Systematic Theology Outline (VI) — Angelology

心境

Chapter 5: Angelology

I. The Existence of Angels

The consistent testimony of Scripture affirms the existence of angels: 34 books mention angels (17 in the Old Testament and 17 in the New Testament).

II. Names/Titles for Angels

  • Angels, messengers of God — Gen 28:12
  • Sons of God — Job 1:6; 38:7
  • Holy ones — Ps 89:5–7
  • Hosts/Armies — Ps 89:6–8; 1 Sam 17:45

III. The Nature and Attributes of Angels

  • Angels are spirits — Heb 1:14; they neither marry nor are given in marriage (Mark 12:25) and do not die (Luke 20:36).
  • Their origin is God’s creation — John 1:3; Col 1:16.
  • They were created before the heavens and the earth were finished — Job 38:4–7.
  • They were created to serve God and to minister to people — Isa 6:2–3; Heb 1:7, 14.

Notable angels:

  1. Michael — Dan 10:13; 12:1; Jude 9: protector of Israel.
  2. Gabriel — Dan 8:15–16; 9:21–27; Luke 1:11–20; 1:26: bearer of messages.
  3. Lucifer — Isa 14:12.

Attendant beings of God:

  1. Cherubim — Gen 3:24; Exod 25:17–22; Ezek 28:16.
  2. Seraphim — Isa 6:2–3.

IV. The Works (Ministries) of Angels

A. Their ministry in relation to Christ

  1. Foretold Christ’s birth — Luke 1:26–38.
  2. Protected the child Jesus — Matt 2:13, 20.
  3. Ministered to Him after the temptation — Matt 4:11.
  4. Strengthened Him in Gethsemane — Luke 22:43.
  5. Announced His resurrection — Matt 28:5–7; Mark 16:6–7; Luke 24:4–7; John 20:12–13.
  6. Appeared at His ascension — Acts 1:10.
  7. Will accompany His return — Matt 24:31; 25:31.

B. Their ministry to believers

  1. Protection — Ps 35:4–5; 91:11–13; Acts 5:19; 12:7–11; Rev 7:1–14.
  2. Provision — 1 Kgs 19:5–7.
  3. Comfort — Acts 27:23–25.
  4. Guidance — Acts 8:26; 10:3, 22.
  5. Deliverance — Acts 12:1–11; Dan 9:20–27; 10:10–12:13.
  6. Escort at death — Luke 16:22.

C. Angels in relation to unbelievers

Angels execute judgment upon unbelievers: Gen 19:12–13; Rev 14:4–18; Ezek 9:1–11; Acts 12:23; Matt 13:39–42; Rev 8:2–12; 9:1, 13; 11:15; 16:2–17.

V. Satan

A. The existence of Satan

Gen 3:1–15; Job 1:6; 2:1; 1 Chr 21:2; Zech 3:1–2; Matt 4:10; 12:6; Mark 1:13; Luke 11:18; 22:3; John 13:27.

B. The personality of Satan

  1. Intellect (cunning) — Eph 6:11; Rev 12:9.
  2. Emotions — 1 Tim 3:6; Rev 12:12.
  3. Will — Matt 4:3; Isa 14:13–14.
  4. Actions: lying (John 8:44); tempting (Matt 4:3); scheming (Eph 6:11); accusing (Rev 12:10); murdering (John 8:44).

“Be sober-minded, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Pet 5:8)

C. Satan’s fall

Isa 14:12–14; Ezek 28:12–17.

D. Names/Titles of Satan

Satan (Matt 4:10); Devil (Matt 4:1); the Evil One (John 17:15); the Great Dragon (Rev 12:9); the Ancient Serpent (Rev 12:9); Abaddon (Rev 9:11); Apollyon (Rev 9:11); the Enemy (1 Pet 5:8); Beelzebul (Matt 12:24); Belial (2 Cor 6:15); the god of this world (2 Cor 4:4); the ruler of this world (John 12:31); the prince of the power of the air (Eph 2:2); the Tempter (Matt 4:3); a murderer (John 8:44); a liar (John 8:44); the Accuser (Rev 12:10).

E. The judgments upon Satan

  1. Cast down from heaven.
  2. Sentence pronounced in Eden.
  3. Judged at the cross.
  4. Expelled from heaven.
  5. Bound for a thousand years.
  6. Final doom in the lake of fire and sulfur.

VI. Demons

  • Demons are fallen angels who have not been confined.
  • They are spirits — Matt 8:16; Luke 10:17, 20.
  • They are limited by time and space — Matt 8:28–34.
  • They are not omniscient — Mark 1:24; Matt 8:29.
  • They are not omnipotent — Mark 5:3–4; Matt 9:32; John 10:21.
  • Their activities:
    • Can cause sickness — Luke 13:11–16.
    • Influence human thoughts — Gen 3:1–5; 2 Cor 4:4.
    • Deceive people — 1 Thess 3:5; Eph 2:2; Matt 13:19.
    • Deceive the nations — Rev 16:14.

Christ, at the cross, judged the ruler of this world and his agents; the final destiny of demons is the lake of fire and sulfur.