Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1220154
throughout their lives. Because of this, God arranged a plan of redemption that angels can't even understand (1 Peter 1:12). Although the Bible doesn't specifically state this, it appears that the angels were given one chance to sin. One-third took that opportunity and are condemned to hell for eternity (Matthew 25:45-46). Angels are similar to humans in some ways. They were created by God (Colossians 1:15-17). They have intelligence (2 Corinthians 11:3), emotion (Revelation 12:17), and will (Jude 6). They are meant to praise God (Luke 2:13), serve God (Revelation 22:9), and work for His kingdom (Acts 8:26). When they need a physical representation, they often appear human (Daniel 8:15), although not always (Ezekiel 1:5-11). And they know the Scriptures (James 2:19; Revelation 12:12). At no point does the Bible indicate that humans become angels after death. At death, the body and soul of a human are separated. The soul of the believer goes to be with Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:6-8), and the soul of the unbeliever goes to a place of torment (Luke 16:22-23). At the end times, believers (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17) will receive new, glorified bodies and spend eternity in paradise (Revelation 21:1). Unbelievers (Revelation 20:11- 15) will be judged and cast into the lake of fire. No work as an angel is mentioned. God created humans and angels as different beings for different purposes. Occasionally, our paths cross as we work together for the kingdom of God. In heaven, we will glorify God with the angels, but we will never become them. Are there guardian angels? Guardian angels are angels assigned to help, guide, and care for individual people here on earth. The idea of guardian angels has long been a tradition of Western culture. However, attempts at finding them in the Bible can lead to frustration. Do we each have an angel dedicated to our personal welfare? What does the Bible teach, if anything, concerning guardian angels? The key passage is Matthew 18:10, "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven." Here, the phrase "these little ones" could refer either to children or to all believers in Christ. If it refers to all believers, it could indicate that all believers have guardian angels. If it refers to children, it could refer to a more limited group of angels, though this would not rule out the possibility that all believers have a guardian angel. An important detail in Matthew 18:10 is that Jesus is speaking in the plural. "Their angels" refers to a group of angels standing ready to help a group of God's children. There is nothing definitive here on which to base a dogmatic belief in guardian angels. In other passages we see that angels can and do protect humans (Daniel 6:20-23; 2 Kings 6:13-17). Angels can also guide people (Matthew 1:20- 21; Acts 8:26), provide for needs (Genesis 21:17- 20; 1 Kings 19:5-7), and provide information or general assistance (Luke 1:11-20; Acts 7:52- 53; Hebrews 1:14). Historically, the idea of guardian angels developed among Jews during the time between the Old and New Testaments. Early church fathers picked up on this tradition, sometimes even speaking of a good angel and an evil spirit working actively in the life of an individual. These traditions developed outside of Scripture and are not supported by the Bible's teachings. Whether or not we have a guardian angel is not clearly revealed in Scripture. What is clear is that God knows our every need and is able to send His ministering angels to assist if and when the occasion arises. The question is not whether we have a personal angel constantly at our side, but whether we have placed our faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9). He can protect us in this life and throughout all eternity.S