ARE ANGELS REAL?

Are angels real? Are they at work in our world, or are they a Bible-era phenomenon? We know that angels are messengers, envoys from Heaven, delivering God’s message to people like Abraham, Gideon, Elijah, Peter, and others. But angels are more than just messenger boys, aren’t they?

The Bible clearly says, and it seems obvious, that forces of evil are at work in our world today. “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens” (Ephesians 6:12). I conclude that if demons are scurrying about in the unseen realm, then so are angels! But how?

Angels are God’s servants. For example, on at least two occasions God commissioned angels to serve Jesus.

Remember the experience that Jesus had in the wilderness early in His earthly ministry? While Jesus spent forty days in solitude, the devil came to tempt and test. With each temptation, Jesus answered by faithfully quoting Scripture. After forty days without food, “the devil left him, and angels came and began to serve him” (Matthew 4:11).

Surely the angels provided supernatural sustenance to revive the Lord’s physical strength. How else did the angels “serve” Jesus? Mark hints at angelic protection against wild animals. “He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels were serving him” (Mark 1:13). Like Daniel in the lion’s den,

“God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths” (Daniel 6:22).

A second example… In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayerfully poured out His heart before God. “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me—nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). As He prayed, “his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground” (Luke 22:44). Oh, what mental anguish and physical agony our Lord endured as He contemplated the weight of every sin committed by every sinner throughout all the ages.

Alone in the darkness, God sent His servant to comfort and encourage. “An angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him” (Luke 22:43).

Angels provided Divine assistance and assurance to Jesus. They protected, comforted and encouraged. If angels did this for Jesus, don’t you think that God could use angels to serve His children?

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).