Angels Do Not Share in Mankind’s Destiny

Next Part Spiritual Parallels of Marriage

We have seen that marriage is not required for reproduction. Animals are also capable of reproducing their own kind without the institution of marriage. It is true that there are a few species of birds and various mammals that do pair off for life, but such phenomena occur without marriage. God may have programmed these species to act in a certain way in order to teach mankind crucial lessons because He has occasionally done this with other species, such as the ant (Prov. 6:6-11). Nevertheless, the level of home life and “family” relationships within the animal kingdom, including those that pair off, falls far short of what is attainable by human beings.

But what about angels? Most non-religious people are sceptical about the existence of angels. Yet, the Bible shows that angels do exist, and that mankind was made a little lower than the angels, but with a destiny that far exceeds what God has in store for them.

Though angels are spirit beings, they are not on the same level as God. But angels are currently on a higher plane than mankind. Hebrews 2:6-7 states, “What is man, that You are mindful of him? Or the son of man, that You visit him? You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honour, and set him over the works of Your hands...” And Heb 2:5 states, “For unto the angels has He not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.”

Despite being superior to physical human beings, angels do not marry—and the reason is different from why animals do not marry. Simply put, angels do not need to reproduce. God created them to fulfil a specific purpose, which did not require reproduction. Made immortal, they cannot die, and thus producing offspring to replace them is unnecessary. And since angels do not rear offspring, they do not need to marry or form family relationships.

Notice Christ’s statement in Mark 12:25, regarding people being resurrected as spirit beings: “For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.”

Other verses show that God set the archangel Lucifer over the earth, with one-third of the angels under him. But Lucifer rebelled against his Creator—seeking to take more authority than he was given and to do things his own way—and, because of this attitude, he has sought to destroy and undermine God’s purpose on earth ever since. Now called Satan (which means “adversary”), beginning in the Garden, he has swayed humanity against God and His way of life for 6,000 years. The former angels under him, who joined in his rebellion, became demons. This present evil age is influenced by and subjected to these deceived fallen beings. But in the world to come—the time in the near future when the kingdom of God will be established on earth—Satan and his demons will be restrained. They will be removed from mankind’s presence—“bound” (Rev. 20:1-2)—and will no longer be able to dominate and influence the nations of earth.

Today, man is lower than the angels. But, when men are born into the kingdom of God, this will change. Let’s read further than we did previously: “You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honour, and set him over the works of Your hands: You have put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him” (Heb. 2:7-8). The ultimate destiny of man is to have “all things” put into subjection under him.

To be crowned means to reign as royalty. And “all things” entail all that the eye can see—and everything beyond. The Moffatt translation of this verse renders “all things” as “the universe.” In other words, the vast, expanding universe will one day be put under man! At this time, those waiting in the grave, and those who are today preparing to be born in the first resurrection, are heirs to this glorious rulership over all things, and as we have seen are joint heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17).

Hebrews 2:9 states, “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour...” The glorified Christ is now awaiting those whom God the Father is calling today (John 6:44), in this age, and for 2,000 years, to join Him as joint-heirs in rulership!

The apostle John was inspired to record this about how we shall appear in glory with Christ: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is” (I John 3:2). That time is drawing very near, but there is still time in this age for a few more to qualify for the marvellous salvation of God!

Angels Created as Ministering Spirits

Of all God’s creation, only man has the potential of being born into the God Family. Although he is now only physical, material, man has the capacity to be begotten and converted as a son of God and an heir to His kingdom.

Angels do not receive such an honour and glorious opportunity. They were created to serve God’s special purposes in numerous ways, as agents, instruments, messengers and representatives in carrying out His will. The purpose of angels is to minister to those who are in the process of becoming heirs of salvation (Heb. 1:14). Also notice this in Hebrews: “Being made so much better than the angels, as He [Christ] has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said He at any time, You are My Son, this day have I begotten you...?” (Heb 1:4-5).

Though they are spirit beings who generally remain undetected (Heb. 13:2), angels serve and protect fragile human beings, and deliver them from a host of pitfalls, difficulties and potential tragedy that could cut short their destiny to join Christ in rulership in the kingdom of God. In life, a son of royalty, such as a prince, is assigned a tutor or trainer. The tutor, who is wiser and more knowledgeable, helps the young boy over the years to reach his full potential—to learn, grow and mature to the point of being able to reign.

Likewise, angels are ministering spirits who serve those who possess a greater potential than their own. God’s begotten sons—unborn princes and princesses in training—have angels assisting them in fulfilling their ultimate potential.