If angels and demons can’t die, what is the point of their engaging in battle?
1. Angels and Demons Are Immortal—but Not Ineffective
Spiritual beings—angels and demons—are not subject to physical death like human beings (Luke 20:36). They are created spirits (Hebrews 1:14), and Scripture never suggests that spiritual warfare involves their destruction in the sense we understand physical death. Yet the Bible does clearly show conflict between angels and demons (Daniel 10:13; Revelation 12:7–9; Jude 1:9), which proves that the goal of such warfare is not annihilation, but intervention and opposition.
2. The Goal of Angelic Warfare Is Not to Kill but to Hinder or Accomplish Mission Objectives
Look at Daniel 10:12–13:
“Then he said to me, ‘Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand… your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me…’” (NKJV)
Here we see a heavenly messenger angel opposed by a demonic power ("the prince of Persia") for 21 days. Michael, the archangel assigned to Israel (Daniel 12:1), arrives to help. The demonic resistance did not result in death but in delay.
That is the key: spiritual warfare is about delaying, resisting, advancing, or preventing certain divine plans or judgments. Satan and his forces are not trying to “win” in the eternal sense—they already know their fate is sealed (Revelation 12:12; Matthew 25:41)—but they are seeking to thwart God’s purposes in time, especially as it relates to Israel, the church, and unbelievers.
3. Demons Oppose Redemption and Sanctification, Angels Protect It
The war is not over physical outcomes but spiritual influence.
Satan blinds the minds of unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4:4)
He tempts (Matthew 4:3), accuses (Revelation 12:10), deceives (2 Corinthians 11:14), and destroys (1 Peter 5:8)
Demons afflict bodies (Mark 9:17–22), deceive minds (1 Timothy 4:1), and lead nations astray (Revelation 16:14)
In contrast, angels protect (Psalm 91:11), deliver (Acts 12:7–11), strengthen (Luke 22:43), and carry out God's justice (Revelation 8–9).
The spiritual battle is about control over minds, messages, missions, and movements—not mortality.
4. The Battle Is Real, but the Power Belongs to God
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
(Ephesians 6:12, NKJV)
This “wrestling” is present-tense, ongoing, and not imaginary. Demons are not omnipotent, omniscient, or omnipresent—but they are highly organized, with levels of authority and jurisdiction. Angelic resistance against them reflects God’s purposes being advanced despite their opposition.
Michael and other angels contend against demonic forces to secure outcomes according to God’s decrees (Revelation 12:7–9).
5. Final Judgment Is Coming—They Don’t “Die” Now, but They Will Be Judged Later
“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’”
(Matthew 25:41, NKJV)
“The devil… was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone… and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
(Revelation 20:10, NKJV)
The reason God allows spiritual battles now is not because demons can win, but because He uses even their opposition to fulfill His sovereign plans, especially in how He sanctifies believers and prepares Israel for the return of Christ.
6. Believers Participate by Standing—Not Slashing
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
(Ephesians 6:13, NKJV)
Nowhere are we told to “slay” demons or “destroy” devils. We are told to:
Resist the devil (James 4:7)
Stand against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:11)
Take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5)
Put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:14–17)
We win the battle not by physical weapons, but by spiritual faithfulness, truth, and obedience.
Summary: Why the War If No One Dies?
The answer: Because spiritual warfare is about dominion, not destruction.
Demons can’t die—but they can lose territory, lose influence, and lose souls to the kingdom of God.
Angels don’t kill demons—they oppose, delay, bind, and thwart them to carry out God’s sovereign purposes.
The cross already secured victory (Colossians 2:15), but the final sentence is coming at the White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11–15).
Until then, the battlefield is the human heart, the church, the nations, and Israel, and the angels are actively engaged on God’s behalf.
