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108 ♦ Bi>le waters'Theoloiy Chapter Six
3:1.) Scripture gives the idea that angels are great in number (Daniel 7:10;
Matthew 26:53; Revelation 12:7; 5:11).
6.1 The Nature of Angels
A Men and Angels are not the Same in Glory
Angels are not glorified human beings (Genesis 18-19). Jesus said that believersshallbeliketheangels. Menandangelsareseparateanddistinct beings. Jesus did not say that men shall be angels, but rather like the angels
(Matthew22:30). The"innumerablecompanyofangels"aredistinguished fromthe"...spiritsofjustmenmadeperfect" (Hebrews12:22-23). Psalms 8:5 declares that "For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels." (SeealsoHebrews2:7.) ICorinthians6:3informsusthatonedaymenshall judge angels.
B Angels are Incorporeal
Incorporeal"meanstheyarenotoftheclaylikeAdam. Angelshaveno materialbodyorform,yettheycanappearinavisibleform. InHebrews1:7, Psalms 104:4, and Hebrews 1:14, we learn that angels are ministering spirits ^nt out to tender services for the sake of those who will inherit salvation.
aul indicates that angels are incorporeal in Ephesians 6:12: "...we wrestle
not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness inhighplaces." Angelshaveoftenrevealedthemselvestohumanbeingsas ordinary men, but we cannot say that they have material bodies as part of their necessary existence.
C Angels are not Procreated
InPsalms148:2,weseeangelsashostsoracompany. (SeealsoHebrews 12:22.) Jesus taught that angels neither marry, nor are given in marriage (Luke 20:34-36). According to Job 1:6; 2:1; and 38:7; angels are called "the sons of God . The Bible clearly states that angels are known in the mascu- line gender and do not procreate. Since angels are holy, pure, and spiritual heavenly hosts, they are not given in marriage like men of earth (Matthew
22.30). The word seed in Genesis 3:15 is only figurative.
D
Though not Omniscient, Angels are Greater Than Man in Knowledge
Angels are not all knowing (Matthew 24:36). They do have greater knowledge than man does (I Timothy 5:21; Genesis 3:22; Luke 4:34; Revelation 17:6,7). Yet, concerning salvation, Peter reveals to us that angels seek to learn atout the mystery of human salvation (I Peter 1:11-12; I