“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work.” - Revelation 22:12
Kempton New Church

Summer 2007

Dear Neighbor,

Do you believe that you can become an angel? Some people have thought that angels were created as angels, but the Bible shows that angels are simply good people who have passed into the spiritual world. The Lord wants all of us to become angels. “In My Father’s house are many mansions… I go to prepare a place for you… that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:2-3).

How can we see in the Bible that angels have been ordinary people? For one thing, the Bible calls angels “men.” “The angel Gabriel” appeared to Mary, but he is called “the man Gabriel” when he appeared to Daniel (Luke 1:26, Daniel 9:21). Angels are called “men” in several other places (e.g., Genesis 18:2, Mark 16:5, Luke 24:4, and John 20:12).

Angels look like people. When angels appeared to Abraham and Lot, they did not look any different from other people. That is why Paul says, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels” (Hebrews 13:2). Sometimes the face and clothes of angels appear shining (Daniel 10:6, Matthew 28:3, Luke 24:4). But Moses’ face also shone after speaking with God (Exodus 34:29), and Jesus said that after death all good people will “shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father” (Matthew 13:43).

Angels themselves reject the idea that they are superior beings. When the apostle John fell at the feet of an angel to worship him, the angel said, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!” (Revelation 19:10).

Jesus said that those who are worthy become “equal to angels,” and would have similar powers (Luke 20:36; Mark 11:23; 16:17, 18; Luke 10:17, 19; John 14:12).

The Lord loves everyone. He wants to give each of us a radiant happiness and power over evil similar to what Mary Magdalene and others saw when angels appeared to them. If we receive the kingdom of heaven within us, by keeping God’s commandments, He gradually transforms us into angels.

If you would like to read more about angels – their homes, their power and wisdom, or about angels who had not been Christian in this world, and little children who die and grow up in heaven, and much more, you can read Heaven and Hell by Emanuel Swedenborg (available at Amazon.com for about $10). Afterlife: A Guided Tour by Donald Rose and Emanuel Swedenborg is an abridged version. And you are always welcome to come to worship at Kempton New Church, 10:00 a.m. Sundays. See www.KemptonNewChurch.org for details.

Sincerely,