(For the Sadducees say that people will not rise from death and that there are no angels or spirits; but the Pharisees believe in all three.)

But about the angels God said, "God makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire."

What are the angels, then? They are spirits who serve God and are sent by him to help those who are to receive salvation.

They kept talking as they walked on; then suddenly a chariot of fire pulled by horses of fire came between them, and Elijah was taken up to heaven by a whirlwind.

Then he prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes and let him see!" The LORD answered his prayer, and Elisha's servant looked up and saw the hillside covered with horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Among the creatures there was something that looked like a blazing torch, constantly moving. The fire would blaze up and shoot out flashes of lightning.