How do Angels Interact With Humans?
Mysteries Beyond
Today’s Verse and Thought
“For He will give His angels orders concerning you, To protect you in all your ways.”(Psalm 91:11)
From yesterday - Angels…are powerful members and divine citizens of the heavenly realm. They don’t necessarily appear as a winged creature as we have seen. In fact, when angles interact with humans, they often look like men. Even though they are spirit beings, they can take on the form of men with many of the same attributes and physicality as men. As we have seen, angels are supernatural beings that interact regularly in our natural world.
Are all angels the same? How do they interact with us on earth?
Angels, Cherubs, The Sistine Madonna, Raphael, 1512-1516, Gemaldegalerie Alte Meister, Dresden, Germany, Europe (source)
The Job of Angels
In his book “Angels”, Michael Heiser says that there are many misunderstandings about angels due to Christian traditions and myths. He desires to speak about what the Bible says about angels.”(source)
If we can grasp the concept that the spiritual realm is as “real” as our earthly life, we can begin to see evidence of this invisible world interacting with ours. The Bible has many references to angels that connect with humans, or in human events.
And not all angels are the same.
Just as earth has a variety of creatures, heaven does too. There are different kinds of angelic beings found in scripture, and each one also has a particular role or job to carry out.
One such angelic manifestation is “The Angel of the Lord.” When we see this title with the definite article “The”, it’s assumed by scholars that this is a Theophany or Christophany.
"The Angel of the LORD" may be understood as a manifestation of God (a theophany) or as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ (a Christophany). This view is based on the way that the Angel speaks and acts with divine authority, sometimes speaking as God Himself.
Some scholars interpret certain appearances of The Angel of the LORD as a reference to the coming of Jesus (God in the flesh), particularly in passages where the Angel speaks with divine authority and delivers promises associated with God’s covenant with man. Below are some of the more than 270 Biblical references showing various angels acting in their roles among humans:
Old Testament Angel References
1. The Angel of the LORD
Genesis 16:7-14 – The Angel of the LORD appears to Hagar in the wilderness after she runs away from Sarah. The angel tells her to return and promises that her son, Ishmael, will become the father of a great nation.
"The angel of the LORD found Hagar near a spring in the desert." (Genesis 16:7)
Genesis 18:1-15 – Three “visitors” visit Abraham to deliver a prophecy (often interpreted as angels or a theophany of God). One of them predicts that Sarah will have a son.
"The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre..." (Genesis 18:1)
Genesis 22:11-18 – The Angel of the LORD stops Abraham from sacrificing Isaac and provides a ram caught in a thorny briar bush for the sacrifice instead.
"But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, 'Abraham! Abraham!'" (Genesis 22:11)
Judges 6:11-24 – The Angel of the LORD appears to Gideon, calling him to deliver Israel from the Midianites.
"When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, 'The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.'" (Judges 6:12)
Judges 13:3-21 – The Angel of the LORD announces the birth of Samson to his parents, Manoah and his wife, and gives instructions for raising him.
"The angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said, 'You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son.'" (Judges 13:3)
2. Cherubim -A Specific Class of Angels
This is the “class” of angels that often appear in art as little fat babies with wings, thanks to the Italian artists who worked on Catholic buildings in the 1500s.
We need to erase that image.
Cherubim are actually mighty protectors and throne bearers who appear as a mash-up of animals and human figures with wings.
Ezekiel 10:1-22 – Ezekiel's vision of cherubim with four faces (man, lion, ox, and eagle) and four wings, which accompany the presence of God. These cherubim are portrayed as serving as the throne bearers of God's glory.
"The cherubim rose upward. These were the living creatures I had seen by the River Chebar." (Ezekiel 10:15)
Genesis 3:24 – After Adam and Eve are cast out of Eden, cherubim were placed to guard the entrance to the Tree of Life that is in the Garden.
"After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life." (Genesis 3:24)
Exodus 25:18-22 – When the Ark of the Covenant was made, two cherubim were placed at either end, with their wings spread to overshadow the mercy seat.
"Make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover." (Exodus 25:18)
3. Seraphim- Another Class of Angels only mentioned in Isaiah’s throne room vision
Isaiah 6:1-7 – Isaiah's vision of seraphim, beings with six wings, praising God in the temple. They cry out, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty."
"Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying." (Isaiah 6:2)
4. Various Angels who bring Judgment and Destruction
Genesis 19:1-29 – Two angels visit Lot in Sodom and warn him to flee before the city is destroyed. They lead Lot and his family out of the city before it is consumed by fire and brimstone.
"The two men said to Lot, 'Do you have anyone else here—sons-in-law, sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city who belongs to you? Get them out of here, because we are going to destroy this place.'" (Genesis 19:12-13)
2 Samuel 24:15-17 – The Angel of the LORD strikes down 70,000 men in Israel as a punishment for David’s census. The angel stops the destruction at the threshing floor of Araunah, where David offers a sacrifice.
