Are Angels Perfect?

Biblegems #22

In Ezekiel 28:12, a passage that has a dual application to the ancient king of Tyre and the even more ancient angel Lucifer, who rebelled against God, reads: “This is what the Sovereign LORD says: ‘You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.’” The angel Lucifer is described as the “model of perfection” in both the spiritual and physical.

There are two Hebrew phrases translated into English as “perfection” in Ezekiel 28:12. The first carries the idea of one who has a ‘seal of perfection,’ while the second pictures one whose wisdom is “full” and whose beauty is complete, or “whole,” nothing lacking. The angel Lucifer is described has having been stamped by God Himself as perfect in every respect.

So, as a created being, Lucifer was “blameless” and without defect (Ezek. 28:14-15). But he succumbed to pride and rebelled, pitting himself against the Most High God (Is. 14:14). He also engaged a vast number of other angels in his rebellion, for whom God designed a place of punishment fit for beings who can never die (Matt. 25:41). Clearly, then, part of God’s “perfect” design for angelic beings included the ability to exercise choice.

The capacity to sin is not what makes a being imperfect. If that were the case, Adam and Eve would have been imperfect beings at the time of their creation. As it was, however, God was extremely pleased with mankind as the pinnacle of Creation, declaring it all to be “very good” (Gen. 1:31).

What does this mean for the angels in heaven today?

All the angels, including those who rebelled, were created at one time (Job 38:4-7). Those who remained faithful to God when Lucifer and his cohorts rebelled remember how he was dishonored and stripped of his power, wisdom and beauty (Is. 14:12-15). They see their fallen brethren begging to be attached to some kind of physical life form like so many parasites (Matt. 28:28-32). They see the eternal fire that awaits the devil and his angels following the Millennial Reign of Christ (Rev. 20:10; Matt. 25:41). The angels in heaven made their choice long ago and have no desire to become part of the demonic horde headed for an eternity in hell. They are more than content to sing the praises of Him who sits on the Throne (Re. 7:11-12).

Are the angels perfect? Yes—all those who did not forfeit their first estate but remained faithful to God who made them perfect. They know their perfection is not their own but is a gift from their Creator.

Their choice long ago is our choice everyday. And like the angels, we were designed to worship God with undivided hearts and minds, willingly surrendering all to Him who has placed before us an eternity before His throne where our voices will join that of the angels in everlasting praise.

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

be praise and honor and glory and power,

for ever and ever!”

The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. — Rev. 5:11-14