Angels, Fallen Angels, Demons, Vampires, etc.

The Scripture doesn’t always depict an angel as having two wings. We see six-winged and four-winged angels even more than angels with just two (Isaiah 6:2, 6; Ezekiel 1:6; Revelation 4:8). We see angels adorned in white and in light, but truthfully, our perception of angels often comes more from the depictions we’ve seen in art or film than from the word of God.

Biblical View of Angels

The name “angel” comes via ecclesiastical Latin, from the Greek word angelos or the Hebrew word malakh, both meaning “messenger.” Angels are pure spirit, in other words, they have no physical bodies. Angels do, however, take on human form sometimes, as clarified by St. Thomas Aquinas in his Summa Theologica, and as you can read more about in the book of Tobit, for instance.

I find it helpful to go back to the Bible as our obvious primary source to get a more accurate picture of what angels are, what they do, and the purposes they serve. Let’s look at just two of the hundreds of passages in which Sacred Scripture attests to the presence – and activity – of angels:

Behold, I send an angel before you, to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place which I have prepared. Give heed to him and hearken to his voice, do not rebel against him, for he will not pardon your transgression; for my name is in him. “But if you hearken attentively to his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. “When my angel goes before you … and I blot them out. (Exodus 23:20-23)

God’s faithfulness is a protecting shield. You shall not fear the terror of the night nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that roams in darkness, nor the plague that ravages at noon. For God commands the angels to guard you in all your ways. With their hands they shall support you, lest you strike your foot against a stone. (Psalm 91:4-6, 11-12)

Now, too often we think of angels, who are heavenly bodies, in earthly, bodily terms. They are not human and therefore not bound by human constraints. They exist to do the will of God, to be His messengers, guides, and defenders – of us and of truth. It’s important, though, to remember that they are not to be worshiped (Revelation 19:10; 22:9); they exist for the sole purpose of praising God and carrying out His will.

Angelic Descriptions

It was in about the fifth century or so, most believe, that these different ranks of angels or choirs of heavenly angelic hierarchy was established. The choirs of angels are as follows:

• Seraphim
• Cherubim
• Thrones
• Dominions
• Virtues
• Powers
• Principalities
• Archangels
• Angels

Of the nine choirs each has different functions:

• Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones are dedicated to the contemplation of God.
• Dominions, Virtues, and Powers govern the universe in its totality.
• Principalities, archangels, and angels are dedicated as God’s messengers.

Read more about them in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 327-336.

St. Michael – Daniel 10: 13, 21; 
Daniel 12:1;
 Jude 1:9;
 Revelation 12:7
St. Gabriel – Daniel 8:16, Daniel 9:21, Luke 1:19, Luke 1:26
St. Raphael – Tobit 5 – 13

It’s interesting to note that names matter even to angelic beings without matter. The name Lucifer for instance, means “light bringer” echoing his obvious, prideful desire to be seen in comparison to the true Light, God Himself. Not ironically, however, we see that the name of God’s great warrior “Michael” means, “who is like God?” a humble and enduring testament to the true source of life and grace.

Additionally, Gabriel means “God is my strength” and Raphael means “God has healed.” These are but three of the archangels, each one yielding tremendous power, and worthy of an invitation to intercession.

God’s Army of Light

As you’ve most likely read or learned in your own ongoing studies, angels have played (and continue to play) significant roles in God’s plan of salvation.
Think about it:

• Angels came to Sodom and warned Lot (Genesis 19).
• An angel stopped Abraham before he killed his son, Isaac (Genesis 22:12).
• An angel “wrestled” with Jacob (Genesis 32).
• An angel appeared to Moses out of the midst of the burning bush (Exodus 3:2).
• An angel “passed over” Egypt, allowing for Moses and the Jews to escape (Exodus 12:11-27).
• An angel called Gideon to form an army (Judges 6).
• An angel brought miraculous news to the (soon to be) mother of Samson (Judges 13).
• An angel announced God’s hope and plan to the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:26-38).
• An angel calmed Joseph’s fears about taking Mary as his wife (Matthew 1:18-25).
• An angel was at the empty tomb, announcing Jesus’ resurrection (Matthew 28:2-7).
• Angels were responsible for Peter’s divinely-inspired “jailbreaks” (Acts 5, 12).
• An angel, St. Michael, and his army are waging war for your soul (Revelation 12:7-9).

These are just to name a very few. What do all of these instances have in common? God used His angels to aid in the rescue of His children. Angels are a primary way in which He is constantly delivering us from evil. Angels proclaim the greatness of God, echoing the good news of salvation in the heavens and throughout the earth. Though higher than us spiritually, they serve God in their actions toward us. In fact, God loves us so much that He actually “assigns” a guardian angel to each one of us.

Guardian Angels

The Old Testament attests to guardian angels repeatedly (Genesis 48:16, Psalm 34:7; 91:11; Tobit 12:12-15). These guardian angels enjoy constant and intimate access to our Father in Heaven. Our Lord, Jesus, gave us tremendous insight into our guardian angels in Matthew 18:10, saying, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.”

St. Angela Merici said, “Remember that the devil doesn’t sleep, but seeks our ruin in a thousand ways.”




More on angels:

• Genesis 18:1-10, 22:11-12 and 24:20
• Judges 13:21-25
• Psalm 29:1, 91:9-12 and 104:4
• Daniel 6:22 and 9:20-21
• Matthew 4:6, 11 and 13:41-42
• Luke 1:5-38 and 15:10
• Acts 5:17-20 12:11, 15
• 2 Corinthians 11:14-15
• Hebrews 1:4-8 and 13:2
• Jude 6
• Revelation 1:1, 3:5, 5:11-12, 12:7-12, 18:1, 19:10 and 20:1-3

Fallen Angels 

The Bible teaches that fallen angels are invisible, supernatural, angelic, spirits created by God. Satan employs them as his immoral agents. After one-third of the heavenly angels sided with Satan, they were cast out of heaven to the earth (Revelation 12:4).

Christian Bible calls fallen angels devils, demons, vampires, evil, and unclean spirits. Their lust for power is matched with an evil mind, emotions, and will. In their present, restrained state, demon angels are awaiting God’s final judgment and their ultimate destination: God’s predestined, eternal hell, a place of “reserved everlasting chains.” NeoXian Bible claims that angels can transform into fallen angels/devils/demons/vampires depending on their intent, mind, emotions, will and other factors. Fallen angels or devils in turn can transform back into being angels if their thoughts, acts, intent, emotion, will, et seq. are good.

While the Bible doesn’t offer the exact number of angels, the hosts could outnumber people. Of all the multitudes of angels God created, fallen angels comprise one-third. Satan keeps demons in bondage to his will: corrupting humans to separate them from God.

Fallen Angels -- What are demons allowed and forbidden to do?

God controls the universe -- including Satan. However, He permits Satan to assign demons to activities and people to test. Demons tempt, accuse, and deceive. Demons dominate and captivate people who practice sin. Demons can inflict disease, ruining bodies and souls (Luke 9:42).

Demons can possess a person who is not under God’s protection (i.e. saved from sin by Jesus Christ), causing them to say and commit evil things (Matthew 8:28-24). The goal of demons is to separate as many people from God as possible forevermore, taking them to eternal hell with them. Their war strategy is influencing the mind to reject the Lord Jesus and live in sin. In God’s churches, they attempt to draw people away from the truth (1 John 4:1).

Satan and demons cannot possess true Christians because the Holy Spirit indwells and protects them (1 John 4:4). Although demons can oppress people and tempt them to sin, they cannot make people choose wrong. Demons fear God’s presence (James 2:19).