Angels, 13of27

~ Holy Angels & Fallen Angels ~  

 

Angels  ~  All angels fall into one of two broad categories:  fallen/rebellious or unfallen/righteous/holy/elect angels.  Fallen angels fall into two sub-categories.  Most often when angels are mentioned in Scripture it refers to holy angels. 

 

Rebellious Angels ~ “And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day” (Jude 6).  The angels gave up their proper role and the associated dignity!  Christian, do you realize all the benefits of your spiritual birthright?  Are you living in the victory and joy of your position as an adopted child of the Creator? 

Scripture names two fallen angels are Lucifer/Satan (who was the subject of the last post in this series) and Abaddon/Apollyon whose name means “Place of Destruction/The Destroyer.”  “And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon” (Revelation 9:11).  He will one day create great pain on real people when God brings His judgment.  In the end times he will lead a demonic army.  

Categories of Rebellious Angels  ~  While only two fallen angels are named in Scripture they are apparently innumerable.  Fallen angels are of two kinds: free and bound.  The bound rebellious angels are in chains waiting their judgment (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; 1 Corinthians 6:3).  On the other hand the free rebellious angels are also specifically in Scripture (Mark 5:9, 15; Luke 8:30; 1 Timothy 4:1). 

The Future of Rebellious Angels  ~  All the rebellious angels share the ultimate fate as their Lucifer/Satan their leader.  “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41).  “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are.  And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10).

Righteous Angels  ~  They are also described as “elect angels” in 1 Timothy 5:21 and apparently are innumerable.  The righteous angels were with God at creation, the giving of the Law, the birth of Christ, His resurrection, and His ascension.  In the future they will be at the Rapture of the true Church and the second coming of Jesus Christ. 

Principalities and Powers  ~  This expression—and equivalent—which occurs several times in the New Testament (Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:21, 3:10; Colossians 1:16, 2:10, 15; and Luke 21:25; 1 Peter 3:22), seems to include all angels—both fallen and holy. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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