Angels & Demons

Angels & Demons
God’s “chariots” number “...tens of thousands and thousands of thousands” (Psalm 68:17a), driven by angels (all created by God) numbering “...thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand” (Dan. 7:10b; Rev. 5:11a). Literally translated, the phrase “myriads of myriads” is used here, indicating a virtually unlimited, almost countless number of angels. The activities of all angels, good or bad, are commanded or allowed by God.

Satan spearheads the war of evil against good—in the heavenlies and on earth. However, since he can be in only one place at a time (unlike the Holy Spirit, Who is everywhere at once—Psalm 139:7), God has granted him permission to utilize a host of spiritual beings to do his work. Evil spiritual entities are quite real, initially created to be officials of good (as was Lucifer/Satan) but which were deceived by Satan (just as we are deceived by him) to turn away from good and to embrace evil instead.

Not being omniscient, omnipotent, nor omnipresent, as God is, Satan cannot know about nor control every activity of each angel who has chosen to do evil. Thus, his kingdom is one in which internal corruption and lust for personal gain among the fallen angels cause many of Satan’s plans and undertakings to fail, as these angels often do what they feel will benefit themselves with little regard for Satan or other evil angels. (This, of course, is common among humans as well.) Jesus aptly stated, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined...” (Matt. 12:25a).

The Bible appears to show that Satan has induced one-third of the angels (sometimes referred to as “stars”—Judg. 5:20a) to lose their citizenship in heaven (Rev. 12:3,4a), as he himself did (Ezek. 28:16b,17b—see “heavenly citizenship revoked”: C-7, P-I), although they still have retained the privilege of accessing heaven (Job 1:6, 2:1). At the midpoint of the future 70th Week, however, they (along with Satan) permanently will be thrown out of and banned from heaven by all the good angels, led by the archangel Michael (Rev. 12:7-9—see “middle of the 70th Week”: C-12, P-III, S-1). And they will, with Satan, be engaged in the final, climactic wars involving mankind upon the earth.