalted to be the dwelling place of God.

Hence the inner curtains of the tabernacle were interwoven with the cherubic figures: Exodus 26:1; 37:6-9. While the flaming sword at the gate of Eden was the symbol of justice, the cherubim were symbols of mercy—keeping the “way of the tree of life” for man, until by sacrifice and renewal Paradise should be regained: Genesis 3:24 (Condensed from Strong).

TOPIC TWO: EVIL ANGELS

I. NATURE

They are sinful. This we infer from the names given to them: “the devil and his angels”, Matthew 25:41; “wicked”, Matthew 12:45; “unclean”, Matthew 10:1; “evil”, Acts 19:13.

II. ABODE

The Scriptures assign them to various places: “hell”, II Peter 2:4 (Greek Tartarus); “darkness”, Jude 6; “deep”, Luke 8:31 (lit. bottomless, Greek, abyss; see Revelation 9:1, 2, 11). But they also have access to the aerial regions, even the “heavenly places”: Ephesians 2:2; 6:12.

III. NUMBER

Though limited, their number is unknown: Matthew 25:41; II Peter 2:4; Jude 6.

IV. ORGANIZATION

They seem to be of various ranks and authority, Satan being their leader: Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 2:15; John 12:31; 14:30; l6:11.

V. MINISTRY

1. They oppose God and strive to defeat His will: Job 1:6; Zechariah 3:1; Matthew 13:39; 1 Peter 5-8; Revelation 12:10.

2. They hinder man’s temporal and eternal welfare—“sometimes by exercising a certain control over natural phenomena, but more commonly by subjecting man’s soul to temptation”: Job 1:12, 16, 19; 2:7; Luke 13:11, 16; Acts 10:38; II Corinthians 12:7; I Thessalonians 2:18; Hebrews 2:14. See also Genesis 3:1; Revelation 20:2; Matthew 4:3; John 13:27; Ephesians 2:2; I Thessalonians 3:5; I Peter 5:8.

NOTE: Temptation is both negative and positive—the good seed is taken away and tares are sown: Mark 4:15; Matthew 13:38, 39. Satan has many angels and agents through whom he accomplishes his objects.

3. Yet, in spite of themselves, they execute God’s plans of punishing the ungodly, of chastening the good, and of illustrating the nature and fate of moral evil:

a. Punishing the ungodly: I Kings 22:23; Psalm 78:49.

b. Chastening the good: Job. chs. 1, 2; I Corinthians 5:5; I Timothy 1:20; Luke 22:31. As to I Corinthians 5:5, being delivered to Satan “for the destruction of the flesh”, four things seem to be involved: excommunication from the church, authoritative infliction of bodily disease or death, loss of protection of good angels who minister only to the saints, and subjection to the buffetings and tormentings of the devil.

c. Illustrating the nature and fate of moral evil: Matthew 8:29; 25:41; II Thessalonians 2:8; James 2:19; Revelation 12:9, 12; 20:10.

NOTE: The present condition of evil angels seems to have been due to a primitive apostasy— possibly at the time Satan fell: Matthew 25:41; II Peter 2:4; Jude 6.

QUERY: Were they originally inhabitants of the earth and was the condition of the earth described in Genesis 1:2 as “without form and void” a judgment in consequence of their sin? In Isaiah 45:18 we are told that God created the earth “not in vain” (not a waste: the same Hebrew word is used in Genesis 1:2 and is rendered “without form”). If this view be true, then Genesis 1:1 describes creation; Genesis 1:2a describes desolation; and Genesis 1:2b describes restoration. Or, we have FORMATION, DEFORMATION, and REFORMATION. See “Earth’s Earliest Ages” by Pember.

TOPIC THREE: DEMONS

I. NAME

For the word devils of our English Bibles the term demons should be substituted. This has been done in the American Standard Revised Version (Nelson’s): Matthew 8:16. “Devil” is the translation of the Greek diabolos, slanderer, a noun used in the singular number and applied exclusively to Satan: Matthew 4:1-5. “Demon” is the translation of the Greek daimon or daimonion, plural daimonia. The root signification of this word is uncertain; according to Plato it means “knowing” or “intelligent”, pointing perhaps to the superior knowledge which it is believed these beings possess.

