Cornerstone Bible Church ‐ Systematic Theology – Angels & Demons –
Cornerstone Bible Church
Systematic Theology
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Acknowledgment & Credits: Edwin Gonzalez
S t b September 11, 2011
LECTURES ON INTRODUCTION TO SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY TAUGHT BY RAFAEL ALCANTARA IN 2009 DURING THE SUNDAY SCHOOL AT IGLESIA BIBLICA DEL SEÑOR JESUCRISTO. Cornerstone Bible Church ‐ Systematic Theology – Angels & Demons –
ANGELS & DEMONS
General Contents:
1 Angels
1.Angels
2.Demons
Cornerstone Bible Church ‐ Systematic Theology – Angels & Demons –
Angels and Demons
Cornerstone Bible Church ‐ Systematic Theology – Angels & Demons –
Angels
Introduction:
The subject of angels and demons was a common
theme of speculation during the first centuries of the
history of Christendom greatly influenced by the
superstitious ideas of the time
From being such a discussed and even abused topic it
passed to oblivion,, partly
p
p y as a result of the secular
trends that overtook the world during the modern era
which denied the existent of a spiritual world or whatever
was related to the supernatural
With the arrival of post-modernism, there has been a
“
“renewed
d iinterest”
t
t” regarding
di the
th spiritual
i it l world
ld iincluding
l di
the subject of angels and demons
Cornerstone Bible Church ‐ Systematic Theology – Angels & Demons –
Angels
Introduction:
Two extremes to avoid:
Ascribing to angels an almost superstitious importance –
as it is in vogue within Christian and non-Christian
circles –
Or,, downplaying,
p y g, denying
y g or saying
y g less than what the
Bible teaches on the subject
This study will focus mainly on angels and later we will
consider demons
Cornerstone Bible Church ‐ Systematic Theology – Angels & Demons –
Angels
Outline:
1- Who are the angels?
a) Created spiritual beings
b) Classification of angels in Scripture
c) Ranks and Order
d) Michael and Gabriel
e) Angelic bodies: are they corporeal or not?
f)) Sexual Identityy of Angels
g
g) Angelic Power
h) Moral conscience of angels
2- When were the angels created?
3- What do angels do?
4- What do we learn about the angels?
4
5- Application
Cornerstone Bible Church ‐ Systematic Theology – Angels & Demons –
Angels
1- Who are the angels?
They are spiritual beings, without earthly bodies and who
were created with special capacities that are superior to
those of men and they are beings with a moral
conscience.
From this definition we may affirm:
That angels
g
are created beings:
g Theyy had a beginning
g
g
Hebrews 1:13-14 … Are they not ministering spirits sent to
the aid of those who inherit salvation?
Angels are normally invisible to the human eye. In order
for us to be able to see the angels, God has to work in us
i a special
in
i l way E
Ex: B
Balaam
l
N
Numbers
b
22
22:31,
31 Ab
Abraham
h
and Lot Genesis 18 & 19. Elisha’s servant 2 Kings 6:17
Cornerstone Bible Church ‐ Systematic Theology – Angels & Demons –
Angels
1- Who are the angels?
b) Ranks and Order
Angels are called in different ways in the Bible: “celestial
hosts” (Luke 2:13); “principalities”, “powers”,
“authorities”, “powers”, “thrones”, (Colossians 1:16;
Ephesians 1:21); they are also called children of God
((Job 1:6;; 2:1);
); and saints (Psalm
(
89:5,7).
, )
c) Classification of Angels
Within the angelic world, we find Cherubim (a term
related to an imaginary figure) and Seraphim (a term
related
l t d with
ith a symbolic
b li creature),
t ) Living
Li i C
Creatures
t
and
d
angels commonly named
Cornerstone Bible Church ‐ Systematic Theology – Angels & Demons –
Angels (classification)
Cherubim
Symbolical figures frequently
mentioned in Scripture. They are
spiritual beings in immediate contact
with Yahweh, perhaps chief ruling
powers by which God carries out
operations in providence (Psalm
18:10)
Mentioned at the expulsion of our first
parents from Eden (Genesis 3:24),
and when Moses was commanded
to pprovide furniture for the tabernacle
(Exodus 25:17-20 26:1,31). This
expression was afterwards used to
denote the Divine abode and
presence
Seraphim
Seraphim mentioned in (Isaiah
6:2,3,6,7) This word means fiery
ones
ones.
