Angels & Demons - Part 1
Who are they? What do they do? Who do they answer to? Recently, an assignment required a more in-depth look.
In my studies, I encountered a dilemma: while spiritual beings dot the pages of Scripture throughout time, angelic beings receive only honorable mention when compared to the ultimate theme of Scripture, which is man's redemption. The emphasis of Scripture is God revealing Himself, our need and His plan for salvation. I discovered much of the information we have concerning heavenly beings and modern views of spiritual warfare is not based on Scripture but rather on extra-biblical writings and revelations. I'm hesitant to place significance on information coming from ancient cultures because they had the same problem we have: limited resources and information.
There's a second dilemma: how we picture these beings. When you think of an angel, what comes to mind? Is it a plump winged baby cherub or a beautiful white glowing feminine being with a halo holding a harp? What about a demon? Do you imagine a reddish-black, sinister-faced, horned being lurking in the shadows? Is this how the Bible describes them?
So how should we think about these mysterious beings?
Proverbs 25:2a says, "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter." God's glory is partly displayed through mysteries He keeps hidden. Paul speaks of the mystery of the gospel, and parts of it remain mysterious to us. Not mystical, but mysterious. We don't understand it all.
Deuteronomy 29:29 puts it plainly: "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law." Here's my version: What God has revealed is ours. What He hasn't revealed is none of our business. It has limited spiritual value and isn't necessary for living the Christian life.
This matters when we consider the subject of angels, demons and spiritual warfare. Scripture gives us glimpses of these beings. We know they exist. We get a general picture. But we don't get enough to map out their specific operations and purposes. Ancient beliefs about angels are meaningless if Scripture does not support them. Wisdom reminds us it’s best to not go beyond what Scripture reveals. Why? If our beliefs are based on sources other than Scripture, our understanding of spiritual realities will be distorted.
C.S. Lewis warned there are two errors we must avoid regarding heavenly beings. “One is to disbelieve their existence; the other is to believe and have an excessive and unhealthy interest in them."
My argument isn't that demons or angels don't exist. They do. But if we're going to have a functional view as believers, we have to see both angels and demons as Scripture describes them. Anything beyond that creates problems.
Any study of angelic beings requires a gospel foundation.
God is the Creator. Colossians 1:15-17 clearly tells us that Jesus Christ is the Creator, Sustainer, Owner and Controller over all created things.
When the two-kingdom concept (God's and Satan's) is discussed, it’s important to distinguish between ownership, total control and limited control. God gives Satan limited control over those who reject Him. They belong to Satan's kingdom by choice, but they never leave God's ownership or total control.
His Character. God is perfect, holy, merciful, loving, all-knowing, all-present and almighty. He's independent, sovereign and eternal.
His Supreme Goal: Glorifying His Name. Scripture clearly states that redemption is the means that most fully and clearly displays God's character. God's highest commitment (His own glory) meets our deepest need (rescue from sin). He gets the glory. We get the rescue.
Everything about angelic beings, fallen or faithful, must be understood within the framework of the Gospel. God created them. He controls them. They exist for His glory and play a role in our redemption.
Dave Snyder 2026