“And He said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.’” John 1:51

Angels Among Us

I’ve never known too much about angels. I think I have purposely turned away from studying them because of the erroneous ideas some people have that angels are great, mighty beings that should be worshiped, or prayed to, or bowed down to, or feared, or held in much higher esteem than God taught in His Word. In fact, some religions elevate the status of angels above Jesus Himself.

We know the basics: Angels descended from heaven to visit with Jesus, worship Him, proclaim Him, and minister to Him.

But Scripture teaches more about them. Angels, at least many of them, are ministering spirits that God sends to earth to specific saints, specific churches, and specific areas of the world. In Acts 12, an angel stood by Peter in prison. The shepherds saw angels standing on the hillside giving glory to God at Jesus’ birth. Beginning in Revelation 2, we read that churches have angels assigned to them. In Daniel 10, an angel appears to Daniel with a special word of encouragement and prophecy from God. Sometimes armies of angels were seen; sometimes one angel at a time was seen. In John 5, the Jews said angels occasionally stirred certain healing waters. Angels were in the fire with the three Hebrew young men. Angels appeared to Lot when it was time to leave Sodom. (Some of these appearances of angels are thought to have been Jesus Himself.) These are just a few references to angel appearances in the Bible.

The Word tells us that angels live among us, and sometimes they are indistinguishable from mankind. Sometimes they even come over for dinner! “Are they not all ministering spirits (“heavenly assistants”) sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14)? That’s us—those who will inherit salvation! These passages bring great comfort—God sent angels to minister to Jesus, and He sends them to minister to us as well!

“Father, thank You for sending Your heavenly assistants. May we be ready to entertain them in our homes, and to hear the words, messages, and encouragement You send to us by them. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”