WHAT ARE DEMONS?

What are demons? Let me begin by saying that I do not know for sure. "Demon" is from δαιμον (daimon) which means "devil." Since there is only one devil (Satan - Rev. 12:9), translators transliterated the word for clarity. While it appears that most biblical scholars and noted theologians believe demons are fallen angels, I am not sure. The passages which refer to Satan's fall (Matt. 25:41; Lk. 10:18; Rev. 12:4, 9) do not state demons are "fallen angels."

"Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matt. 25:41).

"And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven" (Lk. 10:18).

"And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born" (Rev. 12:4).

"And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him" (Rev. 12:9).

And, according to 2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 1:6, the angels which chose to follow Satan are currently bound by chains in hell until they are judged by God.

"For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment" (2 Pet. 2:4).

"And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day" (Jude 1:6).

The obvious question is, if they are bound in hell, how could they possess folks during the ministry of Jesus? I have a theory, but let me say at the outset, I do not know of anyone who believes as I do; therefore, I caution you to be as the Bereans (Acts 17:11).

It is possible that the "fallen angels" were cast into hell after the ministry of Jesus. Note that at the time of the writing of Jude and Revelation, they were bound, but they may not have been bound until after Jesus rose from the dead, and was then given the keys to hell. John wrote, "I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death" (Rev. 1:18).

There is a distinct possibility that "fallen angels" were loosed during the ministry of Jesus in order for Him to cast them out of folks, thus verifying His identity. Matthew quoted Jesus as saying, "But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you" (Matt. 12:28). Today, they are bound, thank God!