Are demons fallen angels? Although people who hold traditional view would answer in the affirmative, evangelist David Diga Hernandez thinks this is not true since it contradicts the Scripture.
Writing for Charisma News, Hernandez says demons cannot be called fallen angels for at least three reasons as mentioned in the Bible.
"The Bible speaks of demons, and it speaks of the fall of Lucifer and the co-rebellion of a third of the angels, but no verses actually link the two and define demons as fallen angels," says Hernandez, who is also a healing minister, author and TV host.
He then describes the three subtle distinctions between demons and fallen angels as mentioned in the Bible.
1. Angels have own bodies; demons don't
According to Hernandez, demons do not have bodies of their own but need the bodies of others to show their presence. He cites the story of Jesus casting demons who possessed a man. While being cast out, the demons begged Jesus to send them into a herd of pigs. "If you cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine" (Matt. 8:30–31, MEV).
However, both holy and fallen angels can appear in physical form and even interact with humans, walking among us without being noticed, Hernandez says.
He cites Hebrew 13:2, MEV: "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unknowingly."
2. Demons wander the earth; angels don't
Demons are cursed to wander the earth while angels, even the fallen ones, have the ability to stand before God in heavenly places, Hernandez says.
He cites Job 1:6, MEV: "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and the Adversary also came among them."
But nowhere in the Bible is there a mention of demons moving from the earth to God's presence, Hernandez says.
3. Fallen angels called 'angels that sinned'; demons called 'devils'
When referring to fallen angels, the New Testament does not use the terms demons, devils or unclean spirits. Instead, to make a distinction between God's holy angels and fallen angels, the New Testament simply calls them the angels "that sinned," he says.
Demons, on the other hand, are referred to as "devils," "unclean spirits" and simply "demons."
