Becoming angels
Someone had mentioned to me how our loved ones become angels after they die and watch over those they left behind. I know this not to be true, as the angels were created by God before man during the Creation week, but I did not have a specific passage to let the person know that the number of angels does not increase or decrease. Could you please provide the solid scriptural references I need to be able to address this person and guide them lovingly in the truth? Thank you!
First, let me commend you for the wonderful attitude in which you are trying to relay the truth of God’s Word to others (“guide them lovingly in the truth”). Your words illustrate that Christian witnessing is not a matter of debating and arguing; it is presenting the truth and leaving the results in God’s hands.
You are correct in stating that the number of angels is fixed. Scripture makes it clear that angels are different from human beings. The Bible describes angels as spirit beings, not having physical bodies (Hebrews 1:14).
We also learn important information about angels when Jesus answered a question about earthly marriage. He said: “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels” (Luke 20:34-36). Angels do not marry or procreate. Those are activities for human beings—but only in this life.
God’s blessings on your testifying—lovingly—to the truth!