Lesson 6: Angels and Devils
"And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the living creatures, and the ancients;  and the number of them was thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice:  The Lamb that was slain is worthy to receive power, and divinity, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and benediction."   (Apocalypse 5:11-12)

  1. What is an angel?

    2.     An angel is a spirit, that is, a creature who does not have a body.

  2. Is an angel a real person?

    3.     Yes, because an angel has a mind and a will.

  3. How do you know there are angels?

    4.     The Bible mentions angels about three hundred times.

  4. Why did God create the angels?

    5.     To serve Him in Heaven, to act as His messengers to man, and to act as guardians over human beings.

  5. Does everyone have a guardian angel?

    6.     Yes, God appoints an angel to watch over every human being.
    "See that you despise not one of these little ones:  For I say to you, that their angels in Heaven always see the face of My Father Who is in Heaven."    (Matthew 18:10)

  6. What does your guardian angel do for you?

    7.     Your angel prays for you, protects you from evil and inspires you to do good.
    "Behold I will send My angel, who shall go before thee, and keep thee in thy journey, and bring thee into the place that I have prepared.  Take notice of him, and hear his voice."    (Exodus 23:20-21)

  7. Did all the Angels obey God?

    8.     No, some of them, led by Lucifer, or Satan, disobeyed God and were sent immediately into Hell.  These are the fallen angels or devils.
    "And there was a great battle in heaven, Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels.  And they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven."   (They were sent to Hell)    (Apocalypse 12:7-8)

  8. Is there really a devil?

    9.     Yes, the Bible often speaks of the devil as a real person.
    "And that great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, who seduceth the whole world."    (Apocalypse 12:9)
    (In Protestant Bibles, this book (Apocalypse) is called Revelation)

  9. How does the devil act towards human beings?

    10.     The devil tempts people to commit sin.
    "Watch out, because the devil goes about seeking whom he may devour.  You must resist him, being strong in Faith and knowing that he persecutes everyone else in the world, too."    (1 Peter 5:8-9)

  10. How can you fight the devil?

    11.     The best weapons against the devil are prayer (especially calling on Jesus and Mary), holy water, blessed medals, scapulars and other blessed objects.
    "Put you on the armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil.  For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in high places."    (Ephesians 6:11-12)

PRACTICAL POINTS

  1. Your guardian angel is a real person, who is always with you to help and protect you.  Pray to him often and thank him for his help.  Your guardian angel is an indication of how much God loves and cares for you.

  2. The devil has succeeded in getting a large number of people to think that he is not real.  His is a real person and is a real danger to you personally.

  3. Not all of your temptations come from the devil.  Others come from your own flesh ("concupiscence") and from the world about you -- traditionally stated, "from the world, the flesh, and the devil."