According to the Scriptures, it is a being living in a spirit or heavenly realm. In comparison, man lives in the physical, earthly universe. Apparently, there are different types of spirit beings, as the Bible mentions angels, cherubim, seraphim and others.

The Divine nature, the nature of God, is the highest order of the spiritual realm, just as man is of the highest order of the animal or earthly existence. 

Angels are one type of spirit being (Psalm 104:4), and we read in Psalm 8:5 that man was created “a little lower than the angels.” 

In the Bible, the word “angel” means “messenger.” God sent angels to deliver messages to specific people, like when the angel Gabriel delivered a very important message to Mary about the birth of Jesus in Luke 1:26-38.

The Scriptures suggest angels can look like fire, (see Hebrews 1:7, Exodus 3:2), or a bright light, like lightning (see Matthew 28:3). Daniel described the angel he saw like this: “His body looked like a precious gem. His face flashed like lightning, and his eyes flamed like torches. His arms and feet shone like polished bronze, and his voice roared like a vast multitude of people” (Daniel 10:6, NLT).

Sometimes angels took on a human form and appeared as men, but never as women or babies. Abraham (see Genesis 18:2), his nephew Lot (see Genesis 19:1), Gideon (see Judges 6:11-22), and the parents of Samson (see Judges 13:20) all saw angels who appeared as men.

How many angels are there? Many! In Revelation, John says he looked and heard “…thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand.” (Revelation 5:11, NIV) That’s over 100 million angels! Hebrews 12:22 mentions an “innumerable company of angels” – too many to count!

Angels are very strong and have great power from God. Psalm 103:20 says, “Bless the LORD, you His angels, mighty in strength, who perform His word, obeying the voice of His word!” 

Locked doors are no problem for angels. Peter was asleep in prison, chained between two soldiers. Suddenly, there was a bright light and an angel appeared INSIDE the cell, woke Peter up, and his chains fell off! Thinking he was dreaming, Peter followed the angel out of the cell past the first and second guard posts, and then the iron gate leading to the street miraculously opened! (see Acts 12:6-10)

We are examples to the angels. They can observe our lives, and the Bible says they are eagerly awaiting the fulfillment of God’s plan for all of mankind. (see 1 Peter 1:12, especially NLT)

Should we worship angels? No. Colossians 2:18 specifically tells us NOT to. Further, Jesus said to Satan in Matthew 4:10, “…For it is written: Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.” The Bible does not teach us to contact angels and make requests. They are not here to obey OUR commands – they work for God and His glorified son Jesus, and only obey THEIR commands.

Do humans turn into angels when they die? No.

A change of nature is promised to the most faithful followers of Jesus, all of those who will be of the church of Christ, those who “make their calling and election sure” and who eventually will be associated with their Lord and Savior in the glories of the kingdom as His “joint heirs.” This “change” of nature is wonderfully described by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:42-52. Those who will experience this transformation of nature are said to be “born of the spirit” and this will take place in the resurrection. 

These then will be powerful, and invisible to mortal eye, just as the angels are all around and Jehovah’s messengers in past ages, yet unseen. Jesus described this matter of the “wind” to picture the condition of those who shall be born of the spirit in the resurrection morning, John 3:6-8.

Additional Resources: 
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1100: “Do People Turn Into Angels When They Die?”
Establishing spiritual and human natures as separate and distinct
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes

Episode #1304: “How Do Guardian Angels Take Care of Us?”
Understanding what God’s angels do and don’t do on our behalf
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes

For children, parents and Bible class teachers:
Animated video: “What does the Bible say about heaven?”
Animated video: “What does the Bible say about angels?”