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Angels and Demons
Why are Angels and
Demons Fascinating?
Sociological/Human– Mystery
– Order & Stability in Universe
Religious/Spiritual– 2008 Pew Forum
Survey 77% Monotheistic
92% Universal Power/Spirit
Experience
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Angels and Us
3Guardian Angel
Angels in Love
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Questions?Do angels have wings?
Do you have a guardian angel?
Can we see angels?
Should I fear the devil?
Do angels have bodies?
Can demons know your thoughts?
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OutlineI. What Angels AreII. What Angels DoIII. Angels and UsIV. Questions
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What Angels AreI. Preliminary
DefinitionsII. Importance of
angelsIII.How we know
angels
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I. DefinitionsThe term “angel” can be:
A.General: All spiritual beings
B.Proper: Those spirits who chose God (as opposed to “demons”)
C.Specific: The lowest order of the heavenly host
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II. Importance of Angels The existence of angels is a truth of faith Christ is at the center of our faith and the
angelic world. They are his angels: "When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him." They belong to him because they were
created through and for him: "for in him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities - all things were created through him and for him."
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II. Importance of AngelsTwo Extremes
Materialism
New Age / Spiritualism
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III. How we Know Angels
TraditionScripture
Reason
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III. How we Know Angels A. Tradition
The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls “angels” is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition. CCC 328
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III. How we Know AngelsB. Scripture:
Old Testament Angelic
Appearances to: Abraham, Jacob,
Elijah, Balaam, Daniel, Tobit, and Hannah
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III. How we Know AngelsB. Scripture:
New Testament
Angels Appear to: Mary, Joseph,
Zachariah, John, Peter, Paul, and Mary Magdalene
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III. How we Know Angels
C. ReasonFaith seeking Understanding
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III. How we Know Angels Sherlock Holmes
Method: “When all other possibilities have been eliminated,
whatever remains, however improbable, must
be the truth.”
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Nature of God Pure Spirit Perfect Infinite Immutable Eternal One Love
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Humans Body and Soul Rational Desire Feelings Mortal Temporal Change our
minds
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What Angels AreSinceangels
“in between”God and us
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Who Angels Are Angels do
not have bodies
They are pure spirits
But like can take on and influence bodies
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Who Angels Are Angels are
persons Posses intellect
without reason Exercise free
will without emotion
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What Angels Are Intellect: Angels
are not rational
Angels are intellectual
Angel knowledge is akin to our intuition
Angels understand all the effects of their actions
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What Angels Are
Will: Angels simply choose based on what they understand as good
Angels do not have emotions but have the “result” of emotions
They possess the “state of being” and not the passion itself.
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What Angels Are Angels do not
occupy “space” They are in a
“place” Wherever
they “act” is where they are
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What Angels Are As creatures,
angels are “in” time Time: Before and
After of Motion Angels
experience “discreet” not “continuous” time Angels move by
will
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What Angels Are The gender of
angels is not determined by body But since they
are created persons, they are not “neuter” They possess
masculine and feminine traits
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Conclusions Angels are creatures made by God Angels are non-corporeal, spiritual beings When they occupy a body, they act in
human time/space Angels posses all the perfections of intellect
of will
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Part II:What Angels Do
I. Angels as “Messengers”II. Choirs of AngelsIII. Fall of the Angels IV. Scriptural Images
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Part II:What Angels Do
I. Angels as “Messengers”II. Choirs of AngelsIII. Fall of the Angels IV. Scriptural Images
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Part II:What Angels Do
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I. Angels as “Messengers” “’Angel’ is the name of
their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is ‘spirit’; if you seek the name of their office, it is ‘angel’: from what they are, ‘spirit’, from what they do, ‘angel.’” St. Augustine
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I. Angels as “Messengers” With their whole
beings the angels are servants and messengers of God. Because they “always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven” they are the “mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word.” CCC 328
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II. Choirs of Angels
Seraphim Dominations Principalities
Cherubim Virtues Archangels
Thrones Powers Angels
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Jean Fouquet The Enthronement of the Virgin1452-60
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Seraphim (To burn/Charity) These are the highest
order or choir of angels. Angelic attendants by
God's throne. They sing "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts.“ (Rev 5:6)
One of them touched Isaiah's lips with a live coal from the altar, cleansing him from sin.(Isaiah 6:1-7)
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Cherubim(One who prays/Wisdom)
Second choir of angels "He drove out the man;
and at the east of the Garden of Eden he placed the Cherubim, and a Flaming Sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the Tree of Life." (Gen 3:24)
On the Ark of the Covenant
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Thrones (Wheels/Justice)
This third choir of angels are believed to be deployed like charioteers around the Throne of God.
