E.Z. Zwayne shares a poem to address the humanity’s struggle with age-old question of where we come from, and answers it biblically.
August 3, 2022
What do photos and videos of angel sightings have in common? They are always blurry. They remind me of a meme I once saw that said, “Oh my goodness, a UFO! Quick, grab the worst camera we own!”
According to a recent Gallup poll, an amazing 72% of Americans believe in the existence of angels. How could they not? Angels are big business. There are angel trinkets, angels at graves, angel statues, angel books, angel videos, and even modern movies about heroic angels. They’re popular because angels cater to our yearning for the supernatural without demanding any moral accountability.
There’s even a popular trend called “biblically accurate angels,” where people create drawings and animations based on the Bible’s descriptions of angels. Here’s one from the Book of Revelation: “The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within” (Revelation 4:8).
The Scriptures are filled with angels, from the ones who carried out fearful judgments in the Book of Revelation to the three angels who appeared to Abraham and ate his food.
The Scriptures say, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels” (Hebrews 13:2).
In speaking of the manna that fell from Heaven, the Bible says, “Men ate angels’ food…” (Psalm 78:25). When the Apostle John fell down before an angel in worship, the angel rebuked him and said, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant…worship God” (Revelation 22:9).
When Peter tried to physically defend Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus said, “Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53). That’s 72,000 angels!
“So, what are angels? Well, they’re not those fat little winged babies. Sometimes they appeared as men, and other times they were so frightening that those who saw them fainted as dead men.”
Angels will appear at the Second Coming: “…when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God…” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8).
So, what are angels? Well, they’re not those fat little winged babies. Sometimes they appeared as men, and other times they were so frightening that those who saw them fainted as dead men. The term “angel” comes from the Greek word angelos, which originated from the Hebrew word for “messenger.”
The book of Hebrews says, “Are they [angels] not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14).
They are ministering spirits that God has sent to help us. And look at what makes them rejoice: “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10).
If you’ve ever shed a tear of joy when a sinner repents, you’re not alone. And you’re not alone in your labor to reach the lost.
“Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth…” (Revelation 14:6).