Man’s Idea of Angels vs. God’s Reality

Continuing the book Angels by David Jeremiah, he paints a picture of a spiritual guide through various angelic encounters in Scripture. He finishes, “divorced from any credibility forever in our minds are the thoughts of plump baby ‘cherubs’ or pale ladies with see through wings traced in glitter across our Christmas cards.”

Again, the other book I read points this out as well. These are all man made images that are CALLED angels. As a reminder, angel means ‘messenger’ - it is a job title, not a physical description. Think of the angels that are warriors for God. I don’t see them in my mind’s eye as ‘baby cherubs,’ do you?

Let’s put it another way. Would you fall smack dab out at a cherub appearing? No! No more than a fairy or a goblin. But what Ezekiel saw? Jacob? John? Others? They fell as if dead.

After Pentecost: Angels Still Active

At this point in the study, Pastor Jimmy asked us to look up some homework — are angels even mentioned after the Day of Pentecost, once the Holy Spirit is released into the world?

The answer? Yes. Angels didn’t suddenly “retire” because the Spirit was poured out. Scripture after Pentecost still shows angelic activity:

* Acts 5:19–20 — An angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought the apostles out.

* Acts 8:26 — An angel told Philip to go south on the desert road, which led to his encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch.

* Acts 10:3 — Cornelius saw an angel who told him to send for Peter.

* Acts 12:7–10 — An angel freed Peter from prison.

* Acts 27:23–24 — Paul, in the middle of the storm, said an angel of God stood beside him and told him not to be afraid.

* Hebrews 13:2 — Believers are warned that some have “entertained angels without knowing it.”

* Revelation — John’s visions are filled with angelic messengers carrying out God’s orders.

Notice something? The angels in these accounts aren’t decorative ornaments. They’re warriors, deliverers, and messengers on assignment from God. A far cry from chubby cherubs on a Christmas card.

Angels in the Fire and the Lion’s Den

And if you need one of the strongest reminders of that, look no further than the fiery furnace in Daniel 3. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s idol, and for their faithfulness they were thrown into a furnace heated seven times hotter than normal. But they weren’t alone in the flames.

Daniel 3:25 records the king’s shock: “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”

Some believe this was an angel sent by God. Others say it was a Christophany — Christ Himself present before His incarnation. Either way, the point is the same: God did not leave His servants alone. He sent help from heaven, right into the fire.

And then in Daniel 6, when Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den, he testified the next morning:

Daniel 6:22 – “My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight.”

Did the angel become visible? Scripture doesn’t say. But here’s the thing — it doesn’t matter. In the fiery furnace, the angel (or Christ Himself) was visible, because Nebuchadnezzar needed to see it. But here in the lions’ den, only Daniel experienced the miracle. Visible or not, the point is the same: God sent His help, right when and where it was needed.

Angels on Mission

And then in Acts 12, when Peter was miraculously freed from prison, Scripture says:

Acts 12:10 – “They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.”

Why did the angel disappear so suddenly? Simple — the mission was done. Angels aren’t here to hang around for applause or admiration. If they lingered, people might be tempted to worship the messenger instead of the One who sent him. Their task is clear: show up, carry out God’s command, and then step aside so the glory goes to Him alone.

Immediate Obedience

In each of these stories — Elijah with Ahab’s captain (2 Kings 1), David receiving God’s word through Gad (1 Chronicles 21:18), Joseph warned to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt (Matthew 2:13) — there’s no hesitation. The message is clear, the source is God, and the response is instant obedience.

Now pause and let that sink in.

If the Creator of EVERYTHING tells you to do something, why would you hesitate? Even if it pushes against what the world calls “common sense.” Even if it makes you stand out. Even if it runs against the grain of your traditions.

I’ll be honest here. I believe God has been leading me in some ways that don’t always line up neatly with “traditional Baptist beliefs.” This isn’t just theory for me — it’s something God has been pressing on me personally, and I can’t ignore it. Even when it pushes me beyond the comfort of tradition, I know obedience has to come first.

The point is this: if I’m sure it’s His Word and His Spirit that’s guiding, then obedience is the only faithful response.

So I’ll put the challenge back to you:

What has God already told you to do that you’re still putting off?

Is it forgiving someone who hurt you? Is it stepping forward to serve where you’ve been dragging your feet? Is it sharing your testimony with someone who desperately needs hope?

Partial obedience is just delayed disobedience.

When God speaks, the only right answer is yes, Lord.

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