They are represented as "standing"
above the King as he sat upon his
throne, ready at once to minister
g ,
unto him. This word,, in the original,
is used elsewhere only of the "fiery
serpents" (Numbers 21:6,8
Deuteronomy 8:15 ) comp. (Isaiah
14:29 30:6) sent by God as his
instrument
In Ezekiel's vision (Ezekiel 10:1-20) Their form appears to have been
they appear supporting the throne of human, with the addition of wings.
God. (1-10 41:18, 19). It seems they
are compound figures, looking like
several animals and like illuminated
moving wheels
Living Creatures
Angels
Living creatures as represented by Angels are the ones more
Ezekiel (1-10) and John (Revelation frequently mentioned
4 etc
4,
etc.),) perhaps they are the same
as the cherubim, though they are
distinguished from angels
(Revelation 15:7)
They join the elders in the "new
song" (Revelation 5:8,9) they warn
of danger from divine justice (Isaiah
6:3-5)) and deliver the commission
to those who execute it (Ezekiel
10:2,7) they associate with the
elders (Revelation 14:3) and with
the Church in the overthrow of her
enemy
They are supposed to represent
mercy, as distinguished from
justice, mercy in its various
instrumentalities, and especially as
connected with the throne of God,
the "throne of grace."
They fight, serve, announce,
protect and in summary "they are
ministering spirits sent to the aid
of those who inherit salvation"
Hebrews 1:14
Angels appeared as young men
in the Bible
Cornerstone Bible Church ‐ Systematic Theology – Angels & Demons –
Angels
1- Who are the angels?
d) Identification of Angels: Michael and Gabriel
G b i l who
Gabriel
h was d
designated
i
t d ffor special
i l missions.
i i
D
Daniel
i l
8:15-17 15And it came about when I, Daniel, had seen
the vision, that I sought to understand it; and behold,
standing before me was one who looked like a man. 16
And I heard the voice of a man between the banks of
Ulai and he called out and said
Ulai,
said, "Gabriel
Gabriel, give this man
an understanding of the vision." 17So he came near to
where I was standing, and when he came I was
frightened and fell on m
my face
face; b
butt he said to me
me, "Son of
man, understand that the vision pertains to the time of
the end.“
We also read in Luke 1:18-20 and Luke 1:26-28 of
Gabriel conversations with Zachariah and Mary
Cornerstone Bible Church ‐ Systematic Theology – Angels & Demons –
Angels
1- Who are the angels?
d) Identification of Angels: Michael and Gabriel
Mi h l iis an archangel
Michael
h
l ((a chief
hi f angel)
l)
Daniel 10:13 "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia
was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold,
Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I
had been left there with the kings of Persia.
Daniel 10:21 "However, I will tell you what is inscribed in
the writing of truth. Yet there is no one who stands firmly
with
ith me against these forces e
except
cept Michael your
o r prince
prince.
NAS Daniel 12:1 "Now at that time Michael, the great
prince who stands guard over the sons of your people,
will arise…
Cornerstone Bible Church ‐ Systematic Theology – Angels & Demons –
Angels
1- Who are the angels?
d) Identification of Angels: Michael and Gabriel
Mi h l iis an archangel
Michael
h
l ((a chief
hi f angel)
l)
Jude 9 - But Michael the archangel, when he disputed
with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did
not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but
said "The
said,
The Lord rebuke you
you.“
Revelation 12:7-8 "7And there was war in heaven,
Michael and his angels waging
aging war
ar with
ith the dragon
dragon. And
the dragon and his angels waged war, 8and they were
not strong enough, and there was no longer a place
found for them in heaven.
Cornerstone Bible Church ‐ Systematic Theology – Angels –
Angels
END