How Do Angels Help Us?

Have you ever wondered about angels? Beyond the popular images of white-robed figures with wings and a halo, the Bible reveals something far more profound: angels are real, supernatural beings, intimately connected to God's work in our world. The Christian worldview allows for belief in angels and miracles. It acknowledges a much bigger picture of the universe beyond the mere matter, time and energy of the Secular Age. So, Angels a part of what makes for a richer Christian social imagination. They point to a spiritual reality that undergirds and transcends the material world, helping us to gain a more comprehensive understanding of existence and reason itself.

We are not alone in our journey of faith. God, in His boundless care, actively uses angels to intervene in our lives. Let's explore eight beautiful ways these incredible beings help us.

1. They mediate God's presence

Angels often serve as conduits, bringing us closer to the divine presence and profound revelations from God. Remember the burning bush, speaking with the voice of God? That was the "angel of the LORD" mediating God's presence to Moses. This reminds us that even the invisible can be made known through His chosen agents.

2. They Deliver God's Messages

In Greek, the word "angel" means messenger. Throughout history, at pivotal moments, angels have been God's primary messengers, carrying vital announcements and guidance to humanity. They were instrumental in announcing and raising deliverers for God's people when they were in bondage. From the angel of the Lord appearing to Moses to call him to free the Israelites from Egypt, to commissioning Gideon to deliver Israel from Midian, and announcing Samson's miraculous birth and his role in delivering Israel from the Philistines, angels have played a crucial role in God's plan.

And, of course, they were deeply involved in proclaiming the most important birth of all: Jesus Christ, God's ultimate deliverer. An angel announced Jesus' birth to Joseph, Gabriel explained the news to Mary, and an angel, accompanied by a multitude of the heavenly host, shared the joyous news with the shepherds! This highlights their profound role in communicating God's will and ushering in monumental shifts in salvation history.

3. They Offer Guidance, Direction, and Encouragement

The writer to the Hebrews asks (1:14),

"Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?"

This clarifies their primary role: they are actively sent by God to assist us.

When we feel lost or need a clear path, angels can be our guides. An angel guided Abraham's servant to find a wife for Isaac. In the early church, they provided crucial direction at pivotal junctures, such as directing Philip to the Ethiopian official and Cornelius to visit the apostle Peter. This demonstrates their practical involvement in our lives, leading us in divine appointments and crucial decisions that shape our journey of faith. Their presence offers not just direction, but also deep encouragement when we face uncertainty.

4. They Provide Powerful Protection

It should comfort us to know that we are surrounded by benevolent and powerful protective angels, acting as our guardians. The angel of the Lord intervened to prevent Abraham from sacrificing Isaac, providing a substitute. God assured Israel that He was sending an angel ahead to guard them along the way and lead them to their destination.

The Catholic Church's catechism teaches that "from infancy to death human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession," quoting Basil the Great who states, "beside each believer stands an angel as protector and Shepherd". Refargding the concept of "guardian angels," Jesus stated 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."

However, biblical scholars like Graham Cole believe the idea of each person having their own individual guardian angel goes beyond what is explicitly written in scripture, instead seeing guardian angels in the plural guarding God's people (For more on Cole's work on Angels get his book here).

We are reminded in Psalm 91:11-12, 

"For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone."

This is a vivid picture of angelic protection, suggesting a very personal and detailed level of care, guarding us even from seemingly minor dangers. It speaks to an ever-present, diligent guardianship that provides immense reassurance in daily life.

Either way, Angels provide powerful protection. Think of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who were protected through the intense heat and flames of Nebuchadnezzar's furnace. An angel also shut the mouths of lions for Daniel. Even in the early church, angels twice miraculously released apostles from prison. We are never alone in our struggles.

5. They Will Assist in Future Events

Looking ahead, angels will continue to play a crucial role in God's unfolding plan. They will accompany Jesus when He returns, serving as His special envoys to "gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other." They will also assist Him in separating the sheep and the goats and executing divine judgment. This underscores their ongoing involvement in God's sovereign plan for humanity, leading to the ultimate fulfilment of His kingdom.