II. NATURE

Whether demons are to be classed with evil angels or not is uncertain. What is certain, however, is:

1. They are personal intelligences: Matthew 8:29, 31.

2. They are unclean, sullen, vicious, and malicious spirits: Matthew 8:28; 9:33; 10:1; 12:43; Mark 1:23; 5:2-5; 9:17, 20; Luke 6:18; 9:39.

3. They are Satan’s emissaries: Matthew 12:22-30.

4. They are so numerous as to make Satan practically everywhere present: Matthew 12:26, 27; 25:41.

III. ORIGIN

The origin of demons is not revealed in the Scriptures. But it has been conjectured that they are disembodied spirits, perhaps of a pre-Adamic race or order of beings. If they are disembodied spirits, this would explain the fact that they seek embodiment, without which apparently they are unable to work evil: Matthew 12:43, 44; Mark 5:10-12.

IV. POWER

1. They know Christ and recognize His supreme authority: Matthew 8:29, 31; Mark 1:24; Acts 19:15; James 2:19.

2. They know true believers and obey the authority of Jesus’ name: Matthew 10:8; Mark 16:17; Luke 10:17-20; Acts 19:15.

3. They know their fate to be that of eternal torment: Matthew 8:29; Luke 8:31; Revelation 20:3, 10.

4. They enter and control the bodies of both human beings and beasts: Mark 5:8, 11-13.

5. They inflict physical infirmities: Matthew 9:33; 12:22; Luke 9:37-42.

6. They inflict mental maladies: Mark 5:4, 5.

7. They produce moral impurity: Matthew 10:1; Mark 5:2.

V. POSSESSION vs. INFLUENCE

The New Testament warrants us in making a careful distinction between demoniacal possession and demon influence.

- To the former, we hold, unbelievers alone are exposed;

- To the latter, believers.

Cases of demoniacal possession are: Matthew 4:24; 8:16, 28, 33; 9:32; 12:22; Mark 1:32; 5:15, 16, 18; Luke 8:36; Acts 8:7; 16:16. On the other hand, “Demon influence may manifest itself in religious asceticism and formalism, I Timothy 4:1-3, degenerating into uncleanness, II Peter 2:10-12.

“The sign of demon influence in religion is departing from the faith, i. e., the body of revealed truth in the Scriptures, I Timothy 4:1. The demons maintain especially a conflict with believers who would be spiritual, Ephesians 6:12; I Timothy 4:1- 3. All unbelievers are open to demon possession, Ephesians 2:2. The believer’s resources are prayer and bodily control, Matthew 17:21, ‘the whole armour of God’ Ephesians 6:13-18” (Scofield Bible).

VI. POSSESSION vs. DISEASE

Following the teaching of the Gospels, we should be careful to make a clear distinction between demoniacal possession on the one hand and purely physical sickness and mental disease on the other hand. Instances of the latter are: Matthew 4:24; 8:16; 9:20-35; 10:1; 14:35; Mark 1:32, 34; 3:15; Luke 440; 6:17, 18; 9:1.

We need to be reminded that it is unkind, unchristlike, and unscriptural to attribute cases of ordinary physical and mental disease to demoniacal possession, oppression, or influence. We hold that a child of God who is fully yielded and wholly sanctified cannot be the subject of demoniacal possession in spirit, soul, or body: II Corinthians 6:14-18; Ephesians 5:18; I Thessalonians 5-23.

NOTE:  Farr gives the following Scriptural tests for discovering demons: “They appear for the most part in darkness. They deny the personality of Satan. They hate the name of the Lord Jesus. They cast contempt on the inspiration of Scripture”. The same writer adds: “Some of the disastrous effects of Spiritism are insanity, the squandering of fortunes, the breaking up of happy homes, and the making shipwreck of religious faith”.

VII. DEMONOLOGY

There are seven forms of demonology mentioned and condemned in the Word of God, viz:

1. Divination: Genesis 44:5; Hosea 4:12.

2. Necromancy: I Samuel 28:8; II Chronicles 33:6.

3. Prognostication: Ezekiel 21:21.

4. Magic: Genesis 41:8; Exodus 7:11; Daniel 4:7.

5. Sorcery: Isaiah 47:9-13; Acts 19:19; Revelation 22:15.

6. Witchcraft: I Samuel 15:23; I Chronicles 10:13; Galatians 5:20.

7. Ventriloquism: Isaiah 8:19.

Read Deuteronomy 18:9-14, where God has forbidden all these things.

