The Scriptures reveal that there are two worlds - the spirit and the physical (natural). Much of what is called miraculous and strange phenomena in the Scriptures can be explained when we understand the relation of the spirit world to the physical world.

Many people are ignorant and unaware of the fact that there are angels and demons existing in the spirit world, and that they are actively concerned in the affairs of man and the physical world. Even some professing Christians do not realize that angels and demons are constantly influencing their lives either for good or evil. (The Sadducees in the days of Jesus denied the supernatural: the resurrection, angels, and spirits. Matt. 22:23; Acts 23:8)

The existence and activity of angels and demons are assumed in the Scriptures with no attempts to make proof in some 250 to 300 direct references. Certainly, the existence of angles, demons, and a personal Devil, or their invisible relation to man are no more inconceivable than the Creation, the Incarnation of Christ or the the resurrection of Jesus!

I. THE DIFFERENCE IN THE SPIRIT AND THE PHYSICAL WORLDS:

[1]. The difference between plant and animal life is that plant life has not the conscious life.
[2]. The difference between animal and human life is that human life has a living soul in which dwells a spirit.
[3]. Man is a living soul - related to the spirit world through his spirit.

These two worlds have different laws. For example, the law of magnetism will counteract the law of gravitation in the physical world, while the law of resurrection will counteract the law of death in the spirit world.

What is called a miracle is not merely something contrary to "nature", but is also a higher law, a spiritual law, working in a physical world. A pagan native on some remote island might consider the radio as "miraculous," and what appears to us as "miraculous" is only the working of higher laws which we as yet have not become acquainted. Illustration: The ascension of Jesus was the law of ascension (spirit world) overcoming the law of gravitation (physical world). Jesus could no more have remained on earth when it came time for His ascension than an apple falls upward instead of downward from the tree when it ripens.

II. THE SPIRIT WORLD - A DISTINCT ORDER OF CREATION:

The spirit world was created just as the physical world. All things other than the Godhead were created. The celestial beings and angelic hosts of the spirit world were the first and highest order of created things. It appears that all created beings in the spirit world were created as angels or angelic types of beings; even the devil is called the angel of light (II Cor. 11:14). The sons of God sang at the creation of the earth but also showed up with Satan at the Throne of God in Job 1.

[1]. The angelic host sang when material (physical) universe was created (Job 35:4-7). There was no rejoicing when Mars, Jupiter, Saturn or the moon was created, only the Earth!
[2]. The angelic host was created above man (Heb. 2:6-9). After his resurrection, redeemed man will be like angels in spiritual form and nature (Luke 20:34-36), but will be above angels and redeemed "sons." (I Cor. 6:3) Therefore, the angelic host cannot be: departed spirits of men (men do not become angels at death). A pre-adamic race (the angels are a created "host", not a "race" propagating itself as mankind for they do not marry (Matt. 22:30).

A. WHEN CREATED?

Job 38:7 indicated before the physical world and man created. No scientist will ever discover just when.

B. THE FORM OF ANGELS

The angelic host is a spiritual order of beings (Heb. 1:13-14) with a spiritual (celestial) body (I Cor. 15:40-44). These spiritual bodies can be made to materialize, to be seen by men. (Matt. 28:1-4) Angels do not die. (Luke 20:36)

C. THEIR NUMBER

The Scriptures convey the idea of a number beyond computation: innumerable (Heb. 12:22); lesions (Matt. 26:53; multitude (Luke 2:13); ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands (Rev. 5:11); thousands thousands and ten thousand times ten ten thousand (Dan. 7:10)

D. DO ANGLES HAVE WINGS?

Some do, but this does not mean that all have wings. In all cases where angels manifest themselves to men, they appear as men. Many examples of this will be given in future outlines.

 

III. THE CLASSES AND RANKS OF THE SPIRIT WORLD

The spirit world, good and evil, is highly organized, divided into several distinct grades and ranks. The exact order is not conclusively given, but definite rule and authority is assigned to the various classes. The term "angel" means messenger and designates an office rather than to describe a person.

