Angels, Satan, and Death.

Summary: The Doctrine of Angels, Satan, and Death

1. The Doctrine of Angels

Who Are Angels?

Angels are created spirit beings (Hebrews 1:14; Psalm 104:4), entirely subject to God’s will.
They are numerous (Revelation 5:11) and organized in heavenly hierarchies or ranks (1 Thessalonians 4:16; Jude 9).
Though powerful (2 Peter 2:11), angels have no independent authority and act only according to God's purposes.
They sometimes appear in human form when sent on divine missions (Genesis 19:1; Luke 1:11, 26).
They must not be worshipped (Colossians 2:18; Revelation 22:8-9).

What Do Angels Do?

They are ministering spirits sent to serve the elect (Hebrews 1:14).
They protect and watch over believers, including children (Psalm 91:11; Matthew 18:10).
They worship Christ, their Creator (Hebrews 1:6), and ministered to Him (Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43).
Some angels sinned and fell with Satan (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6), becoming demons who oppose God’s work.

Note: Angels never mediate salvation. Christ alone is the Mediator. Angels serve His redemptive plan but do not participate in redemption.

2. The Doctrine of Satan and Demons

Who is Satan?

Satan is a created angelic being who fell through pride and rebellion against God (Isaiah 14:12–14; Ezekiel 28:12–17).
He was cast out of Heaven (Luke 10:18) and now leads a kingdom of darkness (Ephesians 6:12).

His Names and Power:

Known as the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4), the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2), and the adversary (1 Peter 5:8).
He is not omnipotent, omniscient, or omnipresent. He is a limited, created being.
His power is under God's sovereign control (Job 1:6–12; Luke 22:31–32).

His Works:

He deceives, tempts, and accuses (Genesis 3:1; John 8:44; Revelation 12:10).
He blinds the minds of unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4:4).
He cannot touch the elect except by God's permission—and even this is ultimately for their sanctification (Romans 8:28).

His End:

Satan will be finally judged and cast into the lake of fire forever (Revelation 20:10). Come

3. The Doctrine of Death

What Is Death?

Death is not a natural or neutral part of creation. It is the judicial consequence of sin. God warned Adam that if he disobeyed, he would surely die (Genesis 2:17). When Adam sinned, death entered the world and spread to all mankind because all sinned in him as their federal head (Romans 5:12, 17–19).

Death, therefore, is not part of the original goodness of creation—it is an intruder brought about by human rebellion. It is not merely physical, but includes spiritual and eternal consequences.

“For the wages of sin is death...” (Romans 6:23)

Yet, through the atoning work of Jesus Christ, death has been defeated for the elect—those chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world (1 Corinthians 15:54–57; Hebrews 2:14–15). Though believers still die physically, death has lost its sting, and it now serves as the doorway to eternal life with Christ.

Three Types of Death

1. Spiritual Death

This is the state of alienation from God that all humans are born into because of original sin. It means being spiritually dead, unable to respond to God without regeneration (Ephesians 2:1–5; Romans 3:10–12). It is not mere moral weakness—it is total spiritual inability.

“Dead in trespasses and sins...” (Ephesians 2:1)

2. Physical Death

This is the separation of the soul from the body. It is the most visible form of death, and the one all human beings face (Hebrews 9:27). The body returns to dust, and the soul goes either to be with Christ or to a place of torment.

“It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27)

3. Eternal Death (The Second Death)

This is the final and irreversible separation from the presence of God, in conscious torment, for all who die in their sins (Revelation 21:8; Matthew 25:46). It is the culmination of spiritual death and results from rejection of the gospel.

“The lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)

What Happens at Death?

For Believers (The Elect)

Their souls immediately enter into the presence of Christ, which is “far better” than remaining in the body (Luke 23:43; Philippians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:8).
Their bodies rest in the grave, often referred to as “sleep,” and will be raised in glory at the return of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:42–44; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18).
They will be fully glorified, conformed to the image of Christ—free from sin, sorrow, and suffering (Romans 8:30; Hebrews 12:23; 1 John 3:2).

