Surprising Answers from the Scriptures (Part 1)
If you bring up the topic of angels in any kind of women’s group, you’re likely to open up a lively discussion. Everyone has their opinion about these remarkable super-natural beings. Angels seem to be everywhere today—in books, on T.V. and in movies.
Scripture is our sole reliable source about who angels really are and what they do. God has not kept this mysterious aspect of his creation a secret!
One Bible researcher offers his solid answers to some common questions about angels' origins and activites.
1. Should we look to angels for spiritual guidance?
Did you know that no one in the Bible ever pursues communication with angels? In fact, when they appear on earth, it’s always a total surprise (Gen 21:17, Matt 28:5). While it’s appealing to think of angels as all warmth and light, the Bible warns that many angels are evil and they use enticing disguises to deceive people (2 Cor 11:14). Seeking communication from angels actually risks opening a door to demonic influence—which God is vehemently opposed to (Deut 18:10-12).
2. Do angels have bodies?
The Bible says that angels are genderless spirit beings and without bodies (Luke 20:34-36). While Abraham and Lot ate food with angels who had temporarily taken on bodily forms (Gen 18:8), the Bible rarely gives any description other than their typical appearance in bright light. The capacity of demonic spirits to inhabit humans is strong evidence that spirits do not have bodies of their own (Matt 12:43).
3. Will we become angels?
The Bible says resurrected Christians will be immortal “like the angels” but we won’t actually become angels (Luke 20:34-36). God created the angels before he made human beings (Job 38:4-7). In eternity we will be sinless, and our future bodies will be like Christ’s resurrected body that can eat, drink and be touched (Luke 24:36-43).
4. Do we each have a guardian angel?
Biblically, there’s no real basis for believing that each of us have a special personal “body guard.” To help Peter escape from jail, the Lord sent an angel who then left Peter right afterward (Acts 12:6-10). The context of Heb 1:14 suggests that angels “serve” Christians by bringing messages from God of importance to our salvation (Heb 2:2-3). The Bible tells us to look to God Himself for guidance and to help with all our daily concerns (Phil 4:6-7).
5. Should we expect angels to visit us?
As God’s messengers, angel appearances in Scripture are exceptional, come as a surprise, and are imbued with great significance. Angels announced the miraculous births of key figures (Isaac, John the Baptist and Jesus); to call, deliver, or strengthen prophets (Isaiah, Elijah, Daniel); and to announce Jesus’ resurrection to the women at the tomb.
Hebrews 13:2 suggests that we’ve probably all seen an angel at some time in our lives—but haven’t known it. The main point of this verse is that we should show hospitality to strangers, not that we should seek the company of angels.
Read Part 2 here.
I’m indebted to this excellent and thoroughly biblical booklet, “10 Questions and Answers on Angels” by Robert M. Bowman, Jr. (Rose Publishing, 2008).
For more clarification and information, be sure to take a look. I highly recommend it.
Photos: rskoon & MikeWebkist (Flickr)
Do you know anyone who has encountered an angel? What do you think?
11 Comments:
I used to know a woman who had seen angels in churches surrounding pastors while they preached.
my mother and father, both born again Christians since the 1940's INSIST that when my dad was very ill an angel came as a "sign" that he would be ok. Apparently, my mother was very worried about him and was up most of the nite praying for him. He was home but she thot she'd have to bring him to the hospital the next a.m. He was coughing badly and seemed to have pneumonia. She said she heard the beating of wings and looked all around the house thinking a bird had gotten in. She even checked the attic. She "felt" a comforting presence. My dad slept the rest of the night and was fine in the a.m.
I have no idea but....Maybe my mom really did sense an angel??
and I know back when I was suicidal one evening...I won't go into it...but...I tried to slash my wrists and I felt my hand being moved away (the one holding the blade).....i felt like someone was gently pressing down on my hand...I dropped the blade and cried out to God to help me. I never tried anything like that again.....and instead became closer to my Savior because of crying out to Him.
ps...sorry e-mom...I thot I should clarify the above remark. I was 17 when I felt like I wanted to slash my wrists....had only been saved for 3 years but was in a very bad way at that point in time....due to abuse going on that I couldn't tell anyone about.....and the thing that happened with my dad happened about 3 years ago when he was 72
This is excellent clarification. I've known people who earnestly believed some of these things (like people becoming angels when they die, when the Bible nowhere even hints that). I had never thought of the wrong kind of angels using this fascination to lead people astray -- that is a good point -- but I did think just now that at least sometimes the fascination with angels can distract people from Christ Himself.
A great post, to the point. There is often so much 'silly' stuff out there about what people think of angels so it is great to hear what info God shared on them in his word, since he is their and our creator.
I believe whole heartedly people have experiences with them and most are shaken or surprised as the people in scripture.
I do not intend to seek them out but I am thankfully aware they are around and working for my God.
It is important to be aware, as you pointed out, because of the enemy and his angels as well.
May the Lord protect his people from any distractions that keep us from focusing on him above all else:)
I believe angels are an intrinsic part of God's creation, but some parts of today's culture seem all to willing to worship the angelic rather than giving all glory to God. A quick perusal of any Christian bookstore will turn up many books centered on angel lore or stories. I do believe that we may entertain angels unaware, however!
To my knowledge I have never had an angelic encounter - and probably to my shame, I don't really think about them too much. When I first became a Christian Amy Grant was singing her song - Angels Watching Over Me and I gained a small understanding of how Angels might play into my daily living. I also read Frank Peretti's book This Present Darkness and although it was fiction it did peak my interest in things unseen.
I do love the picture that is painted for us in Revelation of the angels worshipping.
I'm looking forward to part 2 of this post x :~)
Interesting subject and thank you for gathering together the information we clearly do know.
Personally I suspect that there are many "mysteries" in life of which we are unaware or of which we get glimpses (often when we are in need of help as in Faith's example). However, we all know what the ultimate source must be and where we should be directing our thoughts and energy.
Or to put it another way, it is one thing to recieve and another to go looking!
Tracie: Nice to meet you! Thanks for stopping by.
Faith: I'm so sorry for your suffering, Faith. I hope you've found healing for those traumatic memories from your teens.
Barbara: Yes, I so agree! ...the fascination with angels can distract people from Christ Himself.
Mac an Rothaich: Amen to this... May the Lord protect his people from any distractions that keep us from focusing on him above all else.
April: As you point out, many people today worship angels, rather than God Himself. I fear that most are deceived, and are actually worshipping the angels of the enemy.
Shelley: I wouldn't be ashamed that you've never had an angel encounter my friend... judging from Scripture, true angel encounters are quite rare.
Buffy: LOL, I love this: it's one thing to receive, it's another to go looking. Very well said!
Very straightforward. Thanks for this biblically based information. I've been reading up on this subject since finding the book The Testings of Devotion by Cheryl Dellasega. It's a work of Christian fantasy and the beginning of a series of books about angels and their roles in the fight of good vs. evil, and even in the lives of mortals. I really appreciated the descriptive detail used in this book, and so far I've found it to be right along with biblical accounts about the work of the angels. I think it's been viewed as a bit of a controversial work, but I love the way the information is presented, and the descriptive nature of the language used by the author. It's certainly peeked my interest on the subject! Many blessings to you. =)
Molly: I don't know the work of fiction that you've mentioned. I'm glad you're seeking out the truth about angels through careful Bible study. There's a lot of misinformation out there that's unbiblical, and we need to be wise--especially since there are some "angels" that oppose us and want to do us harm. Thanks for stopping by today! ღ
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