Then read verses 15-19, where we are shut up to Christ and to His supreme authority. With the following we fully agree: “Whatever of the phenomena of Spiritualism, or more properly Spiritism, may be of supernatural origin, has been regarded by some to be the direct work of evil spirits impersonating departed friends, or acting in other ways to arrest the attention, excite the wonder, and ensnare the souls of the foolish or unwary; others regard the entire system as fraud perpetrated by disreputable mediums to make money, and, doubtless, a considerable portion of it may be explained on this basis”.

TOPIC FOUR: SATAN

I. PERSONAL EXISTENCE

That there exists a personal devil the clear teaching of Scripture leaves us no room to doubt: Job 1:6-12; 2:1-7; Zechariah 3:1, 2; Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 10:18; John 13:2; Acts 5:3; Ephesians 6:11, 12; I Peter 5:8; Revelation 20:1-3.

NOTE: The devil is not an impersonal force nor the principle of evil personified. Personal names and personal pronouns are used with reference to him, while personal attributes and acts are ascribed to him.

II. NAMES

The principal Scriptural names applied to the devil are the following:

1. Abaddon, perdition: Revelation 9:11.

2. Apollyon, destroyer: Revelation 9:11.

3. Beelzebub, prince of demons: Matthew 12:24, 27.

4. Belial, vileness: II Corinthians 6:15.

5. Devil, slanderer: Matthew 4:1.

6. Satan, adversary: Zechariah 3:1; I Peter 5:8.

7. Great Dragon: Revelation 12:9.

8. God of this world (age): II Corinthians 4:4.

9. Liar and murderer: John 8:44.

10. Lucifer, light-bearer: Isaiah 14:12.

11. Prince of this world: John 12:31.

12. Prince of the power of the air: Ephesians 2:2.

13. Old Serpent: Revelation 12:9.

14. Tempter: I Thessalonians 3:5.

15. Wicked One: Matthew 13:19.

III. ORIGINAL CHARACTER, POSITION, AND APOSTASY

It appears to be taught in the Scriptures that the devil was created perfect in his ways, of great beauty and brightness of person, and exalted in position and honor; that as a result of pride because of his own superiority, he directed to himself the worship due to God alone; and that in consequence of his sin he was degraded in person, position, and power, becoming the opponent of God and the enemy of man: Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:1-19; Colossians 1:16; I Timothy 3:6; II Peter 2:4; Jude 6,9.

An interesting question concerns Ezekiel 28:1-19. Is it a description of the original state of Satan? Two personages are in view: first the prince of Tyre, vss. 1-10; and second the king of Tyre, vss. 11-19. The prince of Tyre seems to refer primarily to Ethbaal II, and vss. 1-10 were fulfilled in the siege of Tyre by Nebuchadnezzar, which lasted thirteen years; B. C, 598-585. The king of Tyre and vss. 11-19 seem to refer in part to a worldly monarch and in part to a supernatural personage. It is generally believed by conservative and devout Bible students that the king of Tyre is to be regarded as a representative or reincarnation (a type) of Satan, and vss. 11-19 a description of Satan’s original character, position, and apostasy. Notice the following points:

1. Satan was full of wisdom, perfect in beauty, and “sealed up the sum” (perhaps of created perfection): vs. 12.

2. He was in Eden, the Garden of God: vs. 13. Some think an earlier mineral Eden is meant; others think these precious stones formed a kind of breastplate, such as the high priest wore: Exodus 28:15; 39:8.

3. He was the anointed cherub that covereth: vs. 14a. Covereth probably refers to outspreading wings: Exodus 25:20; 37:9.

4. He was in the holy mountain of God: vs. 14b.

5. He walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire: vs. 14c; Exodus 24:10.

6. He was perfect in his ways from his creation till his apostasy: vs. 15.

7. His heart was lifted up because of his beauty, and his wisdom was corrupted because of his brightness: vs. 17a.

8. He was cast forth from the mountain of God: vs. 16.

9. He was degraded in position and debased in character: vss. 17b, 18. 10. He became the enemy of man: vs. 19.

IV. ABODE

According to the Scriptures Satan is not restricted to any one place:

1. He has access to heaven: Job 1:6; Zechariah 3:1; Luke 10:18; Revelation 12:7-12.

NOTE: By many the last two passages are taken to refer to past events; we take them, however, to refer to future events.