A. THE HOLY ANGELS

[1]. Seraphim (Isa. 6:1-8) - celestial beings, exalted, with three pairs of wings; attendants of the "Lord of Hosts"; singers, calling attention to the holiness of God.
[2]. Cherubim - living creatures (Gen. 3:24; Ezek. 1:4-25; 10:1-22) with two pairs of wings and four faces; guardians of the throne of God. (The four living creatures of Rev. 4:6-8 with one face each, each different for the others; seem to specifically assigned to the Throne.)
[3]. THREE CELESTIAL PRINCES are named:

[a]. LUCIFER (Satan) - "Son Of The Morning", the most exalted of the angelic beings by creation and appointment; a great prince, but becomes the Devil. (Ezek. 28:12-17; Isa. 14:12-17).
[b]. MICHAEL - "One Who Is Like God", named five times, particularly as the patron and guardian of Israel. Michael is the only Archangel mentioned in Scripture, a term never used in the plural. (The Apocryphal Books and ancient Babylonian teachings mention seven archangels, proof that the doctrine of angels is uniquely Scriptural, and not from pagan sources.) Dan. 10:13,21; 12:1; Jude 9; Rev. 12:7-9; I Thess. 4:16
[c]. GABRIEL - "The Mighty One", named four times; used as the chief messenger of God for special announcements; called a great prince. (Dan. 8:16; 9:21-27; Luke 1:19,26,27)

[4]. MINISTERING SPIRITS - Heb. 1:14; Matt. 4:11

 

B. The SATANIC KINGDOM

[1]. Satan - Lucifer (Adversary, I Pet. 5:8); called Prince of The Power of The Air (Eph. 2:2); The god of this world (II Cor. 4:4); Devil (Matt. 13:39); Accuser (Rev. 12:9.10); Wicked One (Matt. 13:19); Beelzebub, prince of devils (Matt. 12:24); Tempter (Matt. 4:3); Father of lies (John 8:44); Dragon and Serpent (Rev. 12:9); Prince of this world (John 14:30.)
[2]. Fallen angels (II Pet. 2:4; Jude 6)

[a]. Apollyon or Abaddon (Rev. 9:11), Prince of the abyss, angel king of the Bottomless Pit.
[b]. Four classes (Eph. 6:12) Demons and Devils:

{1}. Principalities -

[a]. Has to do with kingdoms (Jer. 13:18).
[b]. Used in the context of dominion (Eph. 1:19-22).
[c]. Root word is prince Dan 10:10-13,20. So every kingdom in this world (which are Satan's - Matt. 4:8.9) has a prince who is under the authority of a king.
[d]. But the ultimate authority over them is Jesus Christ (Col. 2:9,10,14,15). They are still functioning, but as a defeated foe.
[e]. So as a "Christian" government is against you, but realizing who has the final word, what your reaction is to be (Titus 2:12-3:2).

{2}. Powers -

[a]. Is something that is an extension of the princes (Gen. 32:28).
[b]. This power comes from a prince and it is in the air - it promotes disobedience, lust, etc. (Eph. 2:2,3) Consider electricity - (Luke 10:18,19); notice in (vs.19) a contrasting power, i.e.- power plants, lines stations, etc. Your body is a system of electrical currents and can be interrupted - hence, the great necessity of the whole armour.
[c]. God never lays His sovereignty aside (I Pet.3:22).
[d]. Powers temporarily exist at His good pleasure (I Cor.15:24-16).

{3}. Rulers of Darkness - dedicated to ignorance

[a]. Darkness goes hand in hand with Satan (Rev. 16:10).
[b]. Darkness prevents knowledge (II Cor. 4:6).
[c]. Darkness and light are always held in contrast (II Cor. 6:14-18).
[d]. Fallen angels prefer darkness (Ps. 82:5).

{4}. Spiritual Wickedness in High Places -

[a]. Forces that major in the realm of the spiritual and attack your spiritual life.

[1]. Your music Eph. 5:19
[2]. God's will Col. 1:9
[3]. Love for the Word I Pet. 2:1-5

[b]. Imprisoned spirits - (II Pet. 2:4) refers to "angels who sinned" being cast down to hell. (Jude 6) refers to "angels who kept not their own first estate, but left their own habitation."

Just when this imprisonment took place, and what the specific sin was is not conclusive:

The "sons of God" reference in (Gen. 6:2) is thought by many as the fallen angels and their sin. This theory seems most acceptable, for this designation is never applied in the Old Testament to believers (Sethites or otherwise), and there is no other explanation for some fallen angels to be imprisoned and others free and active in Satan's kingdom. Losing their heavenly habitation (first estate), these fallen angels are imprisoned waiting judgment.

(If Satan's angels and demons are not identical, then no other origin of demons is given in the Scripture.)

This complex and highly organized spirit world not only teaches us workings of holiness and evil in the physical world, but reminds us of our high rank as human beings, and our exalted destiny as Christians...we, who are made but little lower than the angels' may become as the angels of God in Heaven. (Psa. 8:5; Matt. 22:30; Heb. 2:7,9)