“To be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8)

For Unbelievers (The Reprobate)

Their souls enter immediately into conscious torment, awaiting final judgment (Luke 16:22–26; Hebrews 9:27).
Their bodies will be raised unto judgment, and they will be cast into the lake of fire, suffering everlasting punishment (Revelation 20:11–15; Matthew 10:28).

“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” (Psalm 9:17)

Resurrection and the Final State

The resurrection is not merely spiritual—it is bodily and universal. Both the righteous and the wicked will be raised, but to vastly different destinies (John 5:28–29).

Believers:

Will be raised with incorruptible, glorified bodies, patterned after Christ’s own resurrected body (Philippians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 15:49–53).
Will dwell forever in the new heavens and new earth, where righteousness dwells and there is no more death or sorrow (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1–4).
Will recognize one another, worship Christ together, and enjoy perfect fellowship in God's eternal kingdom (Luke 9:30–31; John 20:16–29; 1 Thessalonians 2:19–20).

“So shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

Unbelievers:

Will be raised to everlasting shame and contempt, bearing the full guilt of their sins without a mediator (Daniel 12:2; John 5:29).
Will face eternal conscious punishment, often referred to as hell or the second death, where there is no rest (Matthew 25:46; Revelation 14:11; Revelation 20:15).

“These shall go away into everlasting punishment...” (Matthew 25:46)

Key Doctrinal Truths

Death is not the end—all people will continue eternally in either joy or judgment.
Salvation from death comes only through union with Jesus Christ, who alone has conquered death (John 11:25–26).
There is no second chance after death—purgatory is unbiblical. Judgment is final and eternal (Hebrews 9:27).
The believer faces death with hope, not in fear, because Christ has secured eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:58).
The unbeliever must be warned, urgently and lovingly, of the danger of dying in sin (2 Corinthians 5:11; Ezekiel 33:11).

KISWAHILI

Fundisho la Kifo

Kifo ni Nini?

Kifo si jambo la asili wala la kawaida. Ni adhabu ya haki kwa dhambi. Mungu alimwonya Adamu kwamba akivunja amri, “hakika atakufa” (Mwanzo 2:17). Adamu alipotenda dhambi, kifo kikaingia ulimwenguni na kikawaathiri wanadamu wote kwa sababu wote walitenda dhambi ndani yake kama kiongozi wao wa agano (Warumi 5:12, 17–19).

Kwa hiyo, kifo si sehemu ya uumbaji mwema wa Mungu—ni mgeni aliyeletwa na uasi wa mwanadamu. Kifo si cha kimwili tu, bali pia kina athari za kiroho na za milele.

“Kwa maana mshahara wa dhambi ni mauti...” (Warumi 6:23)

Hata hivyo, kupitia kazi ya upatanisho ya Yesu Kristo, kifo kimeshindwa kwa ajili ya wateule—wale walioteuliwa katika Kristo kabla ya kuwekwa msingi wa dunia (1 Wakorintho 15:54–57; Waebrania 2:14–15). Ingawa waumini bado hufa kimwili, kifo hakina tena ushindi juu yao, na sasa huwa ni mlango wa kuingia katika uzima wa milele pamoja na Kristo.

Aina Tatu za Kifo

1. Kifo Cha Kiroho

Hiki ni kutengwa na Mungu kwa sababu ya dhambi. Wanadamu wote huzaliwa katika hali hii ya uovu na uasi. Mwanadamu yupo mfu kiroho, asiyeweza kumwelekea Mungu bila kuzaliwa upya (Waefeso 2:1–5; Warumi 3:10–12).

“Mlikuwa wafu kwa sababu ya makosa yenu na dhambi zenu...” (Waefeso 2:1)

2. Kifo Cha Kimwili

Ni kutengana kwa nafsi na mwili. Ni aina ya kifo inayoonekana wazi, na kila mtu anakumbana nayo (Waebrania 9:27). Mwili hurudi mavumbini, lakini nafsi huenda ama kwa Kristo au mahali pa mateso.

“Kwa maana wanadamu wamewekewa kufa mara moja, kisha hukumu...” (Waebrania 9:27)

3. Kifo Cha Milele (Kifo cha Pili)

Ni kutengwa kabisa na uso wa Mungu milele, katika mateso ya milele kwa wale wanaokufa katika dhambi zao bila wokovu (Ufunuo 21:8; Mathayo 25:46).

“...zikiwa ni ziwa la moto na kiberiti. Hii ndiyo mauti ya pili.” (Ufunuo 21:8)

Nini Hutokea Wakati wa Kifo?

Kwa Waumini (Wateule)

Nafsi zao huenda mara moja kwa Kristo mbinguni, mahali palipo bora zaidi kuliko kubaki katika mwili (Luka 23:43; Wafilipi 1:23; 2 Wakorintho 5:8).
Miili yao hulala kaburini, ikisubiri kufufuliwa kwa utukufu wakati wa kurudi kwa Kristo (1 Wakorintho 15:42–44; 1 Wathesalonike 4:13–18).
Watatukuzwa kabisa, wakifanana na Kristo, wakiwa huru kabisa na dhambi, huzuni, na mateso (Warumi 8:30; Waebrania 12:23; 1 Yohana 3:2).

“Kuwa mbali na mwili ni kuwa nyumbani na Bwana.” (2 Wakorintho 5:8)

Kwa Wasioamini (Waliopotea)

Nafsi zao huingia mara moja mahali pa mateso ya kiroho, wakiendelea kungoja hukumu ya mwisho (Luka 16:22–26; Waebrania 9:27).
Miili yao itafufuliwa kwa hukumu, na watahukumiwa mbele ya kiti cha enzi cha Mungu na kutupwa kwenye ziwa la moto (Ufunuo 20:11–15; Mathayo 10:28).

“Waovu watarejezwa kuzimu, na mataifa yote wamnisahau Mungu.” (Zaburi 9:17)

Ufufuo na Hali ya Mwisho

Ufufuo sio wa kiroho tu, bali ni wa mwili na ni wa watu wote—wa haki na waovu. Lakini matokeo yake ni tofauti kabisa (Yohana 5:28–29).

Waumini:

Watafufuliwa wakiwa na miili ya utukufu isiyoharibika, kama ile ya Kristo aliyefufuka (Wafilipi 3:21; 1 Wakorintho 15:49–53).
Watakaa milele katika mbingu mpya na dunia mpya, ambako hakuna kifo tena, wala huzuni wala machozi (2 Petro 3:13; Ufunuo 21:1–4).
Watatambuana, kama vile wanafunzi walivyomtambua Yesu baada ya kufufuka (Luka 9:30–31; Yohana 20:16–29; 1 Wathesalonike 2:19–20).

“Hivyo tutakuwa pamoja na Bwana milele.” (1 Wathesalonike 4:17)

Wasioamini:

Watafufuliwa kwa aibu ya milele na hukumu, wakiwa na hatia zao zote mbele ya Mungu (Danieli 12:2; Yohana 5:29).
Watateseka katika mateso ya milele yenye fahamu, katika ziwa la moto lisilozimika (Mathayo 25:46; Ufunuo 14:11; Ufunuo 20:15).

“Na hawa watakwenda kwenye adhabu ya milele...” (Mathayo 25:46)

Misingi Muhimu ya Kiimani

Kifo si mwisho—kila mtu ataendelea kuishi milele, katika furaha au hukumu.
Wokovu kutoka kwa kifo huja tu kwa kuunganishwa na Yesu Kristo, aliyeshinda kifo (Yohana 11:25–26).
Hakuna nafasi ya pili baada ya kifo—fundisho la toharani (purgatory) si la kibiblia (Waebrania 9:27).
Mwamini hukabiliana na kifo kwa tumaini, si kwa hofu, kwa kuwa Kristo ameshinda kifo kwa ajili yake (1 Wakorintho 15:58).
Wasiomwamini Kristo lazima waonywe, kwa bidii na kwa upendo, juu ya hatari ya kufa katika dhambi zao (2 Wakorintho 5:11; Ezekieli 33:11).

Kenneth Malenge

Swahili and English Teachings on Angels, and Death