Cantate Friday - Devotion in Exile

Lection for Cantate Friday
Leviticus 26:1-20      Luke 13:18-35 

Today I am going to venture off my normal pattern.
Someone asked me a question the other day that I would like to address here - because I have seen it is something people struggle with and ponder. The question was this.
"Pastor, I have noticed some people talking about their loved ones who died as becoming angels, is this true?" 

For you to read this devotion you will need your Bible to look things up. (It's OK, you can go get it, I will wait... welcome back!)

I would truly love to know where this belief/understanding came from. I know it was already a something some believed by the time the classic Christmas film, It’s A Wonderful Life, was made back in 1946.

This devotion's intention is to let Scripture do most of the talking, so what is here might seem a bit disjointed. But it will let you do the searching and come to understanding by letting God's Word say what God wants to tell you.

Besides, there is truly well-written article by Chad Bird on this topic, you can read that here:

People Aren't Downgraded To Angels When They Die

What does Scripture speak about this?

First of all, God made man in His image (Genesis 1:26), but nowhere does it say that angels are made in God’s image. This is HUGE!!! God created the angels to serve those created in His image. Man is, if we can say it this way, higher than angels. 

Let me try to illustrate. I would not like to accidentally encounter a secret service that serves President Trump in a dark alley and get into a physical altercation – he’d physically manhandle me. On the other hand, I think I could take President Trump in a physical altercation. (I am not suggesting in any way, shape, or form that this should take place, so let me finish.) While physically superior, and able to give me a sound trouncing, who is greater, more powerful, etc... – President Trump or his secret service agents? Yes, the President has the position of power and authority. Of course, all illustrations in regard to the kingdom of God fall short – as does this one – but you might say that angels are like such agents serving us.

Jude 6 tells us that some angels did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode. This was not earth, but heaven.

1 Corinthians 4:9 speaks of being a spectacle before men and angels, two distinct groups.

1 Corinthians 6:3 says that we will judge angels. We assume this means the fallen angels, but the fact remains that we will have authority over them. If angels were people first, then this does not make a whole lot of sense.

Angels are spiritual beings (Hebrews 1:14) who can only become physical if God ordains that their work requires it. Humans are born with a sinful nature and sin throughout their lives.

Jesus speaks of those who have died in a hspecific manner, not that they become angels (Luke 16:19-31)

Angels long to look into the things concerning the Gospel (1 Peter 1:12). If they were people who died and became angels, then they already knew this.

Angels and men are different. If men become angels, then they lose what made them uniquely human. Jesus took on human flesh in order to redeem us. When people die they are with God in paradise, (Luke 23:43). People will be raised on the last day, having been “asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:12-50)

Luke 20:34-36   When we die, we are equal to angels – we do not become angels.

Humans are born with a sinful nature and sin throughout their lives. Because of this, God arranged a plan of redemption that angels can't even understand (1 Peter 1:12). Although the Bible doesn't specifically state this, it appears that the angels were given one chance to sin. One-third took that opportunity and are condemned to hell for eternity (Matthew 25:45-46).

Angels are similar to humans in some ways. They were created by God (Colossians 1:15-17). They have intelligence (2 Corinthians 11:3), emotion (Revelation 12:17), and will (Jude 6). They are meant to praise God (Luke 2:13), serve God (Revelation 22:9), and work for His kingdom (Acts 8:26). When they need a physical representation, they often appear human (Daniel 8:15), although not always (Ezekiel 1:5-11). And they know the Scriptures (James 2:19; Revelation 12:12).

At no point does the Bible indicate that humans become angels after death. At death, the body and soul of a human are separated. The soul of the believer goes to be with Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:6-8), and the soul of the unbeliever goes to a place of torment (Luke 16:22-23). At the end times, believers (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17) will receive new, glorified bodies and spend eternity in paradise (Revelation 21:1). Unbelievers (Revelation 20:11-15) will be judged and cast into the lake of fire. No work as an angel is mentioned.

God created humans and angels as different beings for different purposes. Occasionally, our paths cross as we work together for the kingdom of God. In heaven, we will glorify God with the angels, but we will never become them. In fact, the angels were created to serve man - and they do a wonderful job of it. So, let's let the angels do their work, and we can rejoice in our place as those created in God's image and redeemed by His Son.

Let us pray:     Lord God, heavenly Father, you created all things according to your Divine plan and purpose, including angels to serve You by serving those created in Your image. Bless us as Your redeemed in Christ, to know You and Your will for us, and guide us by Your Spirit that we might bring glory to Your Holy Name. Amen.