I have often heard people talk about their loved ones going to heaven and becoming
angels when they pass away. You can see this on Facebook all the time. But is this a biblically
based idea? Are we all going to turn into angels when we get to heaven? There are some groups
out there that are actively teaching this idea. This idea became more socially popular after the
release of the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” in 1946. But does it make it right just because
something is taught or accepted by our culture?
We do know that angels were created. “For in Him all things were created: things in
heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;
all things have been created through Him and for Him” (Colossians 1:15-17). The Bible even
gives a little bit of an idea of when angels were created in the book of Job. God is talking to Job
and tells him “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundations? … all the angels shouted for
joy” (Job 38:4-7). From this passage we see that even before the earth was created God had
already created angels.
Some of the confusion seems to come from the fact that we will be changed at the time of
the resurrection. Two passages in particular look at this idea. 2 Corinthians 5:1-5 tells us we will
have a new body. Also, “Who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His
control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body” (Philippians
3:21). So yes, we will be different, but not turned into angels who already exist.
Jesus also says we will be like angels. “At the resurrection people will neither marry nor
be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.” (Matthew 22:29-32). It does seem
that in this one point we will be like the angels, not that we will be angels. Another passage
brings up for me more questions than answers. “Do you not know that we will judge angels?
How much more the things of this life” (1 Corinthians 6:3)! The Bible says that while here in
this life we have been made “A little lower than the angels” (Psalm 8:5). But in heaven, it
appears we may end up being put in authority to judge those angels who have been disobedient
to God. The Bible simply does not teach that we will become angels, no matter how popular this
belief has become.

~B Tolbert