The question of what happens to us after we die is one that has captivated humanity since the beginning of time. For those of faith, the prospect of becoming an angel in the afterlife is an alluring one. However, what does the Bible actually say about this idea? Let’s explore what scripture reveals about whether humans become angels after death.
Angels are a Separate Creation from Humans
First, it is important to understand that the Bible depicts angels and humans as distinct creations of God. Genesis 1-2 describes how God created the heavens, the earth, and everything in them in six days. On the sixth day, God created mankind in His own image (Genesis 1:26-27). No mention is made of angels being created here on earth. Instead, other verses such as Psalm 148:2,5 describe how the angels were created separately to praise and serve God in heaven.
Hebrews 1:13-14 affirms this distinction between angels and humans. Verse 13 speaks of angels as “ministering spirits sent to serve” while verse 14 asks rhetorically, “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” This passage clearly delineates angels as supernatural servants who assist humans, not beings who start out as humans and then become angels.
Angels Do Not Experience Death
A second key insight is that angels do not experience death. Scripture teaches that humans die once and then face judgement (Hebrews 9:27). However, angels are immortal and do not face death or resurrection in the same way humans do. In Luke 20:34-36, Jesus explains that resurrected believers “are like the angels” in that they “cannot die anymore” but this does not mean they will become angels. The wording emphasizes that humans remain distinct from angels, even in their glorified state.
Revelation 22:8-9 provides a sobering example of this distinction. When the apostle John wrongly tries to worship an angel, the angel rejects John, saying “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you…worship God.” Even this righteous angel understood that humans and angels are different creations meant to serve God in different roles.
Believers’ Heavenly Bodies Will Be Like Christ’s
A key passage about the nature of resurrected believers is 1 Corinthians 15:42-49. Verse 49 concludes by saying “just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.” The man of dust refers to Adam, the first man created from the dust in Genesis 2. The man of heaven is Jesus Christ, the glorified God-man. This verse clearly teaches that believers’ heavenly bodies will be patterned after Christ’s resurrected body, not the spiritual bodies of angels.
Philippians 3:20-21 also teaches that the bodies of believers in heaven will be like Christ’s:
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
These verses provide no indication that humans will become angels in heaven. Rather, they focus on how believers will be resurrected and transformed into Christ’s likeness – the perfect image of God that Adam originally bore before the Fall (Genesis 1:26-27).
Only Jesus Christ Has Become Both Human and Angel
The only figure in Scripture who straddles the line between human and angel is Jesus Christ. Hebrews 2:9 and 16 describe how Jesus “was made lower than the angels for a little while” when he took on human flesh, even though He remained fully God. Then after dying for our sins and rising victorious over death, Hebrews 1:5-8 explains that Jesus is exalted in heaven “as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.”
Colossians 2:18 warns against the worship of angels, signaling that Jesus alone is worthy of worship as the divine Son of God in human flesh. Thus, while Jesus temporarily took the form of a man on earth, He is the only one who has become both human and divine angel. Believers are promised glorified bodies like His, not angelic transformation.
Eternal Life Means Living in God’s Presence
The idea that humans become angels after death seeks to describe what eternal life might be like, but misses the essential point. As Jesus declares in John 17:3, “This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” The gift of salvation is not becoming angels, but coming to know the triune God face-to-face, enabled by Jesus’ atoning sacrifice.
Similarly, Revelation 22:3-5 paints a picture of eternity spent in unhindered relationship with God:
No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
Far from promising angelic transformation, these verses portray eternity with God as the ultimate fulfillment of being His servant and worshiper. The emphasis is on drawing near to God’s throne and seeing Him face-to-face.
We Will Judge and Rule with Christ
In contrast to angels who merely serve God, the Bible promises that believers will actually rule with Christ. 1 Corinthians 6:3 states that believers will judge angels. 2 Timothy 2:12 says, “If we endure, we will also reign with him.” And Revelation 3:21 promises, “To the one who conquers, I will grant to sit with me on my throne.” Heaven is not about becoming angels, but being joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17) as His Bride and ruling with Him (Revelation 19:7-8).
Old Testament Passages Cited for Angelic Transformation
Those who advocate the idea that humans become angels in heaven sometimes point to certain Old Testament passages. However, looking closely at these verses reveals that they do not teach humans becoming angels.
For example, some cite Zechariah 5:9-11 which refers to two winged women as “the wind in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork”. However, the context makes clear these women are not heavenly angels but rather a symbol of wickedness.
Others may quote Psalm 8:4-5 which in the King James Version states that humans were made “a little lower than the angels.” While the Hebrew word here can mean angels, it more generally means “god” or “God.” Thus modern translations like the ESV render it to say humans were made “a little lower than God”, referring to Jesus’ humanity. This verse contrasts how Jesus was temporarily made a little lower than God during His earthly life and suffering, but Hebrews 2 goes on to explain how He is now crowned in glory and honor above the angels.
While intriguing, these poetic Old Testament passages do not contradict the overwhelming New Testament teaching that becoming an angel is not the promised reward for believers. Our eternal destiny is not angelification but resurrection and transformation into the image of Christ.
Becoming Like Christ, Not Angels
In the end, the hope of every Christian is to become like Christ. 1 John 3:2-3 captures this beautifully:
Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
Through faith in Jesus, we are adopted into God’s family as His beloved children. Our future heavenly bodies will perfectly mirror Christ’s resurrected form, flawlessly displaying the glory, power and beauty of God. This should inspire reverent anticipation and hopeful preparation as we eagerly await seeing our Savior face to face.
The idea that humans become angels in the afterlife sets our sights too low. As wondrous as angels are, God has destined those in Christ for something far greater – conformity to the image of His Son. The resurrected Jesus Christ alone straddles the divide between heavenly and earthly, divine and human. All those who trust in Him as Lord will one day be made like Him.