Theology Club: Angels, Satan

I believe in angels.  Even though Scripture is not crystal clear on this topic, there is still enough information for one to acquire some understanding about the doctrine of angels. Angels are eternal creatures created to carry out the will of God (Ps 148:2-5, Col. 1:6).  From Scripture, we see that angels hold a position higher than man but lower than Christ (Heb.1:8-2:9).  Angels posses superhuman knowledge, but nevertheless, are intellectually limited (Mt 24:36, 1 Peter 1:12).

The functions of angels are numerous.  Some angels are worshipers like the angels recorded in Isaiah’s vision (Job 38:7).  These angels are usually found in the presence of God and express His glory (Rev. 4-5, Heb 1:6, Ps 103:20).  Other angels are messengers who carry a word from God to man (Num 22:3, Luke 1:13-20, Acts 10:3-7).  Still other angels minister as servants to believers.  Such ministry includes protecting believers from harm, (Acts 5:19) and rejoicing in the conversion of man (Lk 15:30).  Finally, some angels have been used to carry out the judgment of God (2 Kings 19:35).  In Genesis 18-19 two angels are found bringing destruction and judgment to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. 

In the future, angels will be involved in the second coming of Christ.  Jesus will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call to gather all believers (Mt. 24:31).  The elect will join Christ at His return to earth (Mt 25:31).  Finally, angels will help identify true believers by separating the “wheat from the weeds” (Mt. 13:39-42).

I believe in the existence of Satan.  According to Scripture, Satan is the ruler of the world and the chief of all demons (Jn 12:31,Lk 11:15).  Satan was one of God’s angels, a spiritual creature created by God and known for his wisdom and beauty  (Col.  1:16-17, Ez.  28:11-19).  Nevertheless, in an attempt to be greater than God, Satan sinned and rebelled against his Creator.  As a result, he was cast out of heaven and currently exists on earth (Ez 28:15, Is. 14:12-14). 

Presently, Satan is the great deceiver.  He is a clever and knowledgeable being seeking to disrupt God’s plan by deceiving and destroying mankind.  Like the snake in the garden of Eden, Satan takes on the appearance of truth, only to lead individuals away from God (Gen. 3:5).  Satan uses the glitter of this world to blind the minds and hearts of man to the truth of the God’s word (2 Cor 4:4, 1 Jn 2:15). 

In the future Satan will receive a just reward for his actions.  Scripture states that during the millennium, Satan will be thrown into the bottomless pit (Rev. 20 2-3).  After a thousand years of captivity, he will be released for a short time, but eventually caught and thrown into the lake of fire for eternity (Rev.  20: 4-10).