As described in Ezekiel 1:13-19:
Four wings, Four faces They sparkled like the
color of burnished brass. They had the hands of a
man under their wings.
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The Middle Choirs “For in him all things were created
in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or virtues or principalities or powers - all things were created through him and for him.” (Col 1:16)
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The Middle Choirs Dominations: Govern the
Universe Virtues: Angels of Miracles Powers: Depicted with
swords because they have power to restrain the devil
Principalities: Depicted with scepters since they govern nations and territories
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Michael:Who is like God
Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they were defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. Rev 12:7
Three Archangels
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Gabriel:God’s Strength
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Henry Ossawa TannerThe Annunciation1898
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Raphael: God’s Healing
Tobit’s blindness Tobias JourneyEngagement problemsHealing
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Review of God’s Messengers Personal spirits
who “angel” There are
different “choirs” of angels that correspond to their moral intellectual perfections
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III. Fall of the Angels
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III. The Fall of the Angels Timeline: Everything God created is
good. Lucifer was created as a
“good” angel But the devil rejected God
and war ensued. (Rev 12:7-12)
Satan was cast down to earth and tempts Adam and Eve
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III. The Fall of the Angels How did one of
God’s most perfect creations reject Him?
Free Will: A perfection and a liability.
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III. The Fall of the Angels
If Satan is so intelligent why did he reject God?
The ultimate mystery of sin
Pride and malice and its consequence.
“Non serviam”
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III. The Fall of the Angels
If God is merciful, why doesn’t He forgive the devil?
The devil does not want to be forgiven
Satan will never change his mind
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III. The Fall of the Angels
Conclusions: As one of God’s most perfect
creations, the devil is powerful But Lucifer is only a limited
creature It is a great mystery that
providence should permit diabolical activity, but "we know that in everything God works for good with those who love him."
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Angelic Fall: Summary
The fall of the angels is the result of free choice not of creation
The demons choose self over God
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What Angels DoPart IV. Role of Angels in
Scripture
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Angelic Résumé Enlighten
Guard
Govern
Guide
Announce Historical Events
Accompany Christ, Mary & Saints
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Angels Enlighten Us about God
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Angels Enlighten Us about Self
54“Israel” St John and Apocalypse
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Angels Guard Us
55Michael & Israel St Peter’s Liberation
Angels Govern Us
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Exile from ParadiseLast Judgment
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Annunciations
Manoah & wife Zechariah
Annunciation
Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.
(Lk 1:26-38)
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Annunciation to Joseph
An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.(Matt. 1:20)
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Nativity And suddenly there was with the angel a
multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with
whom he is pleased! (Luke 2:13-14)
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Angels & Saints
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What Angels Do: ConclusionsAngels EnlightenAngels GuardAngels GovernAngels GuideAngels AnnounceAccompany Christ
& Saints
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Angels and Us•Devils and Temptations
•Guardian Angels
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Devils and Temptations• The main activity
of the devil is to lead us astray (Gen 3)
• “Misery loves company”
• The devil even tempts Jesus
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Demons and Us
• Nature of Demons
• Influence, Obsession & Possession
• Exorcism and Deliverance
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Review: Angels and Demons
• What is a Demon?
• Do they have bodies?
• An Evil Angel.
