Chapter 48

Geisler, NormanSystematic Theology

Chapters 48

Systematic Theology

“The Creation of Spiritual Creatures (Angels)”

The Origin of Angels

The term angel is technically referring to messengers. However, “angels” is the term commonly used of all spiritual creatures.

Angels are not eternal; they were created

(Ps. 148:2, 5; Col. 1:16; Neh. 9:6: Gen. 2:1; Job 38:6-7)

Titles of Spiritual Beings

• Living Creatures (Rev. 4:6)• Angels (“messengers”) (Dan. 4:13)• Angels of God (John 1:51)• Elect Angels (1 Tim. 5:21)• Holy Angels (Rev. 14:10)• Powerful angels (2 Thess. 1:7)• Chief princes (Dan. 10:13)• Ministers (Ps. 104:4, NKJV)• Sons of God (Job 1:6; 2:1, NKJV)• Sons of the mighty (Ps. 89:6, NKJV)• Mighty ones (Ps. 26:9; 103:20)• gods (elohim—Ps. 8:5)• Holy Ones (Dan. 8:13; Zech. 14:5; Job 15:15)• Stars (Job 38:7; Rev. 12:4)• Host (of heaven) (Gen. 2:1, NKJV; Neh. 9:6; Luke 2:13)• Chariots (Ps. 68:17; Zech. 6:1-5)

Names of Angels

• Michael—name means “Who is like God?” He is called “one of the chief princes” (Dan. 10:13), and the “archangel” (Jude 9). Also referred to as “the leader of the heavenly army (Rev. 12:7). He disputed with Satan (Jude 9) and will lead in the final victory over the devil after the thousand year reign of Christ (Rev. 12:7)

~Geisler

Names of Angels

• Gabriel—name means “Devoted to God.” He “stand[s] in the presence of God” (Luke 1:19). He makes special announcements for the one to Zechariah (Luke 1:11-13). He appeared to Mary (Luke 1:26-33), and he is a revealer of God’s kingdom purposes (Dan. 9:21-22; 8:16).

~Geisler

Names of Angels

• Lucifer—called “son of the morning,” who fell and became devil. He has many names in his fallen state; the most common are listed in Revelation 12:9: “The dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray.”

~Geisler

Discussion Question

There are some who argue that Lucifer is not Satan, that the two are distinct. Be sure to refer to my article in this folder which explores the argument that Lucifer is another name for Satan. Be prepared to take a position in the dialogue and support your position with Scripture.

Isa 14:1-11, NKJV

1 It shall come to pass in the day the LORD gives you rest from your sorrow, and from your fear and the hard bondage in which you were made to serve, 4 that you will take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say:

"How the oppressor has ceased,The golden city ceased! 5 The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked,The scepter of the rulers; 6 He who struck the people in wrath with a continual stroke,He who ruled the nations in anger,Is persecuted and no one hinders.

Isa 14:1-11, NKJV

7 The whole earth is at rest and quiet;They break forth into singing. 8 Indeed the cypress trees rejoice over you,And the cedars of Lebanon,Saying, 'Since you were cut down,No woodsman has come up against us.' 9 "Hell from beneath is excited about you,To meet you at your coming;It stirs up the dead for you,All the chief ones of the earth;It has raised up from their thrones All the kings of the nations.

Isa 14:1-11, NKJV

10 They all shall speak and say to you:'Have you also become as weak as we?Have you become like us? 11 Your pomp is brought down to Sheol,And the sound of your stringed instruments;The maggot is spread under you,And worms cover you.'

Isa 14:12-21, NKJV

12 "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.' 15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.

Isa 14:12-21, NKJV

16 "Those who see you will gaze at you, And consider you, saying: 'Is this the man who made the earth tremble,Who shook kingdoms, 17 Who made the world as a wilderness And destroyed its cities,Who did not open the house of his prisoners?‘

Isa 14:12-21, NKJV

18 "All the kings of the nations, All of them, sleep in glory, Everyone in his own house; 19 But you are cast out of your grave Like an abominable branch, Like the garment of those who are slain,Thrust through with a sword, Who go down to the stones of the pit, Like a corpse trodden underfoot. 20 You will not be joined with them in burial, Because you have destroyed your land And slain your people. The brood of evildoers shall never be named. 21 Prepare slaughter for his children Because of the iniquity of their fathers, Lest they rise up and possess the land,And fill the face of the world with cities."

The Nature of Angels

• Angels Are Genderless (Matt. 22:30; Luke 20:35-36)

• Angels Never Die (Luke 20:35-36)

• Angels Have Free Will (1 Tim. 3:6; Jude 6; 2 Pet. 2:4)

• Angels Have Great Power (Gen. 19:10-11; 2 Thess. 1:7; Matt. 24:31; 28:2-3; 2 Pet. 2:11)

• Angels Are Persons (Isa. 6:3; cf. Rev. 4:8-9; Luke 15:10)

• Angels Are Beautiful (Isa. 6:1-2; Ezek. 1:15-16; cf. 22, 28; 28:12-14; Dan. 10:5-6; Matt. 28:3; 2 Cor. 11:14)

The Purpose of Angels

• To Glorify God (Rev. 4:11; Ps. 148:2)

• To Serve God (Col. 1:16; Job 1:6; 2:1)

• To Reflect God’s Attributes (Isa. 6:3; Ezek. 1:5; 28)

• To Learn God’s Wisdom and Grace (Eph. 3:10; 1 Pet. 1:12)

• To Minister to God’s Elect (Heb. 1:14; Matt. 18:10; Job 1:6; 2:1; cf. Ps. 91:11; Gen. 18:2ff.; Dan. 10:1ff.; 12:1; cf. Eph. 6:12; Luke 16:22)

The Position of Angels

• Archangel—There is a rank among both good and evil angels (demons). A the top is the archangel (Michael) (Dan. 12:1).

• Chief Princes—Under Michael there are other chief princes (Dan. 10:21; cf. Dan. 10:13).

• Cherubim—Proclaimers and protectors of God’s glory (Gen. 3:24; Ps. 80:1; 99:1; Ezek. 10:1; cf. 1:28; Heb. 9:5)

• Living Creatures—Function appears to be to worship God and direct His judgments (Rev. 4:7-8; Ezek. 1:6).

• Seraphim—Proclaimers of God’s holiness (Isa. 6:2-3)• Angels—The most common designation of God’s spiritual

creatures, meaning “messenger” occurs 273 times in the Bible.

The Abode of Angels

• The general sphere of angels is in heaven.

• The sphere of activity of angels is focused in the second heaven, though some are active in the third heaven by the Throne of God (2 Cor. 12:2, 4).

• Evil angels abide in the second heaven too (Dan. 10:13).

Special Abilities of Angels

• To traverse great distances in a short time.

• To perform miracles.

• To materialize (assume bodily form).

• To communicate.

• To occupy NO space.

The Theological Basis for Angelology

• Angels are above humans.• Angels are pure spirits.• Angels are aeviternal --not in time, but can relate to it.

They are not eternal in that they have a beginning.• Angels are immortal, they cannot die.• Each angel is a species (kind) of its own. Cannot

reproduce. No way to divide or multiply.• Angels do not change in nature, they have a fixed

nature from the moment of their creation.• Angels are irredeemable. Once they fall they cannot

be redeemed, they are doomed forever.