Consider the breathtaking vision in Revelation 5:11-12, 

"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. In a loud voice they were saying: 'Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!'"

This offers us a glimpse into heavenly worship. It conveys the sheer multitude of angels in unified, thunderous praise for Jesus Christ. It's a powerful picture of awe and reverence, showing their active participation in the divine cosmic drama of redemption.

6. They assist God in his redemptive purposes

   
   

Angels are actively involved in the story of salvation and the outworking of God's plan to redeem his people and creation. They were instrumental in God's plan to find a wife for Isaac and were present during the giving of the Law through Moses on Mount Sinai. An angel intervened to allow Gentiles to hear the gospel and receive the Holy Spirit without circumcision, ultimately contributing to the spread of the gospel among Gentiles (Acts 10). They also help God's people by opposing those who would harm them, as seen when "the angel of the Lord" opposed Balaam (Numbers 22).

7. They worship and praise God

A chief task of angels is the worship of God. They regularly offer worship to God in the heavenly realms. The Book of Revelation depicts innumerable angels encircling God's throne, worshipping both the Father and Jesus, the Lamb who was slain. Angels rejoice when a sinner repents and puts their faith in Christ, bringing glory to God's name.

8. They assist in the execution of God's judgment

Angels serve as agents for dispensing God's judgment both within history and at the end of the world. They will accompany Jesus when he returns to judge the world and will separate the evil from the righteous at the close of the age. They hold back winds of judgment, sound trumpets signalling God's judgment, and are given the role of seizing and throwing Satan into the abyss.

Historically, angels executed judgment through plagues (e.g., against Israel and the Assyrian camp) and destroyed cities like Sodom and Gomorrah.

Other Fun Facts

The Bible also tells us that angels can appear in a visible, often human-like, disguise. They are usually invisible, but they can make themselves known in forms indistinguishable from humans. The writer to the Hebrews tells us that when we are hospitable, sometimes we entertain angels without realising it (Hebrews 13:2).

It seems that Angels are intelligent and morally accountable. There are evil angels who are a result of the "fall before the fall". Before the human rebellion in Eden, there was an angelic rebellion led by Satan, who is identified as a fallen angel. This "forerunner" to the human fall suggests a prior disruption in the spiritual realm.

There are Hierarchy and Types of Angels (Jude 9). While the Bible is holds back on a detailed hierarchy, it mentions "archangels" (like Michael), implying a leadership structure. Other angelic beings include "cherubim" (often associated with guarding God's presence, e.g., in Eden and around God's throne) and "seraphim" (described as "bright shining ones" and "Throne angels" in God's immediate presence). Speculative traditions, like that of Dionysius the Areopagite, proposed nine categories of angels, but these are considered imaginative and not based on Scripture.

They are superior to humans (in some respects), but humans are superior in other aspects. As celestial beings, Angels are far more powerful than humans and possess an abundance of wisdom. However, humans are made in "the image of God" and hold a higher status in the "hierarchy of creatures." However, the Bibles seems to also say that angels are an image of the invisible God (rather than made in God's image): they reflect God's nature or serve as His representatives due to their spiritual essence and role as His servants, rather than possessing the imago Dei in the specific way humans do, which confers a unique dignity. The Bible also indicates that "the saints will judge angels" in the world to come (1 Corinthians 6:3).

