The Truth About Angels: What Are Angelic Beings? Do My Departed Loved Ones Become Angels?

"Heaven got another angel." We often use this phrase to console someone who has lost a loved one. It provides a sense of hope and comfort, suggesting that the person we cherish is now in the heavens, watching over us as an angelic being. However, as comforting as these words may be, there is no greater comfort than seeking the truth. Here’s what the Scriptures tell us on the truth about angels. 

How Did Angels Come into Existence?

First, it's crucial to remember that God is the sole infinite being. But what does this mean? In simple terms, God possesses the following attributes:

• Omnipotent: He is sovereign in power, displaying His all-encompassing might when He created all things through the power of His word.
• Omniscient: He is all-knowing, with no thought or knowledge beyond His understanding.
• Omnipresent: God exists beyond the constraints of time and space, always present in the past, present, and future.

God belongs to a category entirely His own. He is not a created being but has eternally existed even before creation. Through Him, all things came into existence, as articulated by Paul in his letter to the Church in Corinth: "yet for us, there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him" (1 Corinthians 8:6).

In contrast, angels are finite, akin to humans. They were created by God and lack self-existence. Their power and knowledge are limited, and they are bound by the constraints of time.

Although the word "angels" never appears in the Bible's account of creation, most Bible scholars believe that God created them along with the heavens on the first day. The author of the book of Genesis begins by stating, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (1:1). In the subsequent chapter when summarizing the account of creation, the author refers to angels as heaven's host: "Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts" (2:1).

In the Book of Job, when Job posed questions to God, the Creator responded with inquiries far beyond Job's comprehension:

"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me if you have understanding. Who set its measurements, since you know? Or who stretched the line on it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" (Job 38:4–7).

In this dialogue between Job and God, it becomes evident that the "sons of God" were present before the Earth's creation. The term "sons of God" generally refers to angels in the Scriptures. Humanity had not yet come into existence when the foundation of the Earth was being established, but angels were already present, rejoicing as they marveled at God's creation.

What is the Purpose of Angels?

From the Old Testament to the New Testament, we have witnessed how angels serve as agents of God in executing His will here on Earth. They have played crucial roles throughout history, from the calling of the nation of Israel to their involvement in the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Even in the book of Revelation, we find them tasked with executing God's judgment in the final days.

Messengers of God

The term "angel" derives its meaning from the Greek word "angelos," which translates to "messenger." We have observed these messengers of God fulfilling their roles throughout the Old Testament.

In Genesis 18, three individuals approached Abraham, inquiring about Sarah. They informed him that Sarah would bear a son in the coming year (9–10). While one of them was likely a theophany, an appearance of God in human form, the other two were angels who later carried out judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah.

In the New Testament, the angel Gabriel played a specific role when God sent him to Mary to announce her conception. Gabriel conveyed the message that she would bear a son and name Him Jesus (Luke 1:31). When the baby Jesus was born in a manger, an angel appeared to shepherds to announce the birth of the Messiah, proclaiming, "Today in the city of David, there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11).

Worshipers of God

Upon receiving this announcement, the shepherds witnessed a majestic display in the heavens, with multitudes of heavenly hosts praising God. They joyfully proclaimed, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased" (Luke 2:14).

In the vision of the Prophet Isaiah, he saw the Lord seated on a lofty and exalted throne, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Above Him stood heavenly beings known as Seraphim, a type of angel. They called out to one another, declaring, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory" (Isaiah 6:1–3).

Ministers to Christ

Before Christ commenced His earthly ministry, "He was first led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil" (Matthew 4:1). After the devil failed to tempt the Lord Jesus, it departed from Him, and "angels came and began to minister to Him" (Matthew 4:11) to strengthen Him after the distress He had experienced. Subsequently, Jesus left for Galilee and preached the message of repentance and the Kingdom of God.

Likewise, in the Garden of Gethsemane, knowing that His crucifixion was imminent, Jesus prayed. He implored the Father to "remove this cup from Me," referring to the impending wrath of God that He was about to endure. It was here that Jesus sweated drops of blood in His agony. However, He submitted to God's plan, saying, "yet not My will, but Yours be done." After uttering these words to the Father, "an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him" (Luke 22:38–45).

Executors of God's Judgment

In the last days, angels will serve as God's agents to execute judgment, as exemplified in the case of Sodom and Gomorrah, where they were instrumental in God's judgment upon the unrighteous. In John's vision in the book of Revelation, he observed angels acting as reapers, gathering the wicked and the righteous (Revelation 14:17-20).

Do Angels Have Physical Bodies?

Angels assumed physical forms during some of their earthly ministries, but fundamentally, they remain spiritual beings. Humans consist of body, soul, and spirit (Trichotomous), although some consider the soul and spirit as united (Dichotomous). In contrast, angels are spiritual beings and do not possess, nor can they ever acquire, physical bodies that are perishable.

In the book of Genesis, when Adam and Eve sinned against God, it resulted in death. "By the sweat of your face, you will eat bread, till you return to the ground, because from it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19). As our bodies return to the earth, "our spirit will return to God who gave it" (Ecclesiastes 12:7).

Conversely, when angels rebelled and sinned against God, the Scriptures indicate that God incarcerated them in eternal bonds, consigning them to darkness until the day of judgment. 

"And angels who did not keep their own domain but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day" (Jude 1:6).

Not Angels but Something Greater

At the outset of our discussion, we posed the question, "Do our departed loved ones become angels?" By addressing the questions we've explored, we can conclude the following:

Angels are distinct beings from humans. As recalled in the account of God's creation, He created angels separately from humans.

God assigned angels their unique purpose, which includes acting as messengers and worshippers of God. They were also tasked with ministering to Christ during His time on Earth. Angels will further play a role in executing judgment at the end of times.

Angels possess a different composition from humans. They are spiritual beings, whereas humans have physical bodies, souls, and spirits.

In essence, humans cannot become angels, and angels cannot become humans. Therefore, our departed loved ones who believed in Christ do not transform into angels when they pass away. Instead, they attain a state that surpasses that of angels. 

The Apostle Paul noted in his first letter to the Corinthians that we will exercise authority over holy angels in eternity, stating, "Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life?" (1 Corinthians 6:3).

Moreover, the Scriptures inform us that we will receive glorified bodies in eternity. It is a body that will never experience pain, suffering, sickness, or death.

"So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body; it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body" (1 Corinthians 15:42–44).

Know Jesus Today!

The Scriptures promise us that, upon our passing, we will attain a state superior to that of angels. As astonishing as this may seem, it is a reality reserved for those who place their faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore, the pivotal question before us is: Do we believe in Jesus? The Scriptures assure us that by placing our faith in Him, we open ourselves to the profound reality of God's extraordinary love, which will embrace us throughout eternity.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). 

Accept Jesus into your life today and begin your journey to know Him even better! We are praying for you and we hope that you develop this loving relationship toward God through Jesus Christ!

Learn More About Angels Here