 | Pastor Bill Emmerling, Jr. is the lead pastor at Grace Place Pittsburg, meeting at the Homer Cole Community Center in Pittsburg. Ordained at Grace Place of Lamar, MO, Bill has a heart to see Godly men together lead their families for the glory of Jesus the Messiah. He has been married to the bride of his youth, Sharri, for 22 years and has two daughters and a son. Bill has earned a B.S. in Physics, a secondary teaching certification and studied Theology/Philosophy at Lincoln Christian Seminary. He may be reached at pittsburg@grace-place.org or by phone at 620-670-4510 |
Religion
2012-11-01 14:47:34
The fallen angels
Q- What do we know about the fall of the angels prior to the beginning of man? Where in the Bible does it tell us about this?
A- While the scriptures provide much information about Satan and angels, the information we are given about their creation and fall is rather limited. It appears that God has limited that information knowing our tendency to be fixated on such things, even to the point of worshipping created beings rather than the Creator Himself. (Romans 1:18-23)
What we do know about the fall of angels is found primarily in the following passages. Let us examine these briely.
“And he [Jesus] said to them, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”’ (Luke 10:18 ESV)
Here we have a very brief, definitive statement by Jesus. However, we need to look at the context surrounding it. Yes, Satan fell from God’s grace and his place in the created order; however this isn’t the real point Jesus is trying to make with the disciples. Seventy-two disciples just returned and shared the excitement of having demons obey them, and this was PART of his response. He continues and drives home the real point: “Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." (Luke 10:20 ESV, emphasis added). He is deliberately pointing to what is truly important, their relationship with God the Father, not their authority over demons.
1 Timothy 3:6 tells us the devil was condemned for the sin of pride. Jude 6 tells us of rebellion and punishment. Revelation 12 speaks about angels who have left their position, been swept out of heaven, following the dragon, Satan. However few details about the how and why are given.
Some indirect indication is given in the message given to human kings of Babylon and Tyre in Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:11-19 respectively.
Ultimately, we need to turn our attention back to God and His Majesty. Angels and demons are created beings. Being created they are finite and continue to be subject to him, even should they rebel. They are not to be feared or worshiped, but as demons are our enemy we need the knowledge God provides in his word about him: to understand the origin of evil, to see that evil (even angelic evil) is punished by God, to know that Satan is the enemy.
As believers in Jesus Christ, he has no authority over us. In fact we need to take to heart the message in 1 Peter 5:8-10 to be firm in the faith and resist the devil knowing “…And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
(1Peter 5:8-10 ESV)
If we truly understand God’s majesty, His Holiness, His Mercy and Grace for sinners who need salvation, we will have little desire to pursue an interest in Satan.
In all things seek Jesus. Be blessed. Be a blessing.
