Fallen Angels and Demons. 

Created Date: 27-Feb-2019

Are they the same? No

Last updated: 20-Dec-2022
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Sections

1 Preface 2 Distinctiveness of Fallen Angels and Demons
3 What and Who are the Demons 4 What and Who are the Fallen Angels
5 Satanic Hierarchy of Ruling with Kings and Princes 6 Four Angels of the Tribulation Period
7 Possession or Oppression? 8 Animal: Forms, Manifestations and Possession
9 At the End of the Millennial Kingdom    

Preface

Some Biblical Scholars will point out that Fallen Angels and Demons are the same, while many other Biblical Scholars point out that this is not true. 

It appears the division is caused by the Biblical Scholar's viewpoint of the Nephilim.  If the Biblical Scholar believes in the Nephilim, then most likely they will believe that Demons are distinctly different, otherwise they will believe that Fallen Angels are the same as Demons.

Distinctiveness of Fallen Angels and Demons

It is the opinion of this author that the following is true about Fallen Angels and Demons:

What and who are the Demons

Read the full explanation and proof of what and who were the Nephilim, to get a full understanding of who and what are the Nephilim.  It is the opinion of many Biblical Scholars that the Nephilim have been active at different points throughout world history and are most likely what is going to be part of the "Great Lie" in 2 Thessalonians 3-4.  When a Nephilim dies, the disembodied spirit becomes a Demon.  

Notice in scriptures like Isaiah 26:14, which point distinctly towards the Nephilim, that God is telling us that the Nephilim are not eligible for Salvation.  This points to the Nephilim as some group that is different from the Fallen Angels and mankind.  If the Nephilim, after death become Fallen Angels, then God would have told us in the Scriptures that this is case.  There is no place in the scriptures that say the Nephilim are also Fallen Angels that are masquerading as human beings.

Isaiah 26:14 They are dead, they shall not live; they are Rephaim(/Nephilim), they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish. 
Matthew 24:37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.  {Reference to future return/prominence of Nephilim.}

Unlike Fallen Angels that can materialize and appear as a human being, only if the Holy Spirit who controls the world allows Fallen Angels to do so.  Demons have no way of materializing into a form of a human being.  Demons earnestly desire to be inside a human or even an animal as seen in Mark 5.

Mark 5:9-13 9 Then Jesus asked him, What is your name? My name is Legion, he replied, for we are many. 10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. 11 A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12 The demons begged Jesus, Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them. 13 He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

Notice the unclean spirits desired to go into the pigs.  When God instructs Joshua to even destroy the animals in the areas that the Nephilim controlled in the Promise Land was also because the animals were a a possible refuge for the Nephilim Demons.  It is also the opinion of this author, that I have never seen anywhere else, that any animal possessed is also a danger for other animals, where God cares and loves His creatures that also need protection.

Deuteronomy 20:16-18 16 However, in the cities of the nations the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes. 17 Completely destroy them the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites as the Lord your God has commanded you. 18 Otherwise, they will teach you to follow all the detestable things they do in worshiping their gods, and you will sin against the Lord your God.

What and who are the Fallen Angels

In Revelation 12:7-17, we learn that the Fallen Angels were in league with Lucifer and they fought against God and God's Angels.

Revelation 12:7-17 7 Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9 The great dragon was hurled down that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. 

Note that the "dragon" is Lucifer and "Satan" is a mistranslation that should be Lucifer.

In Ephesians 6:12 and many other scriptures, we learn that there is a Satanic Realm, of Fallen Angels, that contain rulers with a hierarchy of powers that are:

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Satanic Hierarchy of Ruling with Kings and Princes

Ephesians 6:12 and other scriptural references let us know that there is a ruling hierarchy and ranking in the Fallen Angels and Demons that are under the leadership of Lucifer.  This an idiom of ranking in authority, power and evil.

In Daniel 10:13, we are given an example of the leadership in the Satanic unseen world when the Angel Gabriel has assistance from the Angel Michael in the restraint from the Satanic Angel in charge of the Persia which is called the "king of Persia".  In some places the Satanic Fallen Angel can be called and compared to a King or a Prince

Lucifer is always trying to emulate God, where God also has His Princes such as Michael as show also in the Daniel 10:13 reference.  Our King is God as read in many, many scriptural examples.