"And the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it. But the LORD relented concerning this disaster and said to the angel who was afflicting the people, 'Enough! Withdraw your hand.'" (2 Samuel 24:16)
1 Chronicles 21:15-30 – Similar to the account in 2 Samuel, where the Angel of the LORD brings a plague on Israel, but it stops when David offers a sacrifice.
"And God said to the angel, 'Put your sword back into its sheath. I am satisfied. Do not destroy the people.'"(1 Chronicles 21:27)
New Testament Angel References
1. Angelic Announcements and Messages
Matthew 1:20-24 – An angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream, telling him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife because she is pregnant by the Holy Spirit.
"But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife.'" (Matthew 1:20)
Matthew 2:13-15 – An angel warns Joseph to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt to escape King Herod's massacre.
"When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. 'Get up,' he said, 'take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt.'" (Matthew 2:13)
Luke 1:11-20 – the Angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah to announce the forthcoming birth of John the Baptist.
"Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense." (Luke 1:11)
Luke 1:26-38 – the Angel Gabriel appears to Mary to announce the birth of Jesus.
"The angel went to her and said, 'Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.'" (Luke 1:28)
Luke 2:8-14 – Angels appear to the shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus.
"An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified." (Luke 2:9)
2. Angelic Protection and Guidance
Matthew 4:11 – After Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, angels came and ministered to Him.
"Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him." (Matthew 4:11)
Acts 5:19 – An angel opens the prison doors to free the apostles after they are arrested.
"But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out." (Acts 5:19)
Acts 12:7-11 – An angel of the Lord rescues Peter from prison.
"Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up." (Acts 12:7)
Acts 27:23-24 – An angel appears to Paul during a storm at sea, assuring him of God's protection.
"Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul.'" (Acts 27:23-24)
3. Angels in Revelation
Revelation 1:1 – Angels are used by Jesus to reveal the events of the end times to John.
"The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John." (Revelation 1:1)
Revelation 5:11-12 – Thousands of angels are depicted as worshipping God and the Lamb (Jesus).
"Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders." (Revelation 5:11)
Revelation 7:1-3 – Four angels stand at the four corners of the earth, holding back the winds to prevent harm until God's servants are sealed.
"After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree." (Revelation 7:1)
Revelation 14:6-10 – An angel proclaims the eternal gospel to the nations.
"Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth..." (Revelation 14:6)
4. Angels as Ministers
Luke 22:43 – An angel strengthens Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
"An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him." (Luke 22:43)
Hebrews 1:14 – Angels are described as "ministering spirits" sent to serve those who will inherit salvation.
"Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14)
As we can see from these few references, angels are very active in the world of humans. They serve as messengers, protectors, worshippers of God, and ministers of divine judgment or mercy. They are referenced in the Bible, but they aren’t just historical; they are active all throughout human history - including today.
Some angels are highly significant in specific events, like Gabriel announcing key moments in the life of Christ, or when the Angel of the LORD appears. Other angels appear in visions, provide guidance and protection, or participate in the metanarrative of God’s plan that He reveals to us in His Word.
God’s kingdom is full of heavenly citizens known as elohiym. These spiritually divine beings are tasked with specific roles as they interact with our physical world. God assigns angels to also act as protectors of his children. And as the Scripture indicates, we may even encounter them and not know it.
“Do not neglect hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”(Hebrews 13:2).
One thing that’s important to note about angles is their “place” in the world. They are all servants of God, just as we are. While they are divine and powerful, we are not to worship them or pray to them. They are commanded by God; not humans.
For He [God] will give His angels orders concerning you, To protect you in all your ways.
Angels also have freewill. The example of angels above are Godly angels. But there are also evil angels who rebelled against God and also interact with humans. Just as there are “good” spirits, there are also “bad” spirits.
Where do we see these evil ones in the Bible? What about in our world today?
To be continued…
Today’s Question
Verses to Explore
“And you shall make an atoning cover of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and one and a half cubits wide. You shall make two cherubim of gold; make them of hammered work at the two ends of the atoning cover. Make one cherub at one end and one cherub at the other end; you shall make the cherubim of one piece with the atoning cover at its two ends. And the cherubim shall have their wings spread upward, covering the atoning cover with their wings and facing one another; the faces of the cherubim are to be turned toward the atoning cover. Then you shall put the atoning cover on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the testimony which I will give to you. There I will meet with you; and from above the atoning cover, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, I will speak to you about every commandment that I will give you for the sons of Israel.”(Exodus 25:17-22)
Today’s Prayer
Father thank you for your ministering spirits. Thank you for your divine protection and guidance. Help us to understand how you work among us today. So many times we can ascribe all the evil to the angelic fallen ones, but we forget that you command your angels concerning us! Help us to have a better image of how these angels are intervening today. As we study your spiritual world, help us to do it in a way that glorifies you, not glorifies spirits. We want all we do to bring glory, honor and praise to you Lord. Amen❤️