Angels, by any name, exist within the major religions of the world.
In Buddhism, “devas” are celestial beings and “dharmapalas” are protectors. In Catholicism, angels are intermediaries between God and humans. In Eastern Orthodoxy, angels and archangels are workers and messengers of God. In Hinduism, there are “devas” and “apsaras” which are spiritual beings that help people’s spiritual beliefs. In Islam, angels are called “malaikah” who are intermediaries and messengers of Allah. In Judaism, angels are messengers who help carry out God’s work and plans.
In Christianity, which includes Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, the Bible has many recountings of angelic encounters with the man. Could modern men have encountered angels and not known it? There are many individuals who have told of seeing and/or communicating with angels. And then there are individuals who have encountered angels and did not know it. The Book of Hebrews tells us, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unaware.” (Hebrews 13:2).
Three reasons why angels appear to man.
Angels bring messages such as the birth of a child. Angels help the man in furthering God’s plans. Lastly, angels intervene for believers in need. Angels are the true intermediaries between God and individual believers. They safeguard households and individuals from demons.
Angels are everywhere. In the New Testament, Jesus says, “See that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10). Angels were bestowed, by God, great wisdom, power, freedom and many appearances in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. A guardian angel is an angel assigned to protect a person or a group by God.
Throughout antiquity, there has been a belief in guardian angels. Pagans believed in guardian angels. The Babylonians and Assyrians sculpted guardian angels to decorate their palaces as evidenced by a sculpture at the British Museum. Peter’s angel is the most commonly depicted guardian angel in art. The most famous is Raphael’s fresco of “The Deliverance of Saint Peter” which resides in the Vatican.
Do Americans believe in angels?
Time Magazine recently published a poll that 69% of Americans believe in angels. Within this group, 46% believe they have a personal guardian angel. Ultimately, angels are a matter of faith as there is no scientific evidence.
Believers of guardian angels will tell you of angelic encounters. Some people claim to experience auras such as an indescribable and barely perceptible angelic sound or a sweet indescribable scent. Some people describe a glimpse of angel wings seen peripherally while others will describe a sudden warmth or comfort. Some people state that an inexplicable presence is felt.
Are there angels that watch out over us? The Book of Psalms states “He has given his angels orders about you to guard you wherever you go. They will carry you in their arms in case you trip over a stone.” (Psalms 91: 11-12). If you believe, angels are always watching over you.
