Who are angels?

[sraryan]

Hi everyone! I'm struggling with this and I need some help please...
I had a baby in May but she was stillborn. I guess I had always assumed (I know.. I know.. never assume) that she is now an angel, BUT.. it was brought to my attention that angels are separate from humans in heaven. And that angels are God's "butlers" in heaven. Oh please help me with this. I don't want to call my baby (Faith) an angel if this is what angels are. If anyone can point me in the right direction in the Bible or if you have any perspectives on this, I'd really appreciate this. Lots of people (and even the support group I attend) refer to our lost babies as angels and now I'm feeling so unsure and uncomfortable about this reference. TIA for your help!
Joanne

 

[helmikaarina]

Hello Joanne and welcome. I'm sorry for you about your baby. I cannot say what there is said in the Bible about angels, but it is in our spoken tradition to say that a person who has died is an angel. Sometimes we call also living persons angels. It reminds us that we all are spiritual beings and also messengers of God. I think there is nothing wrong about it if you call your stillborn baby an angel. She was and is a messenger of God among us to remind how our life is in God's hands.

May God bless you.

 

[rogsr]

I think refering to your daughter as a little saint would work a little bit better if you are seeking what I think you are seeking. God probably said, "Come back to me my darling little faithful saint, for you are far too beautiful for such an ugly world."

Angels are of a higher order then Man, and they serve God directly, which is to say, with immunity. To call them butlers is kind of innacurate in the same sense that calling Christ a plow would be innacurate. They are servants as we are servants, but serve a different purpose. One fun thing about being an angel would be being able to do things for God without fear of death. However, man is held in higher esteem than angels, because when we do things for God we must always face death.

Peace to you my friend-

 

[hopper]

Hi dear Joanne,


I think the previous posters have said some very true & helpful things. In some ways in which we use the word, it’s ok to call Faith an angel, just as we often do other humans here on Earth. Don’t be surprised or offended however, if people try to ‘correct’ you.


One of the hardest things I had to deal with was a nonbeliever who had just lost his wife and came to me looking for some sort of guide for how to communicate with her, since she was now an angel in Heaven, and would be watching over him here on Earth. He was earnest in his desire, but a little confused in his theology.


People in general (and Christians in particular), have a lot of differing views on what happens when we die, and how much the ‘after-life’ is involved with our own.

The Bible doesn’t tell us everything we might want to know about these things (especially about Heaven, our life after death, and Angels (especially their creation, and interaction with humans)), but it does tell us everything God wants us to know.


In terms of using the Biblical definition of ‘angel’, the Bible does say that we humans are not angels and do not become angels. In the strict sense, angels were created separate from humans (Psalms 148:2,5). The Bible does not tell us when, but it does say they were present to rejoice when God created the world (Job 38:4-7), including us. It does say they are by nature spiritual beings (Heb. 1:14), whereas we have both spirit and body (even after death, in the resurrection). Their nature is superior to human nature (Hebrews 2:7), and they have superhuman power and knowledge (2 Samuel 14:17, 20; 2 Peter 2:11). Angels are known for their reverence to God and their obedience to His will. That’s why when we’re good, we’re said to be angel like, or “good little angels”. In the Bible, angels usually represent God in making significant announcements on His behalf, and so are known as His messengers (Genesis 18:9-10; 18:16-19:29; Matthew 2:13; Luke 1:13, 30; 2:8-15). When visible to human beings, angels often appear in human form (Genesis 18:2; Daniel 10:18; Zechariah 2:1); so it’s no wonder we sometimes confuse the two. As God’s faithful servants, angels are often charged with the care, instruction, and guidance of humans (Genesis 24:7, 40; Exodus 14:19-20; Psalms 91:11-12; Daniel 3:28; Matthew 26:53; Luke 22:43; Acts 5:19; 7:38, 53; 12:6-11; Hebrews 1:14; 2:2).


Be blessed, dear Joanne, that it's ok to refer to your daughter as a dear child of God. I have little doubt that where the angels are, there your daughter is with them.


-the hopper

 

[Godsgirl481]

then what are cerubs?

 

[fishstix]

then what are cerubs?

Cherubs are a specific type of angel. The Bible mentions several different types of angels. People often represent cherubs as childlike chubby little angels, but that is a human interpretation that doesn't necessarily reflect reality.

 

[D-Lisch]

well, I don't know exactly, and I'm sure Angels aren't butlers for god, servants...we all are, helpers, that too, so I wouldn't worry about it, and I'd be willing to bet that Faith can and will be an angel, in a good sense.

 

[fishstix]

Angels never have and never will be humans and humans never have and never will be angels. We're two different types of beings. That said, the word "angel" in the English language doesn't have to literally mean an angel. It can also be used to describe someone who is very good and kind and sweet, etc. - someone who has characteristics similar to those we would expect a real angel to have. So it is ok to call your baby an angel, even though she is technically a human and not a literal angel Sometimes it's nice when our words can be used in more than just one way

As has been said, both angels and humans are servants of God. But serving God isn't like being a slave. Being God's servant - especially in heaven - is a position of dignity and pleasure, not one of shame and torture. And in addition, God's servants get to be in relationship with him, and your baby is not only God's servant but also God's daughter. She is precious and special to Him as well as to you And He loves her just as much as He loves any literal angel