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Daniel 10:13 The Angel Gabriel describes a problem with a Fallen Angel that was over the physical kingdom of Persia, which the Archangel Michael had to come and assist the Angel Gabriel so that a message from the Angel Gabriel could be delivered to Daniel.

But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.

Note that there are inferences in the scriptures on events that show that Lucifer's control and leadership does not appear to be absolutely followed, while still all Fallen Angels and Demons are unified by their rebellion against God.  As an example of derision and/or not sharing absolutely the same goals where Lucifer does not necessarily have supreme authority:

Four Angels of the Tribulation Period

There are four Fallen Angels, which some Biblical Commentaries state are archangels with rank and power that is similar to Lucifer.  Two quick points:

  1. Note that while Lucifer was the Most-High Cherub before his fall (Ezekiel 2814), there are other Godly Angels such as the Angel Michael that are capable of subduing and restraining Lucifer.  Lucifer will be put in chains during the Millennial Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
  2. In Revelation 9:14, the announcement goes out to release the four Fallen Angels bound at the location of the great river Euphrates, where Biblical Commentaries state the releasing is most likely done by one of God's Angels that is not an archangel.  This author agrees and the action can be called a passive insult to the chained four Fallen Angels that they are not worthy of a High-Ranking Godly Angel type of dignitary to be named in the scriptures.

These four Fallen Angels' actions indicate they are not in league with Lucifer and actually are working against Lucifer according to one Biblical Commentary, which this author agrees with these additional notes:

The following is an excerpt from the Kings of the East topic:

There will be Four Fallen Angels that are released from being bound at a spiritual location at the "great river Euphrates", as referenced in Revelation 9:14.  The scriptural passage of Revelation 9:13-18 indicates the Four Angels will control the Kings of the East Army through demonic possession, 

The release of the Four Fallen Angels event is part of the "Second Woe of Three" that starts in Revelation 9:13-18.  Some Biblical Scholars, including this author, believe the

  • Four Angels have been bound at the spiritual location of the river Euphrates as part of the judgmental consequences against them that lead to the Nephilim in the times of Noah. 
  • Additionally, these Fallen Angels were most likely almost equivalent in rank and power to Lucifer.
Revelation 9:13-18 13 The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the horns of the golden altar that is before God. 14 It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." 15 And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. 16 The number of the mounted troops was two hundred million. I heard their number. 17 The horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur. 18 A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that came out of their mouths.

The scriptural tie to the river Euphrates is the river was the eastern boundary of ancient Israel (Genesis 15:18), and also the eastern boundary of the Roman Empire at different points in history.  The Fallen Angel spiritual realm is a territorial realm with princes and rulers as explained in the Fallen Angels topic.  It might be possible the action of being imprisoned on the outside of the eastern boundary connotes a specific type of additional judgment against the Fallen Angel spiritual realm's jurisdiction of the old Roman Empire that has now been reborn under the Antichrist.

Genesis 15:18 In that day Jehovah made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

Possession or Oppression?

Many Christians know about the many scriptures where Jesus Christ and then the Apostles cast out a Satanic Spirit from a person.  Rhetorically, did the ability to be possessed by a Satanic Spirit stop after the New Testament Period when Jesus Christ and the Apostles walked the Earth? 

There are distinct differences from a Possession and Oppression. 

For more information read the topic on Possession and Oppression.

Animal: Forms, Manifestations and Possession by Demons and Fallen Angels

Excluding Demons, Fallen Angels and Lucifer possessing human-beings, there are at least five scriptural references of Fallen Angels taking forms or manifestations of evil as something appearing as animal, or a Demons taking possession of an animal.

  1. Goat Demons reference in Leviticus 17:7, where it appears the goats were animals that were possessed and had human guarding priests.
    Leviticus 17:7 So they shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices to goat demons, after whom they whore. This shall be a statute forever for them throughout their generations.
  2. Pharaoh's magicians had their staffs turn into snakes, which indicates a manifestation by Fallen Angels.
    Another consideration, regarding Lucifer and the Fallen Angels knowledge and technology with limited abilities, this is an excerpt from the topic on Magic does not exist topic:

    Many people, are very mistaken about the power with limitations that the Satanic Realm does possess.  Consider Pharaoh's magicians had their staffs turn into snakes which was not a form of trickery with sleight of hand movements. 

