This document discusses angels and angelology from a systematic theology perspective. It covers the origin of angels as created spiritual beings, titles of angels like archangels and cherubim, names of specific angels like Michael and Gabriel, the nature of angels as genderless and powerful, the purpose of angels to serve and glorify God, and the theological basis for believing in angels. It also examines passages in Isaiah referring to Lucifer and discusses whether Lucifer and Satan are the same figure or distinct beings.

1. Geisler, Norman
Systematic Theology
Chapters 48

2. Systematic Theology
“The Creation of Spiritual
Creatures (Angels)”

3. The Origin of Angels
The term angel is technically referring to
messengers. However, “angels” is the term
commonly used of all spiritual creatures.
Angels are not eternal; they were created
(Ps. 148:2, 5; Col. 1:16; Neh. 9:6: Gen. 2:1; Job
38:6-7)

4. Titles of Spiritual Beings
• Living Creatures (Rev. 4:6)
• Angels (“messengers”) (Dan. 4:13)
• Angels of God (John 1:51)
• Elect Angels (1 Tim. 5:21)
• Holy Angels (Rev. 14:10)
• Powerful angels (2 Thess. 1:7)
• Chief princes (Dan. 10:13)
• Ministers (Ps. 104:4, NKJV)
• Sons of God (Job 1:6; 2:1, NKJV)
• Sons of the mighty (Ps. 89:6, NKJV)
• Mighty ones (Ps. 26:9; 103:20)
• gods (elohim—Ps. 8:5)
• Holy Ones (Dan. 8:13; Zech. 14:5; Job 15:15)
• Stars (Job 38:7; Rev. 12:4)
• Host (of heaven) (Gen. 2:1, NKJV; Neh. 9:6; Luke 2:13)
• Chariots (Ps. 68:17; Zech. 6:1-5)

5. Names of Angels
• Michael—name means “Who is like God?” He
is called “one of the chief princes” (Dan.
10:13), and the “archangel” (Jude 9). Also
referred to as “the leader of the heavenly
army (Rev. 12:7). He disputed with Satan
(Jude 9) and will lead in the final victory over
the devil after the thousand year reign of
Christ (Rev. 12:7)
~Geisler

6. Names of Angels
• Gabriel—name means “Devoted to God.” He
“stand[s] in the presence of God” (Luke 1:19).
He makes special announcements for the one
to Zechariah (Luke 1:11-13). He appeared to
Mary (Luke 1:26-33), and he is a revealer of
God’s kingdom purposes (Dan. 9:21-22; 8:16).
~Geisler

7. Names of Angels
• Lucifer—called “son of the morning,” who fell
and became devil. He has many names in his
fallen state; the most common are listed in
Revelation 12:9: “The dragon was hurled
down—that ancient serpent called the devil,
or Satan, who leads the whole world astray.”
~Geisler

8. Discussion Question
There are some who argue that Lucifer is not
Satan, that the two are distinct. Be sure to refer
to my article in this folder which explores the
argument that Lucifer is another name for Satan.
Be prepared to take a position in the dialogue
and support your position with Scripture.

9. Isa 14:1-11, NKJV
1 It shall come to pass in the day the LORD gives you rest
from your sorrow, and from your fear and the hard bondage
in which you were made to serve, 4 that you will take up
this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say:
"How the oppressor has ceased,
The golden city ceased!
5 The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked,
The scepter of the rulers;
6 He who struck the people in wrath with a continual stroke,
He who ruled the nations in anger,
Is persecuted and no one hinders.

10. Isa 14:1-11, NKJV
7 The whole earth is at rest and quiet;
They break forth into singing.
8 Indeed the cypress trees rejoice over you,
And the cedars of Lebanon,
Saying, 'Since you were cut down,
No woodsman has come up against us.'
9 "Hell from beneath is excited about you,
To meet you at your coming;
It stirs up the dead for you,
All the chief ones of the earth;
It has raised up from their thrones
All the kings of the nations.

11. Isa 14:1-11, NKJV
10 They all shall speak and say to you:
'Have you also become as weak as we?
Have you become like us?
11 Your pomp is brought down to Sheol,
And the sound of your stringed instruments;
The maggot is spread under you,
And worms cover you.'

