Thanks for good answer, but still I find room for expansion. For example, if the Devils knew very clearly that their disobedience would have made them miserable, did they possess a complete picture of their future situation when they rebelled? Or are they so masochistic that they like to be miserable? Also, why our Good Lord would give them a kind of role in the following creation of humans, as e.g. by tempting Adam and Eve? Job? And even tempting Jesus, who calls Satan the “Prince of this World”. Should instead the Devils be completely banned by any interference with the creations of God? Is God too generous with them? Thanks.

disobedience of the fallen angels, or devilsYou are asking some great questions! Proper answers to them would require a long philosophical and theological reflection on topics like the creation and the fall of the angels, the creation of the physical universe, the nature of free will, the nature of spiritual substances, the hierarchy of being, and the providence of God. As you can imagine, I won’t be able to offer that kind of general theological presentation on this forum. But I don’t want that to discourage you from continuing to seek answers. The desire to understand these things more deeply is surely a gift from our Lord, and your continued search will lead you to greater wisdom and holiness, if you continue to follow sincerely and humbly where it leads. But even though I can’t answer your questions satisfactorily hear, allow me to point you to places where you can continue your exploration.

I highly recommend that you begin to study some of the works of Peter Kreeft. He offers an excellent introduction to the theology of angels and demons in his book Angels and Demons: What Do We Really Know about Them? He also offers an excellent introduction to Thomistic philosophy and theology in his Summa of the Summa. [In addition], I can also recommend the series of lectures on this topic by the late Fr. John Hardon, SJ (available here: http://www.therealpresence.org/archives/MP3/RP0022000.htm).

I hope you are able to find these resources and continue your search for a greater understand of these mysteries. God bless you!

In Him, Fr John

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Fr John Bartunek, LC, SThD
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Art for this post on the disobedience of the fallen angels: Colorized Satan Descends Upon Earth Illustration for John Milton’s “Paradise Lost”, Gustave Doré, 1866, PD-US author’s life plus 100 years or less, Wikimedia Commons.

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