Dear John,
Your question could elicit a very lengthy article and discussion on the subject of angels and devils or demons. I would like to suggest that you go on line and type in the concept of Satan in Judaism. Then do the same thing for the concept of angels in Judaism and you may discover some very interesting material.
Also, if you will go to our Web site (www.biblescholars.org), I wrote an article entitled “Of Devils and Demons” (Article #88 in the list of articles). In Judaism, “Satan the accuser” is said to be the evil inclination in all of us, or the Yetzer Hara as it is more commonly known. The word “angel” is a Greek translation of the Hebrew word “malach” that simply means “a messenger.” In Hebrew, it sometimes refers to a man and sometimes refers to God Himself.
In Catholicism, the whole concept of angels comes directly from Greek mythology and the depiction of angels is taken from Nike, the winged goddess of victory and the little cherub from Eros, the Greek god of erotic love.
If you will research the subject in Jewish sources as opposed to Christian sources, I would venture to say that you will get closer to the truth.
Best wishes, Roy
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