God pictures angels with wings in the tabernacle and temple, and in various visions or dreams, to represent them as heavenly messengers who can rapidly "fly" from heaven to all parts of the earth to perform God's will. These wings are symbolic; they picture the previous truth concerning angels, but these picturings do not mean that angels actually have physical bodies with wings. They are purely spiritual beings.
Not all of the angels remained in the holy and heavenly condition in which God created them. A large number of angels fell through the sin of pride. For their sinful rebellion, God cast them out of heaven and will punish them in hell. They will be sentenced and confined to hell forever on the final judgment day. These fallen angels are called devils, demons, or evil spirits.
The leader of the fallen angels is Satan. The Bible refers to Satan by the following names, which reveal his character and work:
| Scriptural Names Of Satan | |
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1. Satan - "The adversary" or "the enemy" (Rev. 12:9) |
8. The wicked one (Matt. 13:19) |
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2. Apollyon (Abaddon) - "The destroyer" (Rev. 9:11) |
9. The father of lies (John 8:44) |
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3. Diabolos (The Devil) - "The accuser" or "the slanderer" (Rev. 12:9) |
10. The god of this world (II Cor. 4:4) |
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4. Beelzebub - "Lord of the flies" or "dung god"; "prince of the demons" (Matt. 12:24) |
11. The prince of the power of the air (Eph. 2:2) |
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5. Belial - "Worthlessness" (Il Cor. 6:15) |
12. A murderer (John 8:44) |
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6. The deceiver of the whole world (Rev. 12:9) |
13. The old serpent (Rev. 12:9) |
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7. The great dragon (Rev. 12:9) |
14. The tempter (Matt. 4:3) |
For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.
- II Peter 2:4
And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day,
- Jude: 6
And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels.
And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
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.
- Revelation 12:7-9
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How does I Timothy 3:6 speak of the sin of Satan and his angels? "Not a novice, test being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil." What clear warning does this verse present to us? |
