Is Satan an archangel who rebelled against God? Many believe so, but one may search Genesis and read on until the end of Revelation, but one would never read that Satan is an archangel. In order to discover information that says Satan is an archangel, one must read extra-biblical literature. The idea is not scriptural, because it simply is not in the Bible! In fact, the scriptures reveal the existence of only one archangel, and that is Michael (Jude 1:9).
On the other hand, if Satan is not an archangel could he be an angelic being? No, neither is he an angel, although some might conclude that he is by reading 2Corinthians 11:14.
2 Corinthians 11:14 KJV (14) And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Nevertheless, when one considers the context, this idea lacks support. 2Corinthians 11:13 says men were troubling the church at Corinth, claiming to be apostles, but Paul calls them false apostles. Using the logic many derive from 2Corinthians 11:14, one could hardly conclude from verse-13 that by virtue of their power to transform their appearance, these false apostles became actual apostles. They were never apostles to begin with, for Paul calls them false apostles and later (verse-15) refers to them as ministers of Satan, who transformed themselves to appear as though they were ministers of righteousness.
Therefore, using this same reasoning about false apostles, can we say with certainty that verse-14 claims Satan is an angelic being, when it calls him an angel of light? This, itself, is an oxymoron. How could we ever believe, by the virtue of his power of deception, that Satan is an angel of light. The whole idea of his transformation is for deception or to impersonate the reality. The act of transformation, vis-à-vis the deception, does not make Satan the real thing. However, if Satan is not an angel of light, could 2Corinthians 11:14 be construed to indicate that he is at least an angelic being? In other words, could Satan be an angel, whom God created in the beginning (cp. Genesis 1:1)? I don’t believe so, because nowhere else in scripture are the words Satan, devil, serpent, wicked one or dragon associated with the word angel! One needs more than one verse in the Bible to build a doctrine.
Many believe Job chapters one and two and Revelation chapter 12 show that Satan is an angelic being, but even in these scriptures Satan is not called an angel or an archangel. They cannot be used to support the assumption that Satan is an angel.
The word ‘satan’ is from the Hebrew satan (H7854) and simply means “adversary” or “enemy.” Christians have used the word for a title for a rebellious being, but the scriptures cannot be used to prove that a being, of the nature we describe in our doctrine of Satan, ever existed. Consider, for example, in 1Samuel 29:4 David is called the Philistine’s satan (H7854). In 2Samuel 19:22 one of David’s close associates acted as his satan by giving him bad advice. 1Kings 5:4 reveals that God gave Solomon peace on all his borders, and he had no satans or enemies! Later, however, God stirred up several satans, because of Solomon’s unfaithfulness (cp. 1Kings 11:14, 23, 25). We can even find that the Angel of the Lord, who later became Jesus, was Balaam’s satan or adversary (H7854, cp. Numbers 22:22, 32)!
In scripture referred to above, the same word is used. Therefore, just because we see the word satan in scripture does not necessarily indicate some evil and powerful being is presented in the text. On the contrary, what would we do with David (1Samuel 29:4) or the Angel of the Lord (Numbers 22:22, 32)? For that matter, what would we do with Peter? The Lord called him a satan, when Peter tried to give Jesus bad advice about the necessity of Jesus having to die on the cross (Matthew 16:23), just as David’s close associate did to him (2Samuel 19:22).
If we believe the scriptures are accurate testimony to teach us what we should believe, not only can’t we prove Satan is an archangel, but we can’t even say he is an angel. 2Corinthians 11:14 simply cannot be used to show he is an angelic being. The context simply doesn’t support this proposition, and there are no other scriptures in all the Bible that claim Satan is an angel. So, if he isn’t an angel, what is he?[1]
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[1] This study has been revised and updated as of December 2024.
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16 responses to “Is Satan an Archangel or Even an Angel?”
You said, “Friend, you have misunderstood me, as you have often done in our discussion. I have never claimed that angels are illusions. They are real spirit beings. They simply are not human, nor do the procreate whether as angels or when they appear as humans. When they appear as they actually are, men are very afraid. Daniel, although, he had a number of visions of angels, simply had no strength in him. He was in awe of them.”
Really now, what does Daniel’s vision of an angel appearing as an angel have to do with this discussions? Lol… You will not let go of your false beliefs and admit to learning something new. Angels that appear as humans do have a human body, wherefore they can even eat! You deny the scriptures. Admit the scriptures that say angels eat, sleep, and so on when they are appearing as humans….admit that then you would have to admit they may even have sexual intercourse in these human bodies.
You said, “If your definition of reincarnation is not the typical definition, why is it “laughable” if I have misunderstood you? In what sense would you conclude that Jesus was “alive and existed before God prepared him for a human body”?”
I have already gave you scripture concerning Jesus existing before he had a human body.
You said, “It is about all Israel will be saved…” If I say “all Israel will be saved”, why am I wrong when the Bible says “all Israel will be saved, yet when you say “all Israel will be saved, you are correct? What form of logic are you using, or could it be you are not telling me the complete story here?”
