What does the Bible say about angels and demons?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that angels are holy spiritual servants of God, while demons are fallen angels who oppose him and seek to deceive and destroy. Hebrews 1:14 describes angels as ministering spirits sent to serve God’s people, and Luke 20:36 points to their heavenly nature. Scripture warns that the devil and his forces are real but defeated enemies: Revelation 12:7-9 portrays Satan’s expulsion, and Ephesians 6:12 calls believers to stand against spiritual evil through God’s strength. Jude 1:6 and 2 Peter 2:4 affirm God’s judgment on rebellious angels. Christians need not fear, for Satan is not God’s equal; they should resist him vigilantly, trusting Christ’s victory and God’s preserving grace.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Jude 1:6 5 votes
Angels who didn’t keep their first domain, but deserted their own dwelling place, he has kept in everlasting bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day.
- Ephesians 6:12 4 votes
For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
- James 2:19 4 votes
You believe that God is one. You do well. The demons also believe—and shudder.
- Jude 1:9 4 votes
But Michael, the archangel, when contending with the devil and arguing about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him an abusive condemnation, but said, “May the Lord rebuke you!”
- 2 Corinthians 11:14 3 votes
And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light.
- 2 Peter 2:4 3 votes
For if God didn’t spare angels when they sinned, but cast them down to Tartarus, and committed them to pits of darkness to be reserved for judgment;
- Revelation 12:7-9 3 votes
There was war in the sky. Michael and his angels made war on the dragon. The dragon and his angels made war. They didn’t prevail. No place was found for them any more in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, the old serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
- Hebrews 1:14 2 votes
Aren’t they all serving spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?
- Luke 20:36 2 votes
For they can’t die any more, for they are like the angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection.
- 1 Peter 5:8 2 votes
Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Related topics
Go deeper
Ask Explain Bible AI about angels and demons and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.
Ask what the Bible says about angels and demons