2. He has access to the “heavenlies”: Ephesians 6:11, 12.

3. He walks up and down in the earth: Job 1:7; 2:2; I Peter 5:8.

4. His proper place is hell: Revelation 9:11; Matthew 25:41.

V. POWER AND WORK

1. Satan is the author of sin in the universe: Isaiah 14:13, 14—“I will”.

2. He is the author of sin in the world: Genesis 3-1-6.

3. He is the author of sickness: Luke 13:16; Acts 10:38.

4. He is the author of death: Hebrews 2:14.

5. He tempts to sin: I Chronicles 21:1; Matthew 4:1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9.

6. He ensnares people: I Timothy 3:7.

7. He puts wicked purposes into men’s hearts: John 13:2; Acts 5:3.

8. He blinds the heart: II Corinthians 4:4.

9. He enters into men: John 13:27.

10. He takes away the good seed of the Word: Mark 4:15.

11. He sows tares among the wheat: Matthew 13:25.

12. He will give power to Antichrist: II Thessalonians 2:9, 10.

13. He transforms himself into an angel of light: II Corinthians 11:14, 15. Likewise his ministers.

14. He harasses God’s servants: II Corinthians 12:7.

15. He resists God’s servants: Daniel 10:13; Zechariah 3:1.

16. He hinders them: I Thessalonians 2:18.

17. He sifts them: Luke 22:31.

18. He accuses the brethren: Revelation 12:9, 10.

19. He holds the world—“like children asleep in his arms”: I John 5:19. (R. V. “the evil one”.)

NOTE: Satan’s favorite methods of attack are:

1. Intimidations: I Peter 5:8.

2. Seduction: II Corinthians 11:3.

3. Destruction: Matthew 10:28. He frightens, allures, or kills.

VI. LIMITATION

Although a supernatural personage, Satan is finite: he is not omniscient, omnipotent or omnipresent. Of course he is wiser and stronger than man, Jude 9, and, through his emissaries, seems to be in evidence in all places at the same time. It is doubtful whether anyone ever comes into personal conflict with Satan himself; temptations which come from Satan come, except in extraordinary instances, from the emissaries of Satan, that is, evil angels or demons. All Satan’s power he exercises by permission of God; thus:

1. He cannot tempt a believer except by God’s permission: Matthew 4:1.

2. He cannot inflict sickness except by God’s permission: Job. 1:10, 12.

3. He cannot inflict death except by God’s permission: Job 2:6; Hebrews 2:14.

4. He cannot even touch us except by God’s permission: Job 1:10-12; 2:6; Luke 22:31; I John 5:18.

5. He flees when resisted: James 4:7.

VII. DESTINY

To our first parents the promise was made, Genesis 3:15, that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent’s head. The serpent is Satan: Revelation 12:9. Observe the following historic steps in the fulfillment of this promise:

1. Potentially, so to speak, this bruising of the serpent’s head was accomplished by Christ on the cross: John 12:31; Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14; I John 3:8. The devil is a defeated foe, and he knows it.

2. During the present age his power is restricted, being exercised (as we have seen) only by permission of God.

3. During the Millennium he will be confined in the abyss: Revelation 20:1-3.

4. After the Millennium he will be “loosed a little season”: Revelation 20:3b, 7-9.

5. Finally he will be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, there to be tormented day and night forever and ever: Revelation 20:10.  

Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!

VIII. DUTY OF CHRISTIANS

The duty of Christians with reference to Satan is clearly set forth in the Scriptures:

1. We should be sober and watchful: I Peter 5:8.

NOTE: There is no Scriptural warrant for defying the devil or for boasting over him. It is the part of wisdom neither to underestimate nor to overestimate, but to duly estimate an enemy’s power.

2. We should not rebuke him, rail against him, or speak evil of him: Zechariah 3:1, 2; II Peter 2:10; Jude 8, 9.

NOTE: It is the part of wisdom not to talk to the devil. When he speaks to us we should ignore him, or better still refer him to the Holy Spirit, our Advocate and Protector.

