By Billy Graham
Tribune Media Services
ANSWER: No, we do not become angels when we die (although I know this is a common misconception). Angels are a separate category of heavenly spiritual beings, created by God to assist us in this life and to carry out God’s work.
But don’t let this discourage you, or make you think we will be second-class citizens in Heaven. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, the opposite is the case, for we will not be like the angels ó but like Christ! The Bible says, “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and….when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). What a glorious promise!
You see, when we take our places in Heaven, we will not just be servants of God (as the angels are). We will be even more; we will be God’s children! When God’s saving work is complete, the Bible says, sin will be destroyed and we will share in “the glorious freedom of the children of God” (Romans 8:21). This life is filled with pain and suffering ó but in Heaven we will be free of all that, for we will be part of God’s family forever.
Do you have this hope in your heart? You can, by trusting Christ for your salvation. You see, only one thing will keep you out of Heaven, and that is your sin. But Christ paid the penalty for your sin through His death on the cross. By faith commit your life to Him today.
(Send your queries to “My Answer,” c/o Billy Graham, P.O. Box 1270, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org.)
© 2005 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.