• Are they all the same?
• Can they think/desire?
• Can they inhabit a body?
• No. Pure Spirits.
• Can devil influence me?
• Yes.
• Yes. Intellectual beings
• No. All different.
• Love. Free Will
• Yes.
• Why does God allow devil to exist?
Demonic Activity• Should we fear the devil?• Should we respect
the devil ?
• No.
• Is there a difference between demonic influence and mental illness?
• Can you make a pact?
• Yes.
• Yes. But never our soul.
• Yes.
• Yes. But demons can influence our body/mind
• Can demon take control of me?
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Influence, Obsession & Possession
• Influence– Temptation
– Nightmares
– Depression
Influence, Obsession & Possession
• Obsession– Paranormal Activity
– Mental Anguish
– Illness
– Great Misfortune
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Influence of Evil Spirits
• Since the devils are spirits, they have a certain power over material things
• If we are open to them, they can take control of our intellect and will
• Since they are creatures, evil spirits cannot read our minds and hearts, though they know our weaknesses
Influence, Obsession & Possession
• Possession– Demon resides in and has full use of the body
of human being
– The will is not possessed but “pushed” aside
– There is no necessary moral judgment on the person per se.
– Often the person will have no memory of being in a possessed state.
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Exorcism and Deliverance
• Exorcism is the commanding of devil to come out of the possessed person.– Not a conversation/interview
• The main task of exorcist is discernment– The ritual is straight forward
• Permission for Exorcism is Required– Priest ought to be holy, mature and prepared
Exorcism and Deliverance• Characteristics:
– Horror of the sacred.– 2nd evil personality emerges– Anger/Violence– Split between normalcy/manifestation
• Causes:– Making a pact– Taking part in occult practices, spiritualism, rites, e.g.
Ouija board, etc.– Being the victim of witchcraft– Victim Soul
• N.B. Confession is more powerful than exorcism.
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In the Grip of Evil
• Account of the alleged true story about demonic possession that was behind William Friedkin's “The Exorcist.”
• Based on documents, statements and interviews with people who followed the case, including the priests involved in the exorcism, a close look at the events that really happened is shown.
Protection Against the devil
• Having a mature Spiritual life– Prayer– Scripture– Sacramental life (Confession, Communion)– Rosary
• Other helps:– Prayer to St Michael– St Benedict medal– Holy Water
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Books
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Condition of our “Fallen” world
• The devil is real and is active
• The greatest lie of the “father of lies” tells: that he does not exist.
• The devil desires nothing less than to govern our hearts and minds that are made for God
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What Guardian Angels Do• Part of God’s plan to
protect us:• "He will give His
angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone" (Ps. 90:11-12).
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What are Guardian Angels
"Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to possess salvation?”(Heb1:14)
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Guardian Angels• St. Basil: "Every one of the faithful has beside him
an angel as tutor and pastor, to lead him to life.”• Guardian Angels reveal
our divine destiny
• October 2 is the Feast Day of our Guardian angels
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Guardian Angels
The two faces of our Guardians
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First Face Towards God
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.
(Matthew 18:10)
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Second Face Towards Mankind
From its beginning until its death, human life is
surrounded by the watchful care and intercession of the
angels.
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Womb to Tomb
The notion of angels is to be mysteriously in the presence of
God on our behalf, and simultaneously with us on our
behalf. Guardian angels provide womb-to-tomb – lighting and
guarding, ruling and guiding…all the days of our lives.
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Angels and Us: Conclusions• God gives us each a angel to light, guard,
rule, and guide us• Evil spirits have powerful influence in the
world• We ought not to fear of the devil but
recognize our weakness• We need to be asking for the help we
need.• In Advent angels help us to receive Christ.
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Prayer to our Guardian Angel
Angel of God, my Guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here ever this day be at my side to light, to guard, to rule, and guide. Amen.
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Prayer to St Michaelthe Archangel
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the day of battle, be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O heavenly host, by the power of God cast into Hell Satan and all the devils who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
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