DEMONS another name for fallen angels who joined the
kingdom of Satan in rebellion against God.
Origin. The origin of demons is not explicitly discussed
in the Bible. But the New Testament speaks of the fall and later
imprisonment of a group of angels (I Peter 3:19, 20; II Peter
2:4; Jude 6). The group that participated in the fall apparently
followed one of their own number, Satan. The fall occurred before
God’s creation of the world. In retaliatory hatred for God,
Satan and his angels tirelessly seek to contaminate the human
race with wickedness (Genesis 3; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:9).
A symbolic view of this "initial" fall appears in
Revelation 12:34 where the dragon (a symbol for Satan) "drew
a third of the stars of heaven" (a symbol for fallen angels)
and "threw them to the earth." Thus, Satan has his
own "angels," who most students see as the demons
of this era (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:9).
…A prime purpose of Jesus’ earthly ministry was to overcome
the power of Satan. This included His conquest of the demonic
realm (Matthew 12:25-29; Luke 11:17022; John 12:31; I John 3:8).
This explains the fierce conflict between Jesus and these evil
spirits while He was on earth, and why Jesus promises His people
the redeemed authority over and power to cast out demons
(Matthew 10:8; Mark 16:17).
Following the resurrection of Jesus and His return to heaven,
these demonic principalities and powers have continued their
warfare against those who are His followers (Romans 8:38-39;
Ephesians 6:12). Yet Satan and his allies will finally be overthrown
by God. After Christ returns, the devil and his angels will
be defeated and thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone (Matthew
25:41; Revelation 20:10). This is a doom with which demons are
quite familiar (Matthew 8:29). God will achieve the ultimate
victory in this conflict which has been going on since the beginning
of time.
Jack
Hayford Ministries
14800 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA 91405-2233