12. Isa 14:12-21, NKJV
12 "How you are fallen from heaven,
O Lucifer, son of the morning!
How you are cut down to the ground,
You who weakened the nations!
13 For you have said in your heart:
'I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north;
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High.'
15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol,
To the lowest depths of the Pit.

13. Isa 14:12-21, NKJV
16 "Those who see you will gaze at you,
And consider you, saying:
'Is this the man who made the earth tremble,
Who shook kingdoms,
17 Who made the world as a wilderness
And destroyed its cities,
Who did not open the house of his prisoners?‘

14. Isa 14:12-21, NKJV
18 "All the kings of the nations,
All of them, sleep in glory,
Everyone in his own house;
19 But you are cast out of your grave
Like an abominable branch,
Like the garment of those who are slain,
Thrust through with a sword,
Who go down to the stones of the pit,
Like a corpse trodden underfoot.
20 You will not be joined with them in burial,
Because you have destroyed your land
And slain your people.
The brood of evildoers shall never be named.
21 Prepare slaughter for his children
Because of the iniquity of their fathers,
Lest they rise up and possess the land,
And fill the face of the world with cities."

15. The Nature of Angels
• Angels Are Genderless (Matt. 22:30; Luke 20:35-36)
• Angels Never Die (Luke 20:35-36)
• Angels Have Free Will (1 Tim. 3:6; Jude 6; 2 Pet. 2:4)
• Angels Have Great Power (Gen. 19:10-11; 2 Thess. 1:7;
Matt. 24:31; 28:2-3; 2 Pet. 2:11)
• Angels Are Persons (Isa. 6:3; cf. Rev. 4:8-9; Luke 15:10)
• Angels Are Beautiful (Isa. 6:1-2; Ezek. 1:15-16; cf. 22,
28; 28:12-14; Dan. 10:5-6; Matt. 28:3; 2 Cor. 11:14)

16. The Purpose of Angels
• To Glorify God (Rev. 4:11; Ps. 148:2)
• To Serve God (Col. 1:16; Job 1:6; 2:1)
• To Reflect God’s Attributes (Isa. 6:3; Ezek. 1:5;
28)
• To Learn God’s Wisdom and Grace (Eph. 3:10;
1 Pet. 1:12)
• To Minister to God’s Elect (Heb. 1:14; Matt.
18:10; Job 1:6; 2:1; cf. Ps. 91:11; Gen. 18:2ff.;
Dan. 10:1ff.; 12:1; cf. Eph. 6:12; Luke 16:22)

17. The Position of Angels
• Archangel—There is a rank among both good and evil
angels (demons). A the top is the archangel (Michael) (Dan.
12:1).
• Chief Princes—Under Michael there are other chief princes
(Dan. 10:21; cf. Dan. 10:13).
• Cherubim—Proclaimers and protectors of God’s glory (Gen.
3:24; Ps. 80:1; 99:1; Ezek. 10:1; cf. 1:28; Heb. 9:5)
• Living Creatures—Function appears to be to worship God
and direct His judgments (Rev. 4:7-8; Ezek. 1:6).
• Seraphim—Proclaimers of God’s holiness (Isa. 6:2-3)
• Angels—The most common designation of God’s spiritual
creatures, meaning “messenger” occurs 273 times in the
Bible.

18. The Abode of Angels
• The general sphere of angels is in heaven.
• The sphere of activity of angels is focused in
the second heaven, though some are active in
the third heaven by the Throne of God (2 Cor.
12:2, 4).
• Evil angels abide in the second heaven too
(Dan. 10:13).

19. Special Abilities of Angels
• To traverse great distances in a short time.
• To perform miracles.
• To materialize (assume bodily form).
• To communicate.
• To occupy NO space.

20. The Theological Basis for Angelology
• Angels are above humans.
• Angels are pure spirits.
• Angels are aeviternal --not in time, but can relate to it.
They are not eternal in that they have a beginning.
• Angels are immortal, they cannot die.
• Each angel is a species (kind) of its own. Cannot
reproduce. No way to divide or multiply.
• Angels do not change in nature, they have a fixed
nature from the moment of their creation.
• Angels are irredeemable. Once they fall they cannot
be redeemed, they are doomed forever.