Reading : Colossians 1/12-14
Introduction
The apostle Paul, as the Lord Jesus, speaks of the existence of the power of darkness (Luke 22/53) . They are organized to serve spirits of Satan and govern with him our sinful world.
Despite the progress of science and knowledge, the world has never seen so much violence and corruption in our time.
Scripture reveals that the world is under the sway of the wicked (1Jn 5 / 19) . Satan is also called the prince of the power of the air (Eph.2 / 2) , the god of this world (2Cor.4 / 4) , the chief powers of darkness (Eph.6 / 12) .
But for the believer, having received Jesus Christ as His personal Savior, he has solid promises of Scripture: 1 Jn 5 / 18, 4 / 4, Luke 10/19 .
I. The existence of the spirit world
They are creatures, created beings, the invisible world (Col.1/16) .
Science can not enter the spirit world. Only the Bible gives accurate revelation of the existence of these spirits.
There are two kinds of minds:
1) Angels of Christ Matth.16/27; Héb.1/14
2) The angels of the devil, called demons: Matth.25/41; 2Cor.12 / 7; Eph.6/12; Apoc.16/14
At the time of Christ, we believed in the existence of ghosts (Greek "Phantasma" shadow, specter, ghost): Matth.14/26, Luke 24/36-37.
For followers of Christ are responding that they had a strange design on the existence of ghosts or spirits. Jesus made a good point: "... a spirit hath not flesh and bones ..." (Luke 24/38-39)
Ignorance leads to incorrect perceptions and reactions, but knowledge accurate revelations of Scripture and faith in Christ completely free: Jn 8/31-32.
II. Organized by the power of darkness
Scripture reveals a satanic organization in this world of darkness Col.1/16; Eph.6/12 . But note that these spirits have been vanquished by the Lord Jesus to the Cross : Col.2/15; See Eph.1/20-22; 1Jn 3 / 8.
We see in these texts cited, an organization using various ranks and authority based on a number of levels. It is an organization that stands against evil Lord and God's people.
We learn a lot about these spirits in their student chief.
A) It is called
1) Satan, which means adversary or opponent. It is primarily God's adversary, but also that of man: Zach.3 / 1; Matth.13/39; 1Pier.5 / 8.
2) The devil, which means slanderer. He accuses God before man (Gen.3/1-4) , before God and man (Job 1 / 9; Apoc.12/10)
3) The tempter, since causes man to sin. His method is to present the most logical excuse for sin (Matth.4 / 3; 1Thes.3 / 5 See Es.5/20
B) Being limited because it is neither omnipresent nor omnipotent nor omniscient, he uses different ways to oppose God. Unable to directly attack God, he attacks the man, crown of God's creation, and this in different ways:
a) he lies : John 8 / 44; 2Cor.11 / 3
b) he tries: Matth.4 / 1
c) he steals Matth.13/19
d) he torments: 2Cor.12 / 7
e) it creates obstacles 1Thes.2/18
f) ; he sift: 22/31 Luc
g) he disguises himself: 2Cor.11 / 14
h) he accuses: Apoc.12/10
i) it by sending plagues of disease: 13/16 Luc
j) it takes possession of the person: John 13/27
k) it kills and devours: John 8 / 44
To accomplish his purposes, and is therefore limited, Satan uses the spirits who rebelled against God like him (Jude 6) .
III. Their activities
Angels Fallen oppose God and His people. They are the powers of darkness which Satan is the leader. Some make the distinction between negative angelic spirits and demons, but there is no evidence to suggest they are not one and the same thing.
Their activities:
a) separate God of his own: Rom.8/38
b) oppose holy angels Dan.10/12 -11 / 1
c) afflict people in their imposing physical and mental illness: Matth.9/33 ;; 12/22; 5/1-16 Mark, Luke 9/37-42
d) spreading false doctrines: 2Thes.2/1-12; 1Tim.4 / 1
e ) capture human beings and even animals to possess: Matth.4/24, Mark 5/8-14 ;, Luke 8 / 2; Act.8 / 7 16/16
f) sometimes God uses them, unwittingly or unwillingly, to accomplish his purpose by punishing the wicked (Ps .78/49; 1Kings 22/23) and punishing or disciplining righteous (Job 1 and 2; 1Cor.5 / 5)
IV. Their ultimate fate
Satan and the fallen angels serve to illustrate what happens to those who are depraved, evil in moral terms.
a) They know they will be tormented: Matth.8/29 ;; Apoc.20/10
b) The eternal fire prepared them: Matth.25/41
c) They will be destroyed by the breath of the mouth of the Lord: 2Thes.1 / 8
d) They tremble before God Jacq.2 / 19
e) The devil has little time: Apoc.12/12
Conclusion
Satan and his angels are real creatures. They are organized power of darkness that stand against the Lord and His people. Defeated at the Cross through Christ, God still leaves act until their final crushing: Rom.16/20; 1Cor.15/24; Apoc.20/10.
But believers in Christ have the assurance of God's promises: 1Jn 5 / 18, 4 / 4; 1Pier.5/8-9; Jacq.4 / 7; Apoc.12/11
