According to the scriptural account, Gabriel appeared to Zacharias announcing the pending birth of John the Baptist even though Elizabeth was an old woman. Then Mary, in her early teens, had the angel Gabriel appear to her saying that she would be the mother of the Son Of God through the Holy Spirit. As Joseph debated what to do about Mary’s pregnancy, the angel appeared in a dream telling him to take Mary as his wife and not to put her away quietly. Later, the angel appeared to the shepherds announcing the birth of Jesus. When the life of Jesus was threatened as a toddler by King Herod the Great, an angel appeared again to Joseph in a dream telling him to take the family to Egypt. Afterwards, the angel appeared to Joseph in another dream telling him to return to the homeland. Little is known of the life of Jesus as a teenager. However, after he was baptized by John the Baptist, Jesus was driven into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. At the end of that temptation, angels ministered to him. Let us examine what is common with all of these angelic appearances.
The first thing we notice is that the Bible does not in any way indicate that ministering Angels have wings. According to the Old Testament, Seraphim and Cherubim are the only ones reported to have wings other than the visions recorded in Ezekiel. Next, an angel can appear to the human being in person or in a dream. They come to mankind with a message from the Almighty. It would seem that the Magi also had a visit from an angel in a dream telling them to return home a different way. So far, in all of these cases, at no time did the angels bring attention to themselves or try to glorify themselves. In the case of Zacharias, the angel was authorized by God to pronounce a curse on him for his unbelief that he would not be able to speak until John the Baptist was born.
In the case of Mary and the shepherds, the angel Gabriel appeared personally to them, not in dream. How marvelous that experience must’ve been for the shepherds. It was nighttime and the only light was from their campfire. Then suddenly out of the darkness walking to them an angel approached while the glory of the Lord shone round about them. They did not fly or hover in the air. After the angel gave them instructions how to find Christ, the Bible says a multitude of other angels walked toward them praising God. They did not sing but said, “glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” My Greek professor in college elaborated on this text. He said that that part of Scripture that said peace on earth can better be translated the person of peace was on earth. He also said that the goodwill was toward men of goodwill, not just anybody. For Mary and the shepherds, they were told not to fear.
Let us continue to talk about the nature of angels. They are a supernatural order of heavenly beings created before the creation of the world. They are also called spirits. They have no bodily organism but can appear in the form of man. They have free will as indicated by Lucifer’s rebellion against God, but they have no means of salvation. They are not glorified human beings and possess more knowledge than a person. Even though they are stronger than a man they are not omnipotent. In the Bible they have been known to perform miracles. They can come as individuals or as a multitude. Gabriel and Michael are referred to in the book of Daniel as archangels. In Ezekiel 28 Satan was described as an anointed cherub which made him one of the highest and most gifted of the heavenly host. Their chief role is to be messengers from God to man. There are specific holy angels that stand in the presence of God to worship him. They do minister to believers according to Hebrews 11:4 by giving assistance, protection, and deliverance. In the Bible we have been given encouragement from angels and interpretation of God’s will. There are several scriptures that are for specific angels that can be called guardians to watch over human beings. In the recount of Lazarus going to paradise, angels escorted him. Unfortunately for human beings, angels can also implement punishment on mankind.
In the garden of Gethsemane angels ministered to Jesus while he was praying so intently that he sweated drops of blood. At his resurrection an angel rolled away the stone from his tomb, but two others appeared and confirmed his resurrection to the disciples and the women. In the process of his arrest, he declared that if he wished he could ask the heavenly Father to send 12 legions of angels to deliver him from his enemies.
A word of personal testimony that I believe is appropriate here. On two occasions I am convinced that Angels operated within the realm of me and my family. My mother was very aged, had multiple surgeries and multiple diagnoses. Shortly before her death in a nursing home she reported that a fine young man dressed in a suit came and talked with her. My sister checked with the nursing station and was told that no one visited her. With a strong conviction of my mother, we believe an angel came to comfort her before her death. Also, I found myself driving on a very dark road in Kentucky with rain pouring down. The road made a sharp turn to the right causing my car to hydroplane. As I saw a telephone pole rapidly approaching me, I knew I was going to be victim of a serious car accident. With no one around and no vision, the front of my car gently turned to the right without any more hydroplaning and with no danger of an accident and without my steering . I tell you the truth. The way it happened I truly believe an angel protected me and moved the car away from the pole.
Have no doubt but that angels are among us! They deliver messages, provide protection, and offered influence into society as God might will. Do not take what I’m saying in a mystical sense. There is nothing magical or mysterious. Angels do exist. They still operate in the realm of humanity. Those who know Christ as Savior have an extra benefit of their presence and their ministry for us.
Christian Writer 