David Diga Hernandez - Demons: What Are They?

You need to know your enemy. From where have demonic beings come? The Scripture has the answer. When it comes to the origin of demonic beings, it’s important to remember that this particular topic isn’t central; it’s not a primary tenet of the faith, so it’s not necessary to understand this in order to be saved. However, it is worth exploring, which is why we’re going to dig into it now. We’re going to look at the Scriptures and stay within the safety net; we’re going to remain within the safe boundaries of Scripture and not veer off into speculation. Instead, we will examine the verses and see if we can find any clues regarding the origin of demonic beings.

Now, in Hebrews chapter 1, verse 14, angels are referred to as ministering spirits. But I want to contrast this truth with something found in Acts chapter 23. Let’s look at verse 29: «So there was a great uproar. Some of the teachers of religious law, who were Pharisees, jumped up and began to argue forcefully, 'We see nothing wrong with him! ' They shouted, 'Perhaps a spirit or an angel spoke to him.'» Now, angels are technically spirits, but there’s a significant enough difference between angelic beings and spirits that a thin line of distinction was drawn in Acts chapter 23, verse 9. They share the same nature but have some distinctions.

Nowhere in Scripture do we see it directly, clearly, or specifically stated that demons are fallen angels. So, from where has that belief originated? Well, it is found in Revelation chapter 12, verse 9, at least as the basis for that belief: «This great dragon, the ancient serpent, called the devil or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world, was thrown down to the earth with his angels.» There we see it, right? I mean, this dragon was thrown down; he took his angels with him. So, aren’t those fallen angels demonic beings? Well, there are some distinctions to be found in Scripture between demonic beings and angelic beings.

Number one: Demons need bodies. If you notice in Scripture, demons seek to possess physical bodies, and there’s a reason for that. In fact, in Matthew chapter 8, it seems that the demonic beings were rather uncomfortable outside a physical body. Matthew 8:30–31 states, «There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding in the distance. So the demons begged, 'If you cast us out, send us into that herd of pigs.'» So demonic beings crave physical bodies; they desire physical bodies. They’re like parasites. Fallen angels, on the other hand, have physical bodies. Genesis chapter 6, verse 4 states, «There were giants in the earth in those days and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. The same became mighty men, which were of old, men of renown.»

Now, this term «sons of God» in the Old Testament always refers to supernatural beings. It’s not until the New Testament that this term «sons of God» comes to refer to human beings who are converted. Thus, this verse is discussing angelic beings who came down and procreated with the daughters of men. So they have physical bodies. Now, some might say, «Well, doesn’t it say in Matthew chapter 22, verse 30, that angels neither marry nor are given in marriage?» Well, yes, the Scripture says in Matthew 22:30, «For when the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; in this respect, they will be like the angels in heaven.» But that only pertains to marriage; it doesn’t say anything about whether or not angelic beings have physical bodies. In fact, angels can walk among us unnoticed, which means they have physical bodies. Hebrews 13:2 says, «Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it.»

The angels at Christ’s tomb were mistaken for human beings. Luke 24:4 states, «As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.» So here we see, in the Scripture, that demonic beings crave physical bodies, while angels already have physical bodies. All angels in Scripture have physical bodies, including the fallen angels. Demons, by contrast, desire physical bodies; as I said, demonic beings are parasites.

So let’s examine distinction number two: Demons wander the earth. Matthew 12:43 states, «When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he wanders through dry places seeking rest and finds none.» So, demons wander the earth when they’re driven out of their host. Angels, by contrast—even the fallen ones—can go from heaven to earth at will. In Job chapter 1, verse 6, the Bible says, «Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.»

So there are a few good reasons to believe that fallen angels were among those who came to give an account to God in Job chapter 1, verse 6. First of all, the devil was no longer Lucifer; he was called Satan. Secondly, we see that the devil is in his fallen state in this particular verse because John 10:10 states, «The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy,» which is precisely what he wanted to do to Job. Thirdly, this account in Job takes place after the flood. Job 22:15–16 says, «Hast thou marked the old way which wicked men have trodden, which were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overthrown with a flood?» So this is after the worldwide flood, meaning Satan was already in his fallen state. Thus, it is safe to conclude that…