A Brief Catechism for Adults - Lesson 6: Angels and Devils

OLRL ^ | Fr. William J. Cogan

[NYer]

Lesson 6: Angels and Devils

"And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the living creatures, and the ancients;  and the number of them was thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice:  The Lamb that was slain is worthy to receive power, and divinity, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and benediction."   (Apocalypse 5:11-12)

1. What is an angel?
       An angel is a spirit, that is, a creature who does not have a body.

• Is an angel a real person?
      Yes, because an angel has a mind and a will.

• How do you know there are angels?
      The Bible mentions angels about three hundred times.

• Why did God create the angels?
      To serve Him in Heaven, to act as His messengers to man, and to act as guardians over human beings.

• Does everyone have a guardian angel?
      Yes, God appoints an angel to watch over every human being.

  "See that you despise not one of these little ones:  For I say to you, that their angels in Heaven always see the face of My Father Who is in Heaven."    (Matthew 18:10)

• What does your guardian angel do for you?
      Your angel prays for you, protects you from evil and inspires you to do good.

  "Behold I will send My angel, who shall go before thee, and keep thee in thy journey, and bring thee into the place that I have prepared.  Take notice of him, and hear his voice."    (Exodus 23:20-21)

• Did all the Angels obey God?
      No, some of them, led by Lucifer, or Satan, disobeyed God and were sent immediately into Hell.  These are the fallen angels or devils.

  "And there was a great battle in heaven, Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels.  And they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven."   (They were sent to Hell)    (Apocalypse 12:7-8)

• Is there really a devil?
      Yes, the Bible often speaks of the devil as a real person.

  "And that great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, who seduceth the whole world."    (Apocalypse 12:9)
  (In Protestant Bibles, this book (Apocalypse) is called Revelation)

• How does the devil act towards human beings?
      The devil tempts people to commit sin.

  "Watch out, because the devil goes about seeking whom he may devour.  You must resist him, being strong in Faith and knowing that he persecutes everyone else in the world, too."    (1 Peter 5:8-9)

• How can you fight the devil?
      The best weapons against the devil are prayer (especially calling on Jesus and Mary), holy water, blessed medals, scapulars and other blessed objects.

  "Put you on the armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil.  For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in high places."    (Ephesians 6:11-12)

PRACTICAL POINTS

1. Your guardian angel is a real person, who is always with you to help and protect you.  Pray to him often and thank him for his help.  Your guardian angel is an indication of how much God loves and cares for you.

• The devil has succeeded in getting a large number of people to think that he is not real.  His is a real person and is a real danger to you personally.

• Not all of your temptations come from the devil.  Others come from your own flesh ("concupiscence") and from the world about you -- traditionally stated, "from the world, the flesh, and the devil."

[NYer]

Pray to him often and thank him for his help.

Pray .... as in Ask, ex: "Pray that I may not fall into sin today".

[NYer]

Lesson 6 of 43. Salvation, would you be kind enough to post the links to the previous threads. Thank you!

[Salvation]

Our Guardian Angel is always there for us. In the book about Padre Pio that I am reading, his Guardian Angel was always there while he was fighting the evil spirits/evil one. Sometimes the Guardian Angel helped. But not always.

[Salvation]

A Brief Catechism for Adults - Lesson 1: Religion
A Brief Catechism for Adults - Lesson 2: The Bible and Tradition
A Brief Catechism for Adults - Lesson 3: God and the Holy Trinity
A Brief Catechism for Adults - Lesson 4: Prayer
A Brief Catechism for Adults - Lesson 5: Public Worship of God

A Brief Catechism for Adults - Lesson 6: Angels and Devils

[baa39]

“The world, the Tlesh and the Devil” was a great old ‘20’s Greta Garbo movie. Not to trivialize this topic, which is real and serious, but I can never hear that phrase without thinking of the movie.

[Iscool]

How can you fight the devil? The best weapons against the devil are prayer (especially calling on Jesus and Mary), holy water, blessed medals, scapulars and other blessed objects.

Very bad advice...That's like going into the Gulf War armed with ping pong balls...

Why is it the Catholic church will 'use' the scripture when it comes to the existance of angels;

How do you know there are angels?
The Bible mentions angels about three hundred times.

but completely ignore the scripture when it comes to the devil???

Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

These are the defensive weapons...And you counter-attack with this one

Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

If you don't have these weapons to fight off the devil, you may end up with the devil leading your congregation on Sunday mornings...

2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

[Salvation]

A Brief Catechism for Adults - Lesson 7: Human Beings and the Purpose of Life

[Salvation]

A Brief Catechism for Adults - Lesson 8: Sanctifying Grace

[Salvation]

A Brief Catechism for Adults - Lesson 9: Heaven

[Salvation]

A Brief Catechism for Adults - Lesson 10: Mortal and Venial Sin