Are there angels on Earth? This question can only be answered using the Word of God as a guide. Many people believe that angels exist today, playing a role in the lives of humans and world affairs. Therefore, journey with us as we take a closer look at whether angels are on earth or their presence in the world is a myth.
Where Does the Bible First Mention Angels?
The first mention of angels in the Bible happened after the sin of Adam and Eve, who were the first humans God created. After God learned that Adam took the forbidden fruit his wife Eve handed him, God drove them out of the Garden of Eden. God placed cherubim (higher-ranking angels) at Eden’s entrance to protect the Tree of Life. The Lord also placed a fiery sword that turns every way (Genesis 3:24) so that no unauthorized persons may enter the Garden.
Do Angels Interact with Humanity in the Bible?
The first interaction between angels and humans occurred when the Bible says that the “sons of God behold the beauty of earthly women, and they took unto themselves wives from among these women” (Genesis 6:2). Some Bible scholars believe that the “sons of God” were fallen angels. Children born from these unions, “mighty men of renown” (Genesis 6:1-4), came to be called giants or Nephilim.
Later in the Bible, we see angels interacting with other people, such as Abraham (Genesis 18:1-33) and Jacob (Genesis 32:1-2). In Genesis 32:22-32, we also see Jacob wrestling with a man who identifies himself as God after they finish wrestling. Hosea 12:3-5 mentions this incident and describes Jacob as wrestling with an angel. Bible scholars take different views on this passage. Some say it was a particular angel, the angel of the Lord. In his book The Hum of Angels, Scot Mcknight suggests that the angel of the lord in the passage refers to God himself.
Does the Bible Mention Limits to What Angels Can Do on Earth?
The Bible did not mention any limits on what works angels may do on earth. However, it does give us a clear guideline of the function of angels when they arrive on earth: to aid human beings.
“But to which of the angels said He at any time, Sit at My right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Hebrews 1:13-14, emphasis added)
Some angels carry special messages from God to humans, such as the angel Gabriel in Luke 1:26-38. Some angels battle on behalf of God or his servants—in 2 Kings 19:35, we see a single angel destroying 185,000 strong men of the army of the Assyrians. This angel could be what many people call a warrior angel—one reserved for combat.
It is believed that angels will only act on the orders of God and will not interfere in humanity’s affairs unless they are told to do so by God.
Does the Bible Mention Guardian Angels?
The Bible makes mention of guardian angels that are set over nations, churches, and individuals. In Daniel 12:1, we see an angel appearing to Daniel and letting him know that the archangel Michael was watching over the nation of Israel. Additionally, in Revelation 2:1-29 and Revelation 3:1-29, Jesus tells John the Revelator that He placed angels as overseers in seven of the churches in Asia.
There are also various places in the scriptures where angels are mentioned as watching over and providing protection for the children of God.
See some scriptures below reporting where angels are helping individuals.
“Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared” (Exodus 23:20 KJV).
“For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hand they shall bear you up lest you strike your foot against a stone” (Psalm 91:12 ESV).
“My God sent His angels and shut the lions’ mouths and they have not harmed me…” (Daniel 6:22 ESV).
Can Angels Deceive Humans?
There is no place in the Bible where we see an angel deceiving anyone. In fact, most Bible scholars believe that angels do not sin and hence do not possess the capacity to lie to anyone. Therefore, if an angel comes with a message to you, it is like literally saying, “Thus says the Lord” to you because they can only speak what God tells them to say.
On the other hand, not all spirits who appear to humans are necessarily from God. Demons are fallen angels who rebelled against God. They take pleasure in deceiving people since they belong to Satan and serve him. Jesus called Satan the father of lies (John 8:44).
The Bible warns us not to believe just any spirit that appears—to test them, and that we will know which comes from God because only those spirits will acknowledge Jesus is from God (1 John 4:1-6).
What Does the Bible Advice about Angels?
1. We must follow the example of angels and worship God. Angels were created to worship God and bring glory to Him. The angelic army stationed around the throne of God cried out with a loud voice saying, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing” (Revelation 5:11-12 KJV). Every act of obedience the angels carried out on behalf of God is done in worship, praise, and adoration to Him, who created them for His glory. The angels of God will never go against God’s will. They only live to carry out God’s will and serve humanity with the same love and compassion the Lord has for people. In addition, angels were not created by God to be worshipped. We must never make the mistake of giving them the glory that only God deserves.
2. To be hospitable, because we may entertain angels in disguise. According to Hebrews 13:2, we must encourage the practice of entertaining strangers in our home because those strangers might be angels taking the form of humans. We receive blessings from God just for showing love and respect to human visitors to our homes. Can you imagine how much more blessing we will receive from the Father in heaven if we entertain angelic beings in our dwelling places? The Bible tells us about Abraham, who entertained angels on his property (Genesis 18). He bowed himself before the angels and fed them with food. Since Abraham was so honorable in showing respect to the angels of God, it is no wonder that God did not hide from him what He was about to do concerning the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham’s wise reverence touched the heart of God and made the Lord share His intention with him. God opened up to Abraham and later called him “Friend” (2 Chronicles 20:7).
3. To Believe the words of angels since they are messengers of God. Angels sometimes will bring messages to people from God. In the New Testament, the first mention of an angel bringing a message from God to an individual is found in Matthew 1:18-24 when the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream instructing him to take Mary to be his wife. In Luke 1:11-23, we see the angel Gabriel appearing and conversing with Zachariah about the birth of John the Baptist, who was to be the forerunner of Jesus. Later in the chapter, the same angel appears to Mary, Jesus’ earthly mother, letting her know that she will give birth to the world’s savior. Believing and accepting the message that an angel brings to us will align us with the perfect will of God, and we can be assured that what the angel tells or instruct us to do is in keeping with heaven’s perfect plan for our lives.
There are many people today still asking if there are angels on Earth. The Bible gives us plenty of evidence that they exist and have been active, and every indication that they are still active in the world today.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/cranach
Lancelot Tucker is a book author and freelance writer who writes on a vast amount of topics. In addition, he serves as an associate pastor in his hometown, Spanish Town. Lancelot loves to do research and write, and is an avid reader of other authors' works. When not writing or reading, he spends his time reaching out to the less fortunate residing in his community.
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