Many people have wondered for centuries whether Angels are real or imaginary. To those people who feel they have actually seen an angel, there is no debate; nor is there a debate with a Christian. A Christian believes by faith in the word of God that Angels exist.
Some may say, how can anyone believe what they have not seen? Yet these same people believe in God. They believe that he sent his son as a blood sacrifice to save humanity. To give one a choice as to how they want to live their life, whether for God or for the world.
In Luke 1:26-38 there is the story of how God sent the Angel Gabriel to Mary to tell her she was going to bear the Christ child. Again, in Matthew 1:18-21 when her husband Joseph did not believe Mary, he sent an angel to Joseph to confirm that it was indeed true. Joseph believed and then took Mary to be his wife.
Another situation in Luke 1:19-20 tells the story of Mary’s cousin, Elisabeth and her husband, Zechariah They were a couple who had lived past childbearing years. They wanted a child their whole marriage, yet Elisabeth was barren. One day an Angel came to her to tell her she would bear a child. She laughed when she heard this and made a statement about her age. This is still unbelievable to most everyone. There is not one person who would not be in awe of God, having had an Angel appear with a message.
Is there anything too hard for God?
He is the creator. He can create anytime he wants to and he wanted Elisabeth to carry this special child. She would give birth to John the Baptist, who would eventually have the honor of baptizing Jesus.
Elisabeth’s husband found this to be hard to believe, saying, “I am an old man, how can this be?” His answer was, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” Luke 1:19-20
Some people believe that there are Angels but that they are all good.
If one believes in Heaven and Hell, they would have to believe that there were some bad Angels. Satan was considered the most beautiful Angel in Heaven. He was called the Morning Star, son of the dawn. He became jealous of God, wanting to be God. He was indeed evil, influencing a great number of angels to follow him. God kicked them all out of Heaven. That is why they are on the earth wreaking havoc on God’s children and seducing others to follow their evil ways.
God’s Angels are protectors of his servants.
In 2 Kings 6:14-17, one can read about the King of Aram who was going against Elisha the prophet. The prophet’s helper was fearful. Elisha pointed out to him that he should not be afraid. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Elisha then prayed that God would open the eyes of the men so they could see the hosts of protective angels. When he did, it says, the young man “saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”
The Angels minister to God’s children in times of danger and hardship. Another example of Angels ministering to God’s servants was when Paul was on his way to Rome. He was on a ship with more than 200 other men. Because of the crew’s fear, Paul shared with them about a private moment he had the night before. He said, “An angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, “Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar, and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.” Acts 27:23-25
Guardian Angels
Some Christians believe everyone has their own Guardian Angel just by what Jesus said in Matthew 18:10. “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” If one does not have a Guardian Angel it is apparent by this scripture that the Angels in Heaven are watching.
Through the ages, there have been people who have claimed an Angel appeared to them. There are certainly other examples in the Bible that cannot be shared for lack of room in this article. But there are people all through the years that have seen them. It has also been said that Angels can appear to one in many forms, just as the horsemen on the hill in the story about Elisha.
In answer to the question; it is improbable that people have imagined seeing Angels. People believe they exist. God has and will continue to send his Angels to protect his people. One does not hear of many instances of angels appearing to people as they did Mary and Joseph. Christians do not need an angel to know what God wants. Usually one can feel in their spirit what God is saying. God uses Angels for many different services. In some religions, an Angel is believed to act as a messenger from God.
