A celebrated Philadelphia neurologist is summoned and led to the bedside of a woman suffering from pneumonia — by a child that appeared normal to him, but had, in fact, been dead for a month.
A missionary in the New Hebrides Islands and his wife are protected from the imminent attack of natives by hundreds of men armed with swords — visible only to the attackers.
Could these have been angels? “Some Christian writers have speculated that UFOs could very well be a part of God’s angelic host,” says evangelist/author Billy Graham in his 1975 book, Angels: God’s Secret Agents. Supporters of this line of thinking point to Biblical references in Isaiah, Ezekiel, Zechariah and Revelations. Whether the King James Version or any of the other popular translations, the Holy Bible tells of sightings that would certainly attract the attention of Scully and Mulder, not to mention the “Cigarette Smoking Man.”
Reverend Graham recounts the story of how he had begun research for a sermon on angels and found (in 1975) that “very little had been written on the subject in this century.” Inspired by the lack of more current information, Graham wrote Angels: God’s Secret Agents. Perhaps the then-current popular interest in spy movies (James Bond, et al) influenced Graham’s choice of wording in the title. While active Christians and Bible scholars would probably concede that popular interest in angels might relegate them to some lesser degree of awareness, the existence of angels is well known. According to Billy Graham, angels are mentioned over 300 times in the Bible.
In fact, Graham’s primary resource is the Bible. Quotes and opinions are offered from over a dozen other books and authors including Dante, Shakespeare, Leslie Miller, Mather, C.S. Lewis and Vance Havner. Unfortunately, this 1975 edition has neither an index nor bibliography. It would, however, be difficult even in the 21st century, to find a more thorough book on the subject. Graham addresses the reality of angels, compares them and their place in the order of things with man and God, explains their organization, rank, and duties and of course their roles in the end-times.
Article comments
1 - Irene Athena
Yes FC Etier, there sure are a lot of people who think they've been helped by angels.
A journalist, having received many requests from people wanting to make their angel stories known, has carefully researched and compiled them in a series of books. Her name is Joan Wester.
There are people who wonder though, when they hear these stories, why miracles didn't happen to THEM when they needed them. Their questions don't negate the wonder of what appears to be kind and miraculous intervention by spirit beings, but sometimes I really don't know what to say. God, as Jesus, has suffered too, and understands, and the Holy Spirit's direct comfort in times of sorrow is in some ways, even more special than an angelic visitation. And that's what I know for sure.
But wow, that's saying something!
2 - fcetier
Irene,
Thank you for reading and for commenting.