Angels, 16of27

~ Angels versus Humans ~

Prolog  ~  Mankind has been interested in the subject of angels for many centuries.  Angels are not Gods and they are not super-human, but they are described in Scripture as “powerful” (Psalm 103:20; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).  They are different beings than man.  In our English Bibles angels are mentioned about 300 times—yet there is much about angels which is not explained.  Typically they are mentioned them with respect to tasks they are performing ordered by God.  In the Greek the word angelos means, a messenger or one who is sent.  There are many angels (Matthew 26:53; Hebrews 12:22).

Key Scripture  ~  “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the Son of Man that You visit him?  For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor” (Psalm 8:3-5, cf. Hebrews 2:7).  Humans are “a little lower than the angels.”  Note also that while Jesus Christ is fully God when He chose to come to earth in fully human form he was “a little lower than the angels.”

Key Similarities  ~ 

1. Angels and humans were both created by God (Colossians 1:16).

2. Both were created for eternity—future (Luke 20:36).

3. In their original creation both were perfect.

4. Both have intellect (2 Samuel 14:17; Daniel 9:22).

5. Both have the ability to discern between good and evil (2 Samuel 14:17).

6. Both have insight and wisdom (Daniel 9:21-22).

7. The intellect, wisdom, and authority of both angels and mankind is below God.

8. Both angels and humans have a will (Isaiah 14:12-14; Jude 6).

9. Both were created to do the will of God (Psalm 104:4).

10. Both are subject to Christ (1 Peter 3:22).

11. Both angels and humans were created to bring glory to God and worship Him (Hebrews 1:6; Revelation 4:8). 

12. Adam sinned and some angels sinned—in both cases it was based on pride and a desire to be equal with God.

13. Angels and humans can both experience joy (see post #8 in this series). 

14. Fallen angels and unrepentant humans will receive eternal punishment (Jude 6).

15. Neither angels nor humans are omnipresent.

16. Neither angels nor humans are omniscient.

17. Neither angels nor humans are omnipotent.

Key Differences  ~ 

1. Angels were present when God created the heavens and the earth (Job 38:1-7).

2. Only humans, not angels, were created in the image of God.

3. Because of Adam’s sin all his descendants are born in sin, whereas only some of the angels sinned (about two-thirds remained holy).

4. Although angels are lower than God, they are higher than man (Psalm 8:3-5, cf. Hebrews 2:7).

5. Angels are faster than mankind (Daniel 9:21; Revelation 14:6).

6. Angels are spirits (Hebrews 1:13-14) while man is a physical being.

7. Angels intellect, wisdom, and authority is above man (2 Samuel 14:20).

8. The Gospel is unique to mankind.  Humans can find forgiveness for sin—angels cannot and those angels which have sinned are awaiting the Day of Judgment.  While angels are aware of the joy of receiving the forgiveness of sins they cannot experience it (1 Peter 1:12).

9. Angels do not marry (Matthew 22:30).   

10. Angels cannot reproduce and have no family relationships.

11. Believers are new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) and enter into the family of God.

12. Angels are generally invisible (Job 4:15-18).

Common Myths  ~ 

1. Humans do not become angels when they die.

2. Humans should not worship angels (Exodus 20:3; Deuteronomy 6:13-15; Matthew 4:10; Luke 4:8; Revelation 19:10).

3. Humans do not need to talk to angels (1 Timothy 2:5).

4. Humans do not have the power to summon angels.

Future Developments  ~ 

1. Humans look forward to physical resurrected bodies (angels will remain spirits).

2. After humans receive their resurrected bodies they will be like angels in the sense that there will be no marriage (Matthew 22:30).

3. Believers will be elevated from lower than angels to higher than angels and will pronounce judgment on angels (1 Corinthians 6:3).

4. Believers as glorified new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) will be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29) and share Christ’s exalted position.  “God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:4-7).

5. Christ is the firstborn of the large family of God which will be our eternal state.

6. Angels will join with believers in the future Kingdom of Heaven (Hebrews 12:22-23; Revelation 4:8). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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