Why would as many as one-third of the angels follow Satan?

Since Satan is referred to as a star which fell or was cast down to earth, and Revelation 12:4 says a third of the stars were cast out with him, then the conclusion is that the stars in Revelation 12 refer to fallen angels, fully one third of the heavenly host. If the one-third number is in fact accurate, what assurance that is! read more

Firstly, the one-third applies not to angels, but 'stars of heaven', a third of which he casts down 'to the earth' (v4). A little further on the record speaks of a 'war in heaven' wherein the dragon with the seven heads gets 'thrown down' "and his angels with him". read more

If the one-third number is in fact accurate, what assurance that is! Two thirds of the angels are still on God's side, and for followers of Christ, they are on our side as well. Recommended Resource: Unseen Realities: Heaven, Hell, Angels, and Demons by R.C. Sproul.. read more

It is important to remember that angels, like Satan, are recent inventions. The early parts of the Old Testament use phrases such as 'messengers of El' and 'sons of El' interchangeably. It appears that these beings were, originally, part of the divine pantheon, that is, literal sons of God. read more