    Exodus 7:8-13
         		 8 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 9  When Pharaoh says to you, Perform a miracle, then say to Aaron, Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh, and it will become a snake.  10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the Lord commanded. Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. 11 Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: 12 Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron s staff swallowed up their staffs. 13 Yet Pharaoh s heart became hard and he would not listen to them, just as the Lord had said.

    Note that God created all creatures for specific purposes that are part of a dependent and related ecology that proves evolution is false.  All of the creation groans and waits for restoration, because of the fall by Adam and Eve, as written in Romans 8:19-22.  A Snake is idiomatic, in the scriptures, for Lucifer that started in the Garden of Eden, so we should recognize the Satanic Realm's choice to have the Egyptians staff's become snakes.  God showed His Power with Aaron's staff:
    1. To have Aaron's staff become a snake to overcome and swallow (destroy) the Egyptian magician's snakes.  Notice in verse 12 that the scripture points out that they were "staffs" so that we would know they were the staffs that turned into snakes.  Also, the type of snake was not identified as pythons, rattlesnakes, cobras or a King Snake so that we do not think all snakes are bad.  (King Snakes eat other snakes by swallowing another snake for food) 
    2. To have Aaron's staff change back into a staff as Aaron uses his staff throughout the rest of his life and Aaron's staff is later put into the Ark of the Covenant as read in Numbers 17:10 and Hebrews 9:4.
    3. In Numbers 17:8 to have Aaron's staff  "spouted ... budded, blossomed and produced ripe almonds." that is impossible without God and showed life was in a piece of wood separated long ago from the original almond tree.
  3. In Joshua 6:21, God had not only the men, women, young and old killed but also ox, sheep and donkeys at the edge of the sword, which meant there was something evil in the animals.  Note that the young boys, girls, teenagers and some others could fall under the protection of the Age of Accountability provisions, where their deaths actually were a blessing.  This indicates a possession by Demons of the animals.
    Joshua 6:20-21 20 So when the rams horns sounded, the people shouted. When they heard the blast of the horn, the people gave a great shout, and the wall collapsed. Then all the people charged straight into the city and captured it. 21 At the edge of the sword they devoted to destruction everything in the city man and woman, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys.
  4. In Mark 5:9-13, there is the incident of the Demons entering pigs that caused the pigs to go into a lake unto their death.
    Mark 5:9-13 9 Then Jesus asked him, What is your name? My name is Legion, he replied, for we are many. 10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. 11 A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12 The demons begged Jesus, Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them. 13 He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.
  5. In Revelation 9, there are locusts, during the Tribulation Period, that sting human-beings without the mark of Salvation on them that causes five months of pain that makes the victim desire death over the pain, which they cannot obtain that is most likely is caused by paralysis from the sting venom.  There are some Biblical Commentaries and this author that believe the locusts are a manifestation by Fallen Angels that were imprisoned there from participating in the creation of the Nephilim.  For more information see the topic Gog and Magog.
    Revelation 9:3 1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven fallen unto the earth: and there was given to him the key of the pit of the abyss. 2 And he opened the pit of the abyss; and there went up a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. 3 And out of the smoke came forth locusts upon the earth; and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4 And it was said unto them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree, but only such men as have not the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 And it was given them that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when it striketh a man. 6 And in those days men shall seek death, and shall in no wise find it; and they shall desire to die, and death fleeth from them. 7 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared for war; and upon their heads as it were crowns like unto gold, and their faces were as men s faces. 8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. 9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots, of many horses rushing to war. 10 And they have tails like unto scorpions, and stings; and in their tails is their power to hurt men five months. 11 They have over them as king the angel of the abyss: his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in the Greek tongue he hath the name Apollyon.

At the End of the Millennial Kingdom

There is one more battle attempt by Lucifer which is known as the second Gog and Magog event.  After this event, there is the Great White Thrown of Judgment.  At this Judgment the Fallen Angels and Demons will be judged by Jesus Christ and all human beings who have Salvation.

The following is an excerpt from the 1000 Millennial Kingdom of Jesus Christ:

There is still the requirement to accept Jesus Christ through Faith before the end of the Millennial Kingdom to be able to be in Eternity future with God in Heaven.  There will be one last rebellion when Lucifer is released from chains in Lower Sheol.  Lucifer will deceive many of the nations in one final attempt against Jesus Christ, which is called the final Gog and Magog event.  All of those who are present against Jesus Christ will be killed instantaneously by fire from Heaven.  At this Judgment the Fallen Angels, Demons and human being without Salvation, will be judged by Jesus Christ and all human beings who have Salvation.

