So far we have learned that angels are spirit bodies with no form that man can see unless they take on a form. We have seen their power and might—their ability to kill or make alive. We also have learned that Jesus will bring his angels with him at the second coming (Matt. 16:27). We know that in the resurrection, we will be like the angels with spirit bodies that will not marry or be given in marriage (Matt. 22:29-32).
We have learned about the forms angels may take—flame of fire, glorious forms, and understand they can appear and disappear. Angels have often appeared to men and women in the Scriptures. Angels can fly, but do not have wings. They are mighty and can destroy whole nations, strike men with blindness, or heal in an instant. We should understand that we are not to worship angels in spite of the glory God has given them (Rev. 19:10). What might seem surprising is that the saints will judge angels in the life to come (1 Cor. 6:3). Knowing that is true, does it seem reasonable that we would have any less of a glorious spiritual form than the ones we will judge (1 Cor. 15:12-23)? At the resurrection, would God have given Jesus a lesser spiritual form than angels (Luke 24:13-44; Mark 16:12-14; Acts 9:3-9; Acts 22:6-11; Acts 26:12-15; 1 Cor. 15:32-58)?
If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. 33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. 35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? 36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: 37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: 38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. 39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. 40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (236. allasso, al-las’-so; from G243; to make different) 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible (862. aphthartos, af’-thar-tos; from G1 (as a neg. particle) and a der. of G5351; undecaying (in essence or continuance), and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible (5349. phthartos, fthar-tos’; from G5351; decayed, i.e. (by impl.) perishable) must put on incorruption (861. aphtharsia, af-thar-see’-ah; from G862; incorruptibility; gen. unending existence), and this mortal (2349. thnetos, thnay-tos’; from G2348; liable to die) must put on immortality. (110. athanasia, ath-an-as-ee’-ah; from a compound of G1 (as a neg. particle) and G2288; deathlessness) 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave (86. haides, hah’-dace; from G1 (as a neg. particle) and G1492; prop. unseen, i.e. “Hades” or the place (state) of departed souls), where is thy victory? 56 The sting (2759. kentron, ken’-tron; from kenteo (to prick); a point (“centre”), i.e. a sting (fig. poison) of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord (1 Cor. 15:32-58).