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Angels: Facts, Warnings and Encouragements

This Bible study of angels is based on the only reliable source of information about them -- the Holy Bible. In this Bible study if you see the symbol " >" it means that an answer can be found in the blank space following it if you pass your mouse over this space to highlight it. 

Try passing your mouse over the space here to see what is meant. > answer

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Let us study the Bible passage of Revelation 12: 7-9:

7 And there was war in > heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the > dragon fought and > his angels,
8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called > the Devil, and > Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his > angels were cast out with him.

From this passage we can see that:

(a) Angels come from heaven.

(b) There was a war in heaven. Satan and some angels who followed him were cast out to the earth.

So, one of the most fundamental things to know about angels is that there are both good and bad angels.

Ezekiel 28: 14-17 says:

14 Thou art the anointed cherub [angel] that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till  >iniquity was found in thee.
16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast > sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.
17 Thine heart was lifted up because of > thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.

Isaiah 14: 12-15 says:

12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

From these Bible passages we can see that Satan became proud and wanted to be worshiped like God. By studying Ezekiel 28:15 and John 8:44 we can see that Satan was the originator of sin.

Psalm 103: 20, 21 says:

20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that > do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

Hebrews 1: 13,14 says:

13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
14 Are they not all > ministering spirits, sent forth to > minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Psalm 34: 7 says:

7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and  >delivereth them.

Psalm 91: 11 says:

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to > keep thee in all thy ways.

Matthew 18:10 says:

Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

This last verse implies the reality of guardian angels.

Daniel 7: 9,10 says:

9 ¶ I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and > ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.

Revelation 5: 11 says:

11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was > ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

 

1 Peter 5: 8 says:

8 ¶ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may > devour:

Revelation 12: 7,9,10,13 says:

7 And there was > war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels…
9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which > deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the  >accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night…
13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he  >persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.

He makes war, deceives, accuses and persecutes.

Job 1: 9-19 says:

9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
13 ¶ And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:
15 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

He causes various calamities such as storms, bandit attacks, fires.

Luke 13: 10-16 says:

10 ¶ And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.
11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.
12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
15 The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?
16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom > Satan  hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?

He causes various infirmities.

John 13: 2, 27 says:

2 And supper being ended, the > devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;
27 And after the sop > Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.

He communicates evil thoughts to induce people to do things like betray their friends or family.

Matthew 4: 2,3 says:

2 And when he [Jesus] had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
3 And when > the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

He tempts people.

John 8: 44 says:

44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a > murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a > liar, and the father of it.

He lies and murders.

Mark 5: 1-19 tells the story of how Satan caused some men to be mad and exist it a state of degradation and violence.

2 Corinthians 11: 14 says: "for Satan himself is transformed into > an angel of light." He impersonates good angels in order to deceive people.

2 Thessalonians 2: 9 says: "Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and > signs and lying wonders". He performs signs and lying wonders in order to deceive people.

Revelation 12: 10,11 says:

10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 And they overcame him by > the blood of the Lamb, and by > the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

It is by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. What does this mean in practical terms? It means exercising faith in Christ as a personal Savior and pleading the merits of His sacrifice for protection and deliverance in the battle with evil.

Matthew 4:1-4 says:

1 ¶ Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4 But he answered and said, > It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Ephesians 6:11-18 says:

11 Put on the whole > armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with > truth, and having on the breastplate of > righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of > the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of > faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of > salvation, and the sword of the > Spirit, which is the > word of God:
18  >Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

2 Thessalonians 2: 9-12 says:

10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not > the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a > lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not > the truth, but had pleasure in > unrighteousness.

This passage tells us that if we do not receive the love of the truth and if we do not believe the truth and if we take pleasure in unrighteousness we are on Satan's side.

Deuteronomy 18: 9-14 says:

9 ¶ When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.
10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth > divination, or an observer of > times, or an > enchanter, or a > witch,
11 Or a > charmer, or a consulter with > familiar spirits, or a > wizard, or a > necromancer [one who tries to talk to the dead].
12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
13 Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.
14 For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.

Let us not get involved with any of these spiritualistic practices.

8. How can we know a good angel from a bad one? It says in the Bible of that we should "test the spirits" 1 John 4: 1.

We cannot tell by depending upon signs, miracles, "good works", outward looks or a show of light and brightness. 2 Thessalonians 2: 9; 2 Corinthians 11: 4.

Matthew 7: 15-20 gives a useful principle: "by their fruits you shall know them". Do they uphold the law of God, or do they promote sin? However, we may not known and about them to be able to apply this test.

Isaiah 8: 19-20 gives us a principle that applies at all times. This passage says:

19 And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?
20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to > this word, it is because there is no light in them.

 

Do they uphold Bible truth? Do they lie and try to pervert the Scriptures? (John 8: 31,32, 33, 44; Matthew 4: 1-11). Do they promote the correct understanding of the state of the dead? Do they uphold the true Sabbath of God? We need to know our Bibles to apply this test.

So in order to "test the spirits" we need to know and understand our Bibles. If we do not understand Bible truth we will be easily deceived -- through our senses and through misinterpreting the Scriptures.

Satan has opposed (unsuccessfully) Christ's plan to redeem and save mankind (Matthew 4: 1-11). He does not want people to know about Jesus. So if the "spirits" or angels point you to themselves, yourself or some other god, they are not good angels (c.f. 1 John 4: 2,3). Good angels always want to uplift Christ the Lamb that was slain (Revelation 5: 11, 12 ).

Satan and his angels hate the true seventh-day Sabbath. Why? Because it points people to the Creator and Redeemer (Genesis 2: 1, 2; Exodus 20: 8-11; Deuteronomy 5:). Satan has a counterfeit Sabbath which he is promoting in place of the true. To find out more about this please go to Revelation's Most Urgent Health Warning!

Satan and his angels are very keen to promote the idea that when people die they go straight to heaven. The Bible teaches that when people die they sleep in the grave until the resurrection (See, What happens when you die?). Why does Satan wants promote the idea of going immediately to heaven? Because if we believe people go to heaven and death, then we want to try and contact them. This is where Satan will come into impersonate dead relations and through this mean sleep people astray. This is why the Bible forbids trying to contact the dead and calls it an abomination (Deuteronomy 18: 10-12).

So if you have a dead relative appear to you in some apparition experience you know that this must be an evil angel trying to deceive you. What should you do? You could quote the words of Matthew 4: 10: "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, `You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'" (NKJV) or Psalm 115: 17: "The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence."

What should you do if an angel appears to you and you need to know if it is a good or a bad one? The Holy Spirit may give you discernment directly. However, he could ask, "Do you worship Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the Son of the living God?" Do not just say, "Do you worship Jesus? "Because Jesus is a name (like to Joshua, the Hebrew equivalent) used as a common name amongst people. Of course, you need to also listen for any signs of lying.

What should you do if it appears that Jesus Christ Himself has appeared to you? Well, He would need to have the scars of the crucifixion in His hands (John 20: 20; 25-27). But Satan could counterfeit any outward signs including celestial glory. So you have to fall back on Isaiah 8: 20. We would need to understand Bible truth.