Q: It seems that in the beginning that the angels had free will since one-third rebelled. Do they still have free will or an option to disobey? —Victoria
A: Angels are spiritual beings created by God (John 1:3; Colossians 1:15-16) and possess essential elements of personality—intellect (2 Corinthians 11:3, 1 Peter 1:12), emotions (Job 38:7; Luke 2:13, 15:10), will (2 Timothy 2:26), and the power of self-determination. This means they have the power of choice. That’s how Lucifer, a cherub—a special class of angelic beings—could choose to sin against God (Isaiah 14:13-14; Ezekiel 28:14-17). Based on Revelation 12:4, some Bible scholars believe that one-third of all angels followed Lucifer and they too chose to rebel against God (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6). This angelic rebellion apparently occurred before God’s creation of the world.
Angels, like Adam and Eve, were created sinless, but were subject to a “probation period” similar to what Adam had in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15-17). Angels who chose not to sin became “elect angels” (1 Timothy 5:21 NIV) or “chosen angels” (NAS). Jesus called them “holy angels” (Mark 8:38). Angels who sinned became demons. Some scholars believe that their choice is permanent and eternal, just as Adam’s choice to disobey God was.
Since the Bible says nothing about holy angels still having free will or the ability to disobey, I would hesitate to offer an answer. But Scripture tells us that these holy angels are now in heaven worshipping and praising God (Revelation 5:11-12), and since no impure person or beings will ever be allowed in heaven (Revelation 21:27), then it must mean that these holy angels are sinless and perfect. And if even if we take the position that angels still have freedom of choice, it is obvious that they have made their choice to worship their Creator! —K.T. Sim
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rhemi553 on July 7, 2013 at 7:58 am
Angels have free will. God makes it clear throughout the bible that He does not create and surround himself with programmed drones. God gives all angels and humans free will to seek a relationship with Him. A fair analogy would be a bird in a cage. Is the bird truly yours if you turn it loose and it flies away never to return? Of course not, you had merely kept it prisoner. However, if the bird flies away and returns on it’s own free will, then indeed the bird is yours. God feels the same way… he does not want prisoners or drones… he wants a relationship with those who want to be with Him.
mike wittmer on July 15, 2013 at 8:38 am
rhemi553, you are right about God granting us free will, but I think K.T.’s point is that after passing a probationary period that God confirms the angels in righteousness. So they freely chose to have their wills confirmed by God. Something similar must happen to us on the new earth, because when we are glorified we will be unable to sin–though in some mysterious way we will not lose our free will.
Part of the issue here, as K.T. pointed out, is that angels are not the focus of Scripture. There is much about them that we just don’t know.
Sarah C on July 16, 2013 at 4:35 am
I wonder if there would be further generations being born after the 1000 year rule of Christ, the final world-rebellion and G-d’s sending down fire to defeat satan once and for all. in the New Heaven and New Earth ?
Ps 22:31 said that G-d’s righteousness would be declared to people yet to be born. Could this also refer to people born in the New Earth, to mankind who’d “passed the test” so to speak ?
Angels may be much more of a focus than we realise – there’s so much that’s hidden which has yet to be revealed . Eben Alexander said G-d told him there’re multiverses . I think Heb 1:2 confirms it- “…through whom He ..made the worlds “.
Someone’d said it’s also possible that our earth with mankind is that one sheep the Messiah goes after in the wilderness, leaving behind the other good ones .
Sadhu Sundar Selvaraj said that some of the angels described in the Word were glorified saints e.g Rev 22:9 – that was the reason that particular angel identified himself with the prophets .Lk 20:36 said we’d be equal to or like the angels.
Kat Kerr who purports to have been to Heaven many times said that in the First Dispensation ( Gen 1:1 ), before the second dispensation ( Gen 1:2 ), earth actually existed for millions of years. Planet Earth only took its geoid form on the third day in the third dispensation ( 3rd dispensation ; Gen 1:3 ).
Sarah C on July 16, 2013 at 5:00 am
The elect angels are particularly interested in their roles as “ministers to the heirs of salvation” not just because it is a [G-d’s] Family Thing ( the angels are family, too ) , but also because they suffered additional grief when one of their own did not merely lead one-third in rebellion against G-d, he was also instrumental in the Fall through ONE ( not all ) of the creatures in the Garden . Not even all the serpents, just one of them and all earthly creation Fell , because Lucifer got the one who was put in charge . That’s why Messiah came to restore ALL ( Mk 16:15 “…all creatures” ; Col 1:23 “…every creature under heaven..” ) .