Can Humans Become Angels? (Luke 20:36; Hebrews 1:14)

Introduction

Have you ever wondered, as you gaze at the sky or read a passage about heaven, whether you — or someone you love — might one day become an angel? That question is surprisingly common. Maybe you grew up with stories that mix saints, loved ones, and angelic images, or maybe your curiosity was piqued by a Bible verse that says believers will be “like the angels.” You’re not alone in wanting clarity.

In this article, you’ll dig into what the Bible actually says about the relationship between humans and angels. You’ll look at key verses — especially Luke 20:36 and Hebrews 1:14 — and explore what they mean in plain language. Whether you’re wrestling with doctrinal questions or simply seeking comfort and truth, you’ll find a grounded, faith-filled conversation that helps you sort myth from Scripture.

📖 The Bible Foundation

Luke 20:36 (NIV):
“and they can no longer die, for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection.”

Hebrews 1:14 (NIV):
“Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?”

These two verses are central to the question you asked. Luke’s words come from a conversation Jesus had with the Sadducees about marriage in the resurrection. Jesus teaches that in the age to come, human relationships as we know them change, and people will be “like the angels,” especially in their immortality and freedom from earthly death. Hebrews, on the other hand, stresses the role of angels as ministering spirits sent to serve believers. That paints angels primarily as servants and messengers in God’s plan.

Taken together, these verses raise a real tension: are angels simply another order of created being distinct from humans, or do redeemed humans become angels? The rest of this article will help you unpack that carefully.

Understanding the Core Truth

At the heart of the Bible’s teaching is this simple point: you and angels are both God’s creatures, but you are not the same kind of creature. Angels are spiritual beings created to worship and serve God; humans are created in God’s image, with a body and soul, called to relationship, stewardship, and worship.

Luke 20:36 tells you that, after the resurrection, people will share certain qualities with angels — namely, immortality and a transformed existence free from earthly death. Hebrews 1:14, meanwhile, defines angels by their role: they are “ministering spirits” sent to help those who will inherit salvation. That means angels serve God’s purposes for humanity, not replace humanity.

So the core truth you need to hold: believers will be “like the angels” in some respects, but Scripture consistently treats angels and human beings as distinct categories.

🌊 Going Deeper — The Hidden Meaning

When Jesus says people will be “like the angels,” he’s pointing to the nature of resurrected life more than a change in species. Imagine how life itself will shift after resurrection: no more sickness, aging, or death; a body fully renewed, a deeper capacity to worship, and freedom from earthly limitations. Jesus uses the comparison to angels to help you understand continuity — that you won’t die anymore — and discontinuity — that heaven is a qualitatively different mode of existence.

A helpful Bible story is Jesus’ own resurrection and subsequent appearances. The resurrected Jesus is recognizable — he eats, he speaks, he has a body — and yet his body has new properties. That example shows how God transforms human nature without turning it into something else entirely. Angels continue in their role; humans continue in theirs, now perfected.

This deeper truth invites you to appreciate both hope and identity: hope in transformation, and confidence that God does not erase who you are but renews you.

💡 Modern Connection — Relevance Today

How does this ancient teaching affect your everyday life? Quite a bit. First, it comforts you: death is not the final word, and the resurrection promises a future where suffering and mortality are undone. That radically changes how you grieve and hope. When you lose someone, you can grieve and yet trust that their identity is not annihilated and that God’s redemptive plan includes bodily renewal.

Second, the Bible’s clear distinction between humans and angels reminds you to center your worship and trust in God, not angelic beings. Sometimes modern spirituality blurs lines: people chase angelic encounters, relics, or spiritual experiences, expecting them to substitute for a relationship with Jesus. Scripture calls you to direct devotion to Christ while appreciating angels’ roles as servants, messengers, or protectors under God’s authority.

Finally, the teaching gives you practical humility. You’re chosen for a relationship with God — not because angels failed, but because God delights in drawing people into covenantal communion. That’s a profound dignity you can carry into daily life.

❤️ Practical Application — Living the Message

You can take this teaching into rhythm for everyday faith:

• Reframe grief with hope: when you mourn, remind yourself of the resurrection promise and lean on community prayer, Scripture, and memory as anchors.
• Put angels in perspective: be open to God’s unseen help, but don’t let interest in angels overshadow your relationship with Jesus, Scripture study, and Christian community.
• Live like one “already” raised: the resemblance to angels — particularly freedom from death and elevated worship — invites you to live with eternity in view. Love boldly, serve sacrificially, and steward creation faithfully as glimpses of your future restored life.

These are simple, doable steps you can begin practicing today to bring biblical hope into daily choices.

👉 🌿 Faith Reflection Box

Pause for a moment. Which part of the resurrection promise comforts you most — the end of death, the restoration of relationships, or the renewed identity as God’s child? How might that hope change how you grieve, serve, or worship this week?

Key Takeaways:

• You will be “like the angels” in resurrection qualities (immortality, worship) but remain distinct as God’s image-bearer.
• Angels are ministering spirits sent to serve God’s people; they are not the eternal destiny of human souls.
• The resurrection reshapes how you live now: with hope, worship, and service.

👉 Q&A

Q1: If people will be “like the angels,” does that mean my loved one who died is now an angel?
Answer: No — Scripture doesn’t teach that humans become angels after death. Luke 20:36 says people will be “like the angels” in the resurrection, especially in immortality and freedom from death, but no scripture indicates a human soul is transformed into an angelic being. Angels are a separate order of created beings (see Hebrews 1:14). Your loved one is now in God’s hands and, if they belong to Christ, awaits resurrection and transformation into a renewed human existence. That’s an identity of continuity and hope, not replacement.

Related: Who Are The Archangels In The Bible? (Jude 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:16)

Q2: Should I pray to angels or ask them for help?
Answer: Scripture encourages direct prayer to God through Jesus (see Hebrews 4:16). Angels serve God’s purposes and can act on His authority, but the Bible doesn’t give us a pattern of praying to angels. Instead, you’re invited into a relationship with God — the Lord of hosts — who can and does send angels to minister to you (see Psalm 91:11). Keep your devotion centered on Christ while appreciating angelic care as part of God’s sovereign provision.

Q3: Do angels have a role in my daily spiritual life?
Answer: Yes. Hebrews 1:14 tells you angels are “ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14). That means God can and does use angels to protect, deliver messages, and advance His kingdom purposes. However, their role supports God’s plan, not replaces your call to prayer, discipleship, and community. You should live expectantly — aware that God’s unseen servants may work on your behalf — while remaining rooted in Scripture, the church, and the sacraments as primary means of grace.

See also: The Cosmic Battle In Heaven: When Angels Take Sides — Revelation 12:7

🙏 Conclusion & Reflection

You can take comfort: the Bible promises a glorious future where death is defeated, and your identity in Christ is fully restored. You’ll be “like the angels” in some ways — immortal, free from suffering, and fully alive to worship — but you won’t become an angel. God honors the distinctness of human identity while lavishly renewing it.

Let this truth soften your grief, sharpen your worship, and embolden your service. Pray with assurance that God is both sovereign and gentle — a God who sends ministering spirits to serve you and who calls you into an eternal, transformed relationship with Himself.

A short prayer you can use: Lord Jesus, thank you for the promise of resurrection and for the hope that death does not have the final word. Help me to live in the light of that hope today. Keep my heart fixed on you, and teach me to serve others as you have served me. Amen.

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