Can Humans become Angels?

Question

There a number of biblical passages (like Corinthians 4:9) that are worded as such indicating angels were created separately from and and are different from humans.

From time to time I hear someone talking about their deceased love-one being an angel in heaven. I see this in works of fiction on TV and the like too.

Is there anything in the Bible that suggests humans can become angels?

Answer 1

No.

The general accounts of men, angels and the interaction between the two makes a pretty clear distinction that they are different KINDS of beings. Both are created by God but each has a different purpose and different destiny. We understand some things they do not. They are not bound by some of the physical limitations we are.

One interesting note is that angels were never offered salvation. The 1/3 of the angels that sided with Satan in his rebellion were cast out of Heaven and every indication is made that they will never see it again.

Answer 2

There are at least two verses in the Bible where humans and angels are directly compared:

Hebrews 2:6b-7,9a (NIV)

6b what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?

7 You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.

9 What we do see is Jesus, who was given a position “a little lower than the angels”

If men and Jesus Himself were (a little) lower than angels, then I don't think they become angels. And then you have the points raised by Caleb, so the answer is "No".

Answer 3

Angels are pure spiritual beings. That is, they are pure intellect with no physical bodies. However, they have the ability to somehow form a manifestation so that we can see them when it is necessary for them to communicate with us. Humans are composite beings. We share a physical nature with the animals, but we also have a spiritual and intellectual nature like the angels. So although we have some things in common with the angels, we are different from them because of our physical bodies.

When we die, our spiritual component is temporarily separated from our physical body, which usually undergoes decay. During this time, we are spirits without bodies, and in a way more like the angels. However, at the end of this age, at the resurrection, we will be reunited with our resurrected bodies, and will maintain this composite physical/spiritual form for eternity.

Note that even Jesus, who is God, has a physical body because he permanently united himself with human nature, and he has already undergone resurrection. He somehow has a physical body, although it is different in nature from the body he had before his death. Similarly, our future bodies will be of a different nature than what we have in this life.

Angels never had and never will have bodies, though.

Answer 4

I perused the entire Bible today looking at verses that mention angels. The strongest one I found was Luke 20:34-36 (ESV):

And Jesus said to them, "The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.

Christ said that in the resurrection we will be equal to the angels.

Answer 5

Revelations 22: 8-9:

8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.

9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

Looks like a pretty clear "yes" to me: the angel sent from heaven to John to deliver the message identifies himself as a (most likely post-mortal) prophet.