3. We should not be ignorant of his devices: II Corinthians 2:11.

4. We should give him no place: Ephesians 4:27.

5. We should resist him: James 4:7; I John 2:13.

NOTE: Resist means, not to argue or fight, but to withstand, i. e., to stand one’s ground: Ephesians 6:13. Don’t run; leave that to the devil! James 4:7. Mr. Lelacheur used to say, “Some people treat this verse as if it read, ‘Resist the devil, and he will fly at you.’”

6. We can meet him victoriously only when clad in the “the whole armor of God”: Ephesians 6:13-18; I John 5:18.

NOTE: 1. The devil, says Pierson, appears in many aspects, characters, and activities, such as the following:

1. A fowler, spreading his snares: Proverbs 1:17.

2. A captor, binding and enslaving: Luke 13:11, 16; II Timothy 2:26.

3. A sower of tares in the field: Matthew 13:39.

4. A sifter with his sieve: Luke 22:31-34.

5. A deceiver, deluding and blinding his victims: I Kings 22:21-23; Matthew 24:24; II Corinthians 11:14.

6. A destroyer with his scourge: Job. chs. 1, 2; II Corinthians 12:7-10.

7. A warrior, arming sinners: Revelation 20:7-9.

Again, the same author enumerates these “devices” of Satan:

1. Diversion, turning the mind from things great to small, the unseen and eternal to the visible and temporal: II Corinthians 4-4

2. Delusion, by lies, wiles, denials, evasions, misrepresentations: Genesis 3:4; Ezekiel 13:22; II Corinthians 11:14; Ephesians 6:11; II Thessalonians 2:11.

3. Double-mindedness, compromise, trying to serve God and mammon: Matthew 6:24; II Corinthians 6:14, 15; 7:1.

4. Doubt, inducing hesitation: Romans 14:23.

5. Darkness, enveloping the soul in gloom, either of imagination, difficulty, alienation from God, or despair: Isaiah 50:10.

6. Deadness, substituting “dead works” for living godliness, etc.: Hebrews 6:1; 9:14.

7. Delay, procrastinating all that is good, leading men to put off the time of decision and action: Acts 24:25; 26:28.

NOTE: 2. Strong has the following remarkable contrast between the devil and the Holy Spirit:

1. The serpent and the dove.

2. The father of lies and the Spirit of truth.

3. Men possessed of dumb spirits and men given wonderful utterance in diverse tongues.

4. The murderer from the beginning and the life-giving Spirit who regenerates the soul and quickens the body.

5. The adversary and the Helper.

6. The slanderer and the Advocate.

7. Satan’s sifting and the Spirit’s winnowing.

8. The organizing intelligence and malignity of the evil one and the Holy Spirit’s combination of all forces of matter and mind to build up the kingdom of God.

9. The strong man fully armed and the Stronger than he.

10. The evil one who works only evil and the Holy One who is the author of holiness in the hearts of men.

QUESTIONS FOR STUDY

1. Define angels.

2. Mention five points as to their nature.

3. Into what two classes are angels divided?

4. What is the abode of good angels?

5. What is their number?

6. How are they organized?

7. Mention five points as to their ministry.

8. Mention five interesting Scriptural facts concerning angels.

9. Who was “the Angel of the Covenant”?

10. Tell something about cherubim and seraphim.

11. What is the abode of evil angels?

12. What is their number?

13. How are they organized?

14. What is their ministry?

15. Tell something about the meaning of the term demon.

16. Tell something about the nature of demons.

17. What is their conjectural origin?

18. Mention five points as to their power.

19. What Scriptural distinction should be made between demoniacal possession and demon influence?

20. What Scriptural distinction should be made between demoniacal possession and bodily and mental diseases?

21. What are the seven forms of demonology mentioned and condemned in the Bible? Give references.

22. Prove from Scripture that Satan is a person.

23. Mention ten Scriptural names of the “devil, with references.

24. Discuss briefly but comprehensively the original character, position, and apostasy of Satan, giving an analysis of Ezekiel 28:11-19.

25. What is the abode of Satan?

26. Mention ten points, with references, as to his power.

27. Mention five points, with references, as to his limitation.

28. What is the destiny of Satan?

29. What is the duty of Christians with reference to Satan?

~ end of chapter 3 ~