“Angels transcend every religion, every philosophy, every creed. In fact, angels have no religion as we know it. Their existence precedes every religious system that has ever existed on Earth.”—Thomas Aquinas
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DO you believe in angels? If you do, you are not alone. As Henry Ward Beecher admits, “We not only live among men, but there are airy hosts, blessed spectators, sympathetic lookers-on, that see and know and appreciate our thoughts and feelings and acts.”
“The angels,” says John Calvin, “are the dispensers and administrators of the Divine beneficence toward us; they regard our safety, undertake our defense, direct our ways and exercise a constant solicitude that no evil befall us.”
Saint Francis de Sales also said, “Make yourself familiar with the angels, and behold them frequently in spirit; for without being seen, they are present with you.” And Saint Thomas Aquinas believes, “An angel can illuminate the thought and mind of man by strengthening the power of vision.”
Here’s what famous American preacher Billy Graham has to say about angels: “I am convinced that these heavenly beings exist and that they provide unseen aid on our behalf. I do not believe in angels because someone has told me about a dramatic visitation from an angel, impressive as such testimonies may be.
He went on to say: “I do not believe in angels because unidentified flying objects are astonishingly angel-like in some of their reported appearances. I do not believe in angels because some extra-sensory power experts are making the realm of the spirit world seem even more plausible.
Finally, Graham said, “I do not believe in angels because of the sudden worldwide emphasis on the reality of Satan and demons. I do not believe in angels because I have never seen one – because I haven’t. I believe in angels because the Bible says there are angels; and I believe the Bible to be the true Word of God.”
There is no definite number of angels recorded in the Holy Bible. Eileen Elias Freeman, in The Angels’ Little Instruction Book, pointed out: “Angels are all around us, all the time, in the very air we breathe.”
George Bernard Shaw commented, “In heaven, an angel is nobody in particular.”
Perhaps, the number of angels might be compared with the number of stars in the universe, which means the number would run into the billions. Apostle John saw in a vision “ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands” – that equals 100 million and untold thousands besides.
The book of Daniel (7:10) recorded: “A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.”
And Revelation 5:11 stated: “Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.”
It may come as a surprise that the Bible does not portray angels in the manner commonly depicted in paintings. You may be familiar with the typical images of cherubic infants adorned with wings. However, a passage found in Ezekiel 1:1-28 provides a vivid depiction of angels as beings with four wings. Ezekiel 10:20 identifies these angels specifically as cherubim.
Some angels are referred to as seraphim. The description of seraphim can be found in Isaiah 6:1-8. These angels are depicted as being tall, possessing six wings each, and they have the ability to fly.
“Most angels in the Bible have the appearance and form of a man,” writes Mary Fairchild, author and general editor of Stories of Calvary. “Many of them have wings, but not all. Some are larger than life. Others have multiple faces that appear like a man from one angle, and a lion, ox, or eagle from another angle. Some angels are bright, shining, and fiery, while others look like ordinary humans. Some angels are invisible, yet their presence is felt, and their voice is heard.”
In the Bible, only three angels were given names. Both Michael and Gabriel are given places of importance among angels in the ministry of God. They were mentioned in both the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Michael, whose name means “who is like God,” has the rank of archangel and is the defender of Israel, God’s chosen people. Gabriel, whose name means “mighty one of God,” is a special messenger of God.
The third angel – a fallen one – was named Lucifer.
Unknowingly, we can all be angels to one another. Joan Wester Anderson explains: “We can choose to obey the still small stirring within, the little whisper that says go: ‘ask, and reach out.’ Be an answer to someone’s plea. You have a part to play. Have faith. We can decide to risk that He is indeed there, watching, caring, cherishing us as we love and accept love. The world will be a better place for it. And wherever they are, the angels will dance.”
As a friend, you can be an angel, too. Do you know the reasons why? According to one poem, friends brighten our days “in all kinds of wonderful, magical ways.”
Their thoughtfulness comes, “as a gift from above” and we feel we’re surrounded, “by warm, caring love.” Friends fill our lonesome moments “with their laughter and fun.” They are considered angels “without any wings” for they bring blessing to our lives “with the most precious things.”
James Russell Lowell once penned, “All God’s angels come to us disguised.”
