What trouble comes, we will handle as we can, but nobody in my family ever drove a wounded man from his door, and we aren’t about to.”
–Louis L’Amour (Killoe)
“Are they [angels] not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
–Hebrews 1:14 (NKJV)
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Why are people so enthralled with angels? I understand the angels adorning the Christmas tree for they were heralds of the birth of Christ. However, I cannot understand having angels on the walls, pictures in the house, and making them almost magical. I can understand, a little, the fascination, but most of the time our thoughts concerning them are wrong and not biblically based.
Humans do not, and never will, become angels! Angels are created beings, they were never conceived nor born. They live in the heavenly realm, in the presence of God. Angelic beings (I’m using that term to include cherubim and seraphim) have special duties and responsibilities.
Angels do not receive grace, that is something reserved for man. The concept of grace cannot be understood by them. Jesus did not die on the cross to redeem angels, but to redeem man. Angels, therefore, are not part of the company of the redeemed. They will always continue to glorify God, but they cannot do it with the knowledge of saving grace.
Why, then, do people think that the dead become angels? Perhaps to appease conscience–maybe. Perhaps to elevate a loved one in their mind upon their death. Remember, after death comes the judgment, not elevation to the ranks of the angels. Lazarus was called forth from the dead, why was he not an angel? Maybe it takes a week or so to become one?!? The rich man looked into Paradise and recognized men–Abraham and the beggar Lazarus, and they were not angels. The witch of Endor called forth Samuel, and his ghost appeared–not Samuel the angel.
There is not a place in the Bible that indicates man becomes an angel upon death. As far as guardians angels…angels do minister to us, they help us when needed; however, the believer has the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. I cannot see where there is an angel designated as our own personal “guardian angel.”
People certainly have seen angels, but they mostly entertain them unawares (Hebrews 13:2). But we must guard ourselves. Angels will never contradict the Word of God. In fact, Paul warns us not to accept a “gospel” even from an angel if it contradicts, compromises, or changes the Scripture.
If we are not careful we can turn angels into idols. They can become a distraction and our minds turn to them rather than Christ. We pray to the Father, not angels, then if He decides, He might send one on our behalf.
Oh, one more thing–when a bell rings it is not an angel receiving its wings.