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The Blue Letter Bible

Don Stewart :: What Are the Differences between Angels and Humans?

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Don Stewart
Angels have certain things in common with humans as well as things that are different.

Both Created Perfect

Both angels and humans were created perfect in the beginning.

And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day (Genesis 1:31).

Not Created In God's Image

Only humans, however, were created in the image of God.

Then God said, "Let Us make humanity in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." And God created humanity in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them (Genesis 1:26,27).

The Entrance Of Sin

Though humanity and angels were created perfect, sin touched both of these rational personal beings. After Adam and Eve sinned, all the humans that were born afterward, with the exception of the Lord Jesus, were born with a sin nature. The Bible says.

When Adam had lived one hundred thirty years, he became the father of a son in his likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth (Genesis 5:3).

The likeness of Adam was a sinful likeness. All humans who are born inherit that sin nature. The Bible says.

since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

Some angels also sinned. However many did not.

Humans Can Bear Children

Unlike humans, angels cannot bear children. They cannot, therefore have any type of family relationships. Jesus said.

At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven (Matthew 22:30).

Humans Can Be Forgiven

Though all humans and some angels sinned, there is forgiveness only for humans.

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The angels who sinned are awaiting the day of judgment.

Then He will also say to those on the left, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41).

Humans Share His Exalted Position

Believers are a new creation in Christ. Consequently we share His exalted position.

and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6).

Conform To Image Of Christ

The final state of redeemed humans is far above angels - believers will be conformed to the image of Christ.

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family (Romans 8:29)

Humans Will Someday Judge Angels

The ones who have believed in Jesus will eventually judge angels.

Do you not know that we are to judge angels - to say nothing of ordinary matters? (1 Corinthians 6:3).

Summary

Though there are some things that angels and humans have in common, there are many things that separate them. Humans have been made in the image of God. They are able to bear children and have family relationships. Though sin entered into both the angelic and human sphere, only the sin of humans can be forgiven. Christ came to die for the sins of humanity, not of angels. Those humans who have trusted Christ as their Savior will eventually judge angels. Because of these things, the humans who have believed in Jesus will have a superior position to the angels in the ages to come.
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CONTENT DISCLAIMER:

The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy of Scripture. Since the text and audio content provided by BLB represent a range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry.