Nature of Demons: Fallen Angels and Their Eternal Rebellion

Demons were not created as evil beings. In the beginning, they were glorious angels, standing in the presence of God, worshiping Him and fulfilling His divine will. However, they chose to rebel, rejecting God’s authority in an act of pride and disobedience. This fateful decision cast them out of Heaven and into eternal separation from God.

The Book of Revelation describes this cosmic battle:

"Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him." (Revelation 12:7-9)

Although demons have lost their holiness and grace, their angelic nature remains. This means that they are still:

• Pure spirits – They have no physical bodies but can influence the material world. 
• Highly intelligent – They possess immense knowledge, though corrupted by sin. 
• Powerful – Their abilities surpass those of humans, but they are infinitely weaker than God. Eternal – They cannot die or change their state; their rebellion is permanent.

Unlike humans, who have time to repent, the choice of the angels was immediate and irreversible. St. Thomas Aquinas explains in Summa Theologica (I, Q. 64):

"The devil and the other demons were created naturally good by God, but they became evil by their own doing. Since their will was fixed at the moment of their choice, they cannot repent."

This means that demons are permanently opposed to God and His creation. Their hatred for humanity stems from the fact that, while they are eternally damned, humans still have the opportunity for redemption.

Lucifer, whose name means "light-bearer," was once one of the most exalted angels. But in his pride, he sought to exalt himself above God. This is echoed in Isaiah’s description:

"How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God… I will make myself like the Most High.’" (Isaiah 14:12-15)

Lucifer’s sin was pride—he refused to serve, wanting instead to be worshiped as God. This same temptation is seen in how Satan tempts Adam and Eve in the Garden:

"You will be like God." (Genesis 3:5)

Just as angels have a structured hierarchy, so do demons. Satan, though cast out of Heaven, still holds a position of leadership among the fallen angels. Jesus refers to him as the “prince of demons” (Matthew 12:24), and St. Paul warns that spiritual warfare is against "principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual forces of evil" (Ephesians 6:12).

1. They Hate God and His Creation – Their primary mission is to oppose God’s will and destroy souls.
2. They Seek to Imitate and Corrupt Divine Order – Just as angels have roles, demons also operate in a structured hierarchy, orchestrating evil in the world.
3. They Are Deceptive and Manipulative – Their intelligence allows them to influence human thoughts, emotions, and even history itself.

The idea that demons can repent or be saved is false. Their fate is already sealed, as confirmed by Christ:

"Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." (Matthew 25:41)

Their eternal punishment is not because God is unmerciful but because they have chosen separation from Him forever.

While demons are powerful, they are not equal to God. They are created beings and remain subject to God’s authority. Their influence is limited to what God permits, and He has given His Church and His faithful the means to resist them through prayer, the sacraments, and the intercession of holy angels.

St. John reassures us:

"Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4)

Understanding the nature of demons helps us recognize their tactics and resist their influence. Though they are powerful, they are already defeated by Christ’s victory on the Cross. Our call as Christians is to remain vigilant, rely on God’s grace, and fight the good fight of faith.

As St. Michael the Archangel leads the heavenly armies against Satan, let us also call upon the power of Christ and His angels to protect us from the forces of darkness. Evil may persist, but its defeat is certain—because God reigns forever.