You are wrong because you think God saving all Israel means all Israelis, but the Bible tells us who and what Israel is. The Bible also says not all from Israel are Israel, yet you say ALL Israel will be saved, everyone.
You said, “Oh, okay, now you offer what perhaps to you appears to be the rest of the story. So, let me understand this before I comment on Romans 9. Are you saying that only those Israelites who believe will be saved, or, in other words: faith in Christ = salvation? If this is so, I would also like to know from you from where does anyone—Israelite or Gentile—get this faith. Reply to this and I will give my reply concerning not all Israel is Israel.”
Are you not a Calvinist?
You said, “The first time the phrase “sons of God” is mentioned in the Bible is in Genesis 6. When Moses wrote the first five books of the Law, the Israelites had nothing to compare this phrase with except for Deuteronomy 14:1 where Moses called them the children (sons—same word as in Genesis 6: H1121) of the Lord their God. On the other hand you don’t have a single verse in the Bible which says an angel is a ‘son’ of God or angels are the ‘sons’ of God. On the contrary Hebrews 1:5 would seem to belie them being specifically called a child or son of God. If one would not allow the references in Job to the “sons” of God to be angels by the fact of creation, they couldn’t even be generally understood as “sons” of God in the Scriptures. You have no Scriptural foundation for your understanding of Genesis 6 except for an implication in Job. All specific references in Scripture to the “sons” of God are to men.”
Since you are TELLING me instead of asking…I will not go through the time to show you the scripture. You would not believe them anyways.
You said, “Nephilim is the Hebrew word for “giants” (H5303). It is simply not translated and carried over into the English language unchanged. When the translator does this, he gives the appearance of mystery. “Oh! Wow! What does this mean?”
You again put yourself above others, even when you do not know for sure what they know or believe. The Nephilim are giants, and that is what I said. Pay attention.
Really now, what does Daniel’s vision of an angel appearing as an angel have to do with this discussions? Lol…
I might ask you what this question has to our discussion. Might I remind you that you had accused me of believing angels are illusions? I was merely pointing out how real they are. Daniel had no strength in the angel’s presence—no illusion here!
You will not let go of your false beliefs and admit to learning something new.
I have merely pointed out where you had been wrong about my understanding of the reality of angels. Not only have you not admitted your error, but you accuse me of error without even presenting one Scripture to support your argument.
Angels that appear as humans do have a human body, wherefore they can even eat! You deny the scriptures.
When angels eat, must they relieve themselves after awhile? If they do, must the Lord also since from time to time he also appeared in a body. If angels could have sexual relations while under the influence of bodily appearance, could the Lord? Don’t you see where this type of thinking leads? You haven’t a shred of evidence in Scripture to support your conclusions. Yet you go on and on about things that matter so little in the scheme of things.
Admit the scriptures that say angels eat, sleep, and so on when they are appearing as humans….admit that then you would have to admit they may even have sexual intercourse in these human bodies.
On the contrary, they eat only at the invitation of mortals. It is to be cordial that they accept our invitation. It is not because they have needs to be satisfied. The Lord claimed the angels do not engage in sexual relations, but you contradict his statement, while I am accused of denying the Scriptures! Why should that be so? All I have done was believe what my Lord had told the Sadducees.
Have a good evening, and may the Lord bless you with clarity of understanding,
Eddie
I have already gave you scripture concerning Jesus existing before he had a human body.
That was not my question. I asked in what sense would you consider Jesus alive before his human birth. Some believe he existed as the “plan” of God. Some believe he was an angelic being. Some believe he was a god, but not God. You might be surprised what others believe about him. I was curious about your understanding, given the discussion we are having.
You are wrong because you think God saving all Israel means all Israelis, but the Bible tells us who and what Israel is. The Bible also says not all from Israel are Israel, yet you say ALL Israel will be saved, everyone.
Well it doesn’t seem to be such a great revelation if all Paul is saying is “all the Saved will be saved!” Why mention it at all if that is the logic behind his statement.
Are you not a Calvinist?
No! Are you a Calvinist?
Does this have any bearing upon my question or this discussion?
Since you are TELLING me instead of asking…I will not go through the time to show you the scripture. You would not believe them anyways.
You know what, my friend, I really don’t care what you believe, but I did think you were here for the purpose of discussion. Why don’t you stop this adolescent behavior here and now,,and then consider whether or not you wish to continue. What began as a fairly interesting discussion has eroded into something I’d rather not be a participant in. I could think of many more things I’d rather be doing than replying to your cute quips, like staring at the wall, for example.
You again put yourself above others, even when you do not know for sure what they know or believe. The Nephilim are giants, and that is what I said. Pay attention.
Like I said above, think about whether or not you wish to continue.
Eddie,
Now you know communicating with me is better than staring at a wall! Maybe we can struggle to find things we are like-minded in and still get along. Is it worth it to you? It gets boring here. How about I read your blogs and try to find things I like about what you write…and you read and try to find things you like and agree with in my blogs? I would like to keep you as a person with whom I communicate online. I think you are dealing with sin in your life according to the Lord Jesus Christ, as I am, and we should keep in touch. What say you?
Blessed are the peacemakers.
In His Love,
AMG