Revelation 20:7-10 7 When the thousand years are completed, Lucifer will be released from his prison, 8 and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore. 9 And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Points of the passage:

  1. The 1,000 Millennial Year Kingdom of Jesus Christ has been completed, where Jesus Christ ruled with absolute authority, sitting on the Throne of King David as promised to Mary by the Angel Gabriel.
  2. Lucifer is released from the prison in lower Sheol to deceive the nations of the World.
  3. There is the second Gog and Magog event, which includes all nations from the earth.  The similarity of the first Gog and Magog event is the Lucifer and his prince Gog with the nations like the previous Magog nations will attempt to come against Jerusalem and the Nation of Israel, which is the "beloved city".
  4. Just like the Antichrist and False Prophet, Lucifer is thrown into the Lake of Fire for eternity.  There is no appearance for Lucifer at the Great White Thrown of Judgment.

There are two primary questions asked often by Christians concerning 

  1. Why would Jesus Christ release Lucifer at the end of the Millennial Kingdom, and what is the point of having 1,000 years of peace in the world to have it ruined?
  2. What and where were the Fallen Angels and Demons doing during the Millennial Kingdom?

The answer, in a general summary by many Biblical Commentaries, is looking at the different Dispensational Periods of the Earth and how Jesus Christ has always been the answer, solution, reason, gift, and with Him that all human-beings can have life, love, peace, joy and appreciation worship of our God as read in many scriptural passages such as John 10:7-15. 

During the Millennial Kingdom and after the Millennial Kingdom when Lucifer is released from prison in lower Sheol:

  • Lucifer is in lower Sheol in prison, chained there.
  • There will be no unseen Satanic Fallen Angels and Demons influencing human-beings, as the Satanic world will be 100% constrained.
  • There will be enforced peace between the nations by Jesus Christ with mandatory observance of specific Feasts and attendance in Jerusalem for Temple worship of Jesus Christ.
  • Humans will know Jesus Christ as the King, but since the New Heaven and New Earth has not been established, where all humans have glorified bodies that do not have the sin nature from the Adam and Eve fall at the Garden of Eden, then the Millennial Kingdom is the final proof that human beings absolutely cannot govern themselves without the love of God and God's 100% involvement in the lives of everyone.
  • The releasing of Lucifer from prison in lower Sheol to deceive all humans that he is able, is the final proof of rebelling against God, destroys everything that is good, Holy, peaceful, joyful and rewarding so that in eternity future then it will not ever be contemplated:
    (a) as God righteously let all of the permutations of evil be taken to the fateful conclusion of despair and suffering, while God still protected and rewarded all of those who chose God. 
    (b) all the evil that has happened and will happen before eternity, started with Lucifer's thought in Isaiah 14:13.
  • After the final Gog and Magog event that orchestrated from Lucifer's release from Prison the fulfillment of God's purpose for all history (shown below).
John 10:7-15 7 Jesus therefore said unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and go out, and shall find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep. 12 He that is a hireling, and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, beholdeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf snatcheth them, and scattereth them: 13 he fleeth because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know mine own, and mine own know me, 15 even as the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

An excerpt from the purpose of all history:

The Question

How can God who is:

  • Omniscient,
  • Omnipresent,
  • All Powerful,
  • Perfect, and
  • so much more

show Perfect Love to a world that is destined to eternal separation from God without a Savior?  The answer is given to us in Ephesians 2:4-7, and is often called the purpose of God in all of history and the purpose of eternity future:

Ephesians 2:4-7 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

In the next verse 8, we will understand that it was by nothing we could have done to inherit and deserve the rewards of Heaven, which will lead us to a greater love of God for eternity.

Ephesians 2:8-10 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;, 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

What to read next?

Is it possible to lose Salvation?  We have eternal life.  Evolution is not real.  When a Christian suffers is there benefits from it.  Rewards in heaven.  Do we Tithe?  What does the 3rd Commandment tell us?  What is Salvation?  What is Grace and Mercy?  Is there an Age of Accountability?  Is there a place of unending punishment and exile form God?