Forerunner: Preparing Christians for the Kingdom of God



Can Angels Die? (January-February 2017)

January-February 2017
Volume 26, Number 1


The apostle Paul declares in Romans 6:23 that “the wages of sin is death.” We face this truth daily, hearing of the deaths of relatives, friends, acquaintances, and famous people, their lives taken as payment for their transgressions against almighty God. But does this verse also apply to sinful angels, Satan and his demons? Do they really have endless life—despite their rebellious, defiant, and hateful acts and attitudes against God? Or will they suffer His fiery wrath? What does the Bible say? (iStockphoto)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh
Do Angels Live Forever?

While the subject of the demons' ultimate fate is not a salvation issue, many people wonder how God will deal with them at the end of the Millennium. John Ritenbaugh tackles four assumptions that Bible students and scholars tend to make when dealing with this issue, showing that none of them holds up under biblical scrutiny.

Ready Answer
Who Fulfills the Azazel Goat—Satan or Christ? (Part One)

by David C. Grabbe

For years, the church of God has taught that the azazel goat, found in the instructions for the Atonement (Yom Kippur) offering in Leviticus 16, represented Satan taking man's sins on his own head and being led into outer darkness, taking sin with him. However, Scripture does not support this interpretation. David Grabbe focuses on the inappropriateness of Satan as a sacrifice for sin, as well as what the Bible shows that the azazel goat actually accomplishes.

Prophecy Watch
The Binding of Satan

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Revelation 20:1-3 prophesies a mighty angel taking hold of the Devil and casting him into the bottomless pit for a thousand years. While this is not depicting Satan's ultimate judgment, Richard Ritenbaugh explains that the binding of Satan for a thousand years will relieve humanity of a huge weight of spiritual oppression.

WorldWatch
The Satanic Surge

by Joseph B. Baity

Perhaps the Devil's greatest deception has been to fool mankind into thinking that he does not exist. Even his "churches" officially declare him non-existent! Even so, Joseph Baity relates how Satanism and occult religions are flourishing under today's liberal worldview.

Bible Study
God's Ministering Angels

by Martin G. Collins

People are often both mystified and fascinated by angels. What do they look like? How many are there? What are their names? What are their powers? What is their purpose? Martin Collins uses biblical texts to show that angels are God's servants whose purpose is to help those He has called to eternal life.