Fallen Angels

QUESTION: Who are fallen angels?

ANSWER:

Fallen angels are followers of Satan. However, they didn't begin as his followers. They were God's created spiritual beings who were meant to serve Him and act as messengers to His people. As with humans, fallen angels were given free will. Their choice led them to their fall from heaven and God's grace.

Just as Christians take on the nature of their leader, who is Christ, the fallen angels have taken on the nature of their leader. Satan is known by many names that are used to describe different aspects of his character. The name Satan means "accuser." He is also called Beelzebub (lord of flies), devil, the dragon, serpent, tempter, Lucifer, and the father of lies (Revelation12:9 and 20:2).

God created Satan as one of Heaven's most beautiful angels. Lucifer means "light-bearer" and was referred to as the "morning star." However, the devil was jealous and rebelled against God. Isaiah 14:12 says, "How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!" The devil's prideful revolt and greed for power turned him into a self-proclaimed enemy of God. He wanted to replace God in every way. Regardless of what name he is called, he is not on equal footing with God.

So Lucifer was cast down from heaven to earth, and some of the angels followed him by resisting God's omniscient power and authority. Revelation 12:7-8 says, "And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven."

Satan, with his army of fallen angels and demons, are determined to corrupt and destroy all that is good and godly. We are warned, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). But God gives us authority over the evil of this enemy as Jesus tells us in Luke 10:19-20.

All created beings have two choices, to accept this authority over the evil enemy or to follow Satan into "everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41).