Christmas is a very special time in the Christian calendar. As children, we learn about the nativity and the time when the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary telling her she was going to bear Jesus, the son of God. That must have been a very terrifying experience for an unworldly 16-year-old girl.
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We also hear lots of stories about angels in Heaven looking after us, although very few of us have actually experienced meeting one. But what are angels? It’s believed they are intermediaries between God and humans who perform the task of messengers, guides and guardians.
I’ve read quite a few real-life accounts of people who believe they’ve encountered angels when in an emergency or life-threatening situation. I have no reason to disbelieve them but always keep an open mind on such things if I haven’t actually experienced them myself.
What I have received on many occasions are white feathers inside my house or, on one occasion, in my gym changing room when I saw floating one down beside me from the ceiling. Another occasion was when I first came back to Christianity and asked for a sign that God was real – one landed on the floor at the bottom of my bed. I always keep the feathers; it is reckoned receiving one means angels are near looking after us or sending a little encouragement that we are on the right path.
Graham – I know there are many references to angels in the bible. From your theological studies and other research, do you believe that angels actually exist and have you ever met one? Are angels people who have passed over from this life and may even be some of our forebears? Do you believe that angels can transform into humans when necessary?
Rev Graham replies:
As we enter into this time of Christmas celebration and thanksgiving, it seems that there is a lot of talk and thought about angels. We find them in Christmas films, Christmas carols and other seasonal cards and presentations. However, the existence and influence of angels happens throughout the year.
In endeavouring to answer your question, Carol, I immediately went to a number of books I have about angels to familiarise myself theologically about their place and value in God’s creation and human activity. Interestingly, I was unable to put my hands on any of them but I have found that in my devotional readings angels have been popping up almost daily.
Do I Believe in Angels?
You asked, Carol, do I believe in angels? My answer is a definite yes as they are mentioned throughout the bible being involved in creation, visiting the early patriarchs, present at the birth of Jesus and will be directly involved in the second coming of Christ.
The Worship of Angels
In the book of Revelation there are seventy references which include thousands of angels worshipping the Lord in heaven. In the church, many hymns and carols record angels in worship to God. In the secular world, angels are sung about which, in a general and specific manner, reinforce a spiritual belief in them so encouraging and fulfilling the aims of God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
Have I Experienced the Presence of an Angel?
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A few years ago I was woken up from my sleep and went to pray in my study. At that time I felt a great heaviness of the ministry I was involved in, particularly my bereavement work. In prayer I stretched out my small, heavy and feeble hands and for an extended period I felt my hands enlarged and had become very light.
In reviewing that experience I can sincerely say that the heaviness and weight of my ministry overall has been lighter and more joyous. I continually ask for the Lord’s presence, strength and comfort and believe I experienced a presence of God’s spirit in a physical form that was like having a presence of an angel with me.
Do People Become Angels in the Afterlife?
There are a number of people who do believe that we can become angels after we die and it is a difficult question to answer but there is no basis for such a belief in the bible. In Luke 16: 19 – 23 we read about the beggar Lazarus who, when he died, was carried by an angel to sit beside Abraham in heaven. In this context there is the case that angels escort and transport us into the presence of God when we die on earth but not to become angels.
Angels, as the ‘Lord of Hosts’ and ‘holy ones’, are parallel expressions which reflect a divine presence and glory and as such are distinct from any human form on earth or within eternity. There is a difference between a human and an angel and I do believe that angels in some measure are able to be present in a human form on earth which brings a sense of the divine. Nowhere in scripture does it suggest that a human is able to transpose themselves into an angel which is only a mythical belief.
What is the Place and Purpose of Angels?
Many Christians and non-believers do and do not believe in angels and even the work of the Holy Spirit. Such a topic is very subjective and is difficult to quantify objectively. Within the confines of theological research and debate there is a strong case that angels, as messengers of God, are active in world events and people’s individual lives whether it is realised or accepted.
There is a form of hierarchy among angels, from Michael downwards, with each having their own power and authority to complete the tasks they are given. Angels have a special purpose to communicate God’s will that is both good and bad news.
The bible does not explicitly mention about guardian angels but there are many examples of angels having been sent from the Lord to guard and protect humanity and, in that context, they can be understood as a guardian angel specifically and generally. So angels are active in the restraining of evil forces in heaven and on earth and they are able to inspire and lead believers and the church into fresh and new experiences.
Angels in the Bible?
In the bible we observe that angels are active in many ways:
- Satan’s angels seek to agitate, tempt and harass all believers as found in 1 Peter 5: 8. Jesus was tempted three times by the devil in the wilderness (Luke 4)
- In Jude 6 we read about an angelic fallout lead by the Devil, known also as Satan, who acts as an accuser.
- Angels are involved in creation (Psalm 148:2, 5).
- Angels visited Abraham, Hagar, Jacob, prophets and people as well as Joseph, Mary and the shepherds who were celebrating the birth of Jesus
- They have a very unique authority in human activities and world affairs to protect God’s people (Psalm 34:7). In 2 Kings 19:35 the angel of the Lord put to death one hundred and eighty-five thousand who were in the Assyrian camp in support of Israel.
- In Daniel 10 we read that Daniel prayed for three weeks seeking God’s guidance, then an angel appeared to him explaining that the delay was due to a spiritual warfare taking place in heaven and that it had been rectified to make a clear path for Daniel as he prayed for on earth.
- They are given a specific care for children, just like a guardian angel. (Matthew 18: 10).
- They are active in the heavenly realms and will be instrumental in the judgments of God at the end times. (Matthew 25: 31 – 46)
Why Do We Need Angels?
The angels, who are sinless and free from human constraints, function as bearers of strength and support to all human creatures.
They fill a gap between God as creator and humans as a finite and sinful creation. They are important go be-tweens to mediate God’s revelation without having any influence or self-purpose themselves. (Luke 1: 30 – 33, Hebrews 2: 2).
Belief and Unbelief!
In a modern and scientific world it seems that if anything cannot be analysed and proven then it is disputed and not believed. Anything mysterious, as in the case of angels, will have certain followers and those who dismiss them.
As I conclude this very brief response to your question, Carol, a continued study about angels will be a great benefit for all of us. It can be like trying to find those misplaced books I mentioned as we look for things that we cannot find or fully understand.
Andrew Bonner as quoted by Dr David Jeremiah in his notes Turning Point says: “Angels will never be kings. They will always be servants”. So watch out for an unexpected encounter with angels and the Holy Spirit and be confident in their protection and help for us, whether we are fully aware of them or not.
Graham
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