Frequently Asked Questions

Dealing With

Angels

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Do angels have a free will as we do here on earth?

Satan's rebellion is proof that angels had free will. Since God does not change, we know that such remains to be the case.

In a dream, angels communicated with me through some sort of telepathy. Do they really do that?

Angels do not communicate anywhere in the Bible (which is a long book) in a telepathic manner. The Bible records angels’ communication using words like “said,” “called,” “talked,” “asked,” and “answered.” These indicate standard speech. They also use “body language.” For example, if an angel is carrying a drawn sword (as in Numbers 22:23), the topic will not be philosophical discussion! (By the way, that example in Numbers is the “angel of the LORD,” who most theologians believe to be God appearing as an angel.) While we would not presume to place a limit on their capability of communicating, the complete lack of any comment on telepathic communication in the Bible indicates that angels do not use telepathy.

Do people who have died become angels?

Click this sentence to learn what the Bible says about people becoming angels.

My friend claims to have had contact with an angel. Is that possible?

Although related to the question “Is there any way to contact my guardian angel?” farther down this page, this question implies that someone believes they have already “made contact” with an angel. We can not know with certainty whether your friend’s experience is “real” or not. The Bible states that angels do physically visit people. Still, during the 4,000 years of events recorded in the Bible, perhaps 50 visits are documented. (This does not include the part of Revelation that occurs in our future.) This is an average of one actual contact in the world per 80 years—not very frequently. Further, many of these visits were God appearing as an angel, and probably should not be included in this count. (To learn more about God appearing as an angel, click on this sentence.) To be fair, the Bible probably does not record every angelic visit during that 4,000 year time span, yet it seems likely that many of the hundreds (or thousands) of “encounters” numerous people believe they are having with angels each day are not real.

Now, let’s look at this question from a different viewpoint. The Bible contains everything that God intended to reveal to us and says so in many places. (See Revelation chapter 22, verses 18 and 19 for one example.) When people say they have been visited by angels, they are stating that they received special, personal one-on-one revelations from God (through angels). Even if no conversation takes place, these people are seemingly given some kind of special experience and the rest of us are left to wonder, “What’s wrong with me? Where’s my angel?” Such continued “revelation” has been the foundation of many cults who add their own teachings to the Bible. (If you would like to learn more about the methods and recognition of cults, click on this sentence.) Colossians chapter 2, verse 18 clearly tells us not to get fooled into following those who claim to have seen visions and encourage people to worship angels.

What are the symbols or personal signs of the nine important angels (Gabriel and others)?

This question and others like it (we get quite a few) has its roots in the story On the Celestial Hierarchy—supposedly written by “Saint Dionysius the Areopagite.” Dionysius was a real man mentioned in Acts chapter 17, verse 34. He became one of the early believers of Christianity in Athens when Paul preached at the Areopagus, and therefore came to be known as “Dionysius the Areopagite.”

This story is typical of many that appeared during the first few centuries of Christianity. In those days, someone would write a document, pretending that someone in the Bible was the author. Later, this person would claim that they “found” this document, written by this “famous” author, and attempt to get people to believe what they wrote. (People do weird things in the name of “religion” sometimes.) It did not take long before everyone realized that this document was a hoax, so the author of On the Celestial Hierarchy is often called “Pseudo-Dionysius,” revealing that Dionysius is a pseudonym.

This document claims to be secret information from the apostle Paul, revealing what Paul learned during his vision of the third heaven—recorded in 2 Corinthians chapter 12. (One reason we know this story is false is that Paul himself states in 2 Corinthians 12:4 that the man “heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” We find it impossible to believe that Paul—the man who wrote more of the New Testament books than anyone else—would violate God’s direct command and tell something to Dionysius that he was not supposed to tell anyone.) Anyway, this document assigns angels into nine “orders.” Listed from “highest” to “lowest,” they are: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels. Although these are legitimate terms, arranging them into an order and (even worse) telling people the responsibilities and duties of these “angelic positions” has no basis in fact and is not supported by the Bible.

Along this same train of thought, the Bible does not mention any “signs” that identify angels, nor does it list any “important” angels by name besides Michael and Gabriel, and the fallen angels Satan (Lucifer) and Abaddon (Apollyon). We suspect that all such listings of angels, their ranks and duties, their “symbols,” and their names began in someone’s imagination.

Do you have any information on guardian angels?

We know that all children have what we could call guardian angels, as explained by Jesus in the following Bible verse.

Matthew 18
10 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.”

All children are protected until they reach the age of accountability. Once they reach the age of accountability, they need to get right with God to maintain His protection, and go to heaven. You can find out more about children going to heaven on this page by clicking here.

A different verse seems to indicate that adult Christians also have guardian angels.

Hebrews 1
14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?

Here, “those who will inherit salvation” refers to adults who have gotten right with God.

I was nearly killed in a car accident, but I believe that “someone” kept me safe. Was it a guardian angel?

You may indeed have been saved through the actions of an angel. However, angels work for God, so when you were saved—even if it was through the actions of an angel—it was at God’s command. Therefore, you should focus your gratitude toward God. The Bible makes it clear that Angels do not want it. For example, see the following passage.

Revelation 22
8 Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.
9 Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that.* For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”

* Words in italic type have been added by the New King James Version for clarity. They are not found in the original Hebrew. This is a standard feature found in many Bibles, starting with the Geneva Bible in 1560 A.D.

If you are not yet a Christian, God may have wanted you to have a second chance to get right with Him through Jesus, before it was too late. (Once you die, you are locked into the relationship you established with God—whether it was good or bad.)

Is there any way to contact my guardian angel?

The Bible makes it clear that trying to contact an “angel” is dangerous for two reasons:

• Not all angels are good.
  2 Corinthians 11
  14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.

  Satan is an angel. So are his followers, the “fallen angels” (demons). If you actually “contacted” an angel, how would you know whether the angel was a “godly” angel or a “fallen” one? For that matter, how would you know whether that angel was really “your” guardian angel?

• God strongly warns us to stay away from those who claim to communicate with the spirit world (mediums or spiritists). Leviticus contains a typical warning.
  Leviticus 19
  31 ‘Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.’