Angels possess a distinct nature compared to humans. They are immaterial, spiritual beings created by God. Unlike humans, they do not marry or procreate, as indicated in Scripture (Matthew 22:30). Furthermore, they do not experience death, highlighting their unique existence as non-physical entities (Luke 20:36). This spiritual essence differentiates them from material objects and living beings subject to physical limitations and mortality Their nature aligns with their primary roles as God's ministering spirits and worshippers

While angels provide unseen aid and intervention, it is essential to remember that they are creatures of God, not God himself (Revelation 22). They are spiritual, immaterial beings, and do not possess divine attributes like omnipresence or omniscience. Furthermore, Christians are not meant to pray to angels, as Jesus Christ is the sole mediator between God and humanity. But we can pray to God about angels. Ultimately, the Bible discourages us from excessive speculation and wants us to focus on what God has clearly revealed through Scripture. The understanding of angels, including fallen angels (demons), ultimately reinforces the sovereignty of God, the centrality of Christ, and the supernatural reality of the Christian worldview.

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Personal Encounters with the Unseen

Beyond these scriptural accounts, it's worth noting that angelic encounters aren't just ancient history. In my own life, I've had the privilege of knowing several people who have shared their experiences of encountering angels. These weren't people given to fanciful imagination. Their stories consistently spoke of a presence, a sense of peace, and a clear sense of divine intervention or comfort in moments of great need.

The Miracle at Murree Christian School: A Day of Terror and Divine Intervention

A remarkable example of angelic intervention, which powerfully demonstrates divine protection and deliverance, comes from a real-life event I've heard about firsthand (you can also hear about it on the Undeceptions podcast). On August 5, 2002, what began as an ordinary summer morning at Murree Christian School in Pakistan became a profound testament to divine protection and human resilience. Located just an hour northeast of Islamabad, the school was thrust into chaos when gunmen launched a carefully planned attack during the children's morning break.

The attack unfolded as 150 students played outside. Georgina, a missionary teacher, was conducting a kindergarten class outdoors when loud banging sounds shattered the peaceful morning. Initially mistaking the noise for electrical problems, she suddenly realised the gravity of the situation when the principal ran toward her, gesturing frantically for everyone to take cover. Through the chaos, Georgina spotted two men with cloth-wrapped heads carrying weapons. Her immediate instinct was to get her seven young students under tables—a familiar earthquake drill that proved lifesaving in this terrifying moment. The gunmen had reportedly planned this attack for months, timing it for recess when everyone would be outside, though they arrived later than intended.

What makes this tragedy remarkable isn't just the survival of all 150 students, but the extraordinary accounts of protection that emerged. Tragically, there were six fatalities, but the discovery of an arsenal including grenades, rifles, and ammunition near the school fence suggested the outcome could have been catastrophic.

Multiple witnesses reported supernatural interventions: Hamed, a school guard, felt invisible hands pull him down just as bullets flew overhead. A maintenance worker was mysteriously dragged into a shed and locked inside, only to watch the gunman pass by seconds later. Another staff member scaling a fence suddenly found himself lifted over by two figures in white who vanished immediately. Perhaps most remarkably, several children independently reported hearing angelic singing amid the gunfire—a detail that continues to inspire believers worldwide.

Australian missionaries David and Georgina Newmarch, who were present that day, remain convinced that angels protected their school community. Even Georgina's unusual decision to hold class away from the front gate—where the gunmen entered—seemed divinely orchestrated, preventing her from being trapped with excited five-year-olds in the line of fire.

I had the privilege of speaking at length with a teacher who worked in this school and heard firsthand about how this incredible story has impacted the lives of the people involved, cementing their belief in God's active, protective hand. This harrowing day at Murree Christian School stands as a powerful reminder that even in humanity's darkest moments, hope and protection can emerge in the most unexpected ways.

An Inspiring Truth

In essence, angels are far more than mythical figures; they are active, supernatural beings, deeply linked with the work of God. They serve as His agents, intervening with guidance, protection, and messages in the lives of people. They are a living testament to God's ceaseless care and His active, loving presence in our world. What an inspiring and comforting truth to embrace—that even in the unseen realms, God is working on our behalf, sending His powerful angels to help us along the way! However, while this post has focused on how angels help us, their primary focus is not on us, but God. The Book of Revelation shows us that, in the heavenly throne room, innumerable angels encircle God's throne, constantly praising both the Father and Jesus.