Fallen Angel

Definition and Meaning

A fallen angel is a spiritual being originally created by God as a good angel who rebelled against God and fell from its original position. The Bible refers to them as "the angels that sinned" (2 Peter 2:4) and "the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation" (Jude 1:6). Christian tradition generally regards Satan (the devil) as their leader and understands demons (evil spirits) as the host that followed him.

Biblical and Historical Background

The Bible does not explain in detail, in any single passage, how the angels fell. The texts most commonly cited are the following:

• 2 Peter 2:4–5 and Jude 1:6
• Revelation 12:9, which describes the great dragon and his angels being cast out of heaven
• Matthew 25:41, which speaks of "everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels"

Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28: The reading of the "day star, son of the morning" in Isaiah 14:12 (rendered in the KJV as "Lucifer, son of the morning") and of the lament over the king of Tyre in Ezekiel 28:12–19 as depictions of Satan's fall dates back to the patristic era, to Origen and others. The name "Lucifer" derives from the word the Latin Vulgate used to translate "day star." By contrast, many commentators, including John Calvin, follow the context and read these passages as prophecies concerning the king of Babylon and the king of Tyre.

Genesis 6: Genesis 6:1–4 records that "the sons of God" took wives from among "the daughters of men." The Jewish Book of Enoch interprets this as a fall of angels, and some early Church Fathers adopted this interpretation. From Augustine onward, the view that "the sons of God" were the descendants of Seth became widespread in the Western church.

Confessions of faith: The Westminster Confession of Faith affirms that apostate angels will also be judged at the Last Judgment.

Practice in the Korean Church

In the preaching and teaching of Korean churches, fallen angels are discussed mainly in the context of explaining Satan, the devil, and demons. Emphases differ by denomination:

• Presbyterian and other Reformed traditions: These generally affirm that fallen angels actually exist. Rather than speculating about their origin and power, however, they tend to emphasize that Christ has already triumphed.
• Pentecostal and Full Gospel churches: In keeping with the Pentecostal tradition, these churches practice the casting out of demons (deliverance) and divine healing relatively actively in their ministry. When speaking of the believer's spiritual warfare, they frequently cite Ephesians 6:10–18.

As "spiritual warfare" discourse spread from around the 1990s, controversy also arose over the identity of demons. Kim Ki-dong of Berea taught that demons are not fallen angels but the spirits of unbelievers that remain after death. The general assemblies of several Presbyterian denominations are reported to have objected to this teaching and declared it heretical. Berea maintains that its teaching is grounded in Scripture. In a similar vein, some denominations have also been wary of generational curse theory and of the "territorial spirits" concept associated with the New Apostolic Reformation.