Though the Bible seems to bring more mystery to the table than clarity, the Christian must examine Scripture in an effort to understand what God has revealed concerning angels. God’s heavenly host should, by their obedience and curiosity, spur believers on toward righteousness and obedience.

1. I believe angels are created spirit beings—incorporeal, immortal, and invisible (under normal circumstances)—possessing individual personalities with intelligence and will. Angels are not equal with God, being His creation, and therefore do not possess omniscience, omnipotence, or omnipresence. However, they have existed since the creation of the earth in myriads. (Heb. 1:14; 2 Kings 6:17; Jude 9; Ps. 148:2, 5; Job 38:7; Rev. 5:11)

2. I believe some angels have special designations that indicate position: cherubim, seraphim, the archangel, and the chief princes. Other angels are given particular places of authority—principalities, powers, places of rule, dominions, and authorities. Christ reigns over all of these titles. (Gen. 3:24; Isa. 6:2, 6; Jude 9; Dan. 10:13; Col. 1:16; Eph. 1:21)

3. I believe the title "angel of the Lord" refers to God Himself, appearing to individuals to announce God's purposes before the Son of God was born in Bethlehem. (Gen. 18:22; Judges 13:16, 19-22)

4. I believe the holy angels are God’s faithful worshipers, servants, and messengers who have in times past been sent to proclaim God’s word (though not the Gospel) and to protect God’s people, and who will execute God’s final judgment on the earth. (Rev. 5:11-12; Heb. 1:14; Luke 1:11-20; Dan. 6:22)

5. I believe angels were all created holy, but after the creation of the world, one third of the angels followed Lucifer—an anointed cherub—in a rebellion against God resulting in the fall and corruption of those angels. Lucifer and his followers were cast down to earth and now continue their rebellion by corrupting the world and opposing God’s purposes. After the Millennium, they will all be judged and cast into the lake of fire. (Eze. 28:15, 16; Rev. 12:4; Lk. 10:18; Matt. 25:41)

6. I believe the Devil is the fallen angel Lucifer, who lost his position in God's presence because of his own pride. He is now the god of this world and the prince of demons. He is also called the deceiver, the tempter, the father of lies, the accuser of the brethren, and the evil one. He maintains all of the limitations of an angel and is not equal to God. (Isa. 14:12-14; 2 Cor. 4:4; Matt. 12:24; Jn. 8:44; Zech. 3:1)

7. I believe the unholy angels—demons—are able to exert direct control over unbelievers by indwelling their bodies; this is not the case for believers because of the indwelling Holy Spirit. (Mk. 5:2-7; 1 Cor. 6:19)

8. I believe some fallen angels became bound because they entered men to cohabit with women, producing offspring. Several other fallen angels have been sent to the Abyss for indwelling humans. (Gen. 6:2, 4; 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6; Lk. 8:31; Rev. 9:11)

9. I believe the kingdom of Satan and his demons is presently warring against the kingdom of God. This activity may at points result in some of the hardships believers face in this life. On such occasions, the believers are encouraged to stand firm, resisting the devil and submitting to God. (Eph. 6:10-17; James 4:7)