What powers does a fallen angel have?

Answer 1

This is by no means a complete examination of this answer. Entire volumes have been written to discuss this, and it has been debated for centuries, perhaps millenia.

Fallen angels are those beings of Heaven who followed "the prince of the power of the air." They are commonly thought of as demons or "the sons of disobedience."

Scripturally speaking they have all the powers that angels have, but are generally tasked or empowered for just one purpose. Keep in mind that different ranks of angels have different powers and abilities. As far as what those powers are, one has to consider that each of the Judeo-Christian-Islamic branches has different ideas about this, with agreement and disagreement across the spectrum.

The Hebrew concept is the oldest and most established. Without getting into theological ideas of Heaven, Hebrew angel hierarchy is thus (from highest ranking to lowest):

1. Hayyoth - four of these are the drivers of the Chariot of God, and first mentioned in the book of Ezekiel.
2. Ophanim - these beings are referred to as Cherabim (Cherubs) in Christian theology, and have several functions. Among these they hold up the throne of God.
3. Erelim - this class of angel is referred to the valiant and courageous.
4. Hasmalim - this is the fourth rank and are only referenced in a vision in the Book of Ezekiel, 1:4.
5. Elohim - some confusion or debate exists surrounding the Hebrew term Elohim. It is used alternately as one of the names of God, and a servant of God.
6. Bene Elohim - literally "the sons of God," the Bene Elohim mated with human women as referenced in the Book of Genesis, 6:1-2.
7. Cherubim - confusion here as well. There seems to be reference to Cherubim as Ophanim and as separate beings.
8. Issim - no reference found other than the eighth rank of Hebrew angels.

The second oldest hierarchy of angels is from Christian theology. Their functions and powers are more clearly defined, and divided into three orders, choirs, or spheres:

First Order (Highest)

• Seraphim - Seraphim are those who see most clearly.
• Cherubim - Cherubim have the most complete knowledge.
• Thrones or Ophanim- Throne are charges of divine justice.

Second Order (Middle)

• Dominations - Dominations are tasked with enacting providence.
• Virtues - Virtues are responsible for the movement of heavenly bodies (planets, stars, etc.)
• Powers or Authorities - Powers are tasked for specific functions by those above.

Third Order (Lowest)

• Principalities or Rulers - Principalities are responsible for the welfare of humans.
• Archangels - Archangels are responsible for the dissemination of higher knowledge to humans.
• Angels - Angels must address the individual affairs of humans.

Islamic theology names angels. While several are named in scripture (Michael, Gabriel, etc.) Islamic teachings give names to many more:

1. The Spirit the Spirit was made from God's light, and is the Divine Commander in Chief of the Kerubim or Cherubim. The Spirit has eight forms who bear the throne of God. All lesser angels were created from him. Archangels and angels preside over the Universe for him.
2. Kerubim, Cherubim, or Archangels are the center of creation around which everything else revolves. There are four Archangels named: Israfil, Jibril (or Gabriel), Azrael (or Izrail) and Michael.
3. Two other angels are mentioned by name: Munkar and Nakir. These two lower angels visit graves of those who have recently died.
4. Ridwan, are angels in charge of heaven.
5. Kiramu'l Katiban are similar to guardian angels and accompany every person. They are responsible for recording their humans' lives. Every person has two Kiramu'l Katiban; one stands on each the right and left side of the person.

Fallen angels or demons, on the other hand, are often definitely named, presumably to make them easier to identify. There is debate here as well in that any "demon," "devil," or "bogie" identified in any religion or belief system is referred to as a fallen angel. Below is a partial list of these beings, some of there visual appearances, and their alleged power:

• Azael - cohabitant with women (what that means, I'm not certain)
• Azazel/Azza - demon whose name means "God strengthens."
• Baal - Canaanite god whose name means "the lord."
• Balam - demon who looks like Asmoday with a serpent tail.
• Balberith - a grand pontiff in hell.
• Barbatos - a great count, earl and duke of hell.
• Beelzebub - the "prince of demons."
• Behemoth - the "demon of the deep."
• Beleth - a king over 85 legions.
• Belial - deceptively beautiful demon whose name means "without worth."
• Belphegor - demon whose name means "lord of opening."
• Bernael - demon of darkness and evil.
• Enepsigos - appears in the shape of woman.
• Focalor - demon who appears as a man with griffin wings.
• Gaap - appears as a man with bat wings.
• Glasyalabolas - appears as a winged dog.
• Gusion - demon who can discern the past, present or future.
• Hagenti - appears as a bull with griffin wings.
• Kunopegos - demon who appears as a sea horse and sinks ships.
• Lahash - demon who interferes with divine will.
• Lillith - fallen female angel who searches for children to kidnap so that she can kill or consume them. (Lillith may have once been human, the first wife of Adam, who was first to eat the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and was cursed by God with immortality and eternal punishment).
• Lucifer - demon whose name means "bearer of light."
• Mastema - demon whose name means "hostility."
• Mephistopheles - demon; name means "he who loves not the light."
• Obyzouth - one of the few female demons, who kills newborns and cause still-births.
• Onoskelis - female demon who lives in caves and perverts men.
• Orias - demon who appears as a lion with serpent's tail.
• Ose - appears as a leopard and is a president in hell.
• Pharzuph - demon of fornication and lust.
• Phoenix - demon who appears as a phoenix bird.
• Procel - demon who can speak of hidden and secret things.
• Purah - demon of forgetfulness and the conjuring of the dead.
• Qemuel - demon who was destroyed by God.
• Rahab - demon of pride whose name means "violence."
• Samael - evil demon whose name means "the blind God."
• Satan - demon whose name means "adversary" or "accuser."
• Shax - stealer of money.
• Wormwood - demon who brings plagues upon the Earth.
• Xaphan - demon who stokes the fires of hell.
• Zepar - demon who makes women love men.

Jewish Cabal and Islamic teachings seem to be the authority on angels, fallen and otherwise.