Angelic beings have and continue to gain much attention and fascination in our society. There are many bizarre and dangerous teachings when it comes to the angelic, which clearly ignore the clear teaching of Scripture. Angelic beings are not eternal as they are created beings (Col. 1:16). The Scriptures speak of angels worshipping God during creation (Job 38:7), so it would seem probable that God created them on the first day of creation (cf. Gen. 1:1-2). They are distinct from mankind as they are they do not contain physical bodies because they are spirits (Heb. 1:14), and they are not bound by the same kind of limitations. The Bible speaks of angelic beings in two categories: the elect angels and the fallen angels.
ELECT ANGELS
The elect angels (1 Tim. 5:21) are those angels that did not rebel against God. They are holy and obedient to their creator. These angles whose number is innumerable (Rev. 5:11) can be identified by at least two different classes: (1) Cherubim and (2) Seraphim. The Cherubim guarded the entrance of the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:24) and appeared above the Ark of the Covenant (Ex. 37:6). Their role seems to be one of power and protection. The Seraphim are only mentioned in Isaiah 6:2-6 (cf. Rev. 4:8). In addition to this the Bible speaks of various ranks of angels (Col. 1:16). Only two elect angels are mentioned by name in the Scriptures – Gabriel and Michael. Gabriel is a special messenger (Dan. 8:16, 9:21; Luke 1:19, 26) and Michael is an archangel and appears to have the highest rank among the angels (Dan. 10:13, 26; Jude 9; Rev. 12:7).
FALLEN ANGELS
Demons are fallen angels. They were a part of the original creation of angels, but they rebelled against God and were removed from the glory of heaven (Rev. 12:7-9). This demonic host is also divided into ranks (Eph. 6:12). The chief leader of this demonic host is Satan (the accuser) otherwise known as the Devil (slanderer). In John 8:44 Jesus calls him a “murderer” and “the father of lies.” Before his fall, it would seem that he was one of the highest angels in rank (Ezekiel 28:14) and possibly an equal to Michael. His fall was due to pride (cf. Isaiah 14:12-15) and is outlined in Rev. 12:7-9 (cf. Luke 10:18). The people of God are warned to be aware of Satan’s ongoing schemes and devices (1 Pet. 5:8).
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