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NOT SPIRITS OF DEAD MEN

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Apr 16, 1901

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 78, No. 16.

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“NOT SPIRITS OF DEAD MEN”

By Herbert Fletcher

HERBERT FLETCHER
(St. Ann, Jamaica)
LOOKING through my Bible Index, I was impressed with the statement: “Spirits of dead men called angels.” And for proof Matt. 18:10 and Acts 12:15 were quoted.
Are angels spirits of dead men? If not, what are they? Let us study the following scriptures:—
  1. They are a higher order of beings than man. Ps. 8:5.
  2. They were created before the creation of man. Job 38:4–7 (Job 1:6; 2:1; Rev. 5:11).
  3. They are real beings. Gen. 18:1–4; 19:1–3, 10; Ps. 78:23–25.
  4. They dwell with God. Rev. 5:11; Heb. 12:22; Ps. 68:17.
  5. They are ministering spirits. Heb. 1:13, 14; Ps. 103:21; Dan. 7:10.
  6. They are messengers to execute God’s will. Gen. 19:22; Dan. 9:21–23; Luke 1:11, 26, etc.
  7. They are guardians of man. Ps. 34:7; 91:11; Eccl. 5:6; Heb. 1:14.
  8. They assist in judgment. Dan. 7:10.
From these scriptures it is seen that angels are not spirits of dead men, but an entirely different order of beings. The texts quoted in Matt. 18:10 and Acts 12:15 show that we each have a guardian angel—not “spirits of dead men”—to protect us, and to record our deeds: “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 13:10.
On the other hand, what is the state of man at death?—He dieth. Job 14:10.
  1. He returneth to his earth. Ps. 146:4.
  2. He sleeps in the grave. Job 7:21; 17:13–16.
  3. He is unconscious. Ps. 6:4, 5; 146:4; Eccl. 9:5; Job 4:21.
  4. He remains in this condition until his reward comes. Job 14:12.
Therefore he does not behold God’s face; and not till Christ comes will he be raised. 1 Thess. 4:16, 17. Then shall he see God’s face. Rev. 22:4.