Heaven Gained Another Angel

Introduction:

We are about to begin a sermon series on Sunday and Wednesdays that will deal with many phrases or expressions that people say and mistakenly believe are in the Bible. I encourage you to come on both Sunday morning and Wednesdays to get the whole study, and we will also do our best to have all of them available online.

In order to cover some of these topics, we will need to cover a lot of material and I will tell you that you may miss a few things. I will provide the notes to each of these messages online and in print for those who ask for them. I also want to encourage you to pay attention. If you want notes, I will give them to you. I would rather you pay attention to the train of thought than try to catch the next point.

So, without further delay, let’s jump in to our very first one. When someone dies, people like to say “Heaven Gained Another Angel,” or another expression of this is, “Aunt Marge gained her angel wings,” or “I guess Heaven needed another angel.”

If you have listened for any length of time, you know this one drives me crazy. I see Christians using it and I know that they mean well, but let me be clear. This is terrible theology. I want to explain today three things as we look at this expression.

What Happens when We Die?

What is the Difference Between Angels and People?

Why Does What We Say Matter?

Now, we are going to get deep at times, but hang on and I will be happy to answer your questions after church. Write down any you think of at the time and that way you won’t forget. You can also ask in the comments of the video that will be posted online if that is easier for you.

So, let’s get started!

1. What Happens When We Die?

A. Death is Certain

Genesis 2:17 ESV

but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Hebrews 9:27 ESV

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

B. At Death the Soul is Either with Christ or in “Hell”

2 Cor. 5:1-10

2 Corinthians 5:1–10 ESV

For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

Philippians 1:21–23 ESV

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.

Luke 16:22–23 ESV

The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.

Luke 16:22

Revelation 20:13–15 ESV

And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Rev. 20:13=14

What is “Soul Sleep”?

Soul sleep is the teaching that when a person dies that his soul "sleeps" until the time of the future resurrection. In this condition, the person is not aware or conscious. The Jehovah's Witnesses and the Seventh-day Adventists hold to this doctrine as do most conditionalists (those who say that the wicked are judged and don't exist anymore). But the Jehovah's Witnesses teach annihilation. This means that after death a person ceases to exist. At the future resurrection, they maintain that the soul is made again. Basically, it is a re-creation of the individual. The Seventh-day Adventists teach at the soul is simply inert and resides in the memory of God. *Accessed 4/28/19 - https://carm.org/soul-sleep

Abraham and Lazarus - consciousness BEFORE the Judgment

Jesus and the Thief

Luke 23:42–43 ESV

And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Luke 2

Luke

Luke 23:39–43 ESV

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Mention of Disembodied Souls

Revelation 6:9–11 ESV

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.

Revelation

1 Samuel 28:12–14 ESV

When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul.” The king said to her, “Do not be afraid. What do you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I see a god coming up out of the earth.” He said to her, “What is his appearance?” And she said, “An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped in a robe.” And Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and paid homage.

2. What is the Difference between Angels and People?

A. Most Angels Don’t Have Wings

B. Jesus Helps People, Not Angels

:13

Hebrews 2:16–18 ESV

For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

C. Angels Desire to Look Into Salvation

1 Peter 1:10–12 ESV

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

Objections:

Loss of a Child (2 Sam. 15-23)

We will Be Like Angels ()

3. Why Does it Matter?

A. We have a far better heritage than the angels

B. We will one day judge angels ()

D. The desire to comfort someone is not an excuse for poor theology

E. It is a gospel matter