During our discussion of Hebrews 1, we talked a lot about angels. However, it dawned on me that maybe we, or I at least, take them for granted in a sense. We know they exist, we know about them, but we do not spend much time thinking about these created beings. And honestly, rightfully so. Our attention needs to be on Christ. We must also realize that it is good to have a curiosity, as long as it does not become our focus, which the study of angels can for some. Just like other topics can for others. Some of us leave them at arm’s length, some embrace them, and some forget about them. But what exactly are angels and why did God create them.
When we read Hebrews 1 and we see how the writer time and time again shows that Jesus is greater than the angels, we must pause briefly to understand why this is important. Why is the writer using this time and space to show the superiority of Jesus to these heavenly beings? Part of that is because some of the readers and the surrounding environment had people worshiping angels. Another part, and more substantial at that, is in showing the deity of Christ and His greatness to the angels, prophets, and priests.
So, in thinking about this, I thought it was important to establish a baseline and take a brief moment to discuss what angels are. A few years ago I was assigned to write a short article on comparing and contrasting angels and human beings as creatures of God. The main point was to look at our similarities and differences, our functions and duties as well as our purposes. I thought it would be good to share with you here. Now to be fair with you, there was no time or space to talk much about demons and the fallen angels. This was a general discussion. At a later point, I hope to discuss demons and spiritual warfare more extensively. For now, this will help us understand what we just learned in Hebrews as well.
We will start with a brief intro, then look at angels, then human beings, and finally, conclude. Throughout the two main sections, we will look at several similarities and differences. There are a number of Scripture references throughout, so if you are interested in where I found that information, please check out the website.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST ANGELS AND HUMANS
Angels and humans have many of the same qualities in common: both were created by God, both originally created holy, and both created to worship to name a few. However, there are many differences as well including future position, procreation and man’s unique image. The origin, nature and purpose of each will be examined as well as comparing and contrasting the similarities and differences between angels and humans. God made both unique yet similar and with a common purpose: to love, serve and worship God.
Angels
God spoke and imparted life into an “innumerable company of sinless, spiritual beings, known as angels.”[1] A countless host (Heb 12:22; Rev 5:11) of angels were created (Neh 9:6; Col 1:16) simultaneously which proposes they are immortal (Luke 20:36) and do not procreate (Matt 22:30). All angels were originally created holy and without sin. One angel, Lucifer, sinned and a great company of angels followed his rebellion against God (Matt 25:41) becoming demons to be used by Satan for unholy purposes (Isa 14:12–17; Ezek 28:11–19; Jude 6).[2] There are many chosen angels (1 Tim 5:21) who remained obedient to God and remained holy (Mark 8:38). Scripture does not state the time of the angels creation but points to it being before the creation of the world (Col 1:16, Job 38:4-7).
The purpose of angels is threefold: to reveal, worship, and serve.[3] Angels reveal by bringing a message from God (Matt 1:20; Rev 14:6) or revealing God’s truth (Gal 3:19; Heb 2:2). The angels, who are before the throne worshipping God (Rev 4:8-11), are sent out as “ministering spirits” to serve those who will inherit salvation (Luke 15:10; Heb 1:14).[4]
Angels are personal beings displaying a consciousness (Rev 22:9), cognition (Matt 28:5; 1 Pet 1:12), affection (Job 38:7; Luke 15:10) and volition (Dan 10:21-22).[5] Unlike humans, angels are immaterial, non-sexual (Mark 12:25), immortal (Luke 20:36) and spiritual beings (Heb 1:13-14).[6] Angels reside in the Second Heaven, but appear to mankind in dreams (Gen 28:12), visions (Isa 6), and even human sight (Luke 2:9-14), taking the form of either men (Gen 19), man-like (Dan 10; Matt 28), living creatures (Rev 4), or as clothed and luminous (Rev 10).[7] Angels are great in power (Acts 5:19; 2 Pet 2:11) and wisdom (2 Sam 14:20), yet they are not divine, not to be worshipped (Rev 19:10; 22:9), and their power is restricted (Matt 24:36; 1 Pet 1:11-12) since they are subjected to God and His judgment (Matt 25:41; 1 Cor 6:3).
Humans
Only humans were created in the “image of God” according to His purpose, plan, and good pleasure (Gen 1:26-27). With this privileged position, “humanity was the only part of creation addressed by God,” told to procreate and have dominion over it (Gen 1:28; Ps 8:4-8).[8] Genesis stresses that being made in the image of God is of fundamental importance to what it means to be human (Gen 1:26-28; 5:1-2; 9:6-7).[9] Mankind, created of both material and immaterial substances (Gen 2:7; Ezek 37:6, 8-10, 14), is so adapted to the purposes and functions of the immaterial man that he is not conscious of any separation between the body and the soul.[10]
Like the angels, mankind was also led into disobedience to God by Satan (Gen 3). As a consequence of sin, mankind became a “dying creature” and dead in sin (Eph 2:1)[11]; that spiritual death has been transmitted to all humanity (Rom 3:10-19, 23; 5:12), except Christ (1 John 3:8).[12] Whereas the angels who sinned are awaiting the judgment day (Matt 25:41), humanity is able to be forgiven (2 Cor 5:21). While man was made lower than the angels, the incarnated Christ took this lower place for a short time to conform the believer to His own image (Rom 8:29; Eph 1:3-4) and lift them up to His own sphere far above the angels (Heb 2:6-10).[13] Therefore, redeemed humans will eventually judge the angels (1 Cor 6:3).
Conclusion
Angels demonstrate their unquestionable love for God by doing exactly what they
were created to do. Humans can learn from their example. Both angels and humans are “spiritual beings” made for a harmonious relationship with the Father who is “spirit.”[14] “The creature – whether angel or human – is created to be God-centered. To become self-centered is a contradiction of the basic law of creature existence.”[15] Angels and humans have some of the same tasks – to reveal, worship and serve. Though there are various commonalities between angels and humans, there are many things that separate them. Unlike angels, humans have been made in the image of God, able to procreate, and can have familial relationships. Both angels and humans have sinned, but only humans can be forgiven. Believers and angels will rule and serve together, but while humans are presently lower than the angels, believers will eventually judge the angels and have a superior position to them in the future.
So there are many many more things that could be said. We did not talk about Luke 15 where the angels rejoice over a sinner repenting. Or 1 Peter 1:12 where even angels long to look into the things shared with humanity. Or the thousands and thousands joined together in a joyful assembly. or those like in Jude 1:6 where it says, “And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.”
I wanted to provide some basic and foundational similarities and differences to help us understand angels better and remind ourselves again why Jesus is so much greater than they are and He is worthy of all of our worship.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Chafer, Lewis Sperry. Systematic Theology, vol. 2. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications. 1993.
Dallas Theological Seminary. “Full Doctrinal Statement, Article III, Angels, Fallen and Unfallen.” Internet. 2015. Accessed February 21, 2015. http://www.dts.edu/about/doctrinalstatement/.
Dallas Theological Seminary. “Full Doctrinal Statement, Article IV, Man, Created and Fallen.” Internet. 2015. Accessed February 21, 2015. http://www.dts.edu/about/doctrinalstatement/.
Holsteen, Nathan. “Session 2: The Nature and Classification of Angels.” Unpublished class notes for ST 103. Dallas Theological Seminary. Spring Semester, 2015.
Sherlock, Charles. The Doctrine of Humanity. Downers Grove, InterVarsity Press, 1996.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Dallas Theological Seminary, “Full Doctrinal Statement, Article III, Angels, Fallen and Unfallen,” internet, 2015, accessed February 21, 2015, http://www.dts.edu/about/doctrinalstatement/.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Nathan Holsteen, “Session 2: The Nature and Classification of Angels,” unpublished class notes for ST 103 (Dallas Theological Seminary, Spring Semester, 2015), 3.
[4] Dallas Theological Seminary, “Full Doctrinal Statement, Article III , Angels, Fallen and Unfallen.”
[5] Holsteen, “Session 2: The Nature and Classification of Angels,” 5.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid, 5-6.
[8] Charles Sherlock, “The Doctrine of Humanity,” (Downers Grove, InterVarsity Press, 1996), 36.
[9] Ibid, 31.
[10] Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology, vol. 2, (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1993), 146.
[11] Ibid, 149. Also see Dallas Theological Seminary, “Full Doctrinal Statement, Article IV, Man, Created and Fallen,” internet, 2015, accessed February 21, 2015, http://www.dts.edu/about/doctrinalstatement.
[12] Dallas Theological Seminary, “Full Doctrinal Statement, Article IV, Man, Created and Fallen.”
[13] Dallas Theological Seminary, “Full Doctrinal Statement, Article III, Angels, Fallen and Unfallen.”
[14] Sherlock, “The Doctrine of Humanity,” 35-38.
[15] Chafer, Systematic Theology, 31.