Are Angels Similar to Humans?

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God… Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth 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 3:1-2 KJV)

If humans are sons of God, are we compatible to angels? Have you ever wonder about the similarities of humans and angels?  Such questions often ponder my mind, so I wanted to resolve these questions with clarity from a different perspective.

The Scriptures mention angels over 273 times with various descriptions of depicting such angelic beings. Many angels lack wings as we tend to never imagine. Although, some angelic beings are bright and shinning, others resemble ordinary humans. Just as the Creator created humans, angelic beings assumed their creation likewise. “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.” (Colossians 1:16 NIV)  The same source created everything resulting in more similarities than one realizes. For instance, when the Savior taught his disciples to pray, he used this example. “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9-10, NIV) According to this prayer, the ultimate goal revealed an earthy existence very similar to a heavenly design. So the beings who inhabit these two existences have very similar characteristics to fulfill their purpose as occupants of each realm.

Angels like humans must fulfill their sole purpose as demonstrated in their behavior when humans turn to their true purpose. "Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Luke 15:10, NKJV) However, any deviation from the original intent always undercover fallacies for both angels and humans. For instance, earlier in history, Scriptures revealed that angels and humans produced children resulting in serious condemnation. In Genesis 6:4 (NIV), it states that “The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them.” This story demonstrates the capabilities of both humans and angels in producing offspring together. In order for species to reproduce, their genetic structure must have similarities resulting from their physical design. Unlike animals, their genetic structures prohibit any cross breeding with humans regardless of scientific efforts. Nevertheless, the seeds of angels and humans produced offspring resulting in the destruction of the first earthy habitats with water.  Thereafter, the Creator directed humans to multiply and replenish but not with angels. Since Scripture reveals that humans will become like angels at such time they will cease from procreating as noted by the prohibition on marriages. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. (Matthew 22:30 NIV) 

However, earthy humans must progress toward a heavenly likeness, therefore; habitats of each realm conduct similar activities. For example, we are told that angels are ministering spirits that protect, aid, encourage, and comfort. Likewise, humans serve other humans in the same capacity. Even our society embraces hospitality, health, education, and service industries with the sole purpose of aiding others. Just think how you feel when someone with narcissistic tendencies enters your company. This person demonstrates extreme self-centered behavior with an exaggerated sense of self-importance instead of focusing on the greater good. As sons of God, you can easy identify this type of person. As noted earlier in I John 3, sons of God resemble the Savior while possessing characteristics just like the angels in heaven. 

Finally, I realize that humans can emerge as angel-like being based on the fact that we, sons of God, have entertained angels unaware (Hebrew 13:2). So become an angel today by serving others. 

Gender Identity

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (1 Corinthians 13:11. KJV)

Recently, I read an article in which the Church of England endorsed exploration of gender identity for its youth. The new guidance stated as follows:

“Children should be afforded freedom from the expectation of permanence. They are in a ‘trying on’ stage of life, and not yet adult and so no labels need to be fixed. This should inform the language teachers use when they comment, praise or instructions. It may be best to avoid labels and assumptions which deem children’s behaviour irregular, abnormal or problematic just because it does not conform to gender stereotypes or today’s play preferences.” 

Rev. Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury and spiritual leader of the world’s 80 million Anglicans endorsed this guidance. (Church of England: Kids should be able to explore gender identity | Fox News | http://fxn.ws/2hqEymP | November 14, 2017)

Is gender identify a new fashion or the rewording of an old concept that satisfy selfish decisions?  Since our species consists of two genders – male or female, the medical definition of gender identity states as follows: “the totality of physical and behavioral traits that are designated by a culture as masculine or feminine.” Since our culture tends to categorize humans into masculine or feminine, so when a person gravitate to either we associate that person as being a specific gender. Have you questioned the importance of categorization? Can categorizing constrain ones’ expectation? Most categorization centers on two specifics – good or evil, black or white, outside or inside, left or right, man or woman. As human, our minds can evolve beyond seeing people from a bilateral perspective which only allow an equal dividing of anatomical parts into halves. Yet, we can better exam our surroundings by using a trilateral analysis.  

In other words, as complex persons we can identify individuals overcoming many oppositions by defying the odds. Therefore, we must stop imposing rules of limitation from a bilateral perspective like gender identity and resume a different type of measuring. The utilization of trilateral analysis enables one to see beyond the obvious. This concept allows the recognition of true intentions. For instance, Scriptures proclaim truth in three occurrence. When identifying the authenticity of the Messiah, the writer reminds his readers of three significant events, “And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.” (I John 5:8 KJV)  Likewise, as human, our existence occurs in three aspects, the physical, the mental, and the spiritual. So when all three of these agree, a trilateral analysis evolves.  

Many individuals focus on their physical and mental growth; yet their spiritual growth tends to error on undernourishment because people fail to understand the source of spirituality. Your spiritual growth only occurs when you commune with your Creator. Even the Son of God, often left the company of others to commune with His Father (Mark 1:35, Mark 14:32-34, Luke 4:42, Luke 5:16, Luke 6:12). Such commune reacts in harmony allowing your trilateral analysis to identify and remove the self-induced choices while emerging a greater purpose. Notice how Jesus explained that His true purpose in John 5:18, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things so ever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.” A trilateral analysis will incorporate a spiritual association. With a matured spirit, a different persona will evolve as your physical and mental abilities formulate harmony with your specified gender. Otherwise, using a bilateral analysis that originating from your physical and mental capacities will only reflect from your natural feelings. As complex humans, true satisfaction occurs only when these three aspects (physical, mental, and spiritual) align in agreement. 

Remember, exploration creates experiences that shapes our perceptions. Nevertheless, exploring the source of our spirituality along with physical and mental growth will allow you to transcend. This transcending will occur above selfish exploits that stagnant true progress and allow persons to tap into a trilateral analysis. Thus, children will become mature adults and discover a greater purpose of life beyond their imagination.