Free Demons
1. Demons and Fallen Angels are the Same
To understand the origin of free demons, it is necessary to recognize that demons and fallen angels are one and the same rather than two separate categories of beings. That they are the same can be seen in five ways.
a. The Same Relationship to Satan
The first evidence is that both demons and fallen angels are said to have a similar relationship to Satan. This relationship is brought out in four ways. First, Satan, who is an angel, is called the prince of demons (Mat. 12:24). This indicates that those who follow him are also angels. Secondly, Satan has a well-organized order or rank of angels (Eph. 6:11–12), and it is very reasonable to suppose that these fallen ranks of angels are demons. Thirdly, they are referred to as the devil’s angels (Mat. 25:41) and are in all likelihood demons. Fourthly, they are also called Satan’s angels (Rev. 12:7–9), and this, too, points to them as being the same as demons. These four passages show that fallen angels and demons have a similar relationship to Satan, implying that they are one and the same.
b. The Same Essence of Being
The second evidence that fallen angels and demons are one and the same is that they have the same essence of being; both are spirit beings.
c. The Same Activities
The third evidence is that demons and fallen angels conduct similar activities in that both seek to enter men, and both war against men and God. Fallen angels do this (Rev. 9:1–2, 11, 13–15), and demons do the same thing (Rev. 9:3–10, 16–21). This indicates that fallen angels and demons are the same.
d. The Same Abode
The fourth evidence that fallen angels and demons are one and the same is that they both share the same abode, the air; they dwell in the atmospheric heavens (Eph. 2:2; 6:12; Rev. 12:7–12).
e. The Same in the Biblical Text
The fifth evidence that demons and fallen angels are one and the same is that in all biblical texts one finds either fallen angels or demons, but never both. No single verse mentions fallen angels and demons at the same time, with every applicable passage speaking of either one or the other.
In order to understand the origin of free demons, it should be remembered that fallen angels and demons are one and the same. Once this is understood, then the origin of free demons can also be understood. Free demons, who are fallen angels, originated at the time of the Fall of Satan in that demons are the angels who fell with Satan.
2. The Results of the Fall of Satan on Angels
Ezekiel 28:11–19 describes the Fall of Satan, who fell by the abundance of his traffic (v. 16). What the Hebrew terminology implies is that Satan went from one angel to another defaming God, in order to capture the angels’ allegiance to himself. Some of these angels were deceived by the satanic lie: that he would accomplish those five I wills, including the desire to be like God (Is. 14:12–14).
Some angels were convinced by Satan’s claim, but the majority were not. Those who were convinced by Satan are the ones who fell with him. They are now the demons who are free and doing the bidding of Satan.
There were three results of the fall of these angels: first, they lost their original holiness; secondly, they became corrupt in nature and conduct as the various Old and New Testament names for demons demonstrate; and thirdly, these angels became the demons of Satan.
Excerpt from Dr Arnold Fruchtenbaum:
MBS082 DEMONOLOGY: THE DOCTRINE OF